Brewers Association Board of Directors Kicks Off 2026 Term

Two new representatives join the 16-person board


Boulder, Colo. • February 26, 2026—The Brewers Association—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers—announced its 2026 board of directors, with two new representatives joining the 16-person board. The directors gathered in Washington, DC, on February 26, in conjunction with the association’s annual hill climb, for the first of their regular quarterly meetings.
 
Fred Matt, president of Saranac Brewery/Matt Brewing Co. (Utica, NY), started his first term as board chair. Matt has served on the board since 2020.
 
New board member Sierra Grossman, vice president of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, Calif.), and incumbent members Jason Perkins of Allagash Brewing Co. (Portland, Maine) and Mitch Steele of New Realm Brewing Co. (Atlanta, Ga.) were elected as packaging representatives, with Grossman and Perkins each serving a three-year term and Steele serving a two-year term.
 
New board member Jason Spaulding of Brewery Vivant (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and incumbent member Jason Lavery of Lavery Brewing Co. (Erie, Pa.) were elected as brewpub representatives and will each serve a three-year term. Incumbent taproom class representative Melissa Romano of Lake Anne Brew House (Reston, VA) was re-elected to a three-year term.
 
Incumbent board members Audra Gaiziunas of DSSOLVR (Asheville, N.C.) and Chris Herron of Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Atlanta, Ga.) were appointed as at-large representatives and will each serve a two-year and a one-year term, respectively
 
Matt thanked outgoing board members Shawna Cormier (Burien, Wash.) and Kris Spaulding of Brewery Vivant (Grand Rapids, Mich.) for their combined nine years of service.
 
“Independent craft brewers continue to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to their communities, “ said Matt,  “As chair, I’m honored to work alongside this dedicated board and the Brewers Association team to strengthen the foundation of our industry, advocate for policies that support small brewers, and ensure our members have the tools they need to thrive in a dynamic and changing marketplace.”
 
The 2026 Brewers Association Board of Directors is comprised of the following members:
(*indicates new to the board in 2026)

Executive Committee
Chair – Fred Matt, Saranac Brewery/Matt Brewing Co, Utica, NY
Vice Chair– Jason Lavery, Lavery Brewing Co, Erie, PA
Secretary – Melissa Romano, Lake Anne Brewhouse, Reston, VA
Treasurer – Audra Gaiziunas, DSSOLVR, Asheville, NC
Past Chair – Leah Cheston, Right Proper Brewing Co., Washington, DC
Brewers Association President & CEO – Bart Watson
 
Packaging Brewers Representative Board Members
Pamela Brulotte, Icicle Brewing Co,Leavenworth, WA
Bill Butcher, Port City Brewing Co, Alexandria, VA
*Sierra Grossman, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Chico, CA
Fred Matt, Saranac Brewery/Matt Brewing Co, Utica, NY 
Jason Perkins, Allagash Brewing Co, Portland, ME
Mitch Steele, New Realm Brewing Co, Atlanta, GA
 
Pub Brewers Representative Board Members
Leah Cheston, Right Proper Brewing Co, Washington, DC
Jess Griego, Albuquerque, NM
Jason Lavery, Lavery Brewing Co, Erie, PA
*Jason Spaulding, Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids, MI
 
Taproom Brewers Representative Board Members
Tomme Arthur, The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA
Melissa Romano, Lake Ann Brewhouse, Reston, VA
Nicole Smith, South Lake Brewing Co, South Lake Tahoe, CA
 
At-Large Board Members
Colby Cox, Pure Madness Brewery Group, Jackson, WY
Audra Gaiziunas, DSSOLVR, Asheville, NC
Chris Herron, Creature Comforts Brewing Co, Athens, GA
 
 
Committee Chairs
Executive – Fred Matt
Finance – Audra Gaiziunas
Governance & Nominations –Melissa Romano
Government Affairs – Jason Lavery
Events – Tomme Arthur
Marketing & Communications – Fred Matt
Membership – Pam Brulotte, Melissa Romano
Membership Engagement Subcommittee – TBD
Business Resources Subcommittee – Jess Griego, Nicole Smith
Technical Subcommittee – Jason Perkins, Mitch Steele
 
 
“I want to thank our board members and the brewers across the country who actively engage with their association,” said Bart Watson, president and CEO of the Brewers Association. “Their leadership, insight, and dedication are essential as we navigate a rapidly evolving marketplace. Together, we’ll continue strengthening member value, advancing smart advocacy, and championing the small and independent breweries that bring vibrancy to communities nationwide.”
 

About the Brewers Association    

The Brewers Association (BA) is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers, and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 9,000-plus U.S. breweries, and its independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers from small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events, including the World Beer Cup^®, Great American Beer Festival^®, Craft Brewers Conference^™ & BrewExpo America^®,  and American Craft Beer Week^®. The BA publishes The New Brewer^® magazine and Brewers Publications^® is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.  
    
The Brewers Association is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 13672 and the Secretary of Labor’s rules, regulations, and appropriate orders.    
 

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