The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has announced that Bryan Alvey, a governmental affairs specialist with more than 15 years’ experience in legislative advocacy, has joined the non-profit association as Senior Director of Governmental and External Affairs.
lvey comes to the KDA from Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, where he has been Director of Local Affairs and Policy Development since 2001, as well as Chairman of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation Employee Community Service Committee.
“We are thrilled to add a distinguished leader of Bryan’s caliber to direct our governmental and regulatory affairs programs,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “His reputation lobbying the Kentucky General Assembly is impeccable, and we are impressed with his passion, authentic personality, tireless work ethic and of course, his service to our country.”
Alvey, who grew up on a family farm, also brings a key agricultural perspective through his years of work with the venerated Kentucky Farm Bureau organization. “There’s probably not a corner of Kentucky that he hasn’t touched,” Gregory said.
“We’re honored to welcome him to our expert team and growing distilling family.”
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Alvey said he looked forward to building upon the KDA’s legislative success and noted that distilling runs in his family. His mother’s family is from Nelson County – the Bourbon Capital of the World – and his grandmother worked for years at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown.
“This is an incredible opportunity to join a thriving industry that contributes so much to the Commonwealth,” Alvey said. “The KDA has made tremendous strides in the last few years to modernize Kentucky’s archaic alcohol laws, but there’s still much to be done.
“It’s an exciting time to be in the Kentucky Bourbon business, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Alvey is a combat veteran who has served the United States Army in three wartime operations. He was stationed in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm I; at Fort Campbell, Ky., during Noble Eagle III after 9/11; and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Alvey was in charge of Force Protection for Camp Cropper, a forward operating base in Iraq, and served as unit intelligence liaison while there, earning a Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service. He retired from the military in 2009 while serving as an Artillery Platoon Sergeant.
He is a 1996 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in government and geography, specializing in environmental management, and received his Master’s in Public Administration from American Military University in 2010.
Alvey will be responsible for managing and directing the KDA’s public affairs initiatives at all levels of government. Alvey starts Sept. 5, 2017 and will be based at KDA headquarters in Frankfort, Ky.
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