ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) today announced that Jesse McCollum will serve as Director, Congressional Affairs. McCollum first joined NBWA in 2006 when he was named Washington Representative.

“Jesse has been a great addition to NBWA’s Federal Affairs team,” said NBWA President Craig Purser. “He has been a valuable asset to the Association and a tremendous advocate for America’s beer distributors. Naming him as our Director of Congressional Affairs is a recognition of his hard work and leadership in advancing our agenda.”

As Director of Congressional Affairs, McCollum will continue to work closely with NBWA’s advocacy team under the leadership of Federal Affairs Vice President Mike Johnson to promote the interests of beer distributors by increasing the visibility and effectiveness of NBWA on Capitol Hill. Priorities include promoting the value of the American system of beer distribution and strengthening the states’ right to regulate malt beverage products.

“Jesse’s legislative experience, political instincts and extensive bipartisan relationships proved invaluable to NBWA’s successful effort to bring members of Congress, the advocacy community and the industry together to pass the STOP Underage Drinking Act (Public Law 109-422) in the final days of the 109th Congress,” according to Johnson.

A veteran of several political campaigns, McCollum spent nearly four years in the office of Rep. Ed Towns (NY-10) where he served as a legislative assistant. Prior to joining NBWA he founded the political development firm JTM Strategies and served as its principal.

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, McCollum is a graduate of George Washington University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He currently resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife and daughter.