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In January, Joey Justice left Highland to attend Brew School at U.C. Davis. He'll return in June after completing the intensive 6- month program. 

 


Oscar Wong
oscar@highlandbrewing.com

Founder, Owner, President, Chief Peddler, Schmoozing and Cleanup Guy -- Oscar brings years of business experience and leadership to our growing company. He is an active volunteer in the local community.

Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
Brewed barely drinkable beer in college, then started Highland after a 30 year hiatus in engineering. Have concluded that without beer, civilization would not have flourished.
What's your favorite beer? Highland's Kashmir IPA.
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria."
What do you like about
the beer industry?
The wonderful, interesting people who also appreciate good beer.
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
Thomas Jefferson, a practical intellectual.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Adventurer - checking out remote places and sampling beers, wines, and cuisines on the way.
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
I'm like a Pilsner - easy to meet, complex characteristics, but with a long lasting flavor.


John M. Lyda
brewhouse@highlandbrewing.com

Brewmaster and Vice President. A Siebel graduate and Asheville native, John has been with the company since its inception.

Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
A home-brew kit purchased at a church rummage sale.
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing? Begged and pleaded.
What's your favorite beer? Corsondonk's Monk's Brown Ale .
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
"The moving finger writes; and, having writ moves on: nor all your piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it." - Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám .
What do you like about
the beer industry?
The camaraderie among brewers & beer drinkers.
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
Stephen Hawking
What do you want to be when you grow up? Sagacious
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
Grand Cru - aged to perfection.


Paul Rollow
Assistant Brewer

Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
It was the love of beer at a young age and the realization that I could make it myself much cheaper.
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing? I came in and talked to Rueben (a former brewer at Highland).
What's your favorite beer? Highland's Kashmir IPA and Diebel's Alt
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
"Didn't even have to use my AK. I'd have to say it was a good day."
What do you like about
the beer industry?
The smell of hot caustic in the morning
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
Dave Maheen
What do you want to be when you grow up? Retired on my own island in the Caribbean
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
Olympia, because my body is mostly water


Kevin Wheeler
kevin@highlandbrewing.com
Head of Operations

Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
I got a job at Highland.
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing? I saw the sign that said "Interns Wanted."
What's your favorite beer? Highland's St. Terese and Otter Creek's Stove Pipe Porter
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
"Let me die in my footsteps, before I go down under the ground."
What do you like about
the beer industry?
I like all the people I work with, camaraderie (and smothering myself in yeast)
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
Dylan Thomas
What do you want to be when you grow up? A writer
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
Guinness - I take a while to settle, but I'm worth the wait.


 
Mary Eliza Mary Eliza McRae
maryeliza@highlandbrewing.com
Sales and Marketing Manager
Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?

My old roommate Hunter invited me to try some exotic beers that turned out to fit my palette well.

How did you find a job at Highland Brewing? My sister Sarah & her quick thinking.
What's your favorite beer? Kashmir IPA, West Coast Barleywines, Duchess de Bourgogne, Russian River's Supplication....yummy....
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?

1) To the world you might be one person; but to one person you just might be the world. 2) Be kinder than necessary everyone is fighting some kind of battle.

What do you like about
the beer industry?

The people, the relaxed attitude, and being able to have a beer with lunch.

Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?

My husband, Charles. He is an amazing person.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I am grown up because I am content.
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?

A Belgian ale because I am strong and I am sweet.



Greg Ferguson
greg@highlandbrewing.com
Packaging Supervisor

(Beer Expulsion Engineer)

Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
Highland Brewing was the first contact I had with the brewing industry. 
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing? I was introduced by brewer Andy Gibbon to work on Highland's packaging crew.
What's your favorite beer? That depends on the season and my motives
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
Lead by example
What do you like about
the beer industry?
The glory -- It is a stepping stone into higher society
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
My dad
What do you want to be when you grow up? A rock star and a stunt pilot
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
I'm light and pale like a Pilsner


Don Wallace
don@highlandbrewing.com
Head Trucker/ Packaging
Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
I'm strictly on the consuming end.
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing? Sat down at a bar next to Highland's sales and marketing representative, who told me about the job vacancy.
What's your favorite beer? Highland's St. Terese's
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?

"Don't sweat the small stuff," and "It's all about the small stuff."

What do you like about
the beer industry?
The liquidity
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
My wife (what can I say; she's awesome!)
What do you want to be when you grow up? An angel
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
Schlitz!  I'm kinda Schlitzy!


Barb Cole
barb@highlandbrewing.com
Office Manager
Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
My husband started home brewing.
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing? I heard about a vacancy for a part-time office assistant and called for an interview.
What's your favorite beer? Highland's Kashmir IPA
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

What do you like about
the beer industry?
The diversity of people who all agree on the need for beer in their lives.
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
My Mom -- for her patience, compassion, and integrity.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Satisfied!
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
Pilsner -- perky, refreshing, and good to have around.


Sandi Hammontree
sales@highlandbrewing.com
Sales and Marketing Representative
Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
I've always had a love for beer, but it wasn't until my experiences with Highland that I learned the nature of the business.
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing? Oscar and Mary Eliza took a chance on me.
What's your favorite beer? Snake River Lager, ice-cold PBR, and Kashmir IPA
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?

"Remember who you are and where you come from," and

"Go Dawgs . . . sic 'em!"

What do you like about
the beer industry?
There is never a dull moment.  Every day is different and always interesting.
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
My family
What do you want to be when you grow up? Party Planner.
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
A  specialty beer . . . anything goes!


Joey Justice
Packaging
Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
The interest in sustainable living
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing? Phone calls!  Showing up one day a week for 2-1/2 months, refusing to leave when asked nicely, and changing my whole life to follow a passion.
What's your favorite beer? Inside Passage Ale - Boundary Bay Brewing Company, Bellingham, Washington
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
"No man should go through life without once experiencing healthy, even bored solitude in the wilderness, finding himself depending solely on himself, and thereby learning his true and hidden strength."  (Jack Kerouac)
What do you like about
the beer industry?
The people and the shared passion
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
My grandmother, who taught me love and compassion for every human being.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A person whose life flashes before his eyes then dies with a smile on his face knowing he lived life to its fullest with no regrets.
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
Seasonal, because you only want me around when the time is right.


Liza van Cauwenberghe
Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
 
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing?  
What's your favorite beer?  
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
 
What do you like about
the beer industry?
 
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
 
What do you want to be when you grow up?  
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
 


Sam Rose
Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
 
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing?  
What's your favorite beer?  
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
 
What do you like about
the beer industry?
 
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
 
What do you want to be when you grow up?  
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
 


Matt Piscitelli
Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
 
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing?  
What's your favorite beer?  
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
 
What do you like about
the beer industry?
 
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
 
What do you want to be when you grow up?  
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
 


Steve Schwartz
Curious Questions Deeply Insightful Answers
How did you become
involved in brewing?
 
How did you find a job at Highland Brewing?  
What's your favorite beer?  
What's your favorite
saying, quote, etc.?
 
What do you like about
the beer industry?
 
Who is your idol, who
do you look up to, etc.?
 
What do you want to be when you grow up?  
Compare yourself to a
beer brand or style?
 


 
   
 
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