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Beer Analysis and Advice Plus the Partners to Make it Happen

Name: Brewbound Live Winter 2020
Start: 2020-12-14T00:00:00-05:00

In a year of uncertainty and struggle, it’s hard to find steadiness and positivity. That’s why we are bringing Brewbound Live Winter 2020 straight to you. On Dec. 14 and 15, the beer industry will gather virtually to touch base, share energy and impart advice.

The virtual event will run from 1 PM to 4 PM EST each day, and will mix high-profile speakers and informative panels with special networking opportunities, including interactive breakout discussions and Speed Dating. Brewbound will maintain our mission to offer the community the opportunities it needs to build together, to learn together, and to succeed together.

Brewbound Live’s programming on Dec. 14 and 15 will look to the coming year with presentations and discussions with key industry leaders on innovation, investment, retailing, and the key opportunities and trends that will enable growth within the beer business and beyond.

Print the agenda for Monday, December 14

Please note: All times US Eastern Time

ON DEMAND
Event Welcome and Platform Introduction

We hope everyone will start by watching the introductory video when you first enter. It’s the best way to find out how to make your way around and find content and people who can help you take your business next-level.
ON DEMAND
Welcome Remarks
- Justin Kendall
  
  , Editor, Brewbound
  
  Justin Kendall
  
  Editor, Brewbound
  
  Justin Kendall provides daily coverage of the beer industry on Brewbound.com, conducts live-streamed interviews during Brewbound's events and co-produces the Brewbound podcast. Kendall is a 17-year career journalist who led alt-weekly newspapers in Kansas City, Missouri, and Des Moines, Iowa.
- Justin Kendall, Editor, Brewbound
1:05 PM
-
1:50 PM
Lessons Learned on Advocacy

Denizens Brewing Company co-founder Julie Verratti shares the importance of advocating for your business and building bridges with lawmakers. Verratti will also take part in a live Q&A session.
- Julie Verratti
  
  , Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Denizens Brewing Company
- Julie Verratti, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Denizens Brewing Company
Watch Video
2:00 PM
-
2:50 PM
From Fat Tire to Voodoo Ranger: Building a Sub-Brand

New Belgium CEO Steve Fechheimer discusses the growth of the Voodoo Ranger line of IPAs, offers a look at the Fort Collins craft brewery's 2021 plans and shares insights a year after the company was acquired by Lion Little World Beverages.
- Steve Fechheimer
  
  , CEO, New Belgium
- Steve Fechheimer, CEO, New Belgium
Watch Video
ON DEMAND
Orchestra Insider Interview: Why Best-Run Breweries Integrate Everything

Based on where the industry is headed, Orchestra Software’s solution stack is changing the narrative to provide an unprecedented level of supply chain insight for the entire beverage industry.
- Brad Windecker
  
  , President, Encompass + Orchestra
  
  Brad Windecker
  
  President, Encompass + Orchestra
  
  Brad Windecker is the president of newly merged Encompass + Orchestra, the leading ERP company to the regulated beverage industry. Since founding Orchestra in 2008, Brad has worked with hundreds of craft breweries as the industry has developed. He brings years of experience and a unique business and technology-oriented perspective to the brewing industry. United with Encompass, he is pursuing his vision for a truly connected supply chain for the first time in history. By connecting the three-tier system, the industry will have a single source of truth for operations, data, and decision making.
- Phillip Bates
  
  , Production Coordinator, Night Shift Brewing
  
  Phillip Bates
  
  Production Coordinator, Night Shift Brewing
  
  Phillip Bates is the Production Coordinator at Night Shift Brewing, a regional craft brewery based in Everett, MA. His career in the brewing industry began in 2015 while he was attending graduate school, when he was hired as the doorman at Night Shift's taproom. After two years of working in the taproom and upon completion of his MBA, Night Shift hired him into his current role, where he is responsible for inventory management, raw materials procurement, demand planning, and business intelligence functions.
- Matt Schulman
  
  , Co-founder, Sarene Craft Beer Distributors
  
  Matt Schulman
  
  Co-founder, Sarene Craft Beer Distributors
  
  Matt started his post-college career spending seven years at a craft beer focused wholesaler where he gained an understanding of the industry, and in particular, the need for better representation for breweries in an ever-growing craft beer market. In an effort to bring better beer to his home state of New York, and perhaps expanding (legally) on his great-grandfather's prohibition era moonshining days, Matt left his job as a sales manager at said wholesaler in 2013 to co-found Sarene Craft Beer Distributors with his brother, cousin, and college best friend. What started out as a scrappy wholesaler servicing just New York City, Sarene has expanded into a fully-fledged craft beer distribution network spanning 5 states and representing some of the best breweries in the world. Under the guidance of Matt and his co-founders, Sarene has garnered numerous accolades over the years including Wholesaler of the Year from Lawson's Finest Liquids at their inaugural distributor summit, and the co-founders being named to the 10 Most Influential Beer Drinkers in America list by Men's Journal.
- Brad Windecker, President, Encompass + Orchestra
- Phillip Bates, Production Coordinator, Night Shift Brewing
- Matt Schulman, Co-founder, Sarene Craft Beer Distributors
3:10 PM
-
3:50 PM
Emerging Beverage Brands: Canned Cocktails, Party Punch, THC Drinks, Ranch Water

Entrepreneurs of fast-growing companies in up-and-coming segments share strategies and insights on building brands.
- Felipe Szpigel
  
  , Co-Founder and CEO, Five Drinks
  
  Felipe Szpigel
  
  Co-Founder and CEO, Five Drinks
  
  Felipe had the coolest job that ever existed in the beer industry. As the president of the premium and craft beer business unit for Anheuser-Busch Inbev, he built the best craft portfolio in the world that included breweries like Goose Island, Golden Road, Blue Point, 10 Barrel, Elysian, Four Peaks, Breckenridge Brewery, Karbach, Wicked Weed, Devils Backbone, Veza Sur and Virtue Cider. Under Felipe’s leadership Stella Artois received the Marketwatch Impact's "Hot Brand" award and he was named as one of "The 10 Most Influential Beer Drinkers in America” by Men’s Journal. In 2019, Inspired by the founders of the craft partners, Felipe left Anheuser-Busch Inbev, and the corporate world to pursue a new ambitious entrepreneurial challenge. Along with four other industry friends he founded F!VE DRINKS CO., the line of mixologist-developed, canned cocktails crafted only with high-quality natural ingredients. Felipe’s vision for F!VE DRINKS CO. was to bring canned cocktails back to what they should be – straightforward and delicious. One short year after launching, F!VE DRINKS CO., has been named one of the top 10 canned cocktails by USA Today, is available nationwide and recently launched a collaboration with the best bar in the world, Dante NYC. As a lifelong learner and explorer, Felipe’s other interests include reading, traveling, socializing, sports (as a triathlete) and music.
- Aimy Steadman
  
  , Co-Founder and COO, Future Proof
  
  Aimy Steadman
  
  Co-Founder and COO, Future Proof
  
  Aimy Steadman is a Co-Founder and COO at Future/Proof, creators of BeatBox Beverages - the World's Tastiest Portable Party Punch™. Future/Proof, recently awarded one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 5000 Fast-Growing Privately Owned Companies in America, is a disruptor in the beverage alcohol market that provides innovative solutions that drive incremental profit in high-growth categories, having also been named the fastest-selling and fastest-growing single serve wine product in the US via Nielsen. Aimy is a founding Board Member and 2021 Board President of the emerging CPG group Naturally Austin. She also serves as a CPG Strategic Advisor for Springdale Ventures, Congress Avenue Ventures, and We Grow Green funds. Steadman has also received a handful of notable national as well as global accolades, most recently Austin Chamber’s A-List 2020 in addition to being featured in a recent book entitled The Immigrant Hustle. Outside of work, Aimy spends time enjoying nature with her three dogs and boyfriend as well as playing video games. She is also passionate about mental health and meditation and practices regularly.
- Luke Anderson
  
  , Co-Founder, Cann
  
  Luke Anderson
  
  Co-Founder, Cann
  
  In 2011, Luke Anderson was a math teacher at a public high school, and having yet to step foot in a dispensary in his life, he never imagined a future where he would be the Co-Founder of a cannabis brand, disrupting the industry with the first sessionable thc drink. Fast forward eight years however, and in 2019, Luke joined his good friend and former Bain & Company colleague - Jake Bullock - to co-found Cann Social Tonics, a sessionable cannabis-infused beverage line that does just that! While attending Stanford University where he received his B.S., Luke’s true passion for the beverage space started to shine through; in between classes, Luke crafted smoothies as manager of the campus Jamba Juice. Luke would routinely create off-menu drinks pairing juices and frozen fruit that he found to be even more delicious than those consumers could order, making this side job something Luke constantly looked forward to. After graduating he spent two years teaching math as a part of the Teach For America program, he was thirsty for a change - and joined Bain & Company as an Associate Consultant. During those two years he became obsessed with data, consumer trends, and how to spot winners in different retail categories. His ongoing desire to be involved in the beverage industry space continued to grow, so much so that after receiving his M.B.A. at Harvard, Luke returned to the consumer packaged goods practice at Bain & Company, specializing in helping large and complex organizations behave more like startups, rapidly innovating their products and services. Although Luke had great interest in the beverage space, Cannabis had never been his thing - until this year! Luke co-created Cann to be showcased as the first cannabis product for someone new to the cannabis category, like Luke was, that is delicious and easy to digest, both physically and mentally. Residing in Venice, CA, Luke is making it his mission to share how Cann is the perfect option for a new wave of cannabis consumers looking for a guilt-free social buzz. Luke focuses on highlighting how Cann is not just for those exploring cannabis, but to anyone who is looking to moderate or reduce their alcohol consumption.
- Katie Beal Brown
  
  , Founder and CEO, Lone River Beverage Company
  
  Katie Beal Brown
  
  Founder and CEO, Lone River Beverage Company
  
  Katie Beal Brown is a fourth-generation West Texan, born and raised in Midland, TX. Growing up, some of her fondest memories were from the time spent with her grandparents out on their family’s ranch in Far West Texas near Fort Davis. Katie attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where she met her future husband, Tyler Brown, a Houston native and seventh-generation Texan. Katie and Tyler Brown married in her hometown of Midland in 2013 and immediately moved to New York, NY where he had an opportunity in private equity real estate and she continued to grow her career in advertising. Now with years of experience at industry-leading agencies, she has set out on a new venture to build her own brand, Lone River Beverage Company, celebrating her roots in West Texas.
- Felipe Szpigel, Co-Founder and CEO, Five Drinks
- Aimy Steadman, Co-Founder and COO, Future Proof
- Luke Anderson, Co-Founder, Cann
- Katie Beal Brown, Founder and CEO, Lone River Beverage Company
Watch Video
ON DEMAND
Live Oak Bank Insider Interview: Navigating the Lending Environment for Craft Beverage Companies

Randall Behrens of Live Oak Bank shares insights about the current lending environment for craft breweries, how the firm’s partners are persevering amid the Covid crisis and how Live Oak works with craft beverage companies to support their growth strategies.
- Randall Behrens
  
  , VP, Wine & Craft Beverages, Live Oak Bank
- Randall Behrens, VP, Wine & Craft Beverages, Live Oak Bank
4:00 PM
-
5:00 PM
Happy Hour

Join the Brewbound team for beers, loose conversations and networking.
- Tomme Arthur
  
  , Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Lost Abbey
- Lester Jones
  
  , Chief Economist, NBWA
- Jess Infante
  
  , Reporter, Brewbound
- Justin Kendall
  
  , Editor, Brewbound
  
  Justin Kendall
  
  Editor, Brewbound
  
  Justin Kendall provides daily coverage of the beer industry on Brewbound.com, conducts live-streamed interviews during Brewbound's events and co-produces the Brewbound podcast. Kendall is a 17-year career journalist who led alt-weekly newspapers in Kansas City, Missouri, and Des Moines, Iowa.
- Donn Bichsel Jr.
  
  , Founder, 3 Tier Beverages
- Dharma Tamm
  
  , President, Rogue Ales & Spirits
- Josh Fruchtman
  
  , National Accounts Manager, Allagash Brewing Company
- Tomme Arthur, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Lost Abbey
- Lester Jones, Chief Economist, NBWA
- Jess Infante, Reporter, Brewbound
- Justin Kendall, Editor, Brewbound
- Donn Bichsel Jr., Founder, 3 Tier Beverages
- Dharma Tamm, President, Rogue Ales & Spirits
- Josh Fruchtman, National Accounts Manager, Allagash Brewing Company
4:00 PM
-
6:00 PM

Investor Speed Dating

Print the agenda for Tuesday, December 15

Please note: All times US Eastern Time

1:00 PM
-
1:05 PM
Welcome Remarks
- Jess Infante
  
  , Reporter, Brewbound
- Jess Infante, Reporter, Brewbound
1:05 PM
-
2:15 PM
Nielsen: Expecting the Unexpected in Alcohol this Year

The Nielsen and Nielsen CGA teams share insights on on- and off-premise trends in 2020 and look ahead to 2021.
- Matthew Crompton
  
  , Client Solutions Director, Nielsen CGA
  
  Matthew Crompton
  
  Client Solutions Director, Nielsen CGA
  
  Matthew Crompton is the Client Solutions Director for Nielsen CGA and is responsible for the implementation of Nielsen CGA’s on premise services in the US. Since joining CGA Strategy in January 2010, Matthew has risen through the CGA ranks becoming an expert in all things On Premise. Matthew has managed and provided consultancy for some of the largest Bev Al manufacturers across Europe including Diageo, Anheuser Busch and William Grant & Sons. In January 2014, Matthew became part of the joint venture between CGA and Nielsen which has helped bring the first ever truly robust on premise measurement service to the US. Matthew comes to the US, having also helped launch services in other territories such as France and Germany. Matthew now heads up the US On Premise Solutions team, providing first-class insight into an often perceived dark market. Matthew is originally from the north of England and has embraced American life at every opportunity since relocating to Chicago in August 2015.
- Danelle Kosmal
  
  , VP of Beverage Alcohol Practice, Nielsen
  
  Danelle Kosmal
  
  VP of Beverage Alcohol Practice, Nielsen
  
  As Vice President of Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice, Danelle leads industry thought leadership and best practice solutions to beer, wine, and spirits clients, industry groups, and the media. She is committed to leveraging Nielsen’s breadth of resources to provide an integrated and holistic understanding of consumer behavior and retail trends across beer, wine, and spirits. Danelle has 20+ years of marketing experience, and has been with Nielsen for 16 years. She has experience working across various clients in the food, beverage, and consumer goods industries, with the past 9 years focused on alcohol. Prior to joining the Beverage Alcohol Practice, Danelle led Nielsen’s business at Molson Coors in Chicago. Danelle received her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and her BA in International Studies and Economics from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania.
- Matthew Crompton, Client Solutions Director, Nielsen CGA
- Danelle Kosmal, VP of Beverage Alcohol Practice, Nielsen
Watch Video
ON DEMAND
Beyond Grocery and Liquor Stores: Off-Premise Opportunities in E-Commerce and Drug

The pandemic accelerated sales within the e-commerce channel, with market research firm IWSR estimating sales will approach $5.6 billion in 2020. Meanwhile, beer category sales in U.S. drugstores are up 6% year-to-date. goPuff's Randy Ornstein and Walgreens' Christopher Camacho discuss opportunities in their respective channels.
- Randy Ornstein
  
  , Director of Alcohol, goPuff
- Christopher Camacho
  
  , Beer Category Manager, Walgreens
- Randy Ornstein, Director of Alcohol, goPuff
- Christopher Camacho, Beer Category Manager, Walgreens
ON DEMAND
Mental Health in Craft Brewing

A discussion of strategies for helping entrepreneurs and employees cope with burnout, work-related stress and feelings of isolation created by the pandemic.
- Carlin Barnes
  
  , MD, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness
  
  Carlin Barnes
  
  MD, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness
  
  Carlin Barnes, M.D. is a double Board certified and licensed child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. For the past eighteen years, she has practiced child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry while delivering quality, compassionate, and excellent clinical care in a variety of settings. She is the owner of and psychiatrist at a thriving, diverse boutique private practice located in Houston, Texas. Dr. Barnes has previous experience as a physician executive at a Fortune 100 managed care companies. She is most passionate about delivering culturally sensitive and quality mental health care to special populations. Dr. Barnes recently co-authored a groundbreaking book entitled “Understanding Mental Illness” which was released in September 2019 by Skyhorse Publishing. She is the co-founder and co-owner of Healthy Mind MDs, LLC. Dr. Barnes earned her medical degree from Texas A&M Health Sciences Center. She completed a residency in adult psychiatry at Harvard’s The Cambridge Health Alliance. She completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine where she served as Chief Resident. She has received several accolades and awards which highlight her commitment to clinical excellence and dedication to the field of psychiatry. She is a member of several professional and civic organizations including The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, Zumba, and spending time with her son, Ryan.
- Jacqueline Warner Garman
  
  , Co-Owner and Psychotherapist and Owner of Deep Dive Life, Hidden Springs Ale Works
  
  Jacqueline Warner Garman
  
  Co-Owner and Psychotherapist and Owner of Deep Dive Life, Hidden Springs Ale Works
  
  Jacqui Garman is a licensed clinical social worker and owner of a private practice in Tampa, Florida. She is also co-founder and managing partner of Hidden Springs Ale Works. While in grad school, her husband picked up homebrewing. From kitchen stove to garage to a 15bbls brew house, nothing ever stays a hobby and Hidden Springs Ale Works was born in 2015. Within the craft beer industry, Jacqui recognized the lack of mental health support. Using her unique role as both a clinician and a member of the craft beer industry, she speaks about the challenges of dealing with mental health in a world where elixirs are readily available and addresses healthy ways to support members of craft beer.
- Celine Frueh
  
  , HR Director, Allagash Brewing Company
- Marketa Wills
  
  , MD, MBA, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness
  
  Marketa Wills
  
  MD, MBA, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness
  
  A passionate mental health and wellbeing champion, Dr. Marketa Wills is a Board-certified, licensed psychiatrist. She is the co-founder of Healthy Mind MDs, an organization whose dual mission is to optimize the mental health of all Americans and to combat the stigma of mental illness. She recently co-authored a groundbreaking book entitled “Understanding Mental Illness” which was released in September 2019 by Skyhorse Publishing. The book serves to educate the masses about behavioral health issues and can be purchased on amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com. She earned her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania Perleman School of Medicine, and completed a residency in adult psychiatry at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Hospital program. In her last year of the program, she served as chief resident. She currently sees patients in the student health setting. Originally from Dayton, OH, her passions include travel, community service and the arts.
- Carlin Barnes, MD, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness
- Jacqueline Warner Garman, Co-Owner and Psychotherapist and Owner of Deep Dive Life, Hidden Springs Ale Works
- Celine Frueh, HR Director, Allagash Brewing Company
- Marketa Wills, MD, MBA, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness
4:00 PM
-
4:45 PM
Virtual Toast to Close 2020

A look back and celebration of efforts to make the craft brewing industry more inclusive and supportive in 2020.
- David Favela
  
  , Founder and CEO, Border X
- Carmen Favela
  
  , Co-Founder, Mujeres Brew House
- Beny Ashburn
  
  , Co-Founder and CEO, Crowns & Hops
- Teo Hunter
  
  , Co-Founder, Crowns & Hops
- Rob Tod
  
  , Founder, Allagash Brewing Company
  
  Rob Tod
  
  Founder, Allagash Brewing Company
  
  After graduating from Middlebury College with a major in Geology, Rob headed west. Following a couple years in Colorado, he suspected his track would eventually lead him either back to Geology or woodworking. Before heading down one of those paths, he took a detour to Vermont where he washed kegs at Otter Creek Brewery. While at Otter Creek, he happened upon the beers of Belgium. In these inventive and surprising brews, Rob saw an opportunity to give American beer drinkers an experience they’d never had before. So he left steady pay and founded Allagash Brewing Company in 1995. The brewery has since grown from a one-man operation into one of the Top 50 Craft Breweries in the U.S. (by sales volume) and has earned a spot on Maine’s Best Places to Work list for seven years running. Rob is the Past Chair of the Brewers Association trade group and received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Producer in 2019.
- Tiffany Fixter
  
  , Owner, Brewability
  
  Tiffany Fixter
  
  Owner, Brewability
  
  Tiffany Fixter is an educator-turned-entrepreneur who is passionate about creating life-changing careers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tiffany has spent her life balancing business with helping others in the community as a volunteer, working with Special Olympics and other philanthropy as part of her sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha, and doing at home therapy with children with autism (under a BCBA therapist). Tiffany has a BS in Special Education and Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Kansas in Special Education, with an emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorders. She was a teacher for 11 years in the inner-city Kansas City Missouri Schools. After moving to Denver, her work as a day program director made her realize the employment crisis that many adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) face. She launched Brewability Lab in 2016, employing adults with I/DD to brew and serve beer. She followed this with Pizzability in 2018, a turn-key pizzeria also employing adults with I/DD. Pizzability was shut down at the end of 2019 to be relocated into the brewery. Pizzability will be operational again in the beginning of 2021. Brewability creates a workspace with research-based support that includes many features that make it inviting to people of all abilities. Both businesses are in Englewood, Colorado.
- Latiesha Cook
  
  , CEO, Co-Founder & President, Beer Kulture
  
  Latiesha Cook
  
  CEO, Co-Founder & President, Beer Kulture
  
  Latiesha is an experienced General Sales Manager, Humanitarian and is the CEO, Co-Founder and President of Beer Kulture. Beginning her journey in craft beer in 2016, Latiesha is also a Certified Beer Server through the Cicerone Certification Program. Her mission is to enrich the lives of all people, specifically reaching Black, African American, Hispanic, Native North American, Pacific Islander and other BIPOC and people of color. Through her work as CEO of Beer Kulture, Latiesha’s leadership has led to the implementation of programs that intentionally target people of color as candidates for employment. Reaching beyond the taproom, she has also created initiatives that help Brewery owners connect with their immediate communities through her work during Kulture 4 Da Kids; a give back initiative kickstarted during COVID 19 to help families in need with school supplies. Her goal is to continue to create opportunities that build trust and strengthen the Black community and communities of color by using craft beer as a conduit to accomplish diversity, equity and inclusion within spaces that lack them.
- David Favela, Founder and CEO, Border X
- Carmen Favela, Co-Founder, Mujeres Brew House
- Beny Ashburn, Co-Founder and CEO, Crowns & Hops
- Teo Hunter, Co-Founder, Crowns & Hops
- Rob Tod, Founder, Allagash Brewing Company
- Tiffany Fixter, Owner, Brewability
- Latiesha Cook, CEO, Co-Founder & President, Beer Kulture
4:46 PM
-
5:15 PM
Networking: Virtual Toast with Speakers
- David Favela
  
  , Founder and CEO, Border X
- Carmen Favela
  
  , Co-Founder, Mujeres Brew House
- Beny Ashburn
  
  , Co-Founder and CEO, Crowns & Hops
- Teo Hunter
  
  , Co-Founder, Crowns & Hops
- Rob Tod
  
  , Founder, Allagash Brewing Company
  
  Rob Tod
  
  Founder, Allagash Brewing Company
  
  After graduating from Middlebury College with a major in Geology, Rob headed west. Following a couple years in Colorado, he suspected his track would eventually lead him either back to Geology or woodworking. Before heading down one of those paths, he took a detour to Vermont where he washed kegs at Otter Creek Brewery. While at Otter Creek, he happened upon the beers of Belgium. In these inventive and surprising brews, Rob saw an opportunity to give American beer drinkers an experience they’d never had before. So he left steady pay and founded Allagash Brewing Company in 1995. The brewery has since grown from a one-man operation into one of the Top 50 Craft Breweries in the U.S. (by sales volume) and has earned a spot on Maine’s Best Places to Work list for seven years running. Rob is the Past Chair of the Brewers Association trade group and received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Producer in 2019.
- Tiffany Fixter
  
  , Owner, Brewability
  
  Tiffany Fixter
  
  Owner, Brewability
  
  Tiffany Fixter is an educator-turned-entrepreneur who is passionate about creating life-changing careers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tiffany has spent her life balancing business with helping others in the community as a volunteer, working with Special Olympics and other philanthropy as part of her sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha, and doing at home therapy with children with autism (under a BCBA therapist). Tiffany has a BS in Special Education and Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Kansas in Special Education, with an emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorders. She was a teacher for 11 years in the inner-city Kansas City Missouri Schools. After moving to Denver, her work as a day program director made her realize the employment crisis that many adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) face. She launched Brewability Lab in 2016, employing adults with I/DD to brew and serve beer. She followed this with Pizzability in 2018, a turn-key pizzeria also employing adults with I/DD. Pizzability was shut down at the end of 2019 to be relocated into the brewery. Pizzability will be operational again in the beginning of 2021. Brewability creates a workspace with research-based support that includes many features that make it inviting to people of all abilities. Both businesses are in Englewood, Colorado.
- Latiesha Cook
  
  , CEO, Co-Founder & President, Beer Kulture
  
  Latiesha Cook
  
  CEO, Co-Founder & President, Beer Kulture
  
  Latiesha is an experienced General Sales Manager, Humanitarian and is the CEO, Co-Founder and President of Beer Kulture. Beginning her journey in craft beer in 2016, Latiesha is also a Certified Beer Server through the Cicerone Certification Program. Her mission is to enrich the lives of all people, specifically reaching Black, African American, Hispanic, Native North American, Pacific Islander and other BIPOC and people of color. Through her work as CEO of Beer Kulture, Latiesha’s leadership has led to the implementation of programs that intentionally target people of color as candidates for employment. Reaching beyond the taproom, she has also created initiatives that help Brewery owners connect with their immediate communities through her work during Kulture 4 Da Kids; a give back initiative kickstarted during COVID 19 to help families in need with school supplies. Her goal is to continue to create opportunities that build trust and strengthen the Black community and communities of color by using craft beer as a conduit to accomplish diversity, equity and inclusion within spaces that lack them.
- David Favela, Founder and CEO, Border X
- Carmen Favela, Co-Founder, Mujeres Brew House
- Beny Ashburn, Co-Founder and CEO, Crowns & Hops
- Teo Hunter, Co-Founder, Crowns & Hops
- Rob Tod, Founder, Allagash Brewing Company
- Tiffany Fixter, Owner, Brewability
- Latiesha Cook, CEO, Co-Founder & President, Beer Kulture

Distinguished Professionals Speak on the Evolving Industry

We are honored to have trailblazers, trendsetters and rising stars join us on stage. They speak at Brewbound Live because they’re focused on the future of the beer industry. Our on-stage content is specifically designed with founders, C-level executives, and decision-makers in mind.

20+ industry leaders and innovators will speak at Brewbound Live this year! View the current speakers below and check back for updates.

Steve Fechheimer

CEO, New Belgium
Julie Verratti

Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Denizens Brewing Company
Randy Ornstein

Director of Alcohol, goPuff
Latiesha Cook

CEO, Co-Founder & President, Beer Kulture

Latiesha Cook

CEO, Co-Founder & President, Beer Kulture

Latiesha is an experienced General Sales Manager, Humanitarian and is the CEO, Co-Founder and President of Beer Kulture. Beginning her journey in craft beer in 2016, Latiesha is also a Certified Beer Server through the Cicerone Certification Program. Her mission is to enrich the lives of all people, specifically reaching Black, African American, Hispanic, Native North American, Pacific Islander and other BIPOC and people of color. Through her work as CEO of Beer Kulture, Latiesha’s leadership has led to the implementation of programs that intentionally target people of color as candidates for employment. Reaching beyond the taproom, she has also created initiatives that help Brewery owners connect with their immediate communities through her work during Kulture 4 Da Kids; a give back initiative kickstarted during COVID 19 to help families in need with school supplies. Her goal is to continue to create opportunities that build trust and strengthen the Black community and communities of color by using craft beer as a conduit to accomplish diversity, equity and inclusion within spaces that lack them.
Felipe Szpigel

Co-Founder and CEO, Five Drinks

Felipe Szpigel

Co-Founder and CEO, Five Drinks

Felipe had the coolest job that ever existed in the beer industry. As the president of the premium and craft beer business unit for Anheuser-Busch Inbev, he built the best craft portfolio in the world that included breweries like Goose Island, Golden Road, Blue Point, 10 Barrel, Elysian, Four Peaks, Breckenridge Brewery, Karbach, Wicked Weed, Devils Backbone, Veza Sur and Virtue Cider. Under Felipe’s leadership Stella Artois received the Marketwatch Impact's "Hot Brand" award and he was named as one of "The 10 Most Influential Beer Drinkers in America” by Men’s Journal. In 2019, Inspired by the founders of the craft partners, Felipe left Anheuser-Busch Inbev, and the corporate world to pursue a new ambitious entrepreneurial challenge. Along with four other industry friends he founded F!VE DRINKS CO., the line of mixologist-developed, canned cocktails crafted only with high-quality natural ingredients. Felipe’s vision for F!VE DRINKS CO. was to bring canned cocktails back to what they should be – straightforward and delicious. One short year after launching, F!VE DRINKS CO., has been named one of the top 10 canned cocktails by USA Today, is available nationwide and recently launched a collaboration with the best bar in the world, Dante NYC. As a lifelong learner and explorer, Felipe’s other interests include reading, traveling, socializing, sports (as a triathlete) and music.
Beny Ashburn

Co-Founder and CEO, Crowns & Hops
Teo Hunter

Co-Founder, Crowns & Hops
Aimy Steadman

Co-Founder and COO, Future Proof

Aimy Steadman

Co-Founder and COO, Future Proof

Aimy Steadman is a Co-Founder and COO at Future/Proof, creators of BeatBox Beverages - the World's Tastiest Portable Party Punch™. Future/Proof, recently awarded one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 5000 Fast-Growing Privately Owned Companies in America, is a disruptor in the beverage alcohol market that provides innovative solutions that drive incremental profit in high-growth categories, having also been named the fastest-selling and fastest-growing single serve wine product in the US via Nielsen. Aimy is a founding Board Member and 2021 Board President of the emerging CPG group Naturally Austin. She also serves as a CPG Strategic Advisor for Springdale Ventures, Congress Avenue Ventures, and We Grow Green funds. Steadman has also received a handful of notable national as well as global accolades, most recently Austin Chamber’s A-List 2020 in addition to being featured in a recent book entitled The Immigrant Hustle. Outside of work, Aimy spends time enjoying nature with her three dogs and boyfriend as well as playing video games. She is also passionate about mental health and meditation and practices regularly.
Rob Tod

Founder, Allagash Brewing Company

Rob Tod

Founder, Allagash Brewing Company

After graduating from Middlebury College with a major in Geology, Rob headed west. Following a couple years in Colorado, he suspected his track would eventually lead him either back to Geology or woodworking. Before heading down one of those paths, he took a detour to Vermont where he washed kegs at Otter Creek Brewery. While at Otter Creek, he happened upon the beers of Belgium. In these inventive and surprising brews, Rob saw an opportunity to give American beer drinkers an experience they’d never had before. So he left steady pay and founded Allagash Brewing Company in 1995. The brewery has since grown from a one-man operation into one of the Top 50 Craft Breweries in the U.S. (by sales volume) and has earned a spot on Maine’s Best Places to Work list for seven years running. Rob is the Past Chair of the Brewers Association trade group and received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Producer in 2019.
Luke Anderson

Co-Founder, Cann

Luke Anderson

Co-Founder, Cann

In 2011, Luke Anderson was a math teacher at a public high school, and having yet to step foot in a dispensary in his life, he never imagined a future where he would be the Co-Founder of a cannabis brand, disrupting the industry with the first sessionable thc drink. Fast forward eight years however, and in 2019, Luke joined his good friend and former Bain & Company colleague - Jake Bullock - to co-found Cann Social Tonics, a sessionable cannabis-infused beverage line that does just that! While attending Stanford University where he received his B.S., Luke’s true passion for the beverage space started to shine through; in between classes, Luke crafted smoothies as manager of the campus Jamba Juice. Luke would routinely create off-menu drinks pairing juices and frozen fruit that he found to be even more delicious than those consumers could order, making this side job something Luke constantly looked forward to. After graduating he spent two years teaching math as a part of the Teach For America program, he was thirsty for a change - and joined Bain & Company as an Associate Consultant. During those two years he became obsessed with data, consumer trends, and how to spot winners in different retail categories. His ongoing desire to be involved in the beverage industry space continued to grow, so much so that after receiving his M.B.A. at Harvard, Luke returned to the consumer packaged goods practice at Bain & Company, specializing in helping large and complex organizations behave more like startups, rapidly innovating their products and services. Although Luke had great interest in the beverage space, Cannabis had never been his thing - until this year! Luke co-created Cann to be showcased as the first cannabis product for someone new to the cannabis category, like Luke was, that is delicious and easy to digest, both physically and mentally. Residing in Venice, CA, Luke is making it his mission to share how Cann is the perfect option for a new wave of cannabis consumers looking for a guilt-free social buzz. Luke focuses on highlighting how Cann is not just for those exploring cannabis, but to anyone who is looking to moderate or reduce their alcohol consumption.
Danelle Kosmal

VP of Beverage Alcohol Practice, Nielsen

Danelle Kosmal

VP of Beverage Alcohol Practice, Nielsen

As Vice President of Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice, Danelle leads industry thought leadership and best practice solutions to beer, wine, and spirits clients, industry groups, and the media. She is committed to leveraging Nielsen’s breadth of resources to provide an integrated and holistic understanding of consumer behavior and retail trends across beer, wine, and spirits. Danelle has 20+ years of marketing experience, and has been with Nielsen for 16 years. She has experience working across various clients in the food, beverage, and consumer goods industries, with the past 9 years focused on alcohol. Prior to joining the Beverage Alcohol Practice, Danelle led Nielsen’s business at Molson Coors in Chicago. Danelle received her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and her BA in International Studies and Economics from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania.
David Favela

Founder and CEO, Border X
Carmen Favela

Co-Founder, Mujeres Brew House
Katie Beal Brown

Founder and CEO, Lone River Beverage Company

Katie Beal Brown

Founder and CEO, Lone River Beverage Company

Katie Beal Brown is a fourth-generation West Texan, born and raised in Midland, TX. Growing up, some of her fondest memories were from the time spent with her grandparents out on their family’s ranch in Far West Texas near Fort Davis. Katie attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where she met her future husband, Tyler Brown, a Houston native and seventh-generation Texan. Katie and Tyler Brown married in her hometown of Midland in 2013 and immediately moved to New York, NY where he had an opportunity in private equity real estate and she continued to grow her career in advertising. Now with years of experience at industry-leading agencies, she has set out on a new venture to build her own brand, Lone River Beverage Company, celebrating her roots in West Texas.
Christopher Camacho

Beer Category Manager, Walgreens
Matthew Crompton

Client Solutions Director, Nielsen CGA

Matthew Crompton

Client Solutions Director, Nielsen CGA

Matthew Crompton is the Client Solutions Director for Nielsen CGA and is responsible for the implementation of Nielsen CGA’s on premise services in the US. Since joining CGA Strategy in January 2010, Matthew has risen through the CGA ranks becoming an expert in all things On Premise. Matthew has managed and provided consultancy for some of the largest Bev Al manufacturers across Europe including Diageo, Anheuser Busch and William Grant & Sons. In January 2014, Matthew became part of the joint venture between CGA and Nielsen which has helped bring the first ever truly robust on premise measurement service to the US. Matthew comes to the US, having also helped launch services in other territories such as France and Germany. Matthew now heads up the US On Premise Solutions team, providing first-class insight into an often perceived dark market. Matthew is originally from the north of England and has embraced American life at every opportunity since relocating to Chicago in August 2015.
Carlin Barnes

MD, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness

Carlin Barnes

MD, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness

Carlin Barnes, M.D. is a double Board certified and licensed child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. For the past eighteen years, she has practiced child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry while delivering quality, compassionate, and excellent clinical care in a variety of settings. She is the owner of and psychiatrist at a thriving, diverse boutique private practice located in Houston, Texas. Dr. Barnes has previous experience as a physician executive at a Fortune 100 managed care companies. She is most passionate about delivering culturally sensitive and quality mental health care to special populations. Dr. Barnes recently co-authored a groundbreaking book entitled “Understanding Mental Illness” which was released in September 2019 by Skyhorse Publishing. She is the co-founder and co-owner of Healthy Mind MDs, LLC. Dr. Barnes earned her medical degree from Texas A&M Health Sciences Center. She completed a residency in adult psychiatry at Harvard’s The Cambridge Health Alliance. She completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine where she served as Chief Resident. She has received several accolades and awards which highlight her commitment to clinical excellence and dedication to the field of psychiatry. She is a member of several professional and civic organizations including The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, Zumba, and spending time with her son, Ryan.
Tomme Arthur

Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Lost Abbey
Celine Frueh

HR Director, Allagash Brewing Company
Marketa Wills

MD, MBA, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness

Marketa Wills

MD, MBA, Board Certified Psychiatrist and Author of Understanding Mental Illness

A passionate mental health and wellbeing champion, Dr. Marketa Wills is a Board-certified, licensed psychiatrist. She is the co-founder of Healthy Mind MDs, an organization whose dual mission is to optimize the mental health of all Americans and to combat the stigma of mental illness. She recently co-authored a groundbreaking book entitled “Understanding Mental Illness” which was released in September 2019 by Skyhorse Publishing. The book serves to educate the masses about behavioral health issues and can be purchased on amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com. She earned her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania Perleman School of Medicine, and completed a residency in adult psychiatry at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Hospital program. In her last year of the program, she served as chief resident. She currently sees patients in the student health setting. Originally from Dayton, OH, her passions include travel, community service and the arts.
Tiffany Fixter

Owner, Brewability

Tiffany Fixter

Owner, Brewability

Tiffany Fixter is an educator-turned-entrepreneur who is passionate about creating life-changing careers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tiffany has spent her life balancing business with helping others in the community as a volunteer, working with Special Olympics and other philanthropy as part of her sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha, and doing at home therapy with children with autism (under a BCBA therapist). Tiffany has a BS in Special Education and Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Kansas in Special Education, with an emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorders. She was a teacher for 11 years in the inner-city Kansas City Missouri Schools. After moving to Denver, her work as a day program director made her realize the employment crisis that many adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) face. She launched Brewability Lab in 2016, employing adults with I/DD to brew and serve beer. She followed this with Pizzability in 2018, a turn-key pizzeria also employing adults with I/DD. Pizzability was shut down at the end of 2019 to be relocated into the brewery. Pizzability will be operational again in the beginning of 2021. Brewability creates a workspace with research-based support that includes many features that make it inviting to people of all abilities. Both businesses are in Englewood, Colorado.
Donn Bichsel Jr.

Founder, 3 Tier Beverages
Jacqueline Warner Garman

Co-Owner and Psychotherapist and Owner of Deep Dive Life, Hidden Springs Ale Works

Jacqueline Warner Garman

Co-Owner and Psychotherapist and Owner of Deep Dive Life, Hidden Springs Ale Works

Jacqui Garman is a licensed clinical social worker and owner of a private practice in Tampa, Florida. She is also co-founder and managing partner of Hidden Springs Ale Works. While in grad school, her husband picked up homebrewing. From kitchen stove to garage to a 15bbls brew house, nothing ever stays a hobby and Hidden Springs Ale Works was born in 2015. Within the craft beer industry, Jacqui recognized the lack of mental health support. Using her unique role as both a clinician and a member of the craft beer industry, she speaks about the challenges of dealing with mental health in a world where elixirs are readily available and addresses healthy ways to support members of craft beer.
Dharma Tamm

President, Rogue Ales & Spirits
Lester Jones

Chief Economist, NBWA
Justin Kendall

Editor, Brewbound

Justin Kendall

Editor, Brewbound

Justin Kendall provides daily coverage of the beer industry on Brewbound.com, conducts live-streamed interviews during Brewbound's events and co-produces the Brewbound podcast. Kendall is a 17-year career journalist who led alt-weekly newspapers in Kansas City, Missouri, and Des Moines, Iowa.
Jess Infante

Reporter, Brewbound
Josh Fruchtman

National Accounts Manager, Allagash Brewing Company
Phillip Bates

Production Coordinator, Night Shift Brewing

Phillip Bates

Production Coordinator, Night Shift Brewing

Phillip Bates is the Production Coordinator at Night Shift Brewing, a regional craft brewery based in Everett, MA. His career in the brewing industry began in 2015 while he was attending graduate school, when he was hired as the doorman at Night Shift's taproom. After two years of working in the taproom and upon completion of his MBA, Night Shift hired him into his current role, where he is responsible for inventory management, raw materials procurement, demand planning, and business intelligence functions.
Brad Windecker

President, Encompass + Orchestra

Brad Windecker

President, Encompass + Orchestra

Brad Windecker is the president of newly merged Encompass + Orchestra, the leading ERP company to the regulated beverage industry. Since founding Orchestra in 2008, Brad has worked with hundreds of craft breweries as the industry has developed. He brings years of experience and a unique business and technology-oriented perspective to the brewing industry. United with Encompass, he is pursuing his vision for a truly connected supply chain for the first time in history. By connecting the three-tier system, the industry will have a single source of truth for operations, data, and decision making.
Matt Schulman

Co-founder, Sarene Craft Beer Distributors

Matt Schulman

Co-founder, Sarene Craft Beer Distributors

Matt started his post-college career spending seven years at a craft beer focused wholesaler where he gained an understanding of the industry, and in particular, the need for better representation for breweries in an ever-growing craft beer market. In an effort to bring better beer to his home state of New York, and perhaps expanding (legally) on his great-grandfather's prohibition era moonshining days, Matt left his job as a sales manager at said wholesaler in 2013 to co-found Sarene Craft Beer Distributors with his brother, cousin, and college best friend. What started out as a scrappy wholesaler servicing just New York City, Sarene has expanded into a fully-fledged craft beer distribution network spanning 5 states and representing some of the best breweries in the world. Under the guidance of Matt and his co-founders, Sarene has garnered numerous accolades over the years including Wholesaler of the Year from Lawson's Finest Liquids at their inaugural distributor summit, and the co-founders being named to the 10 Most Influential Beer Drinkers in America list by Men's Journal.
Randall Behrens

VP, Wine & Craft Beverages, Live Oak Bank

Investor Speed Dating

On Monday, December 14th from 4:00PM to 6:00PM ET, companies producing innovative products, such as hard seltzers, cider, hard kombucha, non-alch, canned cocktails and cannabevs, will have the opportunity to have 1-on-1 virtual meetings with top investors. The below investors are participating, with more to be announced.

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