The end of the holiday season marks the beginning of the VBWA’s busiest periods of the year.
This week, 140 lawmakers return to Richmond for 60 days. In that time, those leaders will make decisions that impact your people, your operations, and your bottom line. Virginia’s General Assembly includes 21 new faces from November elections along with special elections as a result of some lawmakers receiving cabinet appointments under Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who will be inaugurated this weekend. Many VBWA members have already hosted some of the incoming freshman members of the House of Delegates at their warehouses, because seeing distributor operations and meeting the people in our industry is critical to effectively telling our story.
Despite uncertainty at the federal level and changes in the state, VBWA and the relationships we build year-round leave us well-positioned to achieve our mission of strengthening the three-tier system and supporting the Commonwealth’s distributors.
We have strong ties to the Spanberger administration. At the Attorney General’s office, we were pleased to hear of the appointment of former Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority chief Travis Hill as Virginia’s chief deputy attorney general. He is an attorney who not only knows the regulated beverage industry but also brings considerable government experience, having served under governors Bob McDonnell and Terry McAuliffe.
As always, we are watching several policy proposals that could affect our members. Among them:
- One regulator for cannabis products. Currently, the Commonwealth’s medical marijuana program is overseen by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA). Despite state funding, the CCA is still in development, has faced challenges creating a commercial market, and lacks enforcement capabilities. VBWA believes combining ABC and CCA under one regulator to share resources, operational efficiencies, and enforcement duties will protect consumers and create an equal playing field for producers, distributors, and retailers of Virginia’s evolving cannabis and adult-use products market.
- Renewed interest in modernizing Virginia’s “litter tax,” created in 1976 to support cleanup and recycling through a small fee paid by certain beverage and retail companies, including beer distributors. Unlike 50 years ago, plastics now dominate litter in Virginia, making up nearly a quarter of trash — yet many containers are not part of product categories that trigger the tax. Some groups are pushing proposals that would require new infrastructure, expanded enforcement, and consumer behavior changes that could take years to implement and come with significant costs. VBWA supports a study led by Del. Paul Krizek, due in November, examining how to update the tax to reflect current packaging trends, inflation, and equitable responsibility across all parties involved.
Finally, be sure to join us for our Legislative Conference on January 28-29, which includes our annual Day on the Hill on the 29th.
We hope to see you later this month. Until then — cheers to a happy start to the new year.
Philip H. Boykin
President & CEO
Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association
Get VBWA’s 2026 Year in Beer
What do wholesalers contribute to state and local economies? View, download, and share our latest “Year in Beer” for Virginia.
Open Tap: VBWA’s Mike Mullin looks at Virginia’s alcohol advertising laws and regulations
In October, VBWA General Counsel Mike Mullin presented his second “On Tap,” offering the latest on rules and regs guiding the wholesaler industry. His topic: Happy hours, non-alcoholic products, and all things advertising. If you would like a copy of the presentation, contact Mike.
Employee Spotlights: Honoring the Best of Virginia’s Distributor Workforce
Employees 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 people. Want to feature an employee at your warehouse? Contact VBWA’s Lauren Cash.
Brown Distributing Co.’s Nick Banks, Director of Delivery
For nearly 17 years, Nick has been an essential part of the Brown Distributing family. Starting in the delivery department and working his way up through the ranks, he’s gained a deep, hands-on understanding of what it takes to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently.
In addition to his operational contributions, Nick also serves as a CDL examiner. He has facilitated numerous on-site tests, helping build a strong, steady pipeline of qualified candidates for the delivery department. Nick’s combination of experience, innovation, and mentorship makes him a standout team member and a trusted asset to the company.
Virginia Eagle’s Jeremy Gaines, Warehouse Manager
Jeremy is a 26-year veteran of Virginia Eagle, and his journey through multiple roles before becoming Warehouse Manager reflects his unwavering loyalty, commitment, and dedication to growth and service. He leads with integrity, treats everyone with respect, and consistently supports the success of those around him—making him a true asset to our organization. He deserves to be recognized for the impact he’s made.
When challenges arise, Jeremy is the first to step in, showing hands-on leadership and resilience. When faced with staffing issues across two shifts, he stepped up without hesitation – working closely with team members in every aspect of their roles and filling in wherever needed. Even when tired or under pressure, he remains calm, kind, and dependable. His ability to balance accountability with compassion earns the respect of his team and fosters a strong, supportive work environment. He leads by example, and that makes all the difference.
Lawrence Distributing Co’s Frankie Nester, General Manager
Frankie has had a long career – 43 years – with Lawrence Distributing Company. After working part-time at as Lawrence for several years, Frankie joined the team as a full-time employee in 1982. Over the years, he has worked as a warehouse worker, truck helper, delivery driver, sales representative, market manager, beer division manager, and general manager of the entire company. In all of these roles, he has worked hard and performed well. His knowledge of the business and his commitment to Lawrence — the brands he sells, his fellow staff members, and his customers — have enabled him to advance to a high-level management position.
Frankie has a good working relationship with all of the Lawrence Distributing Company staff, retail customers, and suppliers. He is also good-natured and well-liked by the community as a whole. He is supportive of many good causes and is deeply involved in supporting his local volunteer fire department. In fact, he serves on its Board and acts as its Treasurer. Frankie is not only a valuable employee, but his many community connections also help him serve as a company and brand ambassador—beyond the daily workday. He is one of Lawrence’s finest assets.
Save the Date: VBWA VWWA Annual Convention
June 14-16
The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, Hilton Head Island, S.C. | Add to your calendar
More 2026 NBWA/VBWA Dates
2026 VBWA Annual Legislative Conference, January 28-29
Richmond
NBWA Annual Legislative Conference, April 19-22
Washington, D.C.
BREW Leadership Forum, April 20
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (during Legislative Conference)
Washington, D.C.
NBWA 2026 Annual Conference, October 11-14
Orlando, Fla.
13th Annual Next Generation Success in Leadership Conference, November 9-11
San Diego, Calif.
Thank you to our newest Associate Members!
