TEAM Board Member Profile – Lester Jones, Treasurer

03/08/2021

“Beer Distributors have worked with TEAM for many years to help promote a safe and enjoyable fan experience in stadiums and event venues around the country. As we set the stage for the post-pandemic recovery, TEAM and all of its members have a unique opportunity to help influence and manage the important work of rebuilding America’s hospitality industry.

— Lester Jones

Chief Economist,
National Beer Wholesalers Association

Lester’s Mission Moment with TEAM

Lester Jones has more than 20 years of experience in research, survey methodology and applied economics. At NBWA, Lester tracks the economic factors that impact the beer distribution industry and alcohol policy decisions at the federal, state and local levels. He evaluates and develops primary industry data, including economic impact, tax impacts, sales and volume data. Jones previously served as chief economist at the Beer Institute, where he developed and executed significant research initiatives that helped shape America’s beer industry.

A mission moment for Lester is that “TEAM has worked with NBWA members over the years to train beer distributors as they work to restock and service stadiums and event venues.”

Serving on TEAM Coalition’s Board of Directors

Lester Jones chose to serve on TEAM Coalition’s Board of Directors in 2020 as the Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Governance & Finance Committee. Lester shared, “The pandemic has taken a harsh toll on America’s hospitality industry. The economy has a long road to recovery before all the fans are ready to come back and participate in events with large audiences. Working with TEAM is a small part along the path of economic recovery to help rebuild the consumer’s confidence in large format venues.”

See the complete TEAM Coalition Board of Directors

TEAM Coalition
TEAM Coalition is an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers, the beer industry, distillers, broadcasters, traffic safety experts and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities. TEAM Coalition members and supporters include Anheuser-Busch Companies, Live Nation, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Aramark, Delaware North Sportservice, Legends, Spectra, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Constellation Brands, Molson Coors, Brown-Forman, Lyft, National Association of Broadcasters, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information visit TEAMCoalition.org.

US DOT / NHTSA 2019 NATIONAL DATA:

  • In 2019, 10,142 people were killed as a result of alcohol-related (BAC > 0.08) car crashes, a decrease of 5.3% from the 10,710 fatalities in 2018.
  • Many, if not most of those lives would have been saved if people did not drive when they were impaired by alcohol or if they used sober, designated drivers or if they simply wore their seat belts.
  • Statistics and research clearly show that 21-34 year old males are the demographic most likely to be involved in an automobile crash, drive when impaired by alcohol and fail to buckle up.