Joseph Cruz is a consultant with Pillsbury’s Restaurant, Food & Beverage practice and is located in the Sacramento office. He is not an attorney.

Prior to joining Pillsbury, Joseph served as Assistant Director of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for Southern California. He has more than 25 years of experience in public service with knowledge in every aspect of ABC law including licensing, trade practices, enforcement, business practice and fiscal management of statewide programs.

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Joseph is a resource for the firm’s beverage industry clients regarding how to navigate California’s complex regulatory scheme regarding the manufacture, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages, as well as providing research of multistate licensing requirements. He also files local permits for clients involving health permits, seller permits and fictitious business names, and files TTB permits and amendments involving distilleries, wineries, breweries, wholesalers and importers.

Representative Experience

  • Possesses extensive experience negotiating settlements between opposing factions within state and local government, citizens groups, major entertainment venues, restaurants and tribal entities, as well as large grocery chains and non-retail businesses.
  • As a member of the ABC’s executive staff, participated in the development, implementation and evaluation of Department policies in all program areas.
  • Was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the ABC’s Licensing Unit, which allows the Department to better serve the alcoholic beverage industry, and developed extensive statewide prevention and enforcement strategies.

Professional Highlights

Associations

  • National Conference of State Liquor Administrators
  • National Liquor Law Enforcement Administrators
  • Los Angeles Downtown Hospitality Forum

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  • Recording Artists Against Drunk Driving

Education

  • B.S., California State University, Fresno

    FBI National Academy