Durbin Receives National Leadership in Alcohol Regulation Award

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Montgomery County is pleased to announce that Kathie Durbin, chief of licensure, regulation and education at the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control, is the recipient of the Fifth Annual Leadership in Alcohol Regulation Award.

The award, which recognizes a specific program, agency or person who oversees the alcohol industry and promotes public safety, was presented by the Center for Alcohol Policy’s Advisory Council at the 10^th Annual Alcohol Law and Policy Conference, in Chicago, Illinois. This is the first time a County agency has been selected for this award.   

 “The Center for Alcohol Policy appreciates that alcohol regulators are on the front lines of many initiatives aimed at keeping the alcohol industry properly regulated, promoting public health and safety, and supporting a competitive business marketplace,” said Jerry Oliver, a Center Advisory Council member. “This award highlights effective best practices that may serve as examples to regulators in other states.”

Durbin oversees many educational resources that not only protect public safety, but also improve the business environment in the County. She helped to establish the Alcohol Law Education & Regulatory Training (A.L.E.R.T.) program, offered by the department twice a month, at no cost to attendees to improve compliance with alcohol laws; a revamped Compliance Check program; and a Mystery Shop program, among others.

“I’m so proud of Kathie and her team for the exemplary work they do for our customers and residents of Montgomery County. The training, overall education and regulatory oversight provided through Kathie’s leadership, has resulted in Montgomery County being known as one of the best examples of public health and safety of any jurisdiction in the U.S.,” said Robert Dorfman, director for the Department of Liquor Control.

This is not the first time Durbin and her team has been nationally recognized since being promoted to Division Chief in 2003. Durbin has received awards from the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association for underage drinking prevention programming and, in 2015, was awarded with the National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals Best Practices Award. Durbin’s team has also won nearly a dozen awards from the National Association of Counties as well as numerous local awards.  

Nationally, Durbin is known for her fair and consistent approach to alcohol regulation and willingness to work with all stakeholders, including the public health community, law enforcement, businesses and other regulators to improve public safety. Spearheading the Annual Maryland Alcohol Forum, Durbin brings together alcohol license administrators and law enforcement to discuss policy priorities, trends in public health and licensing and enforcement best practices. For more information, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DLC.

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The Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control (DLC) operates 27 retail stores across Montgomery County (Maryland) and acts as the County’s wholesaler. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, the DLC is dedicated to supporting the responsible consumption of spirits, wine, and beer products and operates under a control model, much like one-third of the nation. The revenue generated, over $30 million annually, goes to the County General Fund to offset the cost of projects and programs that County tax dollars would otherwise have to cover. For more information, visit the DLC website.

 

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Photo Caption: (L to R): Center for Alcohol Policy Advisors Jim Hall and Jerry Oliver; award recipient Kathie Durbin; Center Advisors Brannon Denning and Patrick Lynch

 

Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Melissa Davis 240.777.1915