Fall 2026
The General Assembly may not convene for several more months, but for VBWA, preparing for a legislative session begins long before lawmakers arrive in Richmond.
One of our top priorities this fall is getting legislators out of their offices and into our members’ warehouses. There is no substitute for seeing a beer distribution operation firsthand. It’s a look beyond the inbox or the headlines at the people, trucks, facilities, and investments that keep beverages moving to retailers across Virginia. Those visits also give us an opportunity to explain how the three-tier system works and why it continues to serve consumers, businesses, and the Commonwealth.
We’re also preparing for issues likely to receive more attention in 2027. Environmental proposals, including another potential push for a bottle deposit program (a value-added tax for litter or extended producer responsibility/EPR), are among the issues we’re watching closely. Our job is to make sure members understand what’s coming and that policymakers are clear on how these proposals could affect distributors and Virginia’s existing recycling system.
At the same time, we’re doing some planning of our own. The VBWA Board recently completed a two-day retreat focused on updating the Association’s strategic plan and thinking about how we best serve our members in a marketplace that continues to evolve.
Cannabis regulation, kratom, ABC enforcement, special warehouse regulations, and other issues we’ve discussed throughout the year remain important. But effective advocacy isn’t just responding when legislation appears. It’s doing the work beforehand to build relationships, educate policymakers, and make sure our industry is ready when the conversation begins.
Philip H. Boykin
President & CEO
Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association
P.S. Virginia’s cannabis market is taking shape
Virginia’s plans for legal adult-use cannabis moved another step forward this fall. In September, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority released its first draft of regulations governing the new retail marketplace, offering the clearest picture yet of how the system could operate when sales begin July 1, 2027. The proposed rules address licensing, retail operations, product requirements and other details of the new market.
The draft now moves through a review process, with regulations expected to be finalized in December and take effect in January. Some license applications are scheduled to open by Feb. 1, with the first retail sales still targeted for July 1.
For VBWA, the details matter. As Virginia builds an entirely new regulated marketplace, we will continue following the process and engaging with policymakers to ensure implementation does not come at the expense of the Commonwealth’s existing alcohol regulatory and enforcement system.
2026-2027 VBWA Board of Directors
Linda Lawrence Dalton, Chair, Lawrence Distributing Company
Katherine Hines, Vice Chair, Hoffman Beverage Company
PH McLaughlin, Premium Distributors of Virginia
Jackie Archer, Blue Ridge Beverage Company
Toby Norris, Virginia Eagle Distributing Company
Aden Short, P.A. Short Distributing, ex-officio and chair, Legislative Affairs Committee
Mark your Calendar: VBWA’s 2027 Legislative Conference and Day on the Hill is February 3-4
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Get the 2026 Alcohol Beverage Laws and Regulations Manual
Built by VBWA general counsel Mike Mullin with support from our partner Kevin McNally, the latest edition of our Alcohol Beverage Laws and Regulations manual has been redesigned for improved readability and easier digital use. No matter the device you’re using, its interactive format makes it simpler to navigate Virginia’s alcohol laws, regulations, and policies.
The manual reflects all relevant laws and regulatory changes enacted since the previous edition and is current as of July 1, 2026. We encourage you to download and share with your entire team.
On Tap: Coming to a YouTube Channel near you!
VBWA attorney Mike Mullin is recording a new “On Tap” legal and legislative update, which will be available later this month via YouTube. The topic: the three-tier system and tied house laws. Instead of a live taping, his presentation is being recorded and will be provided both in full and cut into chapters. It’s our new way of bringing members fresh content in the most accessible manner possible. Stay tuned!
Download our new one-pager highlighting the annual tax revenue impact of Virginia’s alcoholic beverage industry.
VBWA back at the Center for Alcohol Policy Conference
In August, VBWA President Phil Boykin and General Counsel Mike Mullin attended the Center for Alcohol Policy’s 19th Annual Alcohol Law & Policy Conference in Minneapolis, Minn. The event convenes industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, attorneys, and advocates to examine the latest developments in alcohol law, policy, compliance, and responsible regulation. Among the discussions was a panel on “Challenges of Stolen Alcohol,” which featured Virginia’s own Anthony Jimenez, special agent in charge at Virginia ABC. According to NBWA, food and beverage products, including alcohol, became cargo thieves’ No. 1 target category in 2025; incidents increased nearly 50% from 2024 and represented more than 20% of supply-chain theft.
Once stolen beer or spirits are reintroduced into commerce, they bypass the regulated chain of custody. Regulators may not know where the product originated, whether it was properly stored or handled, whether appropriate taxes were paid or whether the seller is licensed. NBWA believes alcohol regulators have a role beyond simply treating this as ordinary property theft.
Virginia Beer Wholesaler Employee Spotlights
People are the backbone of Virginia’s beer distribution industry. They keep supply chains running, support local businesses, and ensure that the brands you know and love make it to store shelves and restaurants across the Commonwealth. Here, we’re sharing several of Virginia’s finest wholesale team members.
Want to feature an employee at your warehouse?
Contact VBWA’s Lauren Cash.
Danville Distributing Co.’s Jeff Morris
Jeff began his career loading trucks in the warehouse and went on to spend nearly 16 years as Warehouse Manager. Today, he serves as Danville Distributing Company’s Draft Specialist. Throughout his career, Jeff has built a reputation for being one of the company’s most reliable and dedicated employees.
Outside of work, Jeff is first and foremost a family man. He and his wife, Toni, have been married for 34 years and have two children and one grandchild. He also enjoys traveling the country and taking cruises with family and friends.
Jeff is a music lover who enjoys a wide variety of genres and he even plays the drums! When it comes to beer, he says two favorites are Wicked Weed Pernicious and, with a sense of humor, anything cold and free made by Anheuser-Busch.
Jeff is also a proud veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. Over the course of his career, he has collected some memorable experiences, including meeting August Busch III, seeing the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales in person, and meeting Martina McBride while working a special event.
Valley Distributing Corp.’s Ben Rutrough
With 24 years of dedicated service to the Salem distributor, Ben has been a valued team player throughout his career. He began working in the warehouse, worked his way up to warehouse manager, and now serves as operations manager for Valley Distributing.
Ben has always excelled at learning new tasks and taking on new responsibilities. He enjoys the exciting challenges each day brings and has especially valued the opportunity to build relationships with many of Valley Distributing’s supplier partners.
When he’s not working, Ben enjoys hiking, fishing, and kayaking with his family. He also puts his skills to work as a part-time arborist.
Save the Date:
37th Annual VBWA / VWWA Joint Convention
June 20-22, 2027 | Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach
Upcoming Meetings and Events
13th Annual Next Generation Success in Leadership Conference
November 9-11
San Diego, Calif.
2027 VBWA Legislative Conference and Day on the Hill
February 3-4
Richmond
Your VBWA Team
The team at the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association works hard every day to protect Virginia’s three-tier system, promote responsible alcohol regulation, and ensure that the voices of independent beer distributors are heard. Reach out to them anytime.
Philip Boykin, President & CEO, phil.boykin@vbwa.org
Michael Mullin, General Counsel, mike.mullin@vbwa.org
Kelli Gaudreau, Director of Operations, kelli.gaudreau@vbwa.org
Lauren Cash, Project Manager, lauren.cash@vbwa.org
Associate Membership
