Chair, vice-chair and finance chair hail from distributors in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Flint

Lansing, MI — The Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association (MB&WWA) today announced the reelection of its existing executive officers to guide the association over the next year. The election was held during the association’s recent annual convention.

Jim Warbritton, president of Rave Associates in Ann Arbor, was reelected chair of the MB&WWA Board of Directors. A.J. Mathews, president of West Side Beer in Grand Rapids, was reelected vice-chair. Joanie O’Sullivan-Butler, president and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing in Flint, was reelected finance chair.

“I am thrilled to be reelected chair of our board for the next year as we continue our mission to spur new innovation, choice and competition while supporting Michigan’s small businesses,” Warbritton said. “Working together, we will maintain our commitment to ensuring Michigan has vibrant and successful beer and wine industries.”  

Rave Associates is a family-owned beer and wine distributor in Ann Arbor. The distributor services retailers throughout eight counties in Southeast Michigan. Rave Associates, the first and largest distributor of Bell’s Brewery beer and the largest distributor of Michigan craft beer in the state, distributes both beer and wine from suppliers across Michigan and around the world.

West Side Beer serves more than 3,300 retailers in 15 counties out of its warehouses in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Romulus.

“Our association is nearly 50 distributors strong, and the MB&WWA board is proud to represent our members and guide the association in the next year and beyond,” Mathews said.

O’Sullivan-Butler also serves on the association’s Women’s Advocacy Committee, which was created to highlight and amplify the important work women do for Michigan’s beer and wine distributors and to advocate for distributor interests in Lansing. She is the second woman to hold an executive leadership position within the association.

“I am honored to be reelected finance chair of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association Board of Directors and will work to continue expanding the critical role women play  in the success and growth of Michigan’s beer and wine industry,” O’Sullivan-Butler said.

The MB&WWA represents nearly 50 beer and wine distributors throughout Michigan. The association is recognized as one of the strongest business trade associations in the state and one of the alcohol beverage industry’s most progressive state trade associations.

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Jim Warbritton, president of Rave Associates

A.J. Mathews, president of West Side Beer

Joanie O’Sullivan-Butler, president and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing