Team Brindiamo
Passionate Experts Driving Excellence in the Whiskey Industry
Meet Our Team
Jeff Steinberg
President & CEO
Jeff Steinberg
Jeff Steinberg brings over 30 years of experience in finance, strategy and business operations to his position as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Brindiamo. In his role, he leads all business operations to continue the tremendous growth in the U.S. market and to expand Brindiamo’s platform overseas.
Throughout his career, Steinberg has scaled multiple high growth companies through a focus on premium products and services, client responsiveness and team building. Having built organizations from start-up to market leaders servicing thousands of customers, he will help accelerate Brindiamo’s historic success and offerings by continuing to support Brindiamo’s traditional strengths, such as sourcing bulk bourbon and whiskey, while creating additional emphasis on other essential business functions, such as storage, insurance and management of the barrels.
A Harvard graduate, Steinberg currently serves as a Senior Advisor to both Aquiline Capital Partners and Susquehanna Growth Equity and sits on multiple corporate boards, including financial management giant Quicken.
Dan Pomerantz
Chief Operating Officer &
Chief Technology Officer
Dan Pomerantz
Dan Pomerantz brings over three decades of operations and technology experience to his dual role as Chief Operations Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Brindiamo. Dan is responsible for pre and post-sale operations with a focus on an ever-increasing use of technology to optimize barrel trading, management and reporting. Dan’s expertise in process automation, product management and strategic partnerships across multiple verticals adds a unique, data-driven approach to the team.
Prior to joining Brindiamo, Dan served as both COO and CTO for MMIT, an industry leader in data and analytics products in the U.S. healthcare market. During his tenure, the organization achieved six-fold revenue growth and significantly expanded its gross margin. Before this, he served in the same dual COO/CTO role for Redwood Analytics, which he helped transform from startup to a 3-time Deloitte Fast 500 technology business before a successful exit when the company was acquired by LexisNexis. Most recently, Dan also served as a senior advisor to Susquehanna Growth Equity and their portfolio companies.
Dan began his career after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Haverford College, and then spent 15 years in progressively more senior roles in technology management before getting bit by the entrepreneurial bug.
Susie Garvin
Chief Commercial Officer
Susie Garvin
With over 30 years of executive experience, Susie Garvin brings a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise to Brindiamo as Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to joining Brindiamo, Susie held leadership roles at both MGP Ingredients and Bardstown Bourbon Company, where she managed key industry relations and built strong partnerships across the whiskey sector.
Before her time at MGP, Susie was the director of sales for Terressentia Corp., the parent company of O.Z. Tyler Distillery and TerrePURE Spirits in South Carolina. During her nearly decade-long tenure, she led significant sales growth and was a key member of the executive management team. Her strategic insight and customer-focused approach were instrumental in the company's expansion into new markets.
At Brindiamo, Susie leverages her deep understanding of the whiskey industry, from sales growth to industry relations, to better serve the needs of brand and distillery clients. Her ability to foster partnerships and anticipate market trends positions her as a pivotal leader, ensuring that Brindiamo continues to offer best-in-class solutions for its clients in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Mike Schaffer
Chief Financial Officer
Mike Schaffer
Mike Schaffer is a seasoned financial executive with over 30 years of experience in finance, accounting, business systems, and M&A. As Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Brindiamo, he leads all financial and human resource activities to support the company's growth objectives.
Throughout his career, Mike has led financial strategy and operations at various organizations and industries, driving both organic and M&A led growth and profitability. He is equipped with the vision to see both the big picture and smaller details that are critical in achieving business transformations. Mike is skilled at partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to build high-performance teams, foster productivity and scalability, drive continuous improvement, and build unified approaches to achieve shared business goals.
As the CFO of Brindiamo, Mike is responsible for financial planning and analysis, accounting, treasury operations, and human resources. He works closely with the executive team to develop and execute strategic plans that support the company’s growth objectives, including the expansion of Brindiamo’s platform overseas.
Mike earned an Executive MBA in Finance through GE’s Financial Management Program and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Bucknell University. He serves on multiple advisory boards and was named CFO of the Year by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2017. With his expertise and leadership skills, Mike is well-positioned to help drive Brindiamo's continued success and growth.
James Hewlette
Vice President Brand
and Distillery Sales
James Hewlette
In the role as International Sales Director, James Hewlette is responsible expanding and managing sales globally at Brindiamo.
Prior to joining the team in 2022, James most recently served as the International Beverage Alcohol Sales Manager at MGP Ingredients, Inc. Before that, he was the Global Bulk Sales Director at Terresentia Corp (Green River Spirits Co.). James’ extensive background in the beverage alcohol industry includes more than 15 years of managing all facets of the bulk whiskey sales cycle, as well as domestic and international customer relations.
James received a Bachelor of Science in Human and Organizational Development, with a minor in Economics, from Vanderbilt University, and a master’s in Real Estate Development from Clemson University.
Matt Breese
Vice President Marketing
Matt Breese
As the Vice President of Marketing at Brindiamo, Matt Breese is the driving force behind scaling the company’s go-to-market strategy and elevating industry awareness of its unparalleled value proposition for clients and partners.
With over a decade of experience, Matt has honed his expertise in building and leading cross-functional teams across marketing and product domains. His results-oriented approach has consistently fueled the assembly of robust commercial engines. Matt blends hands-on execution skills in digital, content, and product marketing with a strategic mindset, ensuring alignment with broader business objectives. Having traversed various sectors, Matt brings a wealth of marketing leadership experience to the international adult beverage market.
After obtaining a degree in Business Administration and Information Systems from Loyola University of Maryland, Matt relocated to the Philadelphia suburbs, where he is currently outnumbered by his wife, daughter and two female dogs. At Brindiamo, Matt combines his two passions: marketing and whiskey!
John Ludrof
Vice President of Accounting
John Ludrof
John Ludrof is a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania and brings over three decades of finance and accounting experience to Brindiamo. John is responsible for the day-to-day accounting and financial reporting.
Prior to joining Brindiamo, John served in Senior Finance roles (VP and/or Corporate Controller) for a number of small privately backed companies, several of which had successful exits via sales to large public companies. In addition to oversight responsibility for the day-to-day accounting group and timely close of the company’s books, he led his teams through annual audits and many M&A transactions.
John began his career after earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and currently resides in Allentown, PA. Outside of the office, John loves to spend time with his wife, kids and office companion (dog Rudy). He is very active in his community, playing tennis, golf and volunteering at a local food bank.
Will Myers
GM of Brindiamo Services
Will Myers
As the GM of Brindiamo Services, Will Myers joins the team to wrap services around the company’s core products. Will is a key leader that will help Brindiamo partners feel optimal value from their full-service whiskey industry partner.
Will began his career as an original member of Green River Distilling, where he quickly moved from cost accounting to production and procurement management. His next stop as Director of Operations for the Z. Brown Distillery in GA provided him with a much broader set of experiences in running businesses within the industry. This provided him with a path to start Myers Trading in 2017, which focused on premium barrel trading, paving the way to consult with companies like Barrel 53 and further engrain himself in the industry.
Will’s broad set of experience and skills in our industry positions him well to refine the full set of Brindiamo service offerings that will simplify what it means to get brands from wood to bottle.
Zack Hayden
Operations Manager
Zack Hayden
In the role of Operations Manager, Zack Hayden is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations at Brindiamo. With over 7 years of operational experience in the alcohol and beverage industry, Zack brings his knowledge and expertise to develop the processes and long-term strategy for the organization.
Prior to joining Brindiamo, Zack served as the Compliance and Inventory Manager at Green River Distilling Company, where he got his start in the bourbon industry in 2016. During Zack’s tenure, the company grew from producing 25,000 barrels per year with 25 employees to over 95,000 barrels per year with 100+ employees.
Zack earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Data Analytics and Master of Business Administration from Western Kentucky University. He currently resides in Owensboro, Kentucky and enjoys playing golf on the weekends.
Khalid Sinclair
Senior Accountant
Khalid Sinclair
Prior to joining the Brindiamo, Khalid worked in several different industry accounting roles before transitioning to public accounting, focused on tax. Khalid is involved with every aspect of the accounting process-including but not limited to operational accounting, analysis, and financial reporting. Graduating with a bachelor’s in accounting, and a minor in finance, Khalid is known for his analytical and problem-solving skills, which have helped to develop innovative strategies to streamline financial processes.
Khalid is an avid Tennessee Titans, and Manchester United enthusiast. And when not thinking about numbers, he enjoys fitness, movies, and reading. Khalid resides in Rochester, NY with his two beloved cats Lucy, and Suki.
Dan Lanchoney
Vice President of
Investor Relations
Dan Lanchoney
As Vice-President of Investor Relations, Dan Lanchoney is responsible for growing the qualified investor market for Brindiamo. Working closely with the executive management team, he provides critical information to clients, including conveying a strategic understanding of the spirits industry.
Lanchoney brings nearly 30 years of experience as an investor and entrepreneur to his role at Brindiamo. With an extensive history of sales and marketing expertise across various industries, Lanchoney’s proven relationship and interpersonal skills, coupled with his analytical, highly organized, entrepreneurial mindset ensure he's an integral position on the leadership team at Brindiamo.
A graduate of Loyola University, with a BBA in Management Information Systems, Lanchoney enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams, traveling with his family and an occasional round of golf, when he can find the time!
Dylan Uschold
Senior Sales Force
Administrator
Dylan Uschold
As a Senior Salesforce Administrator, Dylan brings a proven track record of successfully managing and optimizing commercial systems to Brindiamo. His expertise lies in understanding the unique business needs across Brindiamo's diverse set of client segments and internal teams, and tailoring solutions to fit those needs.
When Dylan is not focused on commercial systems, you may catch him traveling with his family or watching the Browns game.
Brittany Hopmayer
Brand Sales Representative
Brittany Hopmayer
Brittany Hopmayer is a dynamic and versatile professional with extensive experience in marketing coordination, sales, and merchandising. She currently serves as the Brand Sales Representative for Brindiamo, where she is responsible for assisting in the expansion and management of global sales, driving growth and profitability for the company. Throughout her career, Brittany has demonstrated a strong commitment to customer service and a passion for driving sales and growth.
Brittany was born in Chicago and raised in Nashville, where she naturally developed a passion for the beverage alcohol industry through her industry veteran father, Jeff Hopmayer.
Before joining Brindiamo, Brittany worked as the Marketing Coordinator at Empire Distributors of Chattanooga, where she planned, created, and executed all social media posts and coordinated local trade shows and company events. Prior to that, she served as a Realtor for Parks Realty, where she assisted her clients through the home buying and selling process. Brittany also has worked as a Coastal Pacific Sales Consultant for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, where she managed the largest volume territory for on-premise accounts in Texas for Diageo and Moet Hennessy.
In her spare time, Brittany is usually on a hike, listening to an audiobook, or at a dog park as she is a massive animal lover.
Jack Sullivan
Associate, Product
and Sales Ops
Jack Sullivan
Jack Sullivan brings sales and insurance experience to the team in the role of Sales Operations Analyst at Brindiamo.
His primary areas of expertise include optimizing deal flow, overseeing project management, insurance strategies, and driving sales growth.
Prior to joining the company, Jack gained invaluable experience in Government Affairs and Market Intelligence with the insurance industry’s foremost trade association, The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers. Then, Jack became a Property Casualty Insurance Broker, where he played a key role in expanding territories and generating sales.
Jack graduated with honors from Wofford College, achieving the Phi Beta Kappa distinction with a degree in Economics.
Mac Rowan
Associate
Mac Rowan
With a background in finance and economics, Mac Rowan is focused on all activities related to Brindiamo’s growth including capital deployment, transaction advisory, and evaluation of investment opportunities. He brings deal execution, investment analysis, data science, and quantitative modeling experience to the team.
Prior to joining Brindiamo, Mac gained experience as an Investment Banking Analyst at Raymond James where he focused on M&A and capital markets transactions in the Consumer sector. He also held an analyst position at a private equity firm focused on commercial real estate assets.
Mac earned his B.A. in Economics and Financial Economics from The Johns Hopkins University where he was also a member of the men’s basketball team.
Michael Gardner
Associate
Michael Gardner
Michael Gardner brings operations, partnerships and investment analysis experience in high growth technology companies to his role as Associate at the Brindiamo. He serves on the operations team, with a focus on data analytics, inventory operations, and sales optimization processes.
After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Johns Hopkins University, Michael worked as a Partnerships Manager at Gigster, a Risk Analyst at Yardline Capital, and an Associate at Newmark.
Based in New York City, Michael is either playing basketball in his spare time in one of many men’s leagues or watching the Knicks and Jets.
Nazy Rahimi
Ops & Accounting Associate
Nazy Rahimi
Nazy’s background in Computer Science, NetSuite, and Accounting are an exciting addition to our team as we look to leverage her skills on the Billing, AR and Cash Application side of our business and develop the tools to allow us to scale seamlessly.
Most recently Nazy worked with The Aspen Institute in Finance with a focus on AR and AP while managing the complex needs of large donors with unique invoicing/billing requirements. Prior to The Aspen Institute, Nazy served as a CPA firm in Arlington, VA.
Nazy has a bachelor’s degree in Math and Computer Science and is wrapping up her degree in Accounting and Finance from Virginia Tech University that she has been pursuing at night while working full time. In her free time, she loves to travel, paint and play tennis.
Jacob Graham
Logistics Specialist
Jacob Graham
At Brindiamo, Jacob Graham excels as a Logistics Specialist, where his expertise in coordinating barrel logistics ensures that operations run smoothly and effectively. His role is integral to maintaining accurate inventory records and facilitating the efficient flow of production.
Jacob's industry experience began at Green River Distillery as an Inventory Specialist, managing internal audits and analytics. His career then advanced to Western Kentucky Distilling, where he served as a Still Operator, gaining first-hand experience in bourbon production from Master Distiller Jacob Call.
Outside the office, Jacob enjoys swimming, golf, and cheering on his hometown Chiefs. He resides in Owensboro, KY, where he values time spent with his family and friends.
Syreeta Bradley
Staff Accountant
Syreeta Bradley
As the Staff Accountant at Brindiamo, Syreeta utilizes her comprehensive experience from the retail and not-for-profit sectors to enhance the company's financial processes and systems. Her career began in the not-for-profit industry in New Jersey, followed by a stint in the motorsports sector in Philadelphia. Before joining Brindiamo, she worked at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she was involved in projects aimed at improving processes and implementing new systems. These experiences have equipped her with a practical skill set that brings value to the Brindiamo team.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Syreeta graduated from Peirce College with a bachelor’s in accounting. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to concerts, sporting events, and traveling.
Emily Taylor
Assistant Controller
Emily Taylor
Emily Taylor is a Pennsylvania CPA who brings seven years of experience and expertise to the Brindiamo. Emily began her career in public accounting, working at both Big 4 and mid-market firms on a variety of audit engagements. After moving away from public, Emily joined a private equity-backed company in the veterinary space where she worked as an Accounting Manager to help shape financial strategies and oversee the financial health of the organization.
Now serving as the Assistant Controller at the Brindiamo, Emily's role is central to the company's financial operations. With a focus on financial reporting, special projects, and process optimization, Emily brings her multifaceted expertise to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of financial processes.
In her free time, Emily loves painting, photography, aerial arts, and gardening. She can be often be found hanging out with her two cats, Freddie and Tally, or out on photo walks in the city with her camera.
Jeff Hopmayer
Founder
Jeff Hopmayer
Jeff Hopmayer's name is synonymous with excellence and innovation in the beverage alcohol industry. His expertise in wine and spirits spans a broad spectrum, including bourbon and whiskey sourcing, brand development, mergers, acquisitions, and financial strategies. He founded the Brindiamo in 2012 and it marks his most significant entrepreneurial achievement.
Under Hopmayer's guidance, Brindiamo has ascended to prominence as one of the premier providers of bulk bourbon and whiskey globally. Drawing on a strong network of connections and industry insight, his approach has been instrumental in expanding Brindiamo's operations through strategic services, asset management, ownership of whiskey barrels, barrel supply, and storage facilities (rick houses) across the United States and Europe.
Hopmayer's dedication to whiskey education and community involvement is showcased through various initiatives, notably the Brindiamo Penthouse established in Bardstown, KY, in 2022. In partnership with the Bourbon Capital Academy and Kentucky Bourbon Festival, it serves as a hub for bourbon tastings and industry networking events. Furthermore, Brindiamo's principal sponsorship of the World Whiskies Awards underscores its commitment to promoting excellence within the industry.
Throughout his 30+ year career in the beverage alcohol industry, Hopmayer has served on multiple boards including Stoli, Amber Beverage, SPI Group, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Garrard Co. Distilling Co./Staghorn, Log Still Distillery, InvestBev, and MStreet. His philanthropic endeavors encompass a vast array of organizations and foundations reflecting his dedication to the industry, the arts, and beyond.
Our Global Partners
David Ferguson
Partner, Brindiamo
Scotland
David Ferguson
David Ferguson, Partner at Brindiamo Scotland, spearheads the company’s strategic growth within the global Scotch Whisky market. Tasked with expanding the brand’s reach through key partnerships in Scotland, and the broader EU, he is instrumental in propelling Brindiamo’s status as a prime bulk whiskey supplier in these markets.
With an extensive background spanning over two decades in the Scotch whisky sector, David's expertise in international sales and finance is invaluable. His experience with Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd and Bruichladdich Distillery provides him with a deep understanding of the industry, enabling him to guide Brindiamo’s international strategy based on the unique dynamics in this market and secure suitable relationships.
In 2023, David launched Ferguson Whisky Limited. This company operates in concert with Brindiamo’s mission, driving mutual growth and reinforcing its market presence.
David currently lives in Glasgow and has a proud family heritage and an extensive business background on the Isle of Islay —renowned for its whisky legacy. His network and reputation have been forged through years of engaging with key industry figures across the UK, US, and Europe.
David holds a 1st Class Honours degree from Strathclyde Business School and is a Chartered Accountant, with international exposure from his time at Deutsche Bank in London and New York.
Alex Peirce
Partner, Brindiamo
Ireland
Alex Peirce
As a Partner at Brindiamo Ireland, Alex Peirce holds a key role in driving the company's growth and solidifying its partnerships throughout Ireland. His strategic vision and leadership are critical ingredients to align the organization's local initiatives with its global strategy, thereby enhancing support for Brindiamo's European network.
Alex brings over 30 years of experience in sales, commercial management, and business operations to the table. His deep knowledge of the Irish Whiskey sector is a significant asset to Brindiamo's expansion in Ireland.
In parallel with his position at Brindiamo, Alex is the Commercial Director at Next Level Distillers, where he aligns business growth strategies with innovation, ensuring a unified approach to expanding the market presence of both companies.
Before joining Brindiamo, Alex was the Managing Director of Powerscourt Distillery, Ireland, where he oversaw the company's initial development and growth phases.
An alumnus of Edinburgh University in Scotland, Alex presently resides in Dublin.
Noel Sweeney
Partner, Brindiamo
Ireland
Noel Sweeney
With over 30 years of industry experience as a Master Distiller in Ireland, Noel Sweeney brings expertise to Brindiamo that ensures the quality of our whiskey barrel aging process and meets the high standards our clients expect. His extensive network within the whiskey industry is key to our success in sourcing and securing bulk whiskey internationally, maintaining Brindiamo’s reputation for excellence.
Noel's distinguished whiskey career began at Cooley Distillery, where he held the positions of Master Distiller, Master Blender, and Quality Assurance Manager from 1989 until 2016. His mastery of distilling and blending was further honed during his subsequent five-year tenure as Master Distiller at Powerscourt Distillery.
His significant contributions to the industry have been recognized with several high-profile honors. In 2017, Noel was inducted into Whiskey Magazine's Hall of Fame, a prestigious accolade celebrating his substantial impact on the craft. His legacy was further acknowledged in 2020 when he received the Drinks Ireland IWA Chairman's Award for Outstanding Contribution. In 2021, Noel's influence in the field was commemorated once again when Whiskey Magazine named him an Icon of Whiskey (Ireland) Master Distiller/Blender.
Noel's connection to Brindiamo serves as a valuable asset, providing expert advice and enhancing our reputation in the whiskey market. His involvement aids in fostering the skills of upcoming distillers, contributing to the continuity of Irish whiskey craftsmanship.
Join Team Brindiamo
Become part of our diverse and talented team at Brindiamo, where whiskey enthusiasts and industry experts from around the world collaborate and innovate. We offer a dynamic and inclusive environment that nurtures growth and creativity. We invite driven and passionate individuals to join us in shaping the future of the spirits industry. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact, explore a career with Brindiamo and help us elevate the world of liquid sourcing.