West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration

Fred Wooton Commissioner
900 Pennsylvania Ave. 4th Floor
Charleston, WV 25302
800-642-8208
Website of the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration

The Legislature created the ABCA in 1935 after the repeal of the state prohibition amendment. Its complex mission is to regulate, enforce, and control the sales and distribution, transportation, storage, and consumption of alcoholic liquors and nonintoxicating beer as mandated by the West Virginia Liquor Control Act and Nonintoxicating Beer Act. Folded into that mission is an educational component that reaches students and the public regarding issues of underage drinking, fetal alcohol syndrome and driving under the influence.

Governor Jim Justice appointed Fred Wooton commissioner of the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration February 2017.

Wooton has been with the ABCA for more than 25 years serving in a variety of roles including inspector, enforcement agent and enforcement supervisor. He has instructed officers and cadets at the West Virginia State Police Academy on the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control laws, rules and regulations since 2004, and for a number of years, Wooton served on the Policies and Procedures Executive Committee at the agency.

Prior to joining ABCA, Wooton worked 12 years in the lodging, food and beverage industry in southern West Virginia. He is a 1984 graduate of the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He resides in Beckley with his wife, Debra.