NABCA ’ S ADVISORY COMMITTEE

positions across the business . During his tenure , Diageo has made great strides towards its ambition of becoming “ one of the best performing , most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world .” Diageo has also grown under Ivan ’ s leadership , now sell-ing more than 200 brands in more than 180 markets , and is today the number-one company by net sales value in Scotch whisky , vodka , gin , rum , Canadian whisky , liqueurs and tequila – all of which has been achieved with a commitment to responsible drinking front and center . Ivan has also guided Diageo in pioneering grain-to-glass sustainability , as well as setting a particularly strong stance on inclusion and diversity ; collectively , referred to as Diageo ’ s Society 2030 : Spirit of Pro-gress plan . Finally , in recognition of his service to business and to equality , Ivan was awarded a Knighthood in His Majesty The King ’ s 2023 New Year Honours List . All tallied , Ivan has been a true force for the future .

II . MAC GIPSON A United States Army veteran , the retired CEO of Gipson ’ s Auto Tire and a former Alabama State Representative , Mac Gipson came to the industry late in his career when he was appointed to serve as Administrator of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in January of 2011 . Nonetheless , over the course of the next 12 years , Mac left a lasting impression on the industry . During his tenure , Mac was able to more than double the amount of net revenue transferred to the state general fund to more than $ 700 million in support of essential state services . Mac also led the agency ’ s efforts to improve customer services , enhance the overall shopping experience and modernize state-owned stores , as well as make improvements to the warehouse that serves the stores and the many licensees that sell beverage alcohol throughout Alabama . As his greatest achieve-ment , however , Mac counts the creation of programs to reduce underage and binge drinking . Mac may have considered himself “ late to the game ” but he needed little time

leaving his mark on the industry as a state regulator .

III . JIM SGUEO After a 53-year career with the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association , Jim Sgueo decided to step aside and retire in December of 2021 . From the mailroom to the boardroom , Jim helped to influence the role and importance of control states , including playing a pivotal role in development of the NABCA sales reports that have afforded the association the ability to do what it financially wouldn ’ t have otherwise been able to accomplish . Since being named NABCA ’ s President and CEO in 1993 , Jim continued to expand on the value of the SAM data , created the NABCA Daily News Update and added the education grant program . Along the way , he also launched the NABCA Administrators Conference and the NABCA Legal Symposium , all in service of the members . And , in the aftermath of Washington State ’ s liquor privatization in 2012 , Jim promoted “ Modernization through Collaboration ,” which has made control states more effective wholesale and retail operations for the governors and constituents they serve . Our industry is better for Jim ’ s dedicated service .

These are just three of many examples that exist throughout our industry where individuals have made a lasting difference . Each of these individuals , in their own unique way , contributed to the growth and advancement of our industry . Their accomplishments , however , are now in the past , and it is for a new generation to lead the industry forward . Their successors – Debra Crew , Curtis Steward and Neal Insley – along with the rest of us , by understanding the power of the past and the forces of the future , are empowered to build on the decisions made before us and leave our own impression on the future . I encourage each of you to follow the example of these three individuals and leave your own mark on our shared industry . •

12 StateWays | www . stateways . com | Summer 2023