The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) recently announced the election and installation of Jordan Cotton of Cotton & Reed (DC) as the President of the Board of Directors. He has served as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors since 2023, according to the organization, and has been a key ally on the ground in Washington, including chairing ACSA’s political action committee (PAC).
Jaime Windon of Lyon Rum (MD) has also been elected as the organization’s Vice President, and Tom Bard of The Bard Distillery (KY) as Secretary/Treasurer. Windon and Bard have served on the board since 2023 and 2024, respectively, according to the organization.
Together, Cotton, Windon and Bard, along with the current and newly-appointed Board of Directors, will work with CEO Margie A.S. Lehrman to address the key issues facing the craft distilling industry, including the organization’s continued push for modern market access, regulatory relief and changes to an anti-competitive marketplace at both the state and federal level.
ACSA’s New Board of Directors
ACSA is also announcing the results of its national election for Board of Directors members, adding five new members.
“It’s a tremendous honor to serve as president of the ACSA Board of Directors, especially following in the footsteps of Kelly Woodcock and her talented predecessors,” said Cotton in a news release. “Working with ACSA has been the best medicine I’ve found to counter the all-too-familiar feeling that this business can be just too tough. I’m excited to work with our talented Board to continue ACSA’s vital work—improving our regulatory landscape and strengthening the sense of community we all need to thrive in this challenging industry.”
Lehrman added, “With the ongoing economic uncertainty that is wreaking havoc on our industry, ACSA remains focused on critical issues to ensure our small business manufacturers, who are inextricably connected to their local hospitality and agricultural communities, can survive current market headwinds. Jordan has long been a voice for our organization in Washington, and I look forward to working closely with him—and the rest of our board—to fight for our industry’s survival.”
Following these elections, the ACSA Board of Directors will also be appointing leadership to its governing committees. Those committees include Membership, Ethics, Convention, Education, Elections, Safety, ACSA PAC, Craft Spirits Competition, Government Affairs, State Guilds, Technology, Finance and Market Access, according to the organization. The new 2025 Board of Directors were installed on Tuesday, April 22nd.
The 2025 Board of Directors
EAST
Jordan Cotton, Cotton & Reed (DC)
Greg Eidam, Sugarlands Distilling Co. (TN)
Becky Harris, Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. (VA)
Adam Polonski, Lost Lantern Whiskey (VT)
Colin Spoelman, Kings County Distillery (NY)
Jaime Windon, Windon Distilling Co. (MD)
CENTRAL & MOUNTAIN
Mark Shilling, Maverick Distilling (TX) *newly elected and former ACSA President
Murphy Quint, Cedar Ridge (IA) *newly elected
Phil Steger, Brother Justus Whiskey Co. (MN)
Olivia Stewart, Oxbow Rum Distillery (LA)
Thomas Williams, Delta Dirt Distillery (AR)
Tom Bard, The Bard Distillery (KY)
PACIFIC
Alex Villicana, Re:Find Distillery (CA) *newly elected
Caitlin Bartlemay, Clear Creek Distillery/ Hood River Distillers (OR) *newly elected
Tara Bomberger, Freeland Spirits (OR) *newly elected
EX OFFICIO
Jeff Kanof, Copperworks Distilling Co. (WA)
The national digital election was administered over the past month with the help of the Election’s Chair, Renee Bemis, Driftless Glen Distillery (WI) and Jeff Wuslich, Cardinal Spirits (IN).
