Frank Coleman

Senior Advisor to the CEO

Frank Coleman is the senior advisor to the CEO. Prior to that since 2001, he was senior vice president, public affairs and communications. In his current role he advises on industry strategy, policy, communications and membership.

Previously he was responsible for developing and communicating the industry’s key messages about public policy, industry trends and heritage. His efforts coincided with the strong growth in Spirits market share and the public fascination with super premium products.

In 2019, he became the 66th inductee into the Whisky magazine Hall of Fame. He is a Master of the Quaich, and co-chair of the US Chapter of the prestigious Scotch society, Keepers of the Quaich. The French government inducted him into the Ordre du Mérite Agricole for his work promoting Cognac. In 2002, Governor Paul Patton made him a Kentucky Colonel for promoting Bourbon.

Prior to joining DISCUS, Frank was vice president for media relations at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He also spent 10 years working on Capitol Hill including serving as press secretary for former Senator Alfonse D’Amato (R-NY), and chief of staff for former Representative Claudine Schneider (R-RI). He began his career as a journalist writing for Newsday.

Frank’s favorite drink? “Nothing fancy: good whisk(e)y with one large ice cube, a splash of water and maybe a small squeeze of lemon”