Hank Bauer

Hank Bauer was appointed Chairman of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission by Governor Roy Cooper in December 2021. Mr. Bauer was born and raised in North Carolina and brings over 30 years of industry experience to this role. Before serving as Chairman of the NC ABC Commission, Mr. Bauer was General Manager at Empire Distributors, where he also served as the Director of Sales and On-Premises Director. He was previously the North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia District Manager for Boston Beer Company and a District Manager and Sales Representative for Blue Ridge Beverage. Throughout his career, Mr. Bauer has emphasized the importance of strategic budget development, systems optimization, team building, and enhancing supplier-partner relationships that accelerate growth and profitability. Mr. Bauer earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Carolina University. He currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife Moira. Their two children, Henry and Brian, also live and work in Charlotte.