WASHINGTON – Kevin Keane, president and chief executive officer of American Beverage, announced today the appointment of senior food and beverage veteran Ryan C. Guthrie as executive vice president for government and public affairs. 

“Ryan will bring incredible strength to a talented American Beverage team as a proven leader, dynamic strategist and policy expert who has worked extensively with business and government on solutions to critical issues facing the food and beverage industry,” Keane said.  

“He has a track record of effectively leading complex advocacy and strategic communications work for renowned American companies, and his deep roots working with leaders on federal, state and local affairs make him uniquely suited to drive our industry forward.” 

Guthrie will lead government and public affairs work for American Beverage (AB), which represents leading members of the non-alcoholic beverage industry. He will oversee the team managing all aspects of environmental and health initiatives and public policy efforts across the country.

Guthrie joins AB from Chipotle, where he built and led the first ever government affairs function for one of the fastest growing restaurant brands in the United States. He brings invaluable beverage industry experience as a former head of the Washington office for Coca-Cola North America. 

“I am excited to join a great American industry, and I’m looking forward to working with iconic companies known for their history of innovation and partnership in communities throughout America,” Guthrie said. “I’m eager to be a part of that collaborative effort.” 

Guthrie has also worked for federal government relations firms that helped companies and public officials reach consensus on pressing issues and served as chief of staff for Rep. Baron Hill of Indiana. 

Guthrie grew up in Seymour, Ind., and went to college at Indiana University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. He received a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Maryland.  

In his spare time, he is a mass consumer of pop culture and is a die-hard Indiana sports fan.  He and his wife, Alisa La, live in Arlington, Va., with their two children, Jones and Lyla.   

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