“ When I became the Chairperson in 2023, I wanted us to have a much more open process and be out in our communities and help people”
– MLCC Chairperson Kristin Beltzer
The MLCC Raises the Bar for Control States by KRYSTINA SKIBO
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission in 2023 toasted to more than nine decades of operations. In honor of this milestone, the Commission hosted an event in December of that year.“ Let me tell you, it was a lot of fun,” says MLCC Chairperson Kristin Beltzer, reminiscing about the celebration.“ We probably had over 200 people there, and our team did such a great job. It was just a really great way for us to showcase the work that we’ ve done over the years.” The MLCC has also done a lot of work for the communities it serves. Having been around for 92 years, the MLCC has set a firm foundation for the future of the beverage alcohol industry within the state. But as with any successful organization, change is necessary to keep the Commission functioning and up to date with the industry, as it adjusts to consumer preferences. This is Beltzer’ s goal during her time as Chairperson.“ When I became the Chairperson in 2023, I wanted us to have a much more open process and be out in our communities and help people,” she says.“ I think there was the impression that the MLCC was difficult to work with and we weren’ t very business friendly. So with my strong background in business, I knew the advantages of building a system that actually went out to help licensees be successful.”
THE MLCC ' S GRIP ON MICHIGAN ' S ALCOHOL INDUSTRY
Working alongside Beltzer are four other commissioners at the MLCC, includ- ing Dennis Olshove( Administrative Commissioner), Hoon-Yung Hopgood( Administrative Commissioner), Lee Gonzales( Hearing Commissioner) and Edward Toma( Hearing Commissioner). Together, this team works hard to ensure the safety of beverage alcohol sales within the state.
“ Our mission at the MLCC is to make alcoholic beverages available for consumption while also protecting the consumer and general public through the regulation of those involved in the sale and distribution of alcoholic products,” Beltzer says.
Michigan operates under the threetier system, which, as Beltzer calls it, is the“ hallmark of the state’ s alcohol regulatory structure.” And while this is slightly different than how other control states operate, Michigan prides itself on promoting competition and choice by having the three tiers separate from each other.
And according to Beltzer, all three tiers have a good relationship with one another in the state:
“ We have made a point to build relationships with all of them,” she says.“ We have many distributors in Michigan, one of them being RNDC. We also have Great Lakes Wine & Spirits and Imperial Beverage, and the MLCC has great relationships with all of them.”
It’ s important for control states to
10 StateWays • Winter 2025 www. stateways. com