The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) honored distinguished industry leaders at the 2025 DISCUS Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The awards celebrated the remarkable achievements of industry luminaries who have made significant contributions to advancing the spirits industry. 

“These exceptional individuals have made a remarkable impact on the spirits industry, and we are thrilled to celebrate them at our conference,” said Chris Swonger, president and CEO at DISCUS. “Their meaningful contributions continue to create a more innovative and diverse spirits industry for all.” 

Award and Recipient Information: 

DISCUS Impact Award for Emerging Leaders – Marco Barassi, Government Relations and Sustainability Director, Americas at Campari Group 

The DISCUS Impact Award for Emerging Leaders recognizes the achievements of an exceptional professional who has made significant contributions to the industry and shows demonstrated potential for leadership and continued service.   

Marco Barassi began his career in the public sector, working at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission in Brussels. He later joined the Department of International Law at Milan University as a research assistant specializing in international trade and EU law. In 2013, Marco joined Campari Group in Milan, where he held various roles at both the global level and within the Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa (SEMEA) Business Unit.

In 2020, he was appointed government relations and sustainability director for North America, overseeing institutional and industry relations for both Campari America and Campari Canada. His role expanded in 2023 to cover the entire Americas region. Throughout his career, Marco has represented Campari in multiple countries and various trade associations, including Federvini (Italy), Spirits Europe (Brussels), DISCUS, the Kentucky Distillers Association and Spirits Canada. 

DISCUS Dave Pickerell Memorial Craft Member of the Year – Sonat Birnecker Hart & Robert Birnecker, Founders, KOVAL Distillery 

The DISCUS Dave Pickerell Memorial Craft Member of the Year Award is in memory of Dave Pickerell, the “Johnny Appleseed of craft distilling,” and is awarded to a DISCUS craft member who is a stand-out leader in craft spirits innovation, a champion for America’s craft distiller community and an ardent supporter of the association’s advocacy efforts.   

KOVAL Distillery stands as a leading force in American craft spirits, thanks to the visionary partnership of Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart and Dr. Robert Birnecker. Established in Chicago, KOVAL has been instrumental in moving the craft distilling industry forward both in Illinois and across the nation. Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, owner and president of KOVAL, pioneered significant legislative change by helping establish the first craft distiller’s license in Illinois—the most impactful revision to state liquor laws since Prohibition.

And from tariffs to taxes, Birnecker Hart has advocated on key policy issues in television, radio and print interviews, delivering the industry’s advocacy messages in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Bloomberg and many others over the years.   

Dr. Robert Birnecker, KOVAL’s CEO and master distiller, contributes an equal measure of expertise to the distillery’s success. A third-generation distiller and one of America’s foremost authorities on craft spirits, his technical mastery and creative vision have shaped KOVAL’s internationally renowned portfolio of spirits, laying the groundwork for the distillery’s reputation for excellence.  

DISCUS Distinguished Service Leadership Award – Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits® and Founder of Diverse Powered Brands 

The DISCUS Distinguished Service Leadership Award celebrates an individual that has supported the spirits sector through promotion, advocacy, responsibility and exemplary service to their community and the hospitality industry. This prestigious award recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service over an extended period. 

Deborah Brenner is a trailblazing social entrepreneur renowned for her passion for women’s empowerment and social equality. As the founder and CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), Brenner is dedicated to championing women in the workplace. She is a founding council member of 86 Harassment, a WOTVS initiative uniting the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries to combat sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

Brenner also serves as president of the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation 501(c)(3), which has awarded more than $959,620 in scholarships since 2017, fostering career advancement through education and professional development. She also founded Diverse Powered Brands, connecting diverse suppliers, buyers, supplier diversity managers, wholesalers, importers and investors across the entire beverage alcohol and hospitality industry.  

DISCUS Top Shelf Award – U.S. Representative James Comer (R-KY)   

The DISCUS Top Shelf Award is given to an elected official for outstanding public policy work benefiting the spirits industry.       

Rep. James Comer was elected to Congress in 2016 to represent Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District, which covers 35 counties from the Mississippi River to central Kentucky. His district is home to more than 14 distilleries, including Maker’s Mark and Jefferson’s. As a farmer and congressman, he is an outspoken advocate for distilled spirits and has worked to promote policies that support the growth and global reach of the spirits industry. 

In demonstrating his dedication to sound policy impacting the spirits industry, Congressman Comer has worked to ensure that the U.S. Dietary Guidelines are grounded in the preponderance of science and free from bias and conflicts of interest. He has also been a strong supporter of the agriculture industry throughout his career, first as Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture and now in Congress. He currently serves as the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and is a member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce.    

DISCUS Lifetime Achievement Award – Lynne J. Omlie, Former Distilled Spirits Council Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary   

The DISCUS Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates an individual that has supported the industry throughout their lifetime through significant innovation, promotion of the industry, commercial strategy, advocacy or responsibility 

In 2020, after more than 30 years of dedicated service, Lynne J. Omlie retired from DISCUS having served in various roles, including senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary and senior advisor to the president. 

During her distinguished career, Omlie also spent decades as the DISCUS Code Review Board staff liaison. As a result of her leadership and contributions, the DISCUS Code is recognized as a model of effective self-regulation by the government, beverage alcohol industry and other industries alike. 

Prior to joining DISCUS in 1987, Omlie was in private practice at Howrey & Simon, a Washington, D.C. law firm specializing in business commercial litigation. Before her tenure at Howrey & Simon, she worked at the Federal Trade Commission for Commissioner David A. Clanton.

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