People Moves: Oskar Blues Founder Enters Cannabis Industry; Jim Randall Joins BeerBoard

Oskar Blues Founder Dale Katechis Joins Veritas Fine Cannabis

Oskar Blues founder Dale Katechis will join Colorado-based cannabis company Veritas as a partner who “will play an active role in strategic growth initiatives for the brand,” a spokesperson told Brewbound.

“From the first time we met Dale, I was amazed with the similarities in his early days at Oskar Blues and our more recent experience at Veritas,” managing partner and co-founder Mike Leibowitz said in a press release. “Dale maintained company culture and quality as he grew Oskar Blues into a household name. Maintaining our unique company culture is non-negotiable as we work to build Veritas Fine Cannabis into the same.”

Katechis has acquired an equity stake in Veritas, details of which were not disclosed.

Katechis founded Oskar Blues in Lyons, Colorado, in 1997. The brewery grew to become the 14th-largest craft brewery by volume in the U.S. in 2015, when Fireman Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in it. That investment led to the eventual establishment of the CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective, which also includes Cigar City Brewing, Deep Ellum Brewing, Wasatch Brewery, Squatters Craft Beers and Perrin Brewing.

On his LinkedIn profile, Katechis dubs himself a “cereal entrepreneur” and cautions “watch out, Froot Loops.” He will remain an investor in CANarchy and will continue to advise the company on marketing initiatives, such as Oskar Blues’ recent rebrand, and corporate social responsibility work, including its Can’dAid foundation. He also retains his role as an investor and advisor with Longmont, Colorado-based Bootstrap Brewing.

“The extra attention and detail the Veritas team gives its plants to ensure consistent freshness and flavor reminds me of the craft culture at Oskar Blues,” Katechis said in the release. “We were obsessed with brewing distinctive, in-your-face beers and educating drinkers about the advantages of cans, while others in the industry seemed more worried about how many cases of beer they could sell.

“I am looking forward to helping Veritas in a similar way—as the cannabis industry consolidates, standing up to corporate cannabis in favor of flavor will be our priority,” he continued.

At Veritas — which “doesn’t use official titles,” according to a spokesperson — Katechis will “continue his commitment to raising industry standards in the best interest of quality products and consumers,” according to the release.

Veritas’ product library includes nearly 100 strains with names ranging from Cherry Diesel, Pineapple Blast and Apple Fritter to Unicorn Poop, Garlic Breath and Yuk Mouth.

DuClaw Names Brook Simmons VP of Sales

Baltimore-headquartered DuClaw Brewing Company has appointed Brook Simmons as its new vice president of sales, promoting him from his role as sales manager for the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest territories.

Simmons brings 20 years of industry experience, beginning at Winking Lizard Tavern in Columbus, Ohio. He began consulting DuClaw founder Dave Benfield on marketing strategies in 2016 while working as a buyer for The Wine Source in Baltimore.

“From the moment I began consulting with Brook, it was obvious that he had extensive industry knowledge and a natural intuition for sales strategy,” Benfield said in a release. “We’re incredibly grateful to have his perspective on board, and he’s been an integral part of helping us grow to where we are today.”

Benfield credits Simmons for helping DuClaw get out of a sales rut, as he provided ideas for updated branding and enhanced flavor profiles.

“DuClaw has always pushed limits, and I’d like to see that continue,” Simmons said in the release. “We excel at making accessible beers that are still at the forefront of the industry. Between the price of the beer and quality, we’re in a great place, and it’s tough to beat that combo.”

Part of Simmons’ plan in his new position is to expand the brewery’s barrel-program — a favorite of Simmons’ when he was in his twenties, according to the release. He also plans to continue incorporating his background in art — which includes a BFA in painting from the Ohio State University — working with local businesses to feature art on their buildings. He previously helped organize a three-day event featuring 150 visual artists in the area, supporting the non-profit Loading Dock.

BeerBoard Hires Jim Randall as VP of Strategic Development

On-premise draft sales data firm BeerBoard has hired industry veteran Jim Randall as vice president of strategic development.

Randall worked for nearly nine years at Heineken-owned Lagunitas Brewing Company, last serving as head of national accounts. BeerBoard said Randall will be tasked with strengthening the firm’s “capabilities in strategy, market intelligence and go-to-market planning and execution,” as well as “creating and managing tactical partnerships among the three industry verticals – retailers, suppliers and distribution.”

“[Jim] will bring a strong industry perspective and a relentless focus on driving our strategic relationships and development,” BeerBoard founder and CEO Mark Young said in a press release. “His multifaceted background – at the intersection of retailers, brewers and distributors – is the perfect match for our company. Jim will be instrumental in helping us grow our cutting-edge technology across the industry.”

Randall’s tenure with the Petaluma, California-based craft beer company included stints as VP of on-premise national accounts, director of on-premise national accounts, national accounts manager and market manager. He previously worked in sales roles within the middle tier for Windy City Distribution and Louis Glunz Beer.

“Through an enhanced focus on our customers and strategic relationships, we can help retailers, brewers and distributors embrace BeerBoard’s technology and revenue-driving solutions, leading the industry into the next generation of business,” Randall said.

BeerBoard’s current client list includes partnerships with chain retailers such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Hooters, Mellow Mushroom, Twin Peaks, WingHouse, Winking Lizard and Wild Wing Cafe, as well as partnerships with Anheuser-Busch, Diageo, Heineken, Lagunitas, New Belgium, Pabst, Shiner, Stone and Yuengling.

Steve Kurowski Joins Denver Beer Co.’s Marketing Team

Steve Kurowski, the former operations and marketing director for the Colorado Brewers Guild, has joined Denver Beer Company as marketing director.

Kurowski led the marketing efforts for the Colorado Brewers Guild for nearly a decade before joining Denver’s Laws Whiskey House as marketing director in May 2019.

Kurowski joins Denver Beer Co.’s Andy Klein on the marketing team.

“I will be working side by side with the great Andrew Klein (or AK) who has already built a strong brand for DBC over the years and can’t wait to learn and grow with this role,” Kurowski wrote on LinkedIn. “Coming back to the Colorado craft beer community is already filling me with energy and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with folks I haven’t seen in a while. Big thanks to Charlie Berger and Patrick Crawford for this golden opportunity!”

Full Circle Adds Pat Korn as Brewmaster

Fresno, California-headquartered Full Circle Brewing has tapped Pat Korn as brewmaster, the company announced this week.

Korn brings nearly two decades of brewing experience, which includes eight-year stints at both Karl Strauss Brewing and Green Flash Brewing. Most recently, Korn worked at Vista Brewing in Texas and SweetWater Brewing’s location in San Diego, according to a 2017 Beer Guys Radio podcast and story.

“After two years out of California, I am excited to be back in my home state and working at Full Circle,” Korn said in a press release. “After meeting [CEO] Arthur [Moye] and talking to him and the team, I look forward to helping Full Circle achieve their dream of not only being one of the preeminent breweries in the Central Valley, but a leader and trendsetter in the California beer scene.”

Before launching his brewing career, Korn served in the U.S. Army. He is a native of Marin County, and has also worked in Napa Valley’s wine industry. While at Green Flash, Korn established the brewery’s barrel program and ran its barrel facility from 2015-2018.

Brad McKeever Appointed Austin Eastciders CEO

Austin Eastciders president Brad McKeever tagged another role onto his title when he was named CEO in May.

McKeever joined the company in 2017 as vice president of sales. He was promoted to president and general manager in 2018, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Before joining Austin Eastciders, McKeever spent time in sales roles at Pabst and Anheuser-Busch.

Island Brands Adds to Team

Charleston, South Carolina-based Island Brands USA announced it has added five beer industry veterans to its team.

“The only thing that was missing were the people to connect the dots within the beer industry,” Island Brands COO Chad Webb said in a press release. “Now that we have added these industry veterans, we are unbelievably excited for what the future holds.”

The company, which produces Island Coastal Lager and Island Active, has made the following hires: