Diageo executive named chairwoman of Ky. distillers group

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — An executive at Diageo North America has been selected as chairwoman of a group that promotes Kentucky’s bourbon industry.

Pauline Rooney will serve as chairwoman of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association through December 2015.

She says one of her main goals will be to put together an updated strategic plan that will outline the vision for the bourbon industry in the next five years.

Rooney is vice president of Distillation, Maturation and Engineering for Diageo North America.

Rooney says the Kentucky bourbon renaissance is in full swing, with more distilleries opening.

A report last year found that distilling now contributes $3 billion in gross state product to Kentucky’s economy every year, up from $1.8 billion two years ago.

Kentucky is home to 95 percent of the world’s bourbon production.

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