Chief Executive Officer

Are you a dynamic leader looking to dive into the hard cider industry to fight for cider’s rightful place in the beverage alcohol space? Are you an energetic convener who specializes in bringing people together behind a shared vision? Do you love championing agriculture, apple growers and innovators? Do you get excited about new market stats, storytelling, event planning? Are you inspired by partnering with members of Congress to help position the cider industry for more success? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please consider learning more about the American Cider Association’s current open position for our next CEO!

The Organization

The American Cider Association (ACA) is a nonprofit membership-driven trade association that supports commercial hard cider and perry producers in the U.S. Our mission is to build and protect a sustainable and diverse cider industry in the United States through targeted education, effective advocacy, and a welcoming, thriving cider community. We were founded by commercial cidermakers for commercial cidermakers at CiderCon® 2013, the annual gathering of professional cidermakers from across the country and the globe which the ACA has managed since 2016.

Our programs include government affairs, CiderCon®, member education, market data insights, the Cider is for Everyone scholarship, media engagement, and the only globally available cider education and certification program for food and beverage professionals–the Certified Cider Professional program. We are a big tent organization and all commercial cider producers are welcome to join and engage in our work.

The Market

The cider industry has grown sustainably over the last 13 years and it is continuing to see growth through the success of regional cider businesses. Today the cider market is 10X the size it was a decade ago, and there are 1,300 commercial producers with at least one producer located in every state. The beverage industry is very dynamic, and many segments of the beverage industry are experiencing contraction. Cider could be poised for continued growth with its popularity with Gen Z consumers and its relative environmental footprint compared to other beverages. The vast majority of cider businesses are small, and more than half of the producers in the US grow at least some of their own apples. Business models are very diverse in the cider industry, with small and large, urban and rural cideries all playing important roles.

The Role

The next CEO of the American Cider Association will provide strategic, dynamic and inspiring leadership for the cider industry and the organization. The CEO holds overall operational and fiscal management responsibilities for the association. They lead the ACA in accordance with our mission, the evolving needs of our members, and strategic guidance from our board of directors. The role is comprised of:

• 25% Strategic Management
• 25% Event Management (CiderCon®)
• 15% Fiscal and Operational Management
• 15% Partnership and Member Management
• 10% Advocacy
• 10% Board Management & Development