US: WSWA chief to stand down

The head of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America has tendered her resignation.

Juanita Duggan is leaving the trade body, which represents wine and spirits distributors in the US, in the autumn, WSWA said yesterday (15 August). Duggan is leaving to lead the American Forest and Paper Association, and will be replaced with an interim candidate while a permanent replacement is found.

WSWA's general counsel, Craig Wolf, will take Duggan's roles as president and CEO. Wolf will also continue as general counsel going forward.

"As we begin the process to determine who should steward WSWA going forward, it made sense for us to look in-house to ensure consistency, continuity and leadership in this period of change for the organisation," said WSWA chairman, Stan Hastings. "Craig has been our general counsel for almost seven years, and has earned the respect and trust of our members. We are confident that he will be equally successful in his new role."

Wolf joined WSWA in early 2000 and has been responsible for managing 21st Amendment litigation - WSWA believes that the amendment "grants states virtually complete control over whether to permit importation or sale of liquor and how to structure the liquor distribution system".

Prior to joining WSWA, Wolf served as counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and before that served as both a federal and state prosecutor.