Award will be presented at the 13th Annual ABL Conference in Washington, D.C.
April 9, 2015 – Bethesda, MD – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) is proud to announce that Dr. Peter Cressy, President & CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), is the 2015 ABL Top Shelf Award honoree and will be recognized at the 13th Annual ABL Conference on June 8, 2015.
The ABL Top Shelf Award, the highest honor presented by America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers, recognizes those who have demonstrated professional excellence in the beverage alcohol industry and have had a positive influence in their communities.
During his nearly 16-year tenure at the helm of DISCUS, the national trade association representing the leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits in the United States, Dr. Cressy has worked relentlessly to engage liquor industry partners to promote the responsible use of distilled spirits products, oppose efforts to harm the hospitality industry and foster a renewed passion for America’s cocktail culture.
“Peter’s accomplishments on behalf of his members and our industry have been vast and transformational,” said John Bodnovich, ABL’s Executive Director. “More importantly, his tireless commitment to the distilled spirits industry has invigorated our country’s unique and vibrant beverage alcohol marketplace.”
The DISCUS team under Dr. Cressy’s leadership at DISCUS has helped the spirits industry increase its market share 25 percent; defeat more than 350 state and local tax bills; enhance its tough advertising guidelines while simultaneously growing the scope of industry advertising platforms; fought for fair trade agreements in the global marketplace; and emphasized science and evidence-based methods for developing policies to address the misuse and abuse of beverage alcohol.
Dr. Cressy was also instrumental in the historical undertaking of reconstructing George Washington’s Distillery at Historic Mount Vernon. The annual industry Spirit of Mount Vernon gala has raised nearly $3.5 million to advance the educational mission of Mount Vernon.
A retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, Dr. Cressy came to DISCUS in 1999 after serving as Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He will be honored at the ABL Top Shelf Award Banquet at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., on June 8. If you are interested in celebrating Dr. Cressy’s achievements, please visit www.ablusa.org/abl-events/2015ABL.