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Brewbound Live Winter 2021 Speaker Lineup

On November 30th and December 1st, the beer industry will gather to touch base, share energy and impart advice. The event mixes high-profile speakers and informative panels with special networking opportunities. Brewbound will maintain our mission to offer the community the opportunities it needs to build together, to learn together, and to succeed together.

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.

Bill Shufelt

Co-Founder & CEO, Athletic Brewing Company

Bill Shufelt

Co-Founder & CEO, Athletic Brewing Company

Bill Shufelt is the co-founder of Athletic Brewing, a pioneer in revolutionizing non-alcoholic craft beer. An outdoor enthusiast, ultra trail runner, and beer lover, he left a 12-year career in finance to build the first brewing facility & tap room in the nation dedicated entirely to non-alcoholic beer. Bill and Athletic co-founder John Walker set out to have a positive impact on tens of millions of Americans through health, activity, and community. They are firm believers you shouldn't have to sacrifice being at your best to enjoy great beer.
Veronica Vega

Director of Product Development, Deschutes Brewery
Danelle Kosmal

Vice President of Research, Beer Institute
David Walker

Co-Founder, Firestone Walker

David Walker

Co-Founder, Firestone Walker

Firestone Walker co-founder David Walker is originally from Devon, a county in southwest England. He relocated to the West Coast in 1991, and established the brewery in Los Olivos, California with his brother-in-law Adam Firestone a few years after that. The company relocated Paso Robles in 2001. Walker makes regular trips home to see his family and check on his beer, which, along with 20 U.S. states, is distributed in the UK.
Liz Paquette

Director of Brand, Drizly
Steve Fechheimer

CEO, New Belgium
Mary Guiver

Global Principle Category Merchant Beer & Spirits, Whole Foods

Mary Guiver

Global Principle Category Merchant Beer & Spirits, Whole Foods

With 16+ plus years in the grocery retail landscape, including over a decade of emphasis on category management in an industry-leading chain retailer for adult beverage, Mary Guiver’s dynamic background at Whole Foods Market Inc provides a unique blend of retail insights. As the Principle Global Category Merchant for Beer & Spirits she continues to grow the WFM program through commitment to artisanal, local and innovative products, alongside a steadfast focus on quality standards and consumer demands. With a keen eye for industry trends and a collaborative approach to chain retail, Mary is able to elaborate on the inner strategies and continued evolution of one of the top chain retailers in the market.
Carrie Yunker

Executive Vice President, Bell's Brewery
Mallika Monteiro

EVP, Chief Growth, Strategy & Digital Officer, Constellation Brands
David Macon

Chief Sales Officer, Firestone Walker
Dustin Hinz

CMO, Firestone Walker
Sinead Carey

Director of Sales, Beer and Speciality Beverage, Wine Warehouse

Sinead Carey

Director of Sales, Beer and Speciality Beverage, Wine Warehouse

Sinead Carey is the Director of Sales for Specialty Beer & Beverage at Wine Warehouse. She joined Wine Warehouse in 2016 in a leadership role that includes overseeing a team of craft beer specialists, working with supplier partners on planning, market execution, and collaborating with Wine Warehouse Sales Teams to drive performance behind the beer category. With over 18 years of successful experience working in the beer industry, Sinead has held roles in sales, distributor management, channel management, and trade marketing with Star Brand Imports, Heineken USA and Anchor Brewing. She is an Irish native and a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. She is Cicerone Certified Beer Server and lists lagers and hazy IPAs as her favorite styles of beer.
Hamish Marshall

Co-Founder, SLO Brew
Jason Murphy

Beverage Product & Program Innovation Manager, Buffalo Wild Wings
Rodney Cegelski

Co-Founder, SLO Brew
Betsy Lay

Co-Founder, Lady Justice Brewing Company
Mike LaVitola

CEO and co-founder, Foxtrot

Mike LaVitola

CEO and co-founder, Foxtrot

Mike LaVitola is the co-founder and CEO of Foxtrot – a contemporary evolution of the corner store and café. Foxtrot’s spaces offer all the most-loved aspects of neighborhood cafes, and you can call on the app for the best local beer, fine wines, curated gifts and everyday essentials, delivered from our store to your door in under an hour. Foxtrot is a digitally native, venture-backed business building a brand that marries the best of neighborhood retail and e-commerce technology. Mike began his career working in investment banking in Austin, Texas, focusing on large-scale, Public Private Partnership infrastructure transactions. He then joined a middle market private equity firm in Chicago before attending the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where he launched Foxtrot in 2013.
JB Shireman

Director, Arlington Capital Advisors

JB Shireman

Director, Arlington Capital Advisors

Most recently, JB has been a consultant and dealmaker in the craft beer space and has led many high-profile craft transactions including Devil’s Backbone, 10 Barrel, Four Peaks, Breckenridge, Saint Archer, Hop Valley, Revolver, Terrapin, Boulevard, Firestone Walker, 21A/Funkwerks and Brooklyn Brewery. JB lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife Angela and two boys, Sawyer and Max. He is an avid fly fisherman, hunter, climber and writer.
Jeana Harrington

CEO, Mighty Swell
Ryan Lake

Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
Sean Mossman

President, Sonic Hard Seltzer (Coop Ale Works)
Kyle Cooke

CEO & Founder, Loverboy
Josh Landan

Founder, Ashland Hard Seltzer
Danny Brager

Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting, In Partnership with NielsenIQ and 3 Tier Beverages

Danny Brager

Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting, In Partnership with NielsenIQ and 3 Tier Beverages

Danny Brager has a wealth of experience in the Beverage Alcohol industry, seeing many trends come and stay, but others come and then die. He is the former Senior Vice President of Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice Area in the United States, where for close to 20 years he led teams that supported relationships with Nielsen’s many Beer, Wine, and Spirits clients (suppliers, importers, distributors, and retailers) as well as with key industry groups and the media. In that role, Danny succinctly provided data driven analysis and insights, focused on the U.S. retail environment and consumer/shopper – who they are, what they buy, and why - and what to expect looking ahead. In September 2020, Danny introduced Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting, providing analysis services to beverage alcohol companies seeking to translate market data into authoritative, fact-based insights in support of their brand and corporate goals. Every year, he presents at large numbers of industry and individual company events, and is a frequent thought leader contributor to the media/press. His informed opinions are respected by beverage alcohol producers, importers, distributors, retailers, and financiers. Danny was born in Calgary, Alberta and moved to Toronto where he graduated from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto with an Honors Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. He relocated to Mission Viejo, California in 1993 where he now resides.
Wyatt Carder

Co-founder, SUNiCE

Wyatt Carder

Co-founder, SUNiCE

Wyatt Carder began his beverage career at Catch Hospitality Group in 2011 as a beverage buyer, sommelier, and manager. During this time, Wyatt launched the first wine-based cocktail in a can in North America, Pampelonne. Achieving 115% year-over-year growth rate for four years, Pampelonne became the number one selling wine in a can and number one wine cocktail in the Northeast according to Nielsen reporting. Pampelonne Rosé Lime remains the highest velocity wine-based cocktail per point of distribution of any brand nationwide. Wyatt sold the assets of Pampelonne in Spring of 2020. As a first mover, Wyatt had the foresight to identify some of the most pervasive trends in the alcohol industry and take early action. Pampelonne was created ahead of the ready-to-drink canned cocktails surge; ahead of the ‘better for you’ ready-to-drink beverage alcohol curve; and ahead of the wine in a can trend.
Bryant Goulding

Co-Founder, Rhinegeist
Terry Cekola

President, Elite Brands of Colorado
Vikram Nayar

Co-Founder, Two Robbers Hard Seltzer
Greg Serrao

Co-Founder and CEO, JuneShine
Laura Markstein

President, Markstein Sales Company

Laura Markstein

President, Markstein Sales Company

Laura Markstein has been President of Markstein Sales Company since 2001 and has led the 102-year-old company in its continued growth and success in the East Bay of California. Laura’s commitment to her customers, employees and community is evident in the multiple awards received and organizations in which she has served. From working to pass needed legislation protecting business rights to providing a work environment recognized as leading the way in employee satisfaction and wellness, Laura is proving that women leaders in the beverage distribution industry may be few in number, but big in impact.
Lindsay Kunkle

Senior Director, Digital & Insights, FTI Consulting

Lindsay Kunkle

Senior Director, Digital & Insights, FTI Consulting

Lindsay is a generational expert. With over ten years of experience in consumer and audience research, she specializes in bringing together diverse quantitative and qualitative data sets to tell the story of populations, both in the US and globally. Throughout her career, Lindsay has worked with a wide range of businesses across industries to build strategy to better communicate with, market to and innovate for key stakeholder groups. Using research, she helps businesses better understand their target audiences and decode societal trends to build a future-proof communications strategy. She has helped beverage alcohol companies answer questions such as, what societal trends will shape the next wave of beverage preferences? What is the future of community and personal connections? What attitudes define a craft beer drinker? Prior to joining FTI, Lindsay served as the Head of Youth Consulting at Kantar where she uncovered leading-edge insights about Gen Z and Millennials. She was also a 2016 presenter at both Brewbound and the Craft Brewers Conference.
Peter Rose

Senior Partner, Consulting Division, Kantar

Peter Rose

Senior Partner, Consulting Division, Kantar

Peter Rose is a Senior Partner in Kantar’s Consulting Practice. He is the head of Consulting’s Syndicated Business, which includes the design, delivery, and consultation associated with the firm’s U.S., Global, Canada, and Sports MONITOR studies. Pete consults with clients in a wide variety of industries on the implications of the U.S. MONITOR®, the foremost study of U.S. consumer lifestyles and attitudes. Originally with the firm (née Yankelovich) from 1989 to 1994, Pete returned to the business in the fall of 2003. He personally manages client relationships in financial services, media and entertainment, food and beverages, grocery and other retail, travel and leisure, and consumer packaged goods. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of American generations and has been quoted in publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal to the Los Angeles Times to Parents Magazine. Pete’s consulting career includes seven years at Towers Perrin, a leading HR consulting firm. He specialized in customer and employee research and organization effectiveness, identifying the linkages between employee engagement and business results. He also has extensive experience in project management and client facilitation. Pete earned a B.A. in history from Yale University and an M.B.A. from the Anderson School at UCLA. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Debbie and their three children.
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

Managing Editor, Brewbound
Sean Ro

Co-Founder, Lunar Hard Seltzer
Zoe Licata

Reporter, Brewbound

Beer Analysis and Advice Plus the Partners to Make it Happen

Brewbound Live’s two-day program looks 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, November 29

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

6:00 PM
-
8:00 PM
Opening Night Party Presented By JuneShine

Venue: JuneShine @ 2914 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
** All registered attendees of Brewbound Live Winter 2021 are invited to attend. A valid ID is required for admittance. **

Print the agenda for Tuesday, November 30

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

7:30 AM
-
10:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration

Breakfast, coffee and beverages are served from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM PT and are included with registration. Registration and badge pick up opens for the day at 7:30 AM PT.
8:00 AM
-
9:30 AM
Brewbound Pitch Slam 13 Semifinal Round

The morning of day one, up to 12 semi-finalists take part in the opening round of back-to-back pitches. Each pitch is only 2 minutes with immediate feedback from the judges. Six finalists are chosen by the judges at the end of the day to continue to the finals.
- Ryan Lake, Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
- Veronica Vega, Director of Product Development, Deschutes Brewery
- Mallika Monteiro, EVP, Chief Growth, Strategy & Digital Officer, Constellation Brands
- Sean Ro, Co-Founder, Lunar Hard Seltzer
- Ryan Lake, Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
- Veronica Vega, Director of Product Development, Deschutes Brewery
- Mallika Monteiro, EVP, Chief Growth, Strategy & Digital Officer, Constellation Brands
- Sean Ro, Co-Founder, Lunar Hard Seltzer
9:30 AM
-
10:00 AM
Networking Break & Livestream Studio
- Kevin Wong, Co-founder, Lunar Hard Seltzer
- Kevin Wong, Co-founder, Lunar Hard Seltzer
10:00 AM
-
10:45 AM
Welcome & What It Means to Be A Craft Brewer with Firestone Walker

Firestone Walker co-founder David Walker will share what it means to be a craft brewer now and reflect on the brewery’s quarter-century journey. Chief sales officer David Macon and chief marketing officer Dustin Hinz will later join the conversation to explain how they will execute the vision to take the company into the next 25 years.
- David Walker, Co-Founder, Firestone Walker
  
  David Walker
  
  Co-Founder, Firestone Walker
  
  Firestone Walker co-founder David Walker is originally from Devon, a county in southwest England. He relocated to the West Coast in 1991, and established the brewery in Los Olivos, California with his brother-in-law Adam Firestone a few years after that. The company relocated Paso Robles in 2001. Walker makes regular trips home to see his family and check on his beer, which, along with 20 U.S. states, is distributed in the UK.
- David Macon, Chief Sales Officer, Firestone Walker
- Dustin Hinz, CMO, Firestone Walker
- David Walker, Co-Founder, Firestone Walker
- David Macon, Chief Sales Officer, Firestone Walker
- Dustin Hinz, CMO, Firestone Walker
10:45 AM
-
11:20 AM
Building and Sustaining Company Culture

Lady Justice co-founder Betsy Lay and Rhinegeist co-founder Bryant Goulding will share their perspectives on building and maintaining company cultures that benefit and uplift workers.
- Bryant Goulding, Co-Founder, Rhinegeist
- Betsy Lay, Co-Founder, Lady Justice Brewing Company
- Bryant Goulding, Co-Founder, Rhinegeist
- Betsy Lay, Co-Founder, Lady Justice Brewing Company
11:20 AM
-
12:00 PM
Drizly On The At-Home Drinker Economy

Drizly director of brand Liz Paquette will offer insights into the at-home drinker e-commerce economy, including consumer shopping trends, the styles and brands in demand, a look ahead to 2022, and what Uber’s acquisition of Drizly means for the future.
- Liz Paquette, Director of Brand, Drizly
- Liz Paquette, Director of Brand, Drizly
12:00 PM
-
12:05 PM
Brewbound Best of 2021 Awards & Rising Stars Announcement

The Brewbound Awards have recognized large and small beer companies, as well as notable industry figures, for their execution of various business and philanthropic initiatives since 2014.
12:05 PM
-
1:15 PM
Lunch, Networking, Beers & Livestream Studio

Enjoy lunch and beers with an ocean view. Lunch is included with registration and will be served poolside at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, weather permitting. The sample bar will also be open, featuring new beer and beyond products of registered attendees.
- Karen Hertz, Chief Brewista and Founder, Holidaily
- Aimy Steadman, Founder & COO, BeatBox Beverages
- Justin Fenchel, Co-founder & CEO, BeatBox Beverages
- Brad Schultz, Co-founder & CMO, BeatBox Beverages
- Christopher Gandsy, Owner, Chef and Brewer, DaleView Biscuits & Beer
- Ryan Lake, Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
- Forrest Dein, Co-founder and CMO, JuneShine Hard Kombucha
- Greg Serrao, Co-Founder and CEO, JuneShine
- Karen Hertz, Chief Brewista and Founder, Holidaily
- Aimy Steadman, Founder & COO, BeatBox Beverages
- Justin Fenchel, Co-founder & CEO, BeatBox Beverages
- Brad Schultz, Co-founder & CMO, BeatBox Beverages
- Christopher Gandsy, Owner, Chef and Brewer, DaleView Biscuits & Beer
- Ryan Lake, Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
- Forrest Dein, Co-founder and CMO, JuneShine Hard Kombucha
- Greg Serrao, Co-Founder and CEO, JuneShine
1:15 PM
-
1:55 PM
The Hard Truths About Hard Seltzers

Danny Brager, of Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting, presenting on behalf of 3 Tier Beverages and NielsenIQ, will suss out the truth about the once-in-a-generation phenomenon that is hard seltzers.
- Danny Brager, Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting, In Partnership with NielsenIQ and 3 Tier Beverages
  
  Danny Brager
  
  Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting, In Partnership with NielsenIQ and 3 Tier Beverages
  
  Danny Brager has a wealth of experience in the Beverage Alcohol industry, seeing many trends come and stay, but others come and then die. He is the former Senior Vice President of Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice Area in the United States, where for close to 20 years he led teams that supported relationships with Nielsen’s many Beer, Wine, and Spirits clients (suppliers, importers, distributors, and retailers) as well as with key industry groups and the media. In that role, Danny succinctly provided data driven analysis and insights, focused on the U.S. retail environment and consumer/shopper – who they are, what they buy, and why - and what to expect looking ahead. In September 2020, Danny introduced Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting, providing analysis services to beverage alcohol companies seeking to translate market data into authoritative, fact-based insights in support of their brand and corporate goals. Every year, he presents at large numbers of industry and individual company events, and is a frequent thought leader contributor to the media/press. His informed opinions are respected by beverage alcohol producers, importers, distributors, retailers, and financiers. Danny was born in Calgary, Alberta and moved to Toronto where he graduated from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto with an Honors Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. He relocated to Mission Viejo, California in 1993 where he now resides.
- Danny Brager, Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting, In Partnership with NielsenIQ and 3 Tier Beverages
1:55 PM
-
2:30 PM
Keeping Hard Seltzer Fizzy: How Indie Seltzer Succeeds

The leaders of four hard seltzer brands — Sean Mossman (Sonic Hard Seltzer), Jeana Harrington (Mighty Swell), Josh Landan (Ashland) and Vikram Nayar (Two Robbers) — will share why they believe there is still room in the segment for independent producers.
- Vikram Nayar, Co-Founder, Two Robbers Hard Seltzer
- Jeana Harrington, CEO, Mighty Swell
- Sean Mossman, President, Sonic Hard Seltzer (Coop Ale Works)
- Josh Landan, Founder, Ashland Hard Seltzer
- Vikram Nayar, Co-Founder, Two Robbers Hard Seltzer
- Jeana Harrington, CEO, Mighty Swell
- Sean Mossman, President, Sonic Hard Seltzer (Coop Ale Works)
- Josh Landan, Founder, Ashland Hard Seltzer
2:30 PM
-
3:00 PM
Networking, Beers & Livestream Studio
- Adam Watson, Founder, Sloop Brewing Co.
- Justin Taylor, Founder, Sloop Brewing Co.
- Reuben Katz, Senior Business Development Director, NVISION
- Adam Watson, Founder, Sloop Brewing Co.
- Justin Taylor, Founder, Sloop Brewing Co.
- Reuben Katz, Senior Business Development Director, NVISION
3:00 PM
-
3:40 PM
Generation Z: Insights Into the New Gen of Drinkers

Generational consultants Pete Rose (Kantar) and Lindsay Kunkle (FTI Consulting) will pull back the curtain on Gen Z and provide insight into how this generation's unique mindset will impact hiring and marketing opportunities in the alcohol category.
- Lindsay Kunkle, Senior Director, Digital & Insights, FTI Consulting
  
  Lindsay Kunkle
  
  Senior Director, Digital & Insights, FTI Consulting
  
  Lindsay is a generational expert. With over ten years of experience in consumer and audience research, she specializes in bringing together diverse quantitative and qualitative data sets to tell the story of populations, both in the US and globally. Throughout her career, Lindsay has worked with a wide range of businesses across industries to build strategy to better communicate with, market to and innovate for key stakeholder groups. Using research, she helps businesses better understand their target audiences and decode societal trends to build a future-proof communications strategy. She has helped beverage alcohol companies answer questions such as, what societal trends will shape the next wave of beverage preferences? What is the future of community and personal connections? What attitudes define a craft beer drinker? Prior to joining FTI, Lindsay served as the Head of Youth Consulting at Kantar where she uncovered leading-edge insights about Gen Z and Millennials. She was also a 2016 presenter at both Brewbound and the Craft Brewers Conference.
- Peter Rose, Senior Partner, Consulting Division, Kantar
  
  Peter Rose
  
  Senior Partner, Consulting Division, Kantar
  
  Peter Rose is a Senior Partner in Kantar’s Consulting Practice. He is the head of Consulting’s Syndicated Business, which includes the design, delivery, and consultation associated with the firm’s U.S., Global, Canada, and Sports MONITOR studies. Pete consults with clients in a wide variety of industries on the implications of the U.S. MONITOR®, the foremost study of U.S. consumer lifestyles and attitudes. Originally with the firm (née Yankelovich) from 1989 to 1994, Pete returned to the business in the fall of 2003. He personally manages client relationships in financial services, media and entertainment, food and beverages, grocery and other retail, travel and leisure, and consumer packaged goods. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of American generations and has been quoted in publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal to the Los Angeles Times to Parents Magazine. Pete’s consulting career includes seven years at Towers Perrin, a leading HR consulting firm. He specialized in customer and employee research and organization effectiveness, identifying the linkages between employee engagement and business results. He also has extensive experience in project management and client facilitation. Pete earned a B.A. in history from Yale University and an M.B.A. from the Anderson School at UCLA. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Debbie and their three children.
- Lindsay Kunkle, Senior Director, Digital & Insights, FTI Consulting
- Peter Rose, Senior Partner, Consulting Division, Kantar
3:40 PM
-
4:15 PM
The Big Deal: What's Next for New Belgium and Bell's

On the heels of the biggest craft beer deal of the year, New Belgium CEO Steve Fechheimer and Bell’s Brewery EVP Carrie Yunker will discuss what’s next following the sale of the iconic Michigan craft brewery to Lion Little World Beverages.
- Steve Fechheimer, CEO, New Belgium
- Carrie Yunker, Executive Vice President, Bell's Brewery
- Steve Fechheimer, CEO, New Belgium
- Carrie Yunker, Executive Vice President, Bell's Brewery
4:15 PM
-
5:00 PM
Beers & Networking
6:00 PM
-
8:00 PM
After Party Presented By Firestone Walker & YETI

Venue: Firestone Walker Brewing Company - The Propagator @ 3205 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA90292

** All registered attendees of Brewbound Live Winter 2021 are invited to attend. An event badge and valid ID is required for admittance. **

Print the agenda for Wednesday, December 01

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

8:00 AM
-
9:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration

Breakfast, coffee and beverages are served from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM PT and are included with registration. Registration and badge pick up opens for the day at 8:00 AM PT.
9:00 AM
-
9:40 AM
Opportunities & Obstacles: A Look at the Beer Biz Heading into 2022

Beer Institute VP of research Danelle Kosmal will share the opportunities and obstacles facing beverage producers in 2022.
- Danelle Kosmal, Vice President of Research, Beer Institute
- Danelle Kosmal, Vice President of Research, Beer Institute
9:40 AM
-
10:10 AM
Beer Buyers Tell All: The Secrets to Selling More Beer in 2022

Whole Foods’ Mary Guiver and Buffalo Wild Wings’ Jason Murphy will share the secrets to selling more beer, seltzer, kombucha, tea, coffee etc. in the off- and on-premise channels in 2022.
- Mary Guiver, Global Principle Category Merchant Beer & Spirits, Whole Foods
  
  Mary Guiver
  
  Global Principle Category Merchant Beer & Spirits, Whole Foods
  
  With 16+ plus years in the grocery retail landscape, including over a decade of emphasis on category management in an industry-leading chain retailer for adult beverage, Mary Guiver’s dynamic background at Whole Foods Market Inc provides a unique blend of retail insights. As the Principle Global Category Merchant for Beer & Spirits she continues to grow the WFM program through commitment to artisanal, local and innovative products, alongside a steadfast focus on quality standards and consumer demands. With a keen eye for industry trends and a collaborative approach to chain retail, Mary is able to elaborate on the inner strategies and continued evolution of one of the top chain retailers in the market.
- Jason Murphy, Beverage Product & Program Innovation Manager, Buffalo Wild Wings
- Mary Guiver, Global Principle Category Merchant Beer & Spirits, Whole Foods
- Jason Murphy, Beverage Product & Program Innovation Manager, Buffalo Wild Wings
10:10 AM
-
10:30 AM
Networking Break & Livestream Studio
- Craig Bowers, Co-Founder, People's Republic of South Central
- Craig Bowers, Co-Founder, People's Republic of South Central
10:30 AM
-
11:30 AM
Brewbound Pitch Slam 13 Final Round

The 13th edition of the business pitch competition is designed to encourage entrepreneurship and build awareness for startups within the beer, cider, hard seltzer, alcoholic kombucha, and canned cocktail segments. Finalists have four minutes to deliver their pitches, followed by five-minute Q&A sessions with the judges.
- Ryan Lake, Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
- Veronica Vega, Director of Product Development, Deschutes Brewery
- Mallika Monteiro, EVP, Chief Growth, Strategy & Digital Officer, Constellation Brands
- Laura Markstein, President, Markstein Sales Company
  
  Laura Markstein
  
  President, Markstein Sales Company
  
  Laura Markstein has been President of Markstein Sales Company since 2001 and has led the 102-year-old company in its continued growth and success in the East Bay of California. Laura’s commitment to her customers, employees and community is evident in the multiple awards received and organizations in which she has served. From working to pass needed legislation protecting business rights to providing a work environment recognized as leading the way in employee satisfaction and wellness, Laura is proving that women leaders in the beverage distribution industry may be few in number, but big in impact.
- Ryan Lake, Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
- Veronica Vega, Director of Product Development, Deschutes Brewery
- Mallika Monteiro, EVP, Chief Growth, Strategy & Digital Officer, Constellation Brands
- Laura Markstein, President, Markstein Sales Company
11:30 AM
-
12:00 PM
Beyond ‘Beyond Beer’: Beverage Entrepreneurs in New Frontiers

Diving deeper into beyond-beyond beer offerings, Loverboy’s Kyle Cooke, JuneShine’s Greg Serrao and SUNiCE’s Wyatt Carder will share how their brands are disrupting the beer category.
- Kyle Cooke, CEO & Founder, Loverboy
- Wyatt Carder, Co-founder, SUNiCE
  
  Wyatt Carder
  
  Co-founder, SUNiCE
  
  Wyatt Carder began his beverage career at Catch Hospitality Group in 2011 as a beverage buyer, sommelier, and manager. During this time, Wyatt launched the first wine-based cocktail in a can in North America, Pampelonne. Achieving 115% year-over-year growth rate for four years, Pampelonne became the number one selling wine in a can and number one wine cocktail in the Northeast according to Nielsen reporting. Pampelonne Rosé Lime remains the highest velocity wine-based cocktail per point of distribution of any brand nationwide. Wyatt sold the assets of Pampelonne in Spring of 2020. As a first mover, Wyatt had the foresight to identify some of the most pervasive trends in the alcohol industry and take early action. Pampelonne was created ahead of the ready-to-drink canned cocktails surge; ahead of the ‘better for you’ ready-to-drink beverage alcohol curve; and ahead of the wine in a can trend.
- Greg Serrao, Co-Founder and CEO, JuneShine
- Kyle Cooke, CEO & Founder, Loverboy
- Wyatt Carder, Co-founder, SUNiCE
- Greg Serrao, Co-Founder and CEO, JuneShine
12:00 PM
-
1:00 PM
Lunch, Networking, Beers & Livestream Studio

Enjoy lunch and beers with an ocean view. Lunch is included with registration and will be served poolside at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, weather permitting. The sample bar will also be open, featuring new beer and beyond products of registered attendees.
- Brienne Allan, Co-Founder, Brave Noise
- Ash Eliot, Co-Founder, Brave Noise
- Jen Blair, Partner, Brave Noise
- Ren Navarro, Partner, Brave Noise
- Donn Bichsel Jr., Founder, 3 Tier Beverages
- Brienne Allan, Co-Founder, Brave Noise
- Ash Eliot, Co-Founder, Brave Noise
- Jen Blair, Partner, Brave Noise
- Ren Navarro, Partner, Brave Noise
- Donn Bichsel Jr., Founder, 3 Tier Beverages
1:00 PM
-
1:40 PM
Breaking Down the Beer Industry's Evolving Spheres of Influence

J.B. Shireman of Arlington Capital will break down the industry’s evolving spheres of influence.
- JB Shireman, Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
  
  JB Shireman
  
  Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
  
  Most recently, JB has been a consultant and dealmaker in the craft beer space and has led many high-profile craft transactions including Devil’s Backbone, 10 Barrel, Four Peaks, Breckenridge, Saint Archer, Hop Valley, Revolver, Terrapin, Boulevard, Firestone Walker, 21A/Funkwerks and Brooklyn Brewery. JB lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife Angela and two boys, Sawyer and Max. He is an avid fly fisherman, hunter, climber and writer.
- JB Shireman, Director, Arlington Capital Advisors
1:40 PM
-
2:05 PM
Built to Sell: SLO Brew's Incubator Strategy

Following the sale of the Cali Squeeze brand of fruited beers and hard seltzers, SLO Brew founders Hamish Marshall and Rodney Cegelski will detail their incubator strategy.
- Hamish Marshall, Co-Founder, SLO Brew
- Rodney Cegelski, Co-Founder, SLO Brew
- Hamish Marshall, Co-Founder, SLO Brew
- Rodney Cegelski, Co-Founder, SLO Brew
2:05 PM
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2:30 PM
How Foxtrot is Disrupting the C-Store Space

Diving deeper into the convenience channel, Foxtrot co-founder and CEO Mike LaVitola will share how bev-alc products fit into the fast-expanding c-store’s platform, which includes 30-minute delivery.
- Mike LaVitola, CEO and co-founder, Foxtrot
  
  Mike LaVitola
  
  CEO and co-founder, Foxtrot
  
  Mike LaVitola is the co-founder and CEO of Foxtrot – a contemporary evolution of the corner store and café. Foxtrot’s spaces offer all the most-loved aspects of neighborhood cafes, and you can call on the app for the best local beer, fine wines, curated gifts and everyday essentials, delivered from our store to your door in under an hour. Foxtrot is a digitally native, venture-backed business building a brand that marries the best of neighborhood retail and e-commerce technology. Mike began his career working in investment banking in Austin, Texas, focusing on large-scale, Public Private Partnership infrastructure transactions. He then joined a middle market private equity firm in Chicago before attending the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where he launched Foxtrot in 2013.
- Mike LaVitola, CEO and co-founder, Foxtrot
2:30 PM
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3:00 PM
Straight Shooting: What Wholesalers Wish Suppliers Knew

Sinead Carey (Wine Warehouse), Terry Cekola (Elite Brands of Colorado) and Laura Markstein (Markstein Sales Co.) will share the things they wish suppliers knew about working with distributors and offer their middle-tier perspectives.
- Terry Cekola, President, Elite Brands of Colorado
- Laura Markstein, President, Markstein Sales Company
  
  Laura Markstein
  
  President, Markstein Sales Company
  
  Laura Markstein has been President of Markstein Sales Company since 2001 and has led the 102-year-old company in its continued growth and success in the East Bay of California. Laura’s commitment to her customers, employees and community is evident in the multiple awards received and organizations in which she has served. From working to pass needed legislation protecting business rights to providing a work environment recognized as leading the way in employee satisfaction and wellness, Laura is proving that women leaders in the beverage distribution industry may be few in number, but big in impact.
- Sinead Carey, Director of Sales, Beer and Speciality Beverage, Wine Warehouse
  
  Sinead Carey
  
  Director of Sales, Beer and Speciality Beverage, Wine Warehouse
  
  Sinead Carey is the Director of Sales for Specialty Beer & Beverage at Wine Warehouse. She joined Wine Warehouse in 2016 in a leadership role that includes overseeing a team of craft beer specialists, working with supplier partners on planning, market execution, and collaborating with Wine Warehouse Sales Teams to drive performance behind the beer category. With over 18 years of successful experience working in the beer industry, Sinead has held roles in sales, distributor management, channel management, and trade marketing with Star Brand Imports, Heineken USA and Anchor Brewing. She is an Irish native and a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. She is Cicerone Certified Beer Server and lists lagers and hazy IPAs as her favorite styles of beer.
- Terry Cekola, President, Elite Brands of Colorado
- Laura Markstein, President, Markstein Sales Company
- Sinead Carey, Director of Sales, Beer and Speciality Beverage, Wine Warehouse
3:00 PM
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3:30 PM
How Athletic Brewing Broke The Stigma of Non-Alcoholic Beer

Bill Shufelt, co-founder and CEO of Athletic Brewing, will share how the fast-rising non-alcoholic craft beer brand has broken the stigma of non-alcoholic beer and made it cool.
- Bill Shufelt, Co-Founder & CEO, Athletic Brewing Company
  
  Bill Shufelt
  
  Co-Founder & CEO, Athletic Brewing Company
  
  Bill Shufelt is the co-founder of Athletic Brewing, a pioneer in revolutionizing non-alcoholic craft beer. An outdoor enthusiast, ultra trail runner, and beer lover, he left a 12-year career in finance to build the first brewing facility & tap room in the nation dedicated entirely to non-alcoholic beer. Bill and Athletic co-founder John Walker set out to have a positive impact on tens of millions of Americans through health, activity, and community. They are firm believers you shouldn't have to sacrifice being at your best to enjoy great beer.
- Bill Shufelt, Co-Founder & CEO, Athletic Brewing Company
3:30 PM
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3:45 PM
Brewbound Pitch Slam 13 Winner Announcement
3:45 PM
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5:00 PM
Wrap Party Presented by Beer Institute

Enjoy beers provided by AB InBev and continue your networking!
Venue: Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel - Venice Salon (4th Floor)
** All registered attendees of Brewbound Live Winter 2021 are invited to attend. An event badge and valid ID is required for admittance. **

Reconnect, In Real Life. Meet with Brewery Leaders in Santa Monica.

We’re back to in-person networking, and Brewbound Live features a variety of safe experiences for attendees. The two-day event takes place at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, which is an open air hotel with a variety of outdoor spaces. We will be taking advantage of the SoCal weather, views of the Santa Monica Pier and magnificent sunsets. Lunch and networking breaks will take place outside by the pool, weather permitting.

For registered attendees, discounted rooms are available first come, first served. All past room blocks have sold out. Register today to reserve your room.

These Beer & Beyond Companies Are Registered for Brewbound Live

You Have Questions. We Have Answers.

COVID-19 Policy

In the interest of making our events as safe as possible for both attendees and staff, we will be implementing enhanced safety protocols similar to other industry events, professional and college sporting events and restaurant practices.

Learn More

Brewbound Live Winter 2021 Speaker Lineup

Bill Shufelt

Veronica Vega

Danelle Kosmal

David Walker

Liz Paquette

Steve Fechheimer

Mary Guiver

Carrie Yunker

Mallika Monteiro

David Macon

Dustin Hinz

Sinead Carey

Hamish Marshall

Jason Murphy

Rodney Cegelski

Betsy Lay

Mike LaVitola

JB Shireman

Jeana Harrington

Ryan Lake

Sean Mossman

Kyle Cooke

Josh Landan

Danny Brager

Wyatt Carder

Bryant Goulding

Terry Cekola

Vikram Nayar

Greg Serrao

Laura Markstein

Lindsay Kunkle

Peter Rose

Justin Kendall

Jess Infante

Sean Ro

Zoe Licata

Brewbound Live Winter 2021 Sponsors

Beer Analysis and Advice Plus the Partners to Make it Happen

Opening Night Party Presented By JuneShine

Breakfast & Registration

Brewbound Pitch Slam 13 Semifinal Round

Networking Break & Livestream Studio

Welcome & What It Means to Be A Craft Brewer with Firestone Walker

Building and Sustaining Company Culture

Drizly On The At-Home Drinker Economy

Brewbound Best of 2021 Awards & Rising Stars Announcement

Lunch, Networking, Beers & Livestream Studio

The Hard Truths About Hard Seltzers

Keeping Hard Seltzer Fizzy: How Indie Seltzer Succeeds

Networking, Beers & Livestream Studio

Generation Z: Insights Into the New Gen of Drinkers

The Big Deal: What's Next for New Belgium and Bell's

Beers & Networking

After Party Presented By Firestone Walker & YETI

Breakfast & Registration

Opportunities & Obstacles: A Look at the Beer Biz Heading into 2022

Beer Buyers Tell All: The Secrets to Selling More Beer in 2022

Networking Break & Livestream Studio

Brewbound Pitch Slam 13 Final Round

Beyond ‘Beyond Beer’: Beverage Entrepreneurs in New Frontiers

Lunch, Networking, Beers & Livestream Studio

Breaking Down the Beer Industry's Evolving Spheres of Influence

Built to Sell: SLO Brew's Incubator Strategy

How Foxtrot is Disrupting the C-Store Space

Straight Shooting: What Wholesalers Wish Suppliers Knew

How Athletic Brewing Broke The Stigma of Non-Alcoholic Beer

Brewbound Pitch Slam 13 Winner Announcement

Wrap Party Presented by Beer Institute

Reconnect, In Real Life. Meet with Brewery Leaders in Santa Monica.

These Beer & Beyond Companies Are Registered for Brewbound Live

You Have Questions. We Have Answers.

COVID-19 Policy