Business

We've seen him in McCain family portraits published in newspapers and magazines, and on television stumping for his father, 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Andy McCain is now back in Phoenix, where he serves as chief financial officer at Hensley and Co., the beer-distributing company owned by his stepmother, Cindy McCain.

When we caught up with Andy McCain recently, he talked about the campaign and the impact of Arizona's employer-sanctions law on beer sales, among other topics.

Question: How was it out on the campaign trail with John McCain?

Answer: It was educational for the kids. And it was very exhilarating. We took the kids out with the campaign for a week in August. We went to Cincinnati, Des Moines, the Iowa State Fair. We rode on the bus and on the plane with Dad.

My involvement actually was very modest. I mostly would stand on the stage in the back.

Q: You are this year's Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce chairman. What is the top issue the chamber is working on this year?

A: We are focused on the budget deficit that is facing our state. That is by far our Number 1 issue. It impacts all facets of life here. One of the ramifications may be raising taxes. That is a big issue for our constituents. It would be nice to see more longer-term thinking in the Legislature.

Q: Transportation is one of the biggest challenges our state faces. What are your thoughts on ways to finance new roads and public transportation?

A: The chamber was in support of the (sales tax for transportation) TIME initiative and was disappointed it did not even make it onto the ballot. Nobody disputes that Arizona is going to be a lot bigger than it is right now and we need to get prepared. In 20 years, we may have as many as 10 million people. Our inability to act now puts us behind the eight ball.

One thing I hear about behind the scenes is getting public-private partnerships involved in developing transportation. It is going on in other states that have things like toll roads. At a minimum, that should at least be discussed here.

Q: How did you become interested in the beer-distribution industry?

A: It was all that market research I did in college. Seriously, I was in banking and living in Jacksonville, Florida. I had an MBA, and my dad suggested I think about moving here and working at Hensley. They didn't need help selling beer, but they needed someone with a financial background.

Cindy would eventually like to get her children involved in the company. I am older than they are, so I am the bridge.

Q: Is beer distribution fairly recession-proof?

A: It's a fair statement to say that with the economy taking a downturn, that that did not impact our business. What did impact it is the immigration issue here.

Q: Immigration?

A: You see a lot of Hispanics leaving our state since employer sanctions. They are a big part of our market, so it has had an impact on our business. Also, the construction industry is on the decline. The construction worker is a core client of ours, and that has had an impact.