The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) has today announced that Ken Lewis has been elected chair of the non-profit trade group that aims to unite, promote, and protect the signature Kentucky Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Lewis founded New Riff Distillery and was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame earlier this year. He will begin his term as chair beginning January 1 2025, and will serve through to December 2025. He succeeds Jessica Pendergrass, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Heaven Hill Distilleries, who is finishing her second turn as Chair. 

“It is an honor to serve as Chair of the KDA. I’m proud to have been a part of all the work KDA has done over the years to grow our industry into a $9 billion economic engine,” said Lewis, who retired this year as president and CEO of New Riff and is now its operating owner. 

“As I enter this new leadership role, I have eyes wide open to the opportunities and challenges our industry will face in the coming months and years. We’ve always found success when we work together as one distilling family, and I look forward to building upon that legacy.” 

Alongside Lewis, the Board also named Gigi DaDan, general manager of Louisville Distilling Co as vice chair; Kaveh Zamanian, founder, whiskey maker & CEO of Rabbit Hole Distillery, as Secretary; and Chris Morris, master distiller emeritus at Brown Forman Corp as treasurer. 

Other Board officers include Pendergrass as the immediate past chair; Wally Dant, president and distiller of Log Still Distillery, representing “proof” level members; and Jeremy Buchanan, CEO and owner of Hartfield & Co, representing “craft” level members.