Center for Alcohol Policy Honors Leadership in Alcohol Regulation Award Recipient

Oklahoma Regulator Recognized for Efforts to Enforce State Alcohol Laws and Promote Public Safety

CHICAGO, IL – The Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) is pleased to announce that Oklahoma Alcohol Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission Director A. Keith Burt is the recipient of the Second Annual Leadership in Alcohol Regulation Award.

The award, which recognizes the work of alcohol regulators who oversee the alcohol industry and promote public safety, was presented yesterday evening by CAP Advisory Council member and former Arizona alcohol regulator Jerry Oliver at the Seventh Annual Alcohol Law and Policy Conference taking place at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois.

“The Center for Alcohol Policy understands that alcohol regulators are the front lines of many great initiatives in the states aimed at keeping the alcohol industry properly regulated, promoting public health and safety and supporting a healthy business marketplace,” Oliver said. “This award highlights effective best practices that may serve as examples to alcohol regulators in other states.”

“Keith Burt‘s tireless energy, creativity and dedication to community outreach makes him stand out from the pack,” Oliver continued. “He is possibly the longest serving state alcohol regulator in the country, having started at the ABLE Commission as an accountant in 1980, yet he humbly works every day to advance the interest of Oklahomans. He has risen through the ranks to become director and always celebrates the work of the staff at the ABLE Commission. He has been a driving force in the 2Much2Lose (2M2L) efforts to prevent underage sales in Oklahoma.”

Oliver added, “Keith Burt oversees 60,000 licenses and oversaw tremendous changes in Oklahoma regulation brought about by ‘liquor by the drink’ implementation and tobacco enforcement – all while the number of employees has shrunk. One of his greatest initiatives is weekly sending ABLE agents into grade schools, high schools and college campuses in an effort to be proactive and enlighten our youth on the life-changing consequences of alcohol abuse.”

Click here to download a photo of A. Keith Burt.

For more information, please call (703) 519-3090 or email info@centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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 The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.