Leah is the second-generation family owner, President and CEO of Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, NC. Founded by her father Oscar Wong in 1994, Highland is the founding brewery in Asheville. It is also the largest independent brewery native to NC and in the nation’s top ten breweries led by women. Leah’s past board service includes the NC Brewers Guild, Asheville Chamber, Buncombe County Tourism Authority, Riverlink, AB Tech Community College. Currently, she serves on the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Visitors. Recognitions include Brewbound’s Person of the Year, Woman Executive of the Year from the Asheville Chamber, James Beard semi-finalist for Beer, Wine or Spirits Professional. But her only trophy with a disco ball is for Best Dancer in a local version of Dancing with the Stars. Leah is married to Brock Ashburn, Highland’s VP of Facilities and Engineer, and is stepmother to two amazing young women.

Nick grew up in the beverage industry, where he learned early the value of long hours and discounted family labor. He began his beer career as a cook and dishwasher in the Firestone Walker Taproom kitchen, later taking on roles in groundskeeping, forklift driving, and cellar work. Leaving home, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy, competing on the national USNA Parachute Team. He went on to serve five years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Artillery Officer, deploying to Afghanistan in 2014. After military service, Nick earned his MBA at UC Berkeley and worked as a Senior Strategy Consultant for L.E.K. Consulting, advising clients in technology, private equity, and retail. Today, Nick serves as Chief Executive Officer of Firestone Walker. As a fourth-generation member of the family beverage business, he is deeply committed to advancing the brewery’s legacy through innovation, sustainability, and long-term stewardship....and he looks forward to one day employing his three kids at the Firestone Walker Taproom.

With over 20 years’ marketing experience, Rebecca Dye Yonushonis is fueled by curiosity, a passion for brand building, and a love for growing and developing talented teams. Rebecca joined New Belgium Brewing as Chief Marketing Officer on March 18, 2024, and plays a vital role in driving growth of America’s largest craft brewery’s beverage portfolio. Rebecca’s leadership and marketing insight have driven significant brand transformations across a range of companies and industries, most recently as CMO of True Food Kitchen she led the wellness-focused restaurant brand through rapid expansion and growth. Previously, she held senior marketing, brand strategy, and consumer insights roles at Land O’ Lakes Inc, Dollar Shave Club, Starbucks, Molson Coors, and the Wrigley Company. She has worked on several Effie award-winning campaigns and was named Brand Innovators "40 under 40 Innovative Marketers" among several other personal accolades throughout her career. Rebecca holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, and a BS in Marketing and International Business from The University of Dayton. Originally from the Midwest, she currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, Ian, two stepdaughters, Mircea and Siena, and a very spoiled Springer Spaniel/Poodle mix named Elbie. Outside of the office you can find her hiking, traveling the globe, and enjoying a football game with friends and family, likely with a Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze in hand.

Rosalie Kennedy is the Director of Marketing at Athletic Brewing Company, where she leads the company's strategic initiatives. Her industry-leading work has shaped Athletic’s leading brand presence and helped define the modern non-alcoholic beer category. With a background in brand management, Rosalie previously honed her expertise at Boston Beer Company, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the brand strategy for Angry Orchard Hard Cider, which became the country's No. 1 hard cider and drove the overall cider segment. Her career also includes notable agency experience in New York City, where she coordinated high-profile campaigns for Heineken USA's portfolio of brands. Outside of the office, Rosalie is actively involved in her community and has volunteered her time to small business growth initiatives. She is also a certified yoga instructor and a proud mom. She graduated with a double major in marketing and psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Whitney Stevenson is President and Chief Commercial Officer of JuneShine Brands, bringing nearly 20 years of beverage industry experience. She previously spent 15+ years at Boston Beer Company as Director for the Pacific Division, leading a 100+ person team across the western US and Hawaii. Her career includes roles at Molson Coors and PepsiCo, establishing her as a proven leader in brand growth and sales excellence.

Mike LaRosa began brewing with his father very early on after discovering a passion for full, flavorful beer. While at Albright College and inquiring to every local brewery about possible internship opportunities, he got an offer from Rock Bottom, located in King of Prussia, PA. Within months, Mike’s hard work and determination prompted his unpaid internship to transition into a paid Assistant Brewer position, under then-Head Brewer Brian McConnell. During their tenure at Rock Bottom, Mike and Brian won a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Fest for Baltic Style Porter. After college, he accepted the Head Brewer position for start-up Saucony Creek Craft Brewery. Mike left to support a handful of breweries in start-up and expansion phases, starting with Manayunk Brewing Company. Mike moved to Kane Brewing Company, in Ocean, NJ where he served as Head Brewer. He was a part of the company during a very interesting time for the development of a lot of their dark beer portfolio. From there, Mike joined Tired Hands Brewing Co. in Ardmore, PA, as both Production and Operations Manager. Mike was the first brewer for Tired Hands’ Fermentaria location, and was an integral part in developing and expanding the brewery operations. During his time at all of these breweries he has accumulated a number of awards including RateBeer’s Best Brewer in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania for multiple years, other Gold Medals from both GABF and World Beer Cup, along with being a part of a team with a James Beard Award nomination. In an effort to stay connected to his passions of making great beer and helping companies grow, Mike founded MJL Brewery Consulting. MJL Brewery Consulting worked on the invention of New Trail, and has been an owner since our founding, where he continues to collect awards.

Kevin George is the Chief Marketing Officer of Garage Beer — which means he leads the small squad of talented marketing misfits who thought going up against the big, established beer brands was a good business plan. He helps guide those responsible for turning America’s simplest light beer into one of the loudest voices on the internet and now, one of the fastest growing brands in beer. For the three years he’s been there, Garage Beer’s marketing has gone from “let’s post a picture of a can” to a full- blown circus of unhinged social campaigns, viral billboards, and brand stunts that somehow work. Kevin doesn’t just run marketing — he directs the chaos, proving that a high quality, premium beer brand can be “smart dumb”, entertaining, unpredictable, and still end up in your fridge. He was employee number 7 and part of the team that somehow convinced a couple of professional athletes to invest their own money and co-own a light beer brand that tastes like victory in a lawn chair. Before this, Kevin held fancy marketing jobs at fancy companies like Unilever, Beam-Suntory and Seagram that came with ties, charts, and real responsibilities. But he gave all that up to follow his true passion: helping America discover the coldest beer you can pull out of a garage fridge.

Growing up in the former Czechoslovakia, Rudy Kellner is no stranger to the mountains, rivers, and crisp beer that that surrounds the home of pFriem Family Brewers in Hood River, Oregon. While spending his first career in high tech, Rudy co-founded pFriem Family Brewers with a couple friends, and now serves as CEO of pFriem, a 50-thousand barrel brewery known for its breadth of beers, and religious commitment to quality, hospitality, and local Pac NW presence.

Jon Halper is the Owner and CEO of Top Ten Liquors, one of the Twin Cities’ fastest-growing independent liquor retailers. Since acquiring the business in 2013, Jon has expanded Top Ten into a leading presence across Minnesota, recognized for its innovative retail approach and commitment to community. In addition to building one of the state’s most successful liquor businesses, Jon has emerged as an industry leader in the THC and cannabis market. He has played a pioneering role in advancing usage, shaping regulatory policy, and fostering collaboration across the country. His work as a network builder and advocate has helped position Minnesota at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry. Jon and his wife, Jill, are also deeply committed to philanthropy. They are longtime champions of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) and continue to give back through numerous local charities and community initiatives. With a career spanning law, retail, and entrepreneurship, Jon brings a unique perspective on growth, responsible innovation, and the future of both the liquor and cannabis industries.

Sophia D’Angelo is the founder of Boston Experiential Group, a Boston based experiential agency specializing in high-impact brand storytelling through immersive consumer experiences. With over 16 years in the experiential marketing space, she has led strategic activations for top beverage brands including Boston Beer Company, EIGHT Brewing, Night Shift, Loverboy, Flor de Caña, Edrington and more. Sophia is known for translating brand positioning into dynamic, on-the-ground moments—from national sampling tours to large-format festival footprints—that drive trial, boost share of voice, and deepen consumer affinity. Her expertise lies at the intersection of cultural insight, retail readiness, and full-funnel engagement.

Sam Hendler co-founded Jack’s Abby Brewing with his brothers, Jack and Eric, in 2011. As head of sales and marketing during the high-growth years of the 2010s, he helped build Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers into a regional powerhouse across the Northeast. Since becoming CEO in 2020, Sam has navigated the brewery through one of the most challenging periods in the industry—pivoting into contract brewing, executing strategic M&A, and tripling the company’s production between 2020 and 2025 under a new corporate umbrella, Hendler Family Brewing Company. A past president of the Massachusetts Brewers Guild, he was honored with the Brewers Association’s 2022 F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of craft brewers.

Van is the Co-Founder of Rupee Beer - an award-winning range of light & easy to drink beers specially brewed to pair with Indian, spicy and global cuisine. Having grown up in the Indian restaurant industry his entire which his family has been in for over half a century across three different continents, Van learned the ins and outs of how to create go-to-market strategies for making the ethnic flavors he grew up look and feel appealing for an American audience. A certified third culture kid who has lived, worked and traveled to over 72 countries around the world, his approach to marketing is all about making large scale global ideas resonate with a hyper local audience. He got his start in sales and marketing functions working in London, UK, before entering the start-up space with his previous ventures, and eventual return to the U.S. during Covid to start Rupee Beer, which today has made an impact in its awareness and branding crossing both the world of import and craft beer.

Since 2012, Adam has pursued his craft-beer passion of producing approachable and balanced beers in the heart of Asheville NC. Hi-Wire Brewing can be found in bars, restaurants, and grocery stores across eight states, including their nine retail locations - in Asheville, Durham, Wilmington and Charlotte in North Carolina as well as in Knoxville, TN. Outside of work Adam studies land-use and urban design - having acted as past Chair of the Asheville Transit Committee and member of the area’s Metropolitan Planning Organization. As of late 2025, he’s a key stakeholder in the City’s bus system redesign. The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has awarded Adam Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022 and 2015, and Hi-Wire Brewing the local Chamber of Commerce’s Sky High Growth Award in 2022 and 2019 as well as a “Venture 15”, fastest-growing start-up award in 2021, 2019, and 2018. We believe that the things that bring us together are stronger than the things that pull us apart. Our mission is to make the things that bring us together. Hi-Wire Brewing: “Find Your Fun”

Tiago Carneiro is a visionary entrepreneur who has made an impact on the beverage industry, particularly in Southern California’s South Bay. His journey began in Brazil, and through dedication, passion, and a commitment to quality, he has become the founder of NOVO Brazil Brewing Company and the driving force behind NOVA Kombucha. Tiago’s story began in Belo Horizonte, where he was deeply immersed in his family’s restaurant business. Their restaurants were known for making everything in-house, from bread to soda, and they eventually ventured into brewing beer. Tiago’s vision has grown far beyond a single brewery. NOVO Brazil Brewing Company has expanded from its initial Chula Vista location to a network of five establishments — generating over 150 jobs and positively impacting the local economy, — and several San Diego sports partnerships. NOVO Brazil’s offerings include NOVA Kombucha, California Spritz beer cocktails and hard seltzers.

Geng is one of the co-founders of Nectar, a California-based drink company that burst onto the hard seltzer and RTD scene with Asian flavors and a distinctive brand story. With over a decade of experience in marketing and digital media across a range of industries — including clients like Constellation Brands — he now leads Nectar’s marketing strategy and activation efforts, focusing on creating cultural moments that resonate with an increasingly global-minded audience in America.

Charlie Berger fell in love with the craft beer industry after a summer spent working on the Great Divide Brewing Company packaging line in 2003. He studied brewing at Siebel and Doemans, worked in brewpubs and production breweries before cofounding Denver Beer Co in 2011. Through strategic investment, he grew Denver Beer Co to 5 taprooms, and regional brewery status. In January of 2025, Denver Beer Co, Stem Ciders, and Funkwerks created Wilding Brands, which has grown through acquisition to include 9 unique beverage brands comprised of Great Divide, Station 26, Cerveceria Colorado, Howdy Beer, Formation Brewing, and Easy Living Hop water.

Bourcard Nesin is VP of Research covering beverages at Rabobank. He is a co-host of Liquid Assets, a podcast described as “unmissable” by Spirits Business. A few of his recent reports and recordings include: - The real reasons Gen Z is drinking less alcohol - How to get the most out of a distributor agreement - Why are so many young men quitting alcohol? (audio) - How bad is wine’s oversupply problem? (audio)

Kaleigh has 10 years of NIQ experience and considerable background working with clients in multiple categories. She has been involved with the Beverage Alcohol category for the last five years working on Thought Leadership, industry insights, and client specific business questions and projects. Kaleigh brings a unique skillset of analytic capabilities, as well as commercial selling story creation, and has significant background in bringing consumer insights to the forefront in support of sales trends. She has been pivotal in the NIQ strategy and tactics for Beverage Alcohol as the industry changes and develops.

Andrew Hummel is Director for CGA by NIQ and is responsible for driving the success of US supplier, distributor, and retail partners within the on-premise channel. Andrew joined CGA by NIQ in 2021, bringing 10+ years of comprehensive BevAl three-tier system experience and valuable CPG industry knowledge to the NIQ On-Premise team. He began his career journey as a pricing analyst for a large US grocer before seeking a hands-on role at a Chicago craft brewery. Subsequently, he gained exposure to chain and independent on-premise operators through his role at a leading BevAl distributor where he became well versed in industry data. His deep understanding of BevAl/CPG, and passion for brands, helps clients develop and execute actionable strategies from NIQ’s market insights. Andrew attended Indiana University – Kelley School of Business Honors Program and currently lives in Chicago, IL.

Graduated from Penn State University in 2006 with a degree in Marketing. Dave began his career at Marketing Management Analytics (Ipsos MMA) as a Data Analyst, running sales regression models and market level analytics across various Retail and CPG clients. He left MMA and joined Nielsen in 2010, working up to the role of Client Manager. In this role, Dave led a team dedicated to Market Mix, Price/Promo and Consumer analysis for Procter & Gamble globally, spanning multiple categories and brands across their wide portfolio. In 2015, Dave left Nielsen to join BUMP Williams Consulting where he currently runs high-end analytics across the Beverage Alcohol universe. His key focus areas include Consumer Behavior, Pricing, Promotion and Retail Landscape for BWC’s Supplier, Distributor and Retailer clients.

Jesse Ferber is the Chief Strategy Officer for Columbia Distributing, the largest beverage distributor in the Pacific Northwest where he manages both portfolio and business strategy. Jesse has spent twenty-seven years in the beverage industry where he has held senior leadership roles in both sales and marketing. Before joining Columbia in 2013, he served as Zone Director for Heineken USA for both the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. Jesse began his beverage industry career in 1999 with California craft beer pioneer Bison Brewing Company, delivering kegs out of the back of his Subaru. Columbia Distributing operates fourteen branches in Oregon and Washington and employs over 3,000 people. Columbia’s beer portfolio includes the leading domestic, import, craft and cider brands as well as industry leading non-alcoholic and wine and spirits brands. They service over 22,000 accounts and their footprint covers an area of more than 140,000 square miles, delivering 81 million cases a year.

Andrew Burman co-founded Other Half Brewing Company in Brooklyn, NY in 2014. Serving as the Chief Operating Officer, Burman oversees the brewery’s daily operations. His journey into the culinary and brewing world began after earning a degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, where he also played lacrosse. Pursuing his passion for food, he went to L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, MD. To deepen his understanding of food systems, Burman obtained a Master’s degree in Food Culture and Food Systems from New York University. Since Other Half’s establishment, the brewery has expanded beyond Brooklyn, opening locations in New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, the Finger Lakes, and Buffalo. Burman’s commitment to quality and innovation has been instrumental in Other Half’s growth and its reputation for pushing the boundaries of beer and brewing culture.

Over 25 years of experience in beverage leadership, with an expertise in beer, wine, spirits, energy and functional beverages. Drove portfolio growth for global companies, such as, Diageo, Red Bull and Pabst, while in C-Suite and executive roles. Responsibilities have included sales, marketing, integration, business insights / category development, national projects, distribution strategy, business planning, PR, and strategic imperatives. Rich is currently the founder of Black Apple Group, LLC, which specializes in insights, category development, intelligence, integration, planning and marketing. Rich works with an extensive network of distributors, strategic partners, VCs, PE firms, investors, and other industry stakeholders.

JR Hand is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hand Family Companies, a multi-state beverage distributor operating across Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and California. The company owns and manages Tristar Beverage (Clarksville, Cookeville, and Chattanooga, TN), Bluegrass Beverage (Hopkinsville, KY), Lakeshore Beverage (greater Chicagoland area and Bloomington, IL), and Sunset Distributing (Southern California). Under JR’s leadership, Hand Family Companies has grown to employ more than 1,500 team members and sell over 40 million cases annually. Beyond his professional accomplishments, JR is deeply committed to community and industry service. He has served on numerous business and charitable boards, including the YMCA Board of Directors, Better Business Bureau Advisory Council, Tennessee Malt Beverage Association, Keep Tennessee Beautiful Advisory Council, Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence Board of Examiners, the National Beer Wholesalers Association, and as President of the Kentucky Malt Beverage Council. A proud graduate of Vanderbilt University, JR remains an enthusiastic supporter of the university and its athletic programs. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and their four children.

• 30+ years in Action Sports Publishing and Media • Lifestyle Brand Consultant - Nixon Watches, Ken Block Racing, 2XU, Loud Records • Co-Founder - The Skateboard Mag, What Youth Magazine • Group Publisher - Transworld Media / AOL Time Warner (Surf, Skate, Snow Titles)

Tate Huffard is the founder and CEO of Best Day Brewing, one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic craft beer brands in the U.S. A longtime builder of CPG brands, Tate has spent his career in high-growth startups that obsess over exceptional product quality and cultivating deep brand love. He launched Best Day believing that category-redefining NA beers, paired with an optimistic and irreverent lifestyle brand rooted in the “Best Day Yet” ethos, would reshape the future of drinking—giving consumers true freedom of choice and expanding the moments where beer belongs. Tate lives in the Bay Area with his wife, four kids, and a black lab who is never not at his side.

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.

Jessica Infante joined Brewbound in 2019 after nearly a decade in a variety of marketing roles in the craft beer industry. Prior to that, she was a daily newspaper reporter at the Jersey Shore. Jess holds a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication from Emerson College. She is a certified Cicerone and lives in Salem, Massachusetts.

Jon Halper is the Owner and CEO of Top Ten Liquors, one of the Twin Cities’ fastest-growing independent liquor retailers. Since acquiring the business in 2013, Jon has expanded Top Ten into a leading presence across Minnesota, recognized for its innovative retail approach and commitment to community. In addition to building one of the state’s most successful liquor businesses, Jon has emerged as an industry leader in the THC and cannabis market. He has played a pioneering role in advancing usage, shaping regulatory policy, and fostering collaboration across the country. His work as a network builder and advocate has helped position Minnesota at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry. Jon and his wife, Jill, are also deeply committed to philanthropy. They are longtime champions of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) and continue to give back through numerous local charities and community initiatives. With a career spanning law, retail, and entrepreneurship, Jon brings a unique perspective on growth, responsible innovation, and the future of both the liquor and cannabis industries.

Michelle Abdollah is a seasoned retail expert with over 15 years of experience in merchandising and operations. Currently, she serves as Category Manager for Alcoholic Beverages and Private Label Development Manager at Extra Mile convenience stores, overseeing merchandising strategies for wine, beer, and spirits across 1,100+ locations in 11 states. With a proven track record of driving growth and profitability, Michelle has honed her skills through various leadership roles at 7-Eleven and Target. Her expertise has earned her recognition as one of the Top Women In Convenience by Convenience Store News in 2024. Michelle's dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction continues to propel her success in the convenience store channel.

Peter Heimark is President and CEO of Heimark Distributing LLC (HDC.) Heimark Distributing is an Independent Beer and beverage Distributor based in Indio, California servicing communities in eastern Riverside County and Southern San Bernardino County including the Coachella Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, Joshua Tree National Park, and surrounding communities. Peter is the third generation of Heimark Family Members at the Helm of Heimark Distributing. He began his career with an internship working for Anheuser-Busch in Spain and Denmark. He spent the first twenty-three years of his career with Heimark Distributing’s sister company, Triangle Distributing, based in Santa Fe Springs. Upon conducting a territory swap with Anheuser-Busch in 2020, Peter moved to Heimark Distributing LLC. Peter has served as the Anheuser-Busch Advisory Panel Chairman, the Chairman of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, and has served on the board of the California Family Beer Distributors Association.

Michael Blumfield serves as Region Vice President for Sunset Distributing Company (SDC), a division of Hand Family Companies—one of the largest family-owned beverage distributors in the U.S. With a legacy dating back to 1949, Hand Family Companies now operates across four states, employs over 1,000 people, and distributes more than 50 million cases of beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages annually. With more than 15 years of experience in the beverage industry, Michael has held leadership roles across both supplier and wholesaler organizations, including Heineken USA and Classic Beverage of Southern California. His background in brand strategy, route-to-market development, and organizational development has made him a versatile and trusted leader in the beverage space.