Becky Schlauch Brings Montana ’ s Best Practices as NABCA Chairwoman
Forward Together , Stronger Tomorrow
Becky Schlauch Brings Montana ’ s Best Practices as NABCA Chairwoman
by MELISSA SHERWIN
For Becky Schlauch , relationship building is always a top priority . As the Administrator of the Montana Department of Revenue ’ s Alcoholic Beverage Control ( ABC ) Division , Schlauch says that working and connecting with people is the best part of the job .
Her strength in and commitment to doing so has served her well over the course of her career and will likely be a critical component of her success in her upcoming role as Chair of the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association ( NABCA ), which she will assume at the organization ’ s annual conference in mid-May . Her theme for the coming year is “ Forward Together , Stronger Tomorrow ,” illustrating how she will apply her relationship-focused mindset to a national scale .
EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY
Per its mission , the Montana Department of Revenue aims “ to be the nation ’ s most citizen-oriented , efficiently administered , state tax agency .” Since 1972 , the department has served as the state ’ s sole hub for alcoholic beverage control , property valuation and state tax assessment and collection .
The ABC Division focuses on efficiently administering Montana ’ s alcoholic beverage code , prioritizing customer service and public safety . This is achieved through the fair application of regulations , ensuring a well-organized system for the distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages .
Schlauch has been in her current role with the ABC Division since 2017 . A Montana native , she has lived in the state for most of her life and completed her education at the University of Montana in Missoula , earning both a bachelor ’ s and master ’ s degree in business administration .
Early in her career , she worked in accounting for several newspapers in Montana and Wyoming . In 2010 , Schlauch became the chief financial officer for Montana ’ s Department of Public Health and Human Services , a position she held until joining the ABC Division . She has received many accolades and honors throughout the course of her career , including two Governor ’ s Awards for Excellence and the annual Leadership in Alcohol Regulation Award from the Center for Alcohol Policy .
“ I really enjoy the work that I do ,” Schlauch says . “ This is a very fun industry and I enjoy the relationships . The people are great .”
Based in the city of Helena , Montana ’ s ABC Division has 32 employees across its two bureaus and one unit : distribution bureau , licensing bureau and the outreach and education unit . Among a number of priority initiatives the agency is focused on is the expansion of a 100,000−square-foot warehouse . The current facility has been owned and operated by the state since the 1970s .
12 StateWays • Summer 2024 www . stateways . com