Press release from Asheville Brewers Alliance:
The Board of the Asheville Brewers Alliance (ABA) has announced that Leah Rainis, their Executive Director, will be stepping down from her role in mid-March. “The last couple of years, while extremely challenging, have provided the ABA an opportunity to revisit and rebuild solid organizational infrastructure, and identify new ways to support our members. I am grateful to have been a part of that process, and excited to see what the ABA’s next chapter looks like,” Rainis said.
In explaining her decision, Rainis noted the ever-evolving needs of a growing organization. “The level of camaraderie and collaboration I witnessed among our members during the height of the pandemic is like nothing I’ve seen in any other industry. As we continue to work our way out of crisis mode, I see a lot of potential for our members to use that energy and engage with each other in a way that supports a truly member-driven and led ABA.” Rainis also said that she will be working closely with the ABA Board and Executive Committee to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.
“We are very sorry to see Leah go, however, we are excited to keep up with her here in Asheville and see what great things she will accomplish in the future. She skillfully guided our Alliance through these incredibly tough last two years, and for that, we are tremendously grateful,” said Board President Gaines Myer (Archetype Brewing).
In 2020, Rainis received the Industry Impact Award by the NC Craft Brewers Guild, for her work with the Asheville Brewers Alliance during the pandemic. In 2021, under Rainis’s leadership, the Asheville Brewers Alliance received the Community Contributor Award from the NC Craft Brewers Guild, in recognition of its commitment to service in North Carolina’s craft beer community.
As for what’s next, Rainis said she’s looking forward to some downtime, and a chance to reflect, assess, and enjoy a pint or two in a non-work setting.
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