News Releases & Statements

Former Spokesman for U.S. Surgeon General Joins the American Beverage Association as Vice President of Communications

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
April 1, 2008        

Contacts:  
Tracey Halliday 
(202) 463-6718       
thalliday@ameribev.org

FORMER SPOKESMAN FOR THE U.S. SURGEON GENERAL JOINS THE AMERICAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION AS VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Susan K. Neely, president and chief executive officer of the American Beverage Association (ABA), today announced the appointment of Craig Stevens, former communications director and spokesman for the U.S. Surgeon General, as vice president of communications for the association.  

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Craig Stevens to ABA,” Neely said.  “With his depth of knowledge and familiarity on our issues, as well as extensive experience in the political arena, Craig is a tremendous asset to the association.”

Stevens worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from 2001 to 2005, where he served as communications director for U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona as well as a communications advisor to then-HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson.

 Stevens moved on from HHS to become press secretary and deputy communications director for the U.S. Department of Energy under Secretary Samuel Bodman.  In that role, he worked on energy and environmental issues and served as primary spokesman for both the Secretary and the Department. Most recently, Stevens was the New Hampshire communications director and spokesman for former presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney. 

An original member of the communications team for George W. Bush’s presidential campaign in Austin, Texas, Stevens served on a team led by Karen Hughes, Dan Bartlett and Scott McClellan. He also has held positions as spokesman and lead writer for the 54th Presidential Inaugural Committee, as well as press secretary for Congressman Dave Weldon, R-Fla.

As the association’s vice president of communications, Stevens will direct media relations efforts at the federal, state and local levels, manage communications projects,, serve as  lead spokesperson, and coordinate rapid response efforts, among other responsibilities.  The non-alcoholic beverage industry employs more than 211,000 people and produces annual U.S. sales in excess of $105 billion.  It manufactures a variety of beverage choices, including bottled water, water beverages, 100 percent juice, juice drinks, sports drinks, regular soft drinks, zero- to mid-calorie soft drinks, ready-to-drink teas and energy drinks.

“The non-alcoholic beverage industry holds an iconic place in America and plays a key role in the U.S. economy and in our everyday lives.  I am excited about this new opportunity, and I look forward to working with the members of this dynamic industry,” Stevens said.

Stevens, a native of Western New York, holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Regent University. 

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The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.  For more information on ABA, please visit the association’s Web site at www.ameribev.org or call the ABA media relations team at (202) 463-6770.

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