About — WSWA

We are the legislative advocate for our members.

That means we have an active presence at the state house and educate policymakers on key issues; serve as a collaborative forum for South Carolina’s wine and spirits wholesalers; and work — often philanthropically — to promote the safe, legal and moderate consumption of wine and spirits across our state.

From Left to Right: Bill Campion (RNDC), Peter Fawcett (RNDC), Steve Baker (SGWS), Elizabeth Brogdon (WSWA-SC), Barry Thompson (Breakthru), Gene Hall (Breakthru), and Caroline Taylor (WSWA-SC)

ASSOCIATION STAFF

Elizabeth Herlong Brogdon, Esq.

Executive Director

Elizabeth knows the value of advocacy. In her role leading the nonprofit association, she oversees legislative strategy, coordinates legislative efforts, works closely with state regulatory agencies (primarily South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and South Carolina Department of Revenue), and provides legal advice to the association’s wholesale members.

She previously served as chief counsel to the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission and as staff attorney to the South Carolina Senate. Prior to her work with the state, Elizabeth spent almost 20 years in private practice at Nexsen Pruet and Nelson Mullins, focused primarily on appellate litigation. Following law school, she clerked for the Honorable Robert F. Chapman on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Elizabeth has a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Carolina and her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

EBrogdon@wswa-sc.com

803.724.6591 office

Caroline Taylor

Operations & events manager

Ctaylor@wswa-sc.com

803.724.6590 office

BOARD MEMBERS

Steve Baker

President

Steve is the executive vice president and general sales manager at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of South Carolina. Since joining the company in 1993, he has held various managerial positions with responsibilities in Hilton Head, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Columbia before his current role with responsibility for all sales teams. He began his career in the wine and spirits industry in 1975 at a package store in Charleston and later joined Pearlstine Distributors where he spent 10 years as a sales representative in the Charleston market. Steve is a graduate of the College of Charleston.

steveb@sgws.com

803.391.4373

Peter Fawcett

vice President

Peter has served as president and chief executive officer of RNDC of South Carolina since the company’s inception in 2007. Prior to that, he spent 26 years as president of the Capital Group of SC. While managing the Capital Group, Peter dealt with all types of beverages including, beer, wine, liquor and soft drinks. He began his career with the E&J Gallo Winery in California. Peter is active in the Columbia-area community, serving on several business and charitable boards. A graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in business, he also earned an M.B.A. in marketing.

peter.fawcett@rndc-usa.com

803.739.0188

Barry Thompson

Secretary/Treasurer

Barry is the executive vice president of Breakthru Beverage South Carolina. He is responsible for leading all aspects of Breakthru’s business operations including growth strategies in support of suppliers and customers. Barry joined Breakthru Beverage in 2011 as vice president and general manager in South Carolina. Prior to Breakthru, Barry held roles at Diageo, North America and Pepsi-Cola Company. Barry is a native South Carolinian and attended Wofford College.

BGTHompson@Breakthrubev.com

803.337.3500

Bill Campion

board member

Bill is the executive vice president of Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) of South Carolina. In this role, he oversees sales and operations for the state. Bill played a significant part in RNDC’s purchase of the Goldring Wine and Spirits Company in 2008 and was subsequently appointed vice president of RNDC Pensacola the same year. Prior to RNDC, he spent a decade with N. Goldring Corporation, managing the on-premise wine and spirits division and ultimately serving as its vice president of sales. Bill has an associate's degree from Pensacola State College.