WASHINGTON, D.C. — Susan K. Neely, president and chief executive officer of the American Beverage Association (ABA), today named William M. Dermody Jr. vice president of policy for the association. 

Dermody joins ABA from USA Today, where he most recently served as deputy managing editor for world news.

“William’s extensive experience in covering and managing significant issues around the world will be a tremendous asset to the association,” Neely said.  “At a time when our industry is facing new challenges here and abroad, we look forward to having William onboard to help develop strong leadership policies that positively impact the communities we serve.”

As vice president of policy for ABA, Dermody will be responsible for managing issues and developing policy on a range of topics, including environmental sustainability, health, science and taxes. The non-alcoholic beverage industry employs more than 233,000 people with a direct economic impact of more than $141 billion.

“The ABA has been a well-respected and effective voice for the beverage industry for some time,” Dermody said. “I look forward to helping guide this iconic industry toward lasting policies that will have a meaningful impact on challenging issues.”

Dermody has had a distinguished career in journalism for more than three decades.  He was most recently deputy managing editor of world news at USA Today, where he spent several years overseeing coverage of world news and managing a team of reporters in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Washington, D.C.  Before that, he served as Assignment Editor for the US news section.  Prior to joining USA Today, Dermody served as a reporter and editor at The Associated Press, including as a national editor for the news organization at its world headquarters in New York. 

Dermody lives in Virginia with his wife and four children.    

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The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.  For more information on ABA, please visit the association’s Web site at www.ameribev.org or call the ABA communications team at (202) 463-6770.

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