OREANDA-NEWS. Beam Suntory today announced that Brett Hale will join the company as Vice President, Global Public Affairs.  Hale comes to Beam Suntory from Yum! Brands, where he is currently Vice President – Global Government Relations. 

 “Brett brings to Beam Suntory an impressive career of public policy engagement with lawmakers, regulators and coalitions in regulated industry environments,” said Clarkson Hine, Senior Vice President – Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Beam Suntory.  “With his experience in Kentucky, Washington and globally, Brett will be a key leader for us as we confront our public affairs challenges and opportunities as a company and as an industry.”

At Yum!, Hale has been responsible for conducting global government relations on behalf of the company’s three major brands: KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Prior to joining Yum! in January of 2014, Hale spent four years as Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs at Churchill Downs Incorporated, the publicly traded racing, gaming and entertainment company, and eight years as Vice President, Government Relations at the American Gaming Association in Washington.  Hale began his career on Capitol Hill, where his positions included legislative support roles for Senators Mitch McConnell and Slade Gorton, and chief of staff to Congressman Ed Whitfield of Kentucky. 

Hale will be based at Beam Suntory’s offices in Louisville, Kentucky and will report to Hine.  Reporting to Hale will be Aoife Clarke, Sr. Director, Public Affairs – International, based in Dublin, Ireland, and Terry McNaughton, Sr. Director, Public Affairs, based in Washington, DC.  Hale will join Beam Suntory effective September 12th.

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About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.