Atlanta business leader earns national advocacy award

International Bottled Water Association | MEDIA RELEASE | November 17, 2014

Atlanta business leader earns national advocacy award

Dallas, TX – The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) today announced an Atlanta, Georgia, business leader has won the prestigious Advocacy Award for 2014.

Shayron Barnes-Selby, Vice President Government Affairs & Quality Services at Primo Water North America, was handed the inaugural award at IBWA’s Annual General Meeting as part of the 2014 IBWA Annual Business Conference in Dallas, Texas.

In making the announcement, IBWA Convention Committee Co-Chair Dan Kelly said the award recognizes individuals or organizations whose advocacy efforts have had a positive impact on the national conversation about bottled water.

“IBWA presents this Advocacy Award to honor the exceptional efforts one individual has made to improve the policy and perception of bottled water on a local, state, and national level. And obviously, there is only one clear winner – Shayron Barnes-Selby,” said Mr. Kelly.

“For many years Shay has tirelessly advocated on behalf of IBWA and the bottled water industry, in addition to promoting the efforts of her company, DS Services.  If IBWA arranges a day on Capitol Hill to meet with elected official to educate them about bottled water industry issues, Shay is there. At every event held by the IBWA Political Action Committee, Shay is there. Even addressing industry issues at the state and local level, including her favorite state of California, Shay is there.”

“And when Shay is ‘there,’ she makes the most of her time. In fact, she once had 31 Hill visits with legislators in a two-day period. Let’s see future recipients of this award top that!”

Mr. Kelly said Ms. Barnes-Selby was very active in all IBWA state and federal legislative and regulatory efforts. She assists with IBWA’s communications and public outreach activities. She has for many years served as the co-chair of the IBWA Government Relations Committee, and she is also the Treasurer of the IBWA Political Action Committee. And last year, Ms. Barnes-Selby was appointed to the IBWA Board of Directors.

“But mostly, Shayron is the voice of the bottled water industry where we need it most—talking with our elected officials to help ensure they know the facts about the bottled water industry and our issues.”

“Congratulations Shayron, this IBWA Advocacy Award is well-deserved,” Mr. Kelly said.

###

Media Contact:
Chris Hogan
chogan@bottledwater.org
703.647.4609

NOTE: Photos/head shots available upon request

Media Contact:
Jill Culora
jculora@bottledwater.org
703.647.4609

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.  

In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.  

IBWA is proud to be a partner with Keep America Beautiful and a supporter of Drink Up, an initiative of former First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which encourages Americans to drink more water more often – whether from the tap, a filter, or in a bottle. Choosing water is always the healthy choice.