For Immediate Release                    Contact: 651-291-2722
December 13th, 2010

Minnesota Beverage Association Announces
Tim Wilkin as new MBA President

Wilkin to follow the successful tenure of retiring
MBA President Joan Archer.

St. Paul – The Minnesota Beverage Association – producers, marketers and distributors of non-alcoholic beverages – announced today that former State Representative Tim Wilkin will replace Joan Archer, who is retiring as the President of MBA at the end of the year.  Wilkin will continue to grow the association’s successful community investment programs, including state-wide recycling programs, wellness and fitness programs.  Tim will also oversee the MBA’s government and public affairs operations. Tim also brings the grassroots, coalition building, public relations and social networking support and expertise of WeberJohnson Public Affairs.

“We are very excited to announce today that Tim Wilkin will be the new President of the Minnesota Beverage Association,” said Tim Haubrich, chairman of the association’s board of directors.  “Tim Wilkin is a staunch advocate of the kind of job creation and community investment for which our members are well known.  Tim has strong, bi-partisan government affairs credentials and he brings with him a public affairs team that will help our association continue to play a key role in our member’s communities and throughout Minnesota,” concluded Haubrich.

“I am thrilled to be able to continue the strong work of my predecessor, Joan Archer, as an advocate for an industry known for its investment in the community and its progressive recycling programs,” said incoming MBA President Tim Wilkin.  “We will continue to have a forward looking presence in communities throughout Minnesota and at the capitol to help ensure a legislative environment conducive to continued job growth and community investment by our members.”

In the spirit of community investment, and in honor of the successful tenure of Joan Archer, the Minnesota Beverage Association has contributed $5,000 to the Minnesota Women’s Golf Association’s scholarship program in Joan’s honor.  Improving and developing the environment for women’s golf has been one of Joan’s longtime passions.

The Minnesota Beverage Association’s members are producers, marketers and distributors of almost every non-alcoholic beverage you can image. For over 100 years, the Association has been committed to promoting the best of the beverage industry through information dissemination, recycling programs, public awareness campaigns, fitness and wellness programs, and providing timely updates on industry activities. There are 67 manufacturing sites as well as 48 beverage wholesale facilities throughout Minnesota, providing direct employment for more than 22,000 jobs, contributing more than $342 million in state taxes and donating at least $21 million to charitable causes across the state.

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