Christopher W. Clements (Chris) is the former Vice Chairman and CEO of Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc. For nearly 75 years, Golden Eagle served as a family-owned, Arizona-based wholesaler for several major national brewers including: Anheuser-Busch-InBev and Sierra Nevada. In March of 2016, Golden Eagle was sold to Phoenix-based, Hensley Beverage Company.
Under Chris’ leadership as CEO, Golden Eagle achieved several milestones, ranking as one of the largest beer wholesalers in the country with sales at its peak of over 10.6 million cases and gross sales of $165 million. Chris led Golden Eagle to enjoy a statewide market-share of over 60%; and, was consistently recognized for its innovations in delivery technology. In 2012, Golden Eagle was awarded with Beverage World’s “Fleet of the Year” for its successful, cost-saving transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles for all its Tucson and Casa Grande delivery fleet.
For several decades, Chris was a recognized leader in the beer industry, serving on several national and state boards. From 2003 to 2007, he served on the Anheuser-Busch Wholesaler Advisory Panel. For two years, he served as Chair of the Beer and Wine Distributors of Arizona (BWDA). From 2011 to 2015 he was State Chairman of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) Board of Directors. In addition, in 1998, he testified to the Committee on Ways and Means of the US Congress on behalf of NBWA urging repeal of the onerous Death Tax.
As a dedicated and experienced social-entrepreneur, in 2003, Chris established The Wings Like Eagles Foundation, a private, employee-supported foundation to provide additional financial support to a variety of charities in communities served by Golden Eagle. By the end of 2015, The Wings Like Eagles Foundation granted nearly $2 Million statewide to many worthy organizations. Recently, Chris and his wife, Sasha, established the Chris and Sasha Clements Charitable Fund to continue the works of The Wings Like Eagles Foundation in the spirit of Isaiah 40:31. Chris is also Founder and Chair of the Rise UP Foundation – a public policy educational foundation.
Following the sale of Golden Eagle and the ending of the Wings Like Eagles Foundation, Chris established CWC & Associates, LLC, a business and non-profit consulting group. Chris also decided to invest in his faith, family, and purpose with Halftime Institute of Dallas, Texas. Currently, Chris serves as a Graduate Fellow and Ambassador. In May of 2017, Chris was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Boulder Crest Retreat Foundation, which seeks to assist veterans/first responders and their families suffering from the long-term effects of trauma. Currently, Chris serves as Partner and Senior Advisor for Strategy, Outreach & Government Affairs for Uncommon Giving Corporation. Uncommon Giving seeks to awaken a new generation of generosity using modern technology – to make the giving experience more joyful, purposeful, and interactive.
Chris is a Legacy Member of the Arizona Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) where he has served in a variety of positions including: 2014-2015 Chapter Chair, 2013-2014 Education Chair and 2011-2012 Membership Chair. Chris is also active in YPO International having served as Past Chairman and Founder of the Global Diplomacy and Public Policy Network (GDPP); and, Champion of the Conservative Global Public Policy Forum. For over a decade, Chris has co-chaired the “YPO Inside Washington Seminar” in Washington, DC, which brings CEO’s from around the globe to the Nation’s Capital to learn from and engage with leaders in America’s unique public policy process. In 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016, Chris was honored with the YPO-WPO International’s “The Best of the Best” award for the Inside Washington Program.
Chris has been active in numerous boards and organizations. Highlights include: the Forest Home Foundation Board of Directors, Salpointe Catholic High School Board of Directors, CREST Insurance Community Council, Blood:Water-Mission, The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Leadership Network, The Arizona Chamber of Commerce, The Goldwater Institute, The Heritage Foundation President’s Club, The National Republican Club of Capitol Hill, and The University of Arizona Presidents Club. A graduate of the University of Southern California where he studied Law and Political Science, Chris remains active in the USC Associates and is a member of The USC Trojan Club-Committee. In 2014, he was named a USC Ambassador.
Chris enjoys skiing, swimming, hiking, fishing, strenuous exercise, and writing. Chris is also an avid reader of books on Christian apologetics, political thought, and historical biography. He is married to Alexandra Erickson Clements (Sasha). Together, they take immense joy in raising their three children: Grace Catherine (18), William Preston (9), and Campbell Ann (6).
