The Hill, one of Washington, D.C.’s premier publications covering the Administration, Congress and politics, named the Distilled Spirits Council’s Kraig R. Naasz, Mark Gorman and David Culver to its 2016 Association Top Lobbyists List.

The publication cited the Council lobbyists’ effort to reduce the federal excise tax for spirits, wine and beer as a reason for the honor.  Currently, 51 U.S. Senators and 284 U.S. Representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of the Council-backed Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.

“Our team works very hard on Capitol Hill to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of our member companies and their consumers,” said Distilled Spirits Council President & CEO Kraig R. Naasz.  “We have built strong relationships with members of Congress and their staffs and are appropriately received as a trusted resource on tax, trade and regulatory matters affecting the distilled spirits and beverage alcohol sectors.”

Kraig R. Naasz has served as president & CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council since January 1, 2016.  Naasz previously served as the chief executive of the American Frozen Food Institute, The Fertilizer Institute and the U.S. Apple Association.  Earlier in his career, Naasz worked as a communications and legislative aide for several members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the House Agriculture Committee.

Mark Gorman is senior vice president of government relations for the Distilled Spirits Council.  Prior to starting at the Council in 2000, he served as senior vice president of government affairs for the National Restaurant Association and as a tax legislative assistant for a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

David Culver is vice president of government relations for the Distilled Spirits Council. Prior to starting at the Council in 2003, he worked as a legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate.