WASHINGTON – Kevin W. Keane, president and chief executive officer of American Beverage (AB), announced today the appointment of communications and issues advocacy veteran Ed Patru as senior vice president for public affairs.

“Ed brings considerable experience to a talented American Beverage team as a proven leader and veteran communicator with a strong background in public affairs,” Keane said. “He has a great track record of successfully managing strategic communications and issues advocacy work. We are excited to have his leadership here to help move our industry forward.”

Patru will oversee strategic communications and public affairs work for the non-alcoholic beverage industry, as well as play a leadership role on issues management. He will be a senior member of the association’s Department of Government & Public Affairs. 

“I’m honored to join a great American industry representing iconic American brands and hundreds of multi-generation family businesses,” Patru said. “From health and environmental stewardship to community investment and job creation, this is an industry that leads – and I’m excited to help tell that story.” 

Patru joins AB from Rational 360, a leading strategic communications and digital firm based in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he was principal for Direct Communications, where he managed communications for a number of corporate clients. Patru was also a vice president for DCI Group, a public affairs consulting firm specializing in communications. 

Ed has served on several congressional committees and numerous political campaigns. He served as a senior advisor to the first Trump Administration, during which time he counseled several Cabinet officials.