The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced that Ken Lewis has been elected chair of the 144-year-old nonprofit trade group that promotes and protects the signature Kentucky Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.
Lewis, founder of Newport’s New Riff Distilling, will begin his term as chair beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and will serve through December 2025. Lewis retired this year as president and CEO of New Riff and is now its operating owner.
“It is an honor to serve as chair of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association,” Lewis said. “I’m proud to have been a part of all the work Kentucky Distillers’ Association has done over the years to grow our industry into a $9 billion economic engine.
“As I enter this new leadership role, I have eyes wide open to the opportunities and challenges our industry will face in the coming months and years. We’ve always found success when we work together as one distilling family, and I look forward to building upon that legacy.”