Behind every beer brand you drink is an impressive team of beer professionals — brewers, barkeeps, bussers, canners, sales reps, CEOs, COOs, lab techs, interns and everyone from marketing and HR teams to warehouse and restaurant workers. “Beer professional” encapsulates a wide variety of jobs and skill sets, and breweries are constantly making moves to secure great employees and industry leaders. Oftentimes, it’s not even a beer pro, but a food or technology wiz that’s needed. Craft breweries and their suppliers and trade associations have many facets and require specialized employees. Here are a few of the big personnel headlines from the craft brewing industry in the last month plus. Send your beer pro news to [email protected].
Robert Hodson joins Brooklyn Brewery as VP of sales
Brooklyn Brewery recently announced the appointment of Robert Hodson as vice president of sales. This marks a homecoming for Robert, who is returning to Brooklyn Brewery after more than 20 years.
Hodson’s career journey began with Brooklyn Brewery, where he was instrumental in running Craft Brewers Guild (CBG), which was established and operated by Brooklyn Brewery. CBG became one of the first and largest craft-exclusive beer wholesalers in the United States, focusing on classic European imports and U.S. craft beers. In the early 2000s, Brooklyn Brewery sold CBG to The Sheehan Family Companies. Following the sale, Robert transitioned to Union Beer Distributors, a division of The Sheehan Family Companies, where he started their craft division as Sales Director.
“We are very excited to have Robert back in the fold. He brings tremendous knowledge and experience to help us navigate the opportunities provided by today’s rapidly evolving marketplace,” said Robin Ottaway, President of Brooklyn Brewery.
Prior to his return to Brooklyn Brewery, Hodson was Director of Corporate Brand Management for Sheehan Family Companies. In this role, which he held since 2012, he served as the primary point of contact for dozens of craft suppliers and played an integral role in developing and executing the company’s overall sales strategy. His expertise and leadership were pivotal in managing the Corporate Brand Management team throughout his tenure as well.
Hodson’s extensive experience at CBG, Union Beer, and his corporate role with The Sheehan Family Companies has equipped him with an unparalleled level of knowledge and expertise. At Brooklyn Brewery, Robert will oversee all aspects of the company’s sales in the U.S., bringing his deep industry insight to further strengthen the brand’s market presence.
“I am excited to return to Brooklyn Brewery, a place that has been instrumental in shaping my career. I look forward to working with the team to continue building on their strong foundation and exploring new opportunities in this dynamic industry,” Vice President of Sales Robert Hodson explains.
The brewery, which celebrated a milestone 35th anniversary as a brand last year and 30 years with Garrett Oliver as Brewmaster this year, is excited to have Robert’s expertise as they begin to embark on the next 35 years.
Blake’s Beverage Co. announces Ryan Burk as vice president of quality and innovation
Blake’s Beverage Co., the nation’s second largest independent cider company and the collaborative voice of three leading cider brands, Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders, and AVID Cider Co., recently announced the newest addition to its team — Ryan Burk as vice president of quality and innovation.
With a lifelong passion for apples and cider, Burk has played pivotal roles in shaping some of the country’s most ambitious and industry-defining cider programs, including leading Virtue Cider in Michigan and propelling Angry Orchard to new heights as head cider maker.
From growing up in the epicenter of New York State apple production to leading some of the United States’ most ambitious and industry defining cider programs, Burk has spent a lifetime with apples and cider. Burk grew up in Williamson, New York, known as “The Core of Apple Country,” where his early experiences fermenting cider with friends sparked his lifelong dedication to cidermaking. He established his career as a prominent cider maker at Virtue Cider in Michigan before joining Angry Orchard, where he led research, development, and experimentation at its cider house in Walden, New York.
Burk left Angry Orchard in 2022 to pursue his own endeavors, including cofounding Feel Goods Co., an innovative brand and pipeline development studio for craft beverages, and Occam Cider Co., a boutique cider label.
As a dedicated industry advocate, he has served on the board of The American Cider Association and was a founding board member and current president of The Cider Institute of North America. He has been recognized by Imbibe 75 People to Watch, Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40, and The Buena Cofradía de los Siceratores de Asturias and has collaborated with chefs in kitchens around the world, from small backyard gatherings to The James Beard Foundation. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the Culinary Institute of America.
“It’s been a passion of mine to bring cider to life at the table. I am incredibly excited to join the team at Blake’s Beverage Co. Their dedication to innovation and excellence is driving the cider category,” said Burk. “I look forward to growing alongside Blake’s strong leadership and strategic vision as we craft what cider can be.”
Burk joins an already impressive lineup of industry powerhouses at Blake’s Beverage Co.:
- Global Trade Marketing Director Rachel Foaté has nearly a decade of experience in trade marketing and sales, recently joining from Anheuser-Busch InBev, where she led engaging trade marketing multi-channel campaigns, developed impactful shopper strategy, and enhanced brand visibility and sales growth.
- President Chase Kushak has years of experience in strategy and process development and operations management, including time as the former COO of Founders Brewing Co. growing them to the #9 craft brewery in the country.
- North Sales Vice President Scott Roberts has 24 years of sales and sales management experience at both the distributor and supplier level with stops at Craft Brew Alliance and Founders Brewing Co. before joining the Blake’s team in 2018.
- South Sales Vice President Kevin Cargile, who brings over 25 years of experience navigating national sales, has been with the Austin Eastciders and now Blake Beverage Company team since 2022. Previously he worked as Anheuser-Busch’s Sales Director in Houston and on the National Accounts team at Gambrinus.
- Global Director of Education Samantha Roberts co-founded AVID Cider Co. in 2012, becoming a leading cider producer in the Pacific Northwest before becoming a part of Blake’s Beverage Company in 2023. In the past 12 years Sam has overseen everything at Avid from Production to HR and beyond.
- Founder and CEO Andrew Blake, also founder of Blake’s Hard Cider, whose visionary approach and extensive knowledge of the beverage industry has led to significant growth and innovation for the company.
“We are excited to welcome Ryan Burk to our team! We’ve been huge fans of his commitment to innovation in the beverage industry and his vision for cider,” said Andrew Blake, founder and CEO of Blake’s Beverage Co. “His passion and understanding for cider production is going to complement our best in class team. We’re pushing the boundaries of what cider is and 4th category beverages can be, and Ryan’s unmatched experience will drive our mission to reclaim cider’s rightful place as America’s drink.”
Burk will play a crucial role in driving innovation, maintaining the highest standards of quality, and fostering continuous improvement at Blake’s Beverage Co. Leveraging his expertise in cider making, brand development, and quality assurance, Burk will spearhead efforts to introduce new bold flavors and fresh ingredients to Blake’s lineup.
Blake’s Beverage Co. remains committed to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction as it continues to push boundaries and set new standards in the cider industry. For more information on Blake’s Beverage Company and its continued growth, visit blakesbevco.com.
Ohio Craft Brewers Association taps new board leadership
The member breweries of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association elected seven representatives to the board of directors. Ohio brewers chose to elevate board member Jason Moore of Crooked Handle Brewing Co. in Springboro to serve as the association’s vice-president, following the tenure of current vice-president Ali Hovan of HiHO Brewing Co. in Cuyahoga Falls.
Hovan and board secretary Garrett Hickey of Cincinnati’s Streetside Brewery are term-limited, stepping down after six years of service to the organization. Hickey will be replaced as secretary by current board member Melissa Dallas of Upside Brewing in Sylvania. Adam Benner of Land-Grant Brewing in Columbus was re-elected to a third term as the association’s treasurer.
Sitting board members Steve Forman of Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland and Jamey Ratcliff of Sixth Sense Brewing Co. in Jackson were each re-elected to their second terms. Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki, co-owner of Penguin City Brewing Co. in Youngstown, and David Sutula, partner and brewer at Royal Docks Brewing Co. in Canton, were elected to their first terms on the Ohio Craft Brewers Association board, assuming the at-large seats vacated by the elevation of Moore and Dallas to officer positions. The newly elected board members will start their two-year terms on Aug. 1 to oversee the Ohio Craft Brewers Association’s education, marketing and advocacy efforts.
The association’s top priority is reform of the Ohio Alcoholic Beverages Franchise Act, a law that traps small and independent breweries in lifetime contracts with beer wholesalers. When the law was passed in 1974, beer wholesalers needed protection from the power and influence of a handful of massive brewing conglomerates. Small breweries did not exist in 1974, but more than 430 are currently operating in Ohio. Meanwhile, wholesalers have consolidated through mergers and acquisitions to become large, powerful companies. Franchise law makes these small, independent breweries subject to the same virtually unbreakable contracts as their huge competitors, creating an imbalance of power between small breweries and the wholesalers they rely on to grow their businesses.
Two bills have been introduced in the Ohio General Assembly — Senate Bill 138 and House Bill 306 — which would exempt breweries making fewer than 250,000 barrels of beer per year from franchise law. The Ohio Craft Brewers Association and its leadership continue to support these bills and urge legislators to pass this common-sense modernization of state law in order to benefit small businesses, local communities and beer consumers.
“Our board of directors represents the diversity of small businesses that make up Ohio’s craft brewing industry,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “From established breweries who rely on wholesale distributors to move their products across multiple regions to smaller breweries poised to grow and expand in the market, reform of franchise law will benefit the entirety of our industry.”
Founded in 2007, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association is a nonprofit guild that exists to promote, preserve, diversify and unify Ohio’s craft brewing industry. We aspire to be recognized as the industry leader at both state and national levels for preserving the art of making high-quality, unique craft beer; to serve as the unified voice for craft brewers across the state; to advocate on behalf of the Ohio craft beer industry; to contribute to systemic, local community development by driving economic and job growth, while creating experiences that bring people together; to promote safe, responsible enjoyment of Ohio craft beer; and to serve as a beacon for local production and manufacturing through craft beer, resulting in diverse choices for consumers.
Brewers Association announces retirement of president and CEO Bob Pease
The Brewers Association (BA) — the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to advocating for small and independent American craft brewers — recently announced the retirement of president and CEO Bob Pease. After 32 years with the Brewers Association, Pease will step down in early 2025 once his successor is in place.
“After careful consideration, I believe it is time to help this great association transition to new leadership and for me to move on to new endeavors,” reflected Pease. “Over the last three decades, I have witnessed the Brewers Association grow from a small, narrowly focused association to one that is now a power player on important issues facing the industry domestically and internationally. Throughout my time at the helm of the Brewers Association, we have helped our members navigate explosive growth and unprecedented challenges. In doing so, we have put the BA on the map as a political force. Representing this iconic community, its brands, and the incredible people who embody passion in their craft has been an absolute honor. I look forward to seeing continued success in the industry.”
Pease joined the Brewers Association in 1993 as a customer service manager and worked his way up to operations director. He was promoted to vice president in 1999, COO in 2010, and CEO in 2014. During his tenure, he turned around and solidified the organization’s financial standing, from debt servicing to over $23 million in reserves.
In 2004, Pease established the association’s export development program, building it from the ground up and helping grow the global craft beer revolution for nearly two decades. Since the program’s inception, U.S. craft beer exports have increased from approximately 16,000 barrels to over 230,000 barrels and from $3,000,000 to over $71,000,000.
In 2007, Pease worked with members of Congress to create the House and Senate Small Brewers Caucus—which has grown to become one of the largest member caucuses in Congress.
Pease played a key role in devising and executing the strategy to provide federal excise tax relief to craft brewers through the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA), which was enacted in 2017 and made permanent in 2020. Among other things, he forged strong relationships with members of Congress and staff on both sides of the aisle, which continues to pay dividends.
“While I am proud of all that we have accomplished, I am particularly proud of the historic excise tax cut that empowered brewers to reinvest in their businesses and resulted in an annual tax savings of more than $80 million. Making the federal excise tax cuts permanent was a two-decades-long effort that finally gained traction when all the leading trade groups, guilds, and member breweries banded together,” said Pease.
In 2017, Pease and the association’s Public Relations and Marketing Committee and staff launched the independent craft brewer seal. To date, nearly 5,000 breweries have adopted this mark, which helps consumers differentiate beer made by small and independent craft brewers.
Many small breweries, brewpubs, and taprooms were devastated by the economic fallout from the pandemic. Bob and his team worked tirelessly to ensure the brewing community was included in federal regulation and relief programs.
“Bob has been an unwavering advocate for small and independent brewers, and his accomplishments will leave a lasting impact on us all,” said Leah Cheston, owner of Right Proper Brewing Co. and chairperson of the Brewers Association Board of Directors. “He spearheaded the organization during a critical time for the industry, growing the craft beer market share to 13% and supplying countless tools to help the craft brewing community thrive, from professional resources and tax savings, to hosting world-class events.”
“We thank Bob for his steadfast leadership and look forward to partnering with him to ensure a smooth transition and search for his successor,” said Cheston.
The board has retained Kittleman & Associates to lead the search for Pease’s replacement.
Michelle Mayorga joins Ziemann Holvrieka as the new sales manager spearheading business in Mexico
Ziemann Holvrieka, a leading provider of tanks and process technology, recently announced the appointment of Michelle Mayorga as sales manager for Mexico. In her new role, Mayorga will focus on supporting customers in the region by offering high-quality tanks and process technology solutions tailored to the brewing, juice, beverage, and other industries. Mayorga will also provide sales support for teams responsible for Latin America and will extend her assistance to sister companies Briggs of Burton and DME. Furthermore, she will oversee services, maintenance, audits, and spare parts procurement to ensure the utmost satisfaction of clients.
A subsidiary of Ziemann Holvrieka, Ziemann Holvrieka Liquid Process Technology México S.A. de C.V., is delighted to welcome Mayorga to its team based in Saltillo, Coahuila, México.
Andreas Marz, Head of Sales Americas of Ziemann Holvrieka GmbH, expressed his enthusiasm about Mayorga’s appointment, stating, “We are happy to have Michelle on board. Her long-term experience in technical sales and commodity trading in various bio-based solutions industries will enable us to serve our customers in this region with solutions from the region.”
Mayorga brings a wealth of experience to her new role. With over 20 years as a commercial manager specializing in value-added ingredients technical sales and commodity trading for the food and beverages industry, Mayorga has worked closely with global players in the sector, including those in the brewing, baking, confectionary, dairy, pharma, infant nutrition and personal care industries.
Commenting on her appointment, Mayorga stated, “I am used to being the bridge for European companies to Mexico and Central Americas, doing local business. I am looking forward to developing business opportunities that no one has tried before, especially in new industries. This means adapting solutions to cater to diverse business needs. I have long-term experience, but now I aim to approach things differently by leveraging the high-performance team that we have at Ziemann Holvrieka.”
Mayorga holds a degree in international business, which she completed in 2003. In addition to this she achieved her diploma in management skills development. Her expertise lies in bringing/importing solutions from abroad to local markets, thus adding value for industries beyond Ziemann Holvrieka’s current focus.
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