Alexandria , VA – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) today announced that Dean Thomas will serve as Director, Congressional Affairs. Thomas, who has had a successful career on Capitol Hill, brings to the Association a wealth of legislative and political campaign experience.

As Director of Congressional Affairs, Thomas will be an instrumental part of NBWA’s advocacy team under the leadership of Vice President, Federal Affairs Mike Johnson to promote the interests of beer distributors on Capitol Hill. Priorities include promoting the value of the American three-tier system of beer distribution that safely and efficiently delivers to consumers the greatest choice and variety of products in the world and strengthening the states’ right to regulate alcohol as guaranteed by the 21st Amendment.

“We are very excited to have Dean join the NBWA team,” said NBWA President Craig Purser. “His previous experience on Capitol Hill will serve to benefit America’s beer distributors. Dean’s legislative experience will be key as NBWA works to represent the interest of the 2,750 licensed beer distributors throughout the U.S. and to advocate for effective, state-based regulation of alcohol.”

Thomas spent nearly five years in the Washington, D.C., office of Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-17) where he served as a legislative assistant handling military issues and, most recently, as senior appropriations assistant for defense and energy – acting as a liaison to the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. Before joining Rep. Ryan’s staff in Washington, Thomas served as the political director for the Tim Ryan for Congress Campaign in Warren, Ohio.

“Dean brings to NBWA bipartisanship and experience that will help the federal affairs team advance the legislative priorities of America’s beer distributors,” said Johnson. “We are confident that he will be an asset to our advocacy team.”

Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies from Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia.