Stateways

StateWays - May/June 2017

StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions

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StateWays | www.stateways.com | May/June 2017 22 ADVANCING THE WORK OF NABCA Having experienced a number of large successes with the MLCC, Deloney is anxious to apply what he's learned to his upcoming role as NABCA chairman. Citing numerous exam- ples of partnerships forged within his agency as well as with external agencies and organizations, Deloney says it's essential for two-way communication to exist between the MLCC and these groups. The same principle can easily be applied to help- ing bridge divides that may currently exist with NABCA and its partners. "Too often, if there's disagreement, people are quick to de- cide that the other is untrustworthy or has ulterior motives. They may say 'I don't want to work with this person.' And that's when resentment builds and nothing gets done," Deloney says. "From my experience, communication and understand- ing build trust and a relationship where you can then work together and accomplish things. As NABCA chair, I want to make sure my fellow directors of control states are doing the same thing. In Michigan, I think we do a really good job of being receptive to all kinds of feedback." One of the challenges that faces all incoming NABCA chairs is fi guring out how to continue forwarding the work of the previous chairmen, while also incorporating something new. Chairs are also limited to one-year terms, making it essential for each incoming chair to carry on the work of not just the outgo- ing chair, but of all those from the past several years. Current NABCA Chair Stephanie O'Brien, who also serves as Chair of the Vermont Department of Liquor Control (VDLC), thinks that Deloney will bring a fresh new perspective to the role. "I'm all about conversations and taking a broader look at issues. I think it's an evolutionary process and it takes a vil- lage," O'Brien explains. "Andy's style is very different from my style. I ask a lot of questions and tend to be very vocal and begin conversations. Andy is very much a listener, and when he talks, people listen. He's excellent at understanding circum- stances and breaking down perceived barriers, and taking time to bridge the gap with skill, substance and style. He will con- tinue to make the organization strong." O'Brien notes that in the alcohol regulatory industry, as in life in general, there is often a distinction between actual bound- aries and others that are only perceived. "Andy is taking and building upon themes, talking about bridges and breaking down whatever those perceived boundar- ies may be, and joining forces by fi nding shared commonalities and goals to help connect all of us and the work that we do," O'Brien adds. "There's always an opportunity to connect - no matter what those barriers may be - and to create opportunities regardless of what your perceptions may be." Deloney says that his work at NABCA will be greatly infl u- enced by O'Brien's and also by those chairs who served before her. The theme of Deloney's tenure as NABCA Chair is "Bridging Divides." agency agency profile INCOMING CHAIRMAN PROFILE

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