The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Inc. has named Chris R. Swonger President and CEO of the association, effective Nov. 12. He will also run the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.Org), effective New Year’s Day.
Swonger has a background in the spirits industry, having worked for Jim Beam and Allied Domecq for a combined 15 years. He was most recently senior vice president for global government relations of Smiths Group plc, the global technology company with interests in homeland security, defense, aerospace, energy & environment, and medical devices, among others.
Swonger will replace interim President and CEO Clarkson Hine, a Beam Suntory senior vice president who took on the additional role earlier this year.