CEO led four associations before joining alcohol industry group

Naasz

Kraig Naasz will step down as CEO of the $17 million-revenue Distilled Spirits Council after less than three years on the job.

The Council announced April 27 that Naasz would leave in June to rejoin the issues management firm Washington2 Advocates, which has offices in Washington, D.C., and Bellevue, Wash. He joined the distilled spirits industry group in 2016 after having previously led four other associations.

"Leading the Distilled Spirits Council during this time of transition for the association and the distilled spirits sector has been one of the most gratifying professional experiences of my career," Naasz said in a statement.

Naasz previously was the chief executive of the American Frozen Food Institute, National Mining Association, The Fertilizer Institute and U.S. Apple Association. Peter Cressy led the Council for 16 years before retiring in 2015. Naasz was tapped the following year to succeed the longtime CEO by the group's board of directors.

The Council noted that under Naasz's leadership it helped secure the first federal excise tax reduction on spirits since the Civil War. The group also rebranded, adopting a new logo and online presence.

"Our sector's growth has been facilitated, in part, by the tax victories, market access gains, export promotion, regulatory reforms and overall advancement of our public policy agenda supported by Kraig and the Council's talented team," board Chair Jim Clerkin said in a statement.

In response to the announcement, National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons issued a statement calling Naasz "an influential leader in the manufacturing association community." (Naasz is second vice chairman of NAM's Council of Manufacturing Associations.)

Naasz is "a skilled strategist, who understands effective approaches to advocacy and how to enhance the overall industry brand for his member companies," Timmons said.

Naasz earned $812,858 in take-home pay in 2016, according to tax records.

The Council's board of directors is initiating a search to find a new CEO.