ROTY award recognizes industry contributions
Pub Date: 4/1/2007
The ABL Brown-Forman Retailer of the Year award is sponsored by Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide, owner of a number of spirits and wine brands, including Jack Daniels, Old Forrester, Early Times, and Fetzer wines, to name just a few of their many labels.
In a press release, ABL said, Retailers are a crucial link in the three-tier beverage alcohol industry as they are the face of the industry. They are the last ones to handle products before they reach the hands of consumers.
They are also leading members of their communities who work long hours and place a strong emphasis on responsible retailing, with ABL executive director, Harry Wiles, adding, ABL congratulates the Retailers of the Year on their continuing efforts to reflect the positive impact that the beverage industry has in this country.
MTA executive director Diana Koon says, The purpose of the award is to recognize and honor members of ABL-affiliated organizations who have been active in service with their associations, plus other community service. They honor both on-premise and off-premise retailers from member organizations, though in Montana it s on-premise retailers only.
ABL notifies us when it s time to make a selection. We inform our membership and solicit nominations. MTA s past presidents serve as the selection committee.
Ms. Koon applauded Kiedrowski s selection. Along with the offices he s held with the various associations, she pointed out that he was the convention chairman for the recent MTA conventions that were held in Billings. She added, He does a lot for local charities, especially with a big annual Christmas fundraiser.
She added, They probably wouldn t like to let this get out'; it d ruin their image. But these guys (tavern operators) are the biggest bunch of bleeding hearts you ever saw. They re always doing fundraisers for one charity or another.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.