Bethesda, MD – February 18, 2010 – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) announced today that Eddie Block has been selected as the 2010 ABL Top Shelf Award honoree. Mr. Block is a Partner of Republic National Distributing Company, the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the United States.
The ABL Top Shelf Award recognizes those who have demonstrated excellence over their careers in the beverage alcohol industry and have a successful history of positive influence on their communities. It is the highest honor given by ABL and will be presented to Mr. Block at the Top Shelf Award Banquet at the 8th Annual ABL Convention on June 15, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky.
“In the traditionally flamboyant beverage business, ‘modest’ and ‘mild mannered’ aren’t words typically assigned to top brass,” said ABL President David Jabour. “Eddie Block is an industry pillar that is humble and forever caring for everybody in the industry.”
Mr. Block traces his roots in the beverage alcohol industry back to 1939 when his father, Ed J. Block, started the original family business, Block Distributing Company in Texas. He entered the industry professionally in 1964, going to work for Block Distributing two years later. In 1975 he became President of Block Distributing and as consolidation in the industry accelerated, he was named Chairman of Republic Beverage Company in 1996. In 2007, Republic merged with National Distributing Company to form Republic National Distributing Company, and Mr. Block joined the other principal owners as a Partner. Today, Republic National Distributing Company is the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the United States with operations in nineteen states and 6,000 employees nationwide.
“Eddie Block is a truly revered member of our great industry,” said ABL executive director Harry Wiles. “His reputation among those who have had the good fortune to cross his path makes his selection as Top Shelf Recipient the perfect choice. ABL is honored by his acceptance of this award.”
In addition to his achievements in the beverage alcohol industry, Mr. Block has been a longtime supporter of a variety of charitable organizations that remain important parts of his life. He is active with the United Way, the McNay Art Museum, the University of Texas Health Science Center, the Cancer Therapy and Research Center of San Antonio, the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, the San Antonio Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels, among others.
Mr. Block also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio and on the Investment Committee of the Jewish Federation. He has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America several times.
For those who wish to join in honoring Mr. Block and for more information about the ABL Top Shelf Award Banquet and 2010 ABL Convention, which will be held on June 13-15, 2010 at the Marriott Louisville Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky, please visit www.ablusa.org.