What is it about craft beer (other than its tasty goodness and buzzy benefits) that captivates everyday people and helps to shape and define their communities? Hear from all sides of the industry including a Certified Cicerone, a loan officer, and a brewery-owning attorney from Rocky Mount. Special guest Paul Singh (founder of Results Junkie and our featured Startup speaker) will offer opening remarks for this session. Join us afterwards for a beer on the terrace and then stay for one of our featured Connect documentary films, Brewmaster.
Jacqueline Crane, Brewery Loan Officer, Live Oak Bank
Jacqueline Crane joined Live Oak Bank in 2015 as an eLending Underwriter and quickly transitioned to Loan Officer, where she specializes in originating, packaging and underwriting loans under $350,000. Prior to Live Oak, Jacqueline worked for Wells Fargo. She earned her Finance degree from UNCW.
Gary Sholar, Owner, Edward Teach Brewery
Edward Teach Brewery opened in December 2017 with a 20-barrel, three vessel system, giving plenty of space to brew. Sholar’s background manufacturing food-processing equipment connects him to the large brewhouse, while his six-year homebrewing hobby fuels the passion.
Aaron Skiles, Owner, New Anthem Beer Project
The Virginia native, and North Carolinian for the past 20 years, used to work in the recreational marine industry for a German auto supplier. He launched New Anthem in 2016 with friend Bill Hunter. New Anthem’s mission: Give back a little bit, and “make dope-ass beer.”
Deborah Sperati. Owner, Koi Pond Brewing Company
Deborah’s love of food and drink led her to complete the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Level 1 certification and cofound a brewery. A partner at Poyner Spruill LLP, she practices in financial services and creditors’ rights, and leads the firm’s Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Law practice group.
with special guest Paul Singh, Entrepreneur, Results Junkies
Paul is an entrepreneur, speaker, investor and Airstreamer. Previously: Managing Director @1776, Founder @disruptioncorp (acq by @1776), Partner @500Startups, EIR at USCIS / DHS. Find him at twitter.com/paulsingh.
moderated by Kevin Maurer, Author and Journalist
Award-winning journalist and three-time New York Times best-selling co-author, Kevin’s nine books include The Gentlemen Bastards, chronicling a ten week embed with Special Forces in southern Afghanistan and American Radical, the first book about the FBI’s counter-terrorism undercover program.