Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission

Lucky Strike Entertainment

Lucky Strike Entertainment, formerly Bowlero Corp, is one of the world’s premier location-based entertainment platforms. With over 360 locations across North America, Lucky Strike Entertainment provides experiential offerings in bowling, amusements, water parks, and family entertainment centers. The company also owns the Professional Bowlers Association, the major league of bowling and a growing media property that boasts millions of fans around the globe.

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Stephanie Balaban is the Manager of Liquor Eligibility at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), where she leads a team responsible for assessing eligibility for liquor licensing across the province. Since joining the AGCO in 2007, Stephanie has held progressive roles in customer service and licensing, including Senior Eligibility Officer and Eligibility Officer within the Licensing & Registration Branch. Prior to her regulatory career, she worked at Kraft Canada in various roles focused on consumer engagement and product information. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food and Nutrition from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Jonathan Bing is a Shareholder in the New York City and Albany offices of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. His hospitality law practice is focused on advocating for clients ranging from local bars and eateries to large restaurant and hotel chains to major cultural and tourist attractions including Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center and the Frick Collection from the commencement of the New York liquor license application process to its conclusion. Jonathan represents his clients’ interests on licensing and related matters before community boards and city agencies, as well as New York State Liquor Authority hearing officers and commissioners. As a government relations attorney, he helps companies such as Chipotle and Panda Express advance legislation in the New York State Legislature and New York City Council, secure funding from state and city budgets, and navigate New York government. Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Jonathan held a variety of governmental positions including being elected to five terms in the New York State Assembly representing the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration - Alcoholic Beverage Control

Christy Bjornson currently serves as the Regulatory Division Administrator for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, where she also holds dual leadership roles as Director of both the Arkansas Tobacco Control and Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Divisions. In these capacities, she provides legal counsel and regulatory oversight for the licensing, compliance, and enforcement of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and hemp product laws across the state. The Regulatory team also maintains authority over casino gaming and horse racing in Arkansas. She leads a team of over 100 employees, including five attorneys, and regularly presents at state and regional conferences on complex regulatory issues.

Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission

Tabatha Blackwell, Assistant Director of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, is a Middle Tennessee native, who attended the University of Memphis and received a BA in 2004 and JD in 2007. She has worked in the regulatory arena throughout her career in government, first at the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (now the Tennessee Public Utility Commission) and then as Assistant Director of the Division of Charitable Solicitations within the Secretary of State’s office. She was named Assistant Director of the TABC in 2019. Tabatha lives outside of Nashville with a very good dog and a questionable cat.

Iowa Department Of Revenue Alcohol & Tax Operations Division

Montgomery County Alcoholic Beverage Services - Department of Liquor Control

Joseph Cannon has over 32 years of experience in the Law Enforcement and Alcohol Regulatory field, where he currently serves as the Compliance Manager for Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services in Montgomery County, Maryland. Prior to working for Montgomery County ABS, he was employed with the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for over 21 years and retired as a Special Agent in Charge in 2021. Throughout his career, Joe has been actively involved in law enforcement, alcohol & tobacco regulatory enforcement while serving in a number of roles to include the Virginia ABC Training Academy Director, FDA Tobacco Project Coordinator and past President of the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association.

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration - Alcoholic Beverage Control

A Little Rock native, Drew is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the William H. Bowen School of Law in Little Rock. During law school, Drew interned for two sports agencies, the 2020 re-election campaign of Congressman French Hill, a lobbyist group, Capital Advisors Group and the Supreme Court of Arkansas. Drew joined the Arkansas Bar in 2022 while serving as the Political Director and Fundraiser for the 2022 re-election campaign of Congressman French Hill. Following the election, she served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the 6th Judicial District of Arkansas before joining Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control in 2023. Aside from her work, Drew enjoys reading, watching the Atlanta Braves, volunteering at Miracle League of Arkansas, playing tennis with her husband, Chapman, and spending time with her three Labradors, Lucy, Ozzie, and Bruno.

Iowa Department Of Revenue Alcohol & Tax Operations Division

California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Robert de Ruyter has been with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for seven years, serving as the Assistant General Counsel for the past five and a half years. In this role, he oversees the Department's regulatory program and is responsible for drafting regulations that clarify and explain the laws passed by the Legislature that affect the Department. Prior to being Assistant General Counsel, Robert played a key role in creating the legislatively mandated Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) program and continues to assist the industry in understanding the rights and responsibilities of license holders. Robert graduated from Brigham Young University Law School and has been a licensed attorney in California for over twelve years.

Upton, Connell & Devlin, LLP

Admitted to the bar in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Joe focuses on legal issues related to the hospitality industry, and businesses generally, including alcohol beverage licensing, acquisitions, leases, finance and real estate. Joe's experience extends across the state, having visited approximately 200 communities in Massachusetts. Joe has extensive experience managing state-wide transfers for national clients and working with countless municipal licensing commissions, boards of health, inspectional service departments, the Massachusetts DUA, DOR and the ABCC. He has also drafted changes to the MA Liquor Control Act on behalf of his clients and helped bring those changes to final approval. Joe has served his home community as the vice chair of the licensing commission, a city councilor, and on numerous youth athletic boards and as a coach.

Foster Garvey- Alaska, Foster Garvey- Illinois, Foster Garvey- Oregon, Foster Garvey - Washington

Kristina provides comprehensive legal counsel and risk analysis to all tiers of the beverage alcohol industry, including suppliers, distributors and retailers. She advises on licensing, regulatory compliance, trade practice and transactional business matters spanning federal, state, county and municipal laws and appears on behalf of her clients before all relevant regulatory commissions. In addition, she displays a substantial background in counseling companies, whether publicly traded or privately owned, on acquiring and maintaining licenses through ownership modifications and corporate restructuring. Kristina works with her clients to develop practical and customized strategies to achieve their business goals while maintaining compliance within the complex alcohol legal framework.

Balch & Bingham LLP

Tara Ellis is a corporate and transactional attorney, with specialized expertise in the area of alcoholic beverage law. Her alcoholic beverage law experience includes work on behalf of casinos, restaurants, hotels and other retail establishments as well as distributors and manufacturers.

Colorado Department of Revenue Specialized Business Group - Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division

Iowa Department of Revenue Alcohol & Tax Operations Division

Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission

KYLE E. GILL is General Counsel of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.  He is responsible for providing legal advice to the Commission and its employees as well as handles all legal matters and issues concerning the ABCC as they arise.  Prior to employment at the ABCC, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Norfolk County.  Kyle is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School and Providence College. 

City of Las Vegas Department Of Planning - Business Licensing Division

I have lived in Las Vegas, Nevada for over 38 years. For the last 30+ years, I have worked for the City of Las Vegas, currently in the Community Development Department, Business Licensing Division. As the Business License Section Manager, I oversee the administration of the business licensing processes. As a dedicated, regulatory professional, I prioritize staying informed about local and national trends. My core mission as a regulator is to effectively bridge the requirements of the city with those of the business community and help streamline processes to create a harmonious relationship between both.

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission

Thomas Graham has led TABC as executive director since July of 2022. Before becoming executive director, he served at the agency for 17 years in various capacities – as an auditor, director of Excise Tax and Marketing Practices, and as interim director of Licensing. During his time at TABC, Director Graham has been an integral part of positively transforming TABC to operate more efficiently and transparently with customer service as a top priority. Director Graham holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and is a graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program at UT’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs.

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission

Yolanda A. Hall was appointed to serve as TABC’s deputy executive director in August 2022. Hall’s career prior to joining TABC spans multiple decades of high-level budget and business management positions at various state agencies. She began her career in government at the Texas Youth Commission, where she served as a financial analyst and budget manager. After the agency was reorganized into the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Hall served as finance director overseeing 250 staff members as well as multiple efforts related to agency reorganization and consolidation. She was later appointed as deputy budget director for the Office of the Texas Attorney General. Hall is a longtime Austin resident and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

New York State Liquor Authority

Maureen has been working for the authority since 2004 when she got her start as a clerk in the wholesale bureau. Maureen’s skills as a leader and compassion to small businesses, drives her work ethic and ability to get applicants up and running in a short time. Maureen has served in the licensing bureau since 2007 and led the State Liquor Authority’s permit unit since 2018. She was instrumental in establishing a statewide permit unit and served in the creation and implementation of the agency’s first on-line permit data base. Her problem-solving and complaint resolution skills will follow her in the role as she continues to bring leadership with her as she oversees licensing statewide. 

Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson - California

Stephen A Jamieson, a founding partner of Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson is recognized as a leader in the areas of Land Use and Zoning, Alcoholic Beverage Licensing, Compliance and disciplinary actions, government relations, business litigation and personal injury litigation. Solomon Saltsman and Jamieson is licensed to practice and provides legal services in California, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, Michigan, Alaska and New Mexico.

Strike Kerr & Johns

Melani heads the licensing team at SK&J, a law firm devoted to working with clients in the alcohol beverage world. She regularly advises clients on national licensing issues arising from corporate restructures, mergers and acquisitions.

Nordstrom, Inc.

Nordstrom owns and operates over 200 food and beverage operations in the US, with 89 locations offering alcoholic beverages. With more than 40 years of restaurant experience and 16 different concepts to-date, it’s no surprise that one in 4 transactions at a Nordstrom full line store is for food and/or beverage.

City of Boston Licensing Board

Flaherty & O'Hara, Evergreen

Kaitlynd handles all aspects of alcohol beverage licensing with an emphasis on multi-state transactions involving retail licensees. She manages the liquor license renewal program, Evergreen, responsible for the renewal of thousands of liquor and non-liquor licenses annually for hotels, restaurants, airlines, concessionaires, grocery stores and convenience stores. Kaitlynd works extensively on licensing and compliance matters for both domestic and international airlines. Kaitlynd is a member of the Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys & Consultants, American Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, and Women of the Vine & Spirits.

Clark Hill - Colorado

Mike Laszlo is a leader of Clark Hill’s Alcohol Industry Group which serves hospitality clients nationally and globally. Mike is an accomplished business counselor and litigator who focuses his practice on the hospitality and alcohol beverage industries. Mike’s clients include restaurant groups, wineries, distilleries, breweries, importers, wholesalers, and retailers. Mike represents businesses nationally in all aspects of the industry including complex liquor licensing and three-tier issues, alcohol franchise laws, corporate and commercial matters, and litigation. He is licensed in Colorado, California, Washington State, Arizona, and Ohio.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control

Ernest P. Legier, Jr. is a distinguished attorney and executive with over 30 years of experience leading high-impact projects and organizations. He currently serves as Commissioner for Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control, where he plays a key role in shaping state policy and regulatory oversight. An honorably discharged veteran of the Louisiana National Guard, Mr. Legier holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Orleans (1992), a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans (1995), and an M.B.A. from the University of New Orleans (2020). In addition to his regulatory expertise, Mr. Legier is widely recognized for his leadership in alternative dispute resolution, executive management, federal funding and grants compliance, construction management, and asset oversight. With more than 20 years of legal experience, he has developed a reputation for enhancing organizational performance, leading large-scale projects, and fostering lasting client relationships.

Spirit Law Partners

Marbet Lewis is a Partner and founder of Spirit Law Partners. She focuses her practice on the laws governing the alcohol licensing and regulatory compliance relating to the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcohol beverage products. She represents domestic and foreign alcohol industry clients in all aspects of alcohol and business licensing, included federal, state and local approvals. She also assists with defense of administrative complaints and trade practice investigations as well as tracking and management of national licensing projects including transfer of business and operational permits required as part of large asset acquisition transactions and merger of national retailers including hotels and entertainment venues.

Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority

New York State Liquor Authority

Amy began her career with the State of New York in 1997 working at multiple agencies before arriving at the State Liquor Authority in 2007 where she examined liquor license applications.  After learning all aspects of retail, wholesale and manufacturer applications Amy was promoted to various supervisory roles from one unit to ultimately overseeing all three zone offices of the State Liquor Authority.  Today she is the Assistant Director of Licensing still managing the Licensing Bureau while also working closely with the Deputy Commissioner of Licensing on policy, procedures, law changes and guidance documents.

Addison, Clow & Martin

Matt Martin heads his firm's Liquor/Operational Permitting Section and handles liquor and operational permitting for multi-unit and single site licensees. Matt also advises clients on complex licensing and entity structure matters.

Amazon

City of Cambridge License Commission

NICOLE MURATI FERRER has been the Chair for the Board of License Commissioners for the City of Cambridge since 2016.  Along with two other Commissioners, she licenses all business involving: food and/or alcohol; entertainment of any kind; lodging houses/dormitories, hotels; fortune tellers; garages and/or flammables; hawker/peddlers; jitney, hackney, liveries; letting of motor vehicles; used car dealers; waste haulers; and others.  She is also responsible for permitting commercial leaf blower operators and enforcing the City’s Noise Control Ordinance.  Nicole served as the Chair for the Licensing Board for the City of Boston for almost four years. She also served as Labor Relations Counsel for the Boston Public Schools for one year and as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston for almost six years. These were very active litigating practices in state and federal courts. In terms of personal background, Nicole was born and raised in Puerto Rico.  In Puerto Rico she obtained her B.S. in Natural Sciences at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, where she graduated cum laude.  She graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in 2004. 

Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement

Kellie Murray has been with MN Department of Public Safety, Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, for 27 years and has supervised the licensing section for the last 15. Kellie has risen within the division from licensing to program administrator, responsible for overseeing all licensing staff and the alcoholic beverage licensing process.

Flaherty & O'Hara, Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants (AAIAC), Evergreen

R.J. is the president and founder of Flaherty & O'Hara, PC, one of the largest law firms in the U.S. devoted exclusively to providing legal counsel on liquor licensing and compliance and other business permits, he is the chair and founding member of The Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys & Consultants (AAIAC) a national, invitation-based association of premier alcohol industry licensing and regulatory attorneys and consultants in their respective states, and principal in Evergreen, provider of cutting edge license and permit renewal services and software. The AAIAC was formed to provide a one-stop national licensing resource for state-by-state expertise. Collectively the members of the AAIAC have handled some of the largest and most sophisticated transactions involving on and off premises retail licensees in U.S. history. Evergreen was created by us, as experienced liquor licensing practitioners because none off-the-shelf alternatives was robust enough to provide a high level of satisfactory user interface.

Powell Junia PC

Harlan has spent his entire legal career focusing exclusively on beverage alcohol and hospitality issues. Over the past 17 years, he has represented hundreds of liquor licensees and applicants before a variety of state and local liquor control commissions, appellate bodies, and other regulatory agencies. Harlan is the firm's lead attorney with respect to the firm's litigation matters and frequently represents clients in the hospitality industry in franchise litigation, administrative law actions, appellate matters, and other business disputes.

Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority

Hannah Ragnauth is the License and Records Manager with Virginia ABC. She has over 10 years of experience with Records Management in both the private and public sectors and has participated in multiple system conversions. Hannah started her career with Virginia ABC as the Records Supervisor in 2018 and was promoted to Manager in 2021. As the License and Records Manager, she oversees operations of the License and Records units, ensuring compliance with the code of Virginia and exceptional customer service throughout the licensure process.

California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Chief Deputy Director Frank Robles brings more than 25 years of law enforcement experience with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Robles began his career at ABC in 1998 as an Investigator Trainee in the Los Angeles Metro District Office, and was quickly promoted to Investigator I, and a few years later to Investigator II. Over the next 15 years Robles worked in a variety of roles and offices as an ABC agent, eventually accepting a limited term position as a District Administrator in 2013 before becoming the Supervising Agent in Charge of ABC’s Monrovia District shortly after.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement

Bridget Roddy is an Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division. She has over 18 years of law enforcement experience, including 13 years with the Fridley Police Department, a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis, where she worked in patrol and as a criminal investigator. In 2020, she joined the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division as a Special Agent, investigating complex alcohol and gambling violations. Promoted in December 2023, she now oversees both sworn and non-sworn personnel, managing the criminal and civil enforcement of Minnesota’s liquor laws statewide.

Avalara

Melissa has nearly 20 years experience in the licensing and property tax compliance industry, coming from CSC and PowerPlan. She is a member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation and on the committee for the CMD Ad Valorem Tax Conference. She has consulting and managed service experience in license applications and renewals, as well as project management experience in licensing workflow process and automation engagements. She holds a PMP certification and a Masters in Organizational Leadership. She also has 2 teenagers who love travel and adventure as much as she does. She currently resides in San Diego, CA.

Alvarez & Marsal

The License Advisory Services (LAS) practice at Alvarez & Marsal can help companies navigate the complex and nuanced nature of business and operational licenses at any point in the business lifecycle. Whether license compliance requirements stem from expansion, M&A, restructuring or other operational/transactional events, LAS offers effective and transformative licensing solutions throughout the U.S. using leading technology-driven process to handle all types of licenses at scale. Ms. Scheele is a Managing Director and National Practice Leader of A&M’s License Advisory Services. She manages license transitions, entity registration/deregistration and license compliance across a wide range of industries. With over 25 years of experience in Big Four public accounting, Ms. Scheele supports client licensing needs during M&A transactions, bankruptcies and internal restructurings. With a Green Belt in Six Sigma, she manages large volumes of license changes over short timeframes.

Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control

County of Maui - Department of Liquor Control

My name is Layne Silva. I have been with the Department of Liquor Control in the County of Maui, Hawaii, for just over 25 years, and have been the director for the last five years. I am a third-generation employee of the department behind my father and grandfather before him. I am also the co-chair of the Maui Economic Recovery Commission since its inception following the wildfires in August of 2023, and a veteran of the United States Army. Since taking over the department, I have tried to create a more educational environment between the liquor licensees and the department within the county.

Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission

Captain Erik Smoot brings over 16 years of dedicated service with the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission (ABLE). Before joining the ABLE Commission, he served as a Sergeant with the Bixby Police Department. As Captain, Smoot currently leads the Trade Practices, Education, and Training Divisions, along with overseeing key initiatives to combat underage drinking, prevent over-service of alcohol, and enforce FDA regulations on tobacco and vaping products. In addition to his role with the ABLE Commission, Captain Smoot plays an active leadership role in several important initiatives. He serves as the Chair of the Oklahoma Buckledown Awards, as well as the agency’s Emergency Management and Risk Management Coordinator. He also holds the position of Southern Region Chair for the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA).

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Devin Sookdeo serves as the Manager of Liquor Eligibility at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). In this role, he leads a team that evaluates applications for liquor licences across Ontario. Since joining the AGCO in February 1998, Devin has held a variety of positions, including Investigations Clerk, Assistant Gaming Registration Officer, Liquor Licence Officer, Gaming Registration Officer, AGCO Inspector, Senior AGCO Inspector, and Manager of Operations. He has been in his current role since January 2017. Devin holds a Diploma in Business Administration and Human Resources Management from Seneca College.

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Colorado Department of Revenue Specialized Business Group - Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division

Director Michelle Stone-Principato joined the Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division in October 2015. Her career with the Department of Revenue progressed from Agent in Charge of the Licensing Section to Agent in Charge of the Enforcement Division, where she oversaw four field offices statewide, before becoming Deputy Director. In April 2020, Michelle was promoted to Director of LED. She was pivotal in rapidly launching an online payment system, establishing an online state application process, and facilitating a file-sharing program with 350 local licensing authorities to enhance customer service.

RaceTrac, Inc.

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

I am a husband and father of 2 boys (23 and 14), and 2 golden retrievers, and live in Mechanicsburg PA (just outside of Harrisburg).  Started with PLCB in 2000 as a Licensing Investigator, promoted in 2007 to Investigations Manager, and then in 2014 was promoted to Chief of Investigations.  Then in August of 2022 was promoted again to my current role as Director of Licensing.  Have a strong background in the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and have worked closely with the Pennsylvania State Police in designing partnerships to enforce and regulate liquor laws within the Commonwealth. 

Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services

Brian has recently joined the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage services as its Deputy Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs (DABS). Prior to DABS, he was an Assistant Attorney General with the Utah Attorney General’s Office where he was counsel numerous state agency divisions and public bodies. Before his time with the Attorney General’s Office, Brian ‘s served in multiple executive leadership positions within the private sector. Specifically, Brian led multiple real estate education companies in the restructuring and revamping of their product lines, compliance processes, and business systems to successfully take product to market in 46 states and navigate the complexities of each state’s regulatory scheme. These successes ultimately led to multiple corporate acquisitions and reshaping of the real estate education space. He looks forward to using his experience to now serve in the alcohol space in Utah.

City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection - Liquor Licenses

Shannon Trotter serves as the City of Chicago Local Liquor Control Commissioner, having been appointed in March 2017. Commissioner Trotter has spent her entire professional career working for the City of Chicago where she brings a wealth of legal expertise and a reputation for creative problem-solving. As Local Liquor Control Commissioner, Commissioner Trotter handles a wide range of duties and responsibilities which include reviewing all liquor and public place of amusement license applications; overseeing special event liquor permits; and regulating and imposing liquor license discipline. Commissioner Trotter works closely with members of the hospitality.

Fintech

As the Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Fintech, Wendy maintains relationships with regulators across the country, tracks legislation and regulatory changes, and serves as an on-demand resource for regulatory information and resources.

CSC License Pro

Arianne is strong supporter of NALCP's growth over the past 15 years and has been awarded NALCP's "Most Valuable Associate Member". As the Product Director for License Pro and LicenseHQ, she helps license and compliance professionals create more control and efficiencies around their compliance processes, delivering industry leading technology and tools.

Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration - Alcoholic Beverage Control

North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission

Missy Welch has been a licensed attorney since 2005 and had worked in the public service for most of her legal career. In 2015, Missy joined the NC ABC Commission as Assistant Counsel where she prosecuted alcohol related offenses. She was promoted to Assistant Deputy Director for the Commission in 2020. Missy became the Director of Programming in 2021 and currently oversees the Permits, Audit and Products Sections. She attributes her accomplishments to the education received at NC Central University and NC Central School of Law.

Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control

Lieutenant Risa Williams has been with the Arizona Department of Liquor for thirteen years, she has been a police officer for eighteen years. During her time with the Arizona Department of Liquor, she has filled many different roles, including being a field investigator in the Tucson office and Phoenix offices. She has been a CUB(Covert Underage Buyer) coordinator, ran the trade practice unit working with wholesalers and suppliers, trained many local governing bodies, and worked with many community coalitions. Lieutenant Williams is an expert on Trade Practice Matters. Lieutenant Williams is currently the Admin Lieutenant for the investigations division. She holds a Bachelor's from Northern Arizona University and a Masters from Grand Canyon University.  Lieutenant Williams, has been married to for 10 years, and has an eight year old son, she enjoys camping and watching her son play baseball.

New Jersey Department Of Law & Public Safety - Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Alyssa Wolfe is an Assistant Attorney General and serves as Counsel to the Director at the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (NJABC). In that capacity, she provides legal and policy advice to the Director and the Division on issues affecting all three tiers of the alcoholic beverage industry. Prior to being appointed Counsel in August 2018, she served as a Deputy Attorney General at the NJABC since January 2013. This followed a twenty-year legal career as an environmental attorney at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and in private practice. Alyssa received her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University and her B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers College.

Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration - Alcoholic Beverage Control

"Kesha Zaffino is an Arkansas attorney and Staff Attorney with the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, where she has served for nearly a year. Licensed in Arkansas since 2009, she has over 16 years of experience in landlord-tenant law, nonprofit representation, contracts, and transactional matters. A graduate of New York Law School and a JAG officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Kesha combines civilian and military legal service with a strong commitment to public service. Based in Arkansas, she enjoys playing tennis and fishing with her son who is in middle school."