The wait is over. In a much-anticipated decision, the Brewers Association has named Bart Watson as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the association. Tapping the next leader from the inside of the association to replace Bob Pease is a bit of surprise given that the search was national in scope – but the having a talented, articulate industry veteran who knows the culture of the BA and of the industry will serve the association and its membership well.
Bart is a very well-known figure to the members and well respected across the industry having served as vice president of strategy and membership and the former chief economist of the BA. His start date as president and CEO will be January 6, 2025.
Before joining the Brewers Association in 2013, Watson was a visiting assistant professor at the University of Iowa Department of Political Science, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Berkeley Roundtable on the international economy, and a University of California Berkeley School of Public Health lecturer. He is a graduate of Stanford University and holds master’s and PhD degrees in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.
“I am honored to be chosen to lead the Brewers Association, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by the leaders before me,” said Watson. “Craft has been going through a difficult period and I am committed to finding ways to help our members navigate those challenges. Our members are incredibly innovative and adaptable entrepreneurs, and I’m ready to work with them and for them to support their businesses and bring excitement back to the category.”
Having worked closely with Bart in his capacity at the BA over many years, this reporter cannot imagine a better choice to lead the BA into the future. Congratulation to Bart and the BA Board of Directors.