The Brewers Association, Boulder, Colo., announced the appointment of Bart Watson to president and CEO of the trade association. As the current vice president of strategy and membership and the former chief economist of the Brewers Association, Watson is a well-known and respected voice in the industry, the association notes.

“Bart’s in-depth understanding of the craft beer industry and landscape and his decade-plus of experience within the Brewers Association makes him uniquely poised to step into the president and CEO role on day one with a strategic vision and plan,” said Leah Cheston, board chair, in a statement. “The board of directors is excited for the next chapter and looks forward to working with Bart to chart the path forward for our members and our industry.”

The Brewers Association Board of Directors confirmed Watson’s selection at its Dec. 12 board meeting in Atlanta after conducting a national recruitment process through executive search agency Kittleman & Associates. His start date as president and CEO will be Jan. 6, 2025. Watson will succeed Bob Pease, who will retire from the organization on Jan. 3.

In his new position leading the Brewers Association, Watson will address legislative and regulatory issues impacting independent craft breweries and producers, champion their voice in the media and across industries, oversee the development of events and resources to benefit member businesses and support the board’s ongoing development as a strategic governing body.

Before joining the Brewers Association in 2013, Watson was a visiting assistant professor at the University of Iowa Department of Political Science, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Berkeley Roundtable on the international economy, and a University of California Berkeley School of Public Health lecturer. He is a graduate of Stanford University and holds master’s and PhD degrees in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead the Brewers Association, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by the leaders before me,” Watson stated. “Craft has been going through a difficult period and I am committed to finding ways to help our members navigate those challenges. Our members are incredibly innovative and adaptable entrepreneurs, and I’m ready to work with them and for them to support their businesses and bring excitement back to the category.”