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TABC Executive Director Thomas W. Graham named regional vice chair of National Conference of State Liquor Administrators
AUSTIN — Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Executive Director Thomas W. Graham has been named vice chair of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA) Southern Region. Graham was appointed to the position by NCSLA Southern Region Chair Russell Thomas on Oct. 27. His term will conclude on June 30, 2026. Graham, who first joined TABC in 2006, was named executive director of the agency in 2022. The NCSLA is the country’s leading voice for state alcohol regulators, with chapters in each U.S. state. The group’s primary mission is to promote effective and equitable alcoholic beverage control laws in each state while helping to devise the most effective enforcement methods for each state’s alcohol regulations. The group also assists states in working with the federal government to ensure each state’s alcoholic beverage industry is in compliance with federal requirements. As an NCSLA regional vice chair, Graham will represent both Texas and its partner states across the Southern region. “This is an incredible honor that really highlights the key role of Texas and its alcoholic beverage industry across the nation,” Graham said. “As one of the United States’ largest economies, Texas can and should have a leading voice when addressing the successes and challenges of alcohol regulation in all 50 states. I couldn’t be prouder of the men and women of TABC, as well as our partners in the Texas alcoholic beverage industry. It’s my honor to work with them to ensure future success.” The NCSLA was founded in Chicago in 1934, shortly after the end of Prohibition. The group provides educational resources to its member states and assists in facing modern regulatory challenges such as new beverage categories, ownership structures, and more. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission was established by the Texas Legislature in 1935 as the Texas Liquor Control Board. The agency is charged with regulating all phases of the state’s alcoholic beverage industry and employs more than 200 commissioned peace officers and dozens of civilian auditors to help ensure public safety and compliance at more than 60,000 licensed businesses in Texas. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreLab tests reveal no controlled substances in liquor bottles after reports of illness at Houston-area bar
HOUSTON — A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission investigation found no evidence of controlled substances in whiskey served at a Cypress bar where multiple patrons reportedly fell ill, according to results from a laboratory analysis. TABC was notified on Oct. 7 that two patrons of Bedrock Tavern were reportedly hospitalized after consuming shots of Jameson whiskey at the bar on Oct. 5. The bar owner stated to TABC that onsite tests of two of the bottles allegedly revealed controlled substances in the liquor. TABC seized all nine of the bar’s Jameson bottles and submitted samples of the product from each bottle for testing at a private Arlington-based laboratory. None of the samples tested positive for any controlled substances, TABC Chief of Enforcement Ronald Swenson said. “The lab tests did not reveal any substances that would have made the liquor inside the bottles unsafe for human consumption,” Swenson said. “Since this incident was reported, TABC hasn’t received any other reports of patrons falling ill after consuming Jameson, either in Texas or across the U.S.” A TABC investigation to determine how the patrons fell ill remains ongoing, Swenson added. “We take incidents like this very seriously,” he said. “These types of incidents tend to be rare, fortunately, but we’re always going to do everything we can to find out what happened and what steps need to be taken to ensure this isn’t repeated.” Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact TABC at 512-206-3333. The agency will release more information as it becomes available. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreIndustry Notice: Impacts of the federal government shutdown
The U.S. federal government has shut down for an unknown period while Congress works to pass a funding agreement. As a result, federal agencies have halted various services — including the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). This may prevent applicants for TABC licenses, permits, and product registrations from obtaining the federal documents necessary to complete their TABC applications. Read this notice for more information.
Read moreGov. Abbott appoints Robert Eckels to chair Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed veteran public servant, attorney, and business leader Robert Eckels as chair of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the state agency that regulates all aspects of the alcoholic beverage industry in Texas. Eckels previously served the people of Texas for six terms as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995 and led the state’s largest county as county judge of Harris County from 1995-2007. He is currently an attorney of counsel to the law firm of Husch Blackwell LLP and general counsel for Greffex, Inc. “TABC is honored to welcome Chairman Eckels to the Commission,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “We look forward to his leadership, as well as working with him to ensure TABC continues to operate efficiently, enforce the law fairly, and maintain safe communities for all Texans.” TABC has 625 authorized positions — including 230 peace officer roles spread across 24 Texas offices, as well as employees stationed at 28 ports of entry along the Texas-Mexico border. The agency regulates more than 68,000 licenses and permits held by alcohol manufacturers, distributors, and retailers; oversees the sale of about 760 million gallons of alcohol each year; and collects about $370 million in revenue for the state annually. In addition to his previous experience as county judge and as a member of the Texas Legislature, Eckels has served on advisory committees to former President George W. Bush and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He’s a member of the state bars of Texas, New York, Colorado, and the District of Columbia, as well as a certified fraud examiner and leadership fellow for the National Association of Corporate Directors. He previously served as chair of the Texas County and District Retirement System, president of the Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association, and a board member of the Texas Association of Counties. He also served as a board member of the National Association of Counties, where he chaired multiple committees. Eckels holds a Bachelor of Science in Technology from the University of Houston and a Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law. Eckels succeeds former TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly, who left the commission to serve in the U.S. Department of the Interior. Eckels’ term with TABC is set to expire Nov. 15, 2027. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications media@tabc.texas.gov
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