Ken Grossman, Founder

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Ken Grossman founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in 1980 with the goal of providing his customers with the kind of beer he likes to drink. He is known throughout the beer industry for his uncompromising approach to quality, financial savviness, and firm belief that a rising tide lifts all boats. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is a steadfastly family owned and operated business, run on Grossman's philosophy of environmental, social, and economic health, and is considered one of the premier craft breweries in the United States.

John Mallett, Director of Operations

Bell's Brewery, Inc.

John Mallett has directed production at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan since 2001. He is active in technical and leadership roles with the Brewers Association, Master Brewers Association of the Americas, Hop Quality Group and the American Malting Barley Association. In 2002, John was the overjoyed recipient of the Institute for Brewing Studies Russell Schehrer Award for brewing innovation. He is also the author of "Malt: A Practical Guide from Field to Brewhouse."

Tony McCrimmon, OHST Certified Safety and Health Specialist

Brewery Safety Consulting

Russell "Tony" McCrimmon is an OHST Certified Safety and Health Specialist, and the Safety Manager for three Xcel Energy power plants in Northeastern Colorado. He has worked in many industry and production roles, including as a technical specialist for process automation, production and safety equipment, as well as in installing, troubleshooting, repairing and user training for machine guarding and equipment before becoming a safety professional.

As an OSHA trainer, Tony has managed lock out programs for many tasks and has gained experience to help identify various lock out hazards. He is a member of the Brewers Association Safety Subcommittee, a GABF and WBC Team member for 25 years, a BJCP Judge, homebrewer, and has visited 100's of breweries throughout the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Mike McManus, Director of Brewing Operations

Industrial Arts Brewing Company

Mike began his professional brewing career with Brewery Ommegang, where during his ten-year tenure he held numerous production positions including leadership of new beer development and innovation.

As the first employee hired at Industrial Arts Brewing Company, Mike has developed a diverse portfolio of outstanding hop forward ales and drinkable lagers while leading an ever-expanding production team to sustain the company's rapid growth. Industrial Arts Brewing Company has focused on state-of-the-art production practices since opening, including reduction of C02 usage by employing nitrogen generation onsite as well as natural carbonation of cellared beer.

Walker Modic, Environmental & Social Sustainability Manager

Bell's Brewery, Inc.

Walker Modic is the Environmental and Social Sustainability Manager at Bell's Brewery where he oversees environmental engineering, environmental compliance, byproduct utilization, and natural resource utilization. Before joining Bell's in 2013, he was the head brewer at a small regional brewpub in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Prior to starting a career in beer he worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory and received the EPA's award for Scientific and Technological Achievement for his research on the effects of Atrazine. He holds a MA in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard University and a MS in Molecular and Structural Biochemistry from North Carolina State University.