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Profile:
NABCA
Chairman J. Neal Insley,
Chairman of the Virginia
Department of Alcoholic
Beverage Control
Two-time NABCA Chairman J. Neal Insley focuses on modernization
and wellness in Virginia and beyond.
By Melissa Niksic
J
. Neal Insley is making history at NABCA by being
the first chairman of the board to ever serve almost
two full-year terms consecutively: he initially stepped
into the role last year when the previous chairperson
resigned after only one month of service. Insley also came
into this leadership position during an interesting time, as
many intense conversations are currently taking place
regarding how control states will function in the future.
A Colorful History
T
he start of Insley's official appointed term coincides with the NABCA annual conference,
which kicks off in Phoenix, AZ, on May 15.
Currently serving as the chairman and commissioner of
the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
(ABC), Insley initially focused on a career in law
enforcement upon graduating from college. After three
years serving as a police officer with the Virginia Marine
Police, Insley traded in his uniform for plainclothes and
took a position as a special agent with Virginia ABC.
"I greatly underestimated the scope of what the
agency did when I first came in," Insley recalls. "To this
day, I am amazed by the broad spectrum of everything
this agency touches."
StateWays I www.stateways.com I May/June 2013
Several years after joining Virginia ABC, Insley
began attending law school, taking evening and weekend
classes while continuing his work as an agent. After
graduating, he left Virginia ABC and worked as a state
prosecutor. His entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him
to found his own law firm specializing in regulatory and
ABC law. Insley ultimately moved his practice to the law
firm LeClairRyan, where he became team leader of the
firm's hospitality law group. In 2010, Insley returned to
his old stomping grounds, where he was appointed to his
current position with the agency by Virginia Governor
Robert F. McDonnell.
"Neal brings a unique combination of skill sets, not
only to his job in Virginia but as NABCA chair," says Jim
Sgueo, president and chief executive officer of NABCA.
"In addition to his experience in law enforcement and as
an attorney, Neal also possesses a very strong managerial
skill set, and an understanding of alcohol and beverage
policy and sales operations. He's had a great deal of
experience in all of these areas, giving him insights that
enhance his effectiveness."
With such a diverse professional background, Insley
laughingly admits it seems appropriate that he take the
reigns as NABCA chairman in a rather unorthodox fashion. He credits his colleagues at NABCA with helping to
make the transition as seamless as possible.
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