Nominees - Craft Maltsters Guild

Read on to learn more about the nominees in this year’s
Craft Maltsters Guild Board of Directors Election.

Member Malthouse Nominees:

Hillary Barille, Rabbit Hill Farm

Role: Farmer/Maltster
Location: Shiloh, NJ
Guild Member Since 2016

What is your personal vision for the craft malt community?

While the craft malt community has grown significantly in both size and recognition over the last decade, it is clear that we still have lots of work to do in order to build our connection to and value proposition for the beverage-consuming public. I would like to have craft malt be an ingredient choice which is more easily communicated and understood by a broad audience. Over the same time period, we have seen the quality of craft malt increase considerably. This quality has come from the strong relationships built within our community as well as the connections made with experts at all levels of the supply chain. I would like to see our community continue to expand and build relationships with partner organizations so that we can continue to provide valuable educational resources to our members.

Why are you interested in serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors?

It has been a great privilege to serve the Guild as a member of the Board of directors for two terms already. Having begun a term of Board president and lead the search for a new Guild ED in 2023, I would like to continue this work with the goal of an invigorating and meaningful leadership transition for our Guild.

What skills, resources, and/or connections do you feel you will be able to contribute to the Guild’s Board?

Having been a member of the Guild prior to the establishment of my malthouse, I recognize the amazing value of the educational resources that the Guild can provide along with the incredible potential of broadening our community. I am a thoughtful listener and feedback synthesizer who will always work to meet the needs of our Guild

What other long-term volunteer opportunities have you been involved with (including service on other boards of directors)? Please list and describe your responsibilities with each below.

In addition to my prior terms on the Board, I have also held/hold leadership positions in my local community: Cumberland County Board of Agriculture; NJ Farm Bureau Board of Directors; Borough Council – Town of Shiloh

What do you hope to achieve as a Craft Maltsters Guild board member?

I would like to work to engage our community around the work of the Guild in order to advance our missions.

What is one thing that your fellow Guild members should know about you?

I own and operate my 5th generation family farm and malthouse in NJ with my brother. This pursuit has given me a deep appreciation for the small business community and the wonderful connection that can be brought to our lives through these relationships. There is incredible value in our associations.

Steve Clark, Troubadour Malting

Role: Owner
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Guild Member Since 2014

What is your personal vision for the craft malt community?

To strengthen the link between agriculture and consumers via continued education.

Why are you interested in serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors?

As someone who has served in many volunteer and leaderships I have always had a natural interest in serving on the board, however, out of the gate the other Troubadour owner, Chris Schooley, served on the initial Board and so I felt it was important to have different representation over the years. Now having gong through almost ten years of building our malt house, I will provide set of attributes and knowledge that I believe are necessary to keep represented on the Board as the Guild matures.

What skills, resources, and/or connections do you feel you will be able to contribute to the Guild’s Board?

I am very pragmatic and analytical and thus approach situations from a big picture perspective requiring overall consensus. I’m adept at recognizing when small initiatives may have large impacts, and conversely when too much time/resources will not yield meaningful results.

What other long-term volunteer opportunities have you been involved with (including service on other boards of directors)? Please list and describe your responsibilities with each below.

I have not been on a Board of Directors, and in my professional career I have not had the opportunity to participate in long-term volunteer roles, however I have always stepped up when asked for minor volunteer roles. My two longest non-work-related volunteer commitments were mentoring a youth for two years through a program in Fort Collins (Partners Mentoring Youth) and as president of my college fraternity for two terms (Whitman College, Sigma Chi).

What do you hope to achieve as a Craft Maltsters Guild board member?

I would like to identify areas where more value can be added for existing guild members, and lead one or more of those efforts, which may include new continuing education programs or access to new resources.

What is one thing that your fellow Guild members should know about you?

I spent 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, initially researching new drug formulations and later in project management scaling up manufacturing processes and working with regulatory agencies for drug approval. This allowed me to appreciate all aspects of product development, which I continue to lean on as I build my own manufacturing malting business and what I believe I can share with the Guild.

Curtis Davenport, Admiral Maltings

Role: Co-founder/Head Maltster
Location: Alameda, CA
Guild Member Since 2013

What is your personal vision for the craft malt community?

I envision a thriving craft malt community whose members succeed in providing the craft brewing and distilling community with malt of excellent quality and character. Craft maltsters are recognized as integral members of the craft brewing and distilling industry and are valued for their positive contributions towards a more flavorful, sustainable, and resilient industry. Craft maltsters are enthusiastic participants in the Guild and are well served by it’s opportunities for continued education, business and technical resources, and vibrant collaborative spirit.

Why are you interested in serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors?

It has been a privilege to serve on the Board for the last three years and I would like to continue working to advance craft malt through another term of Board service.

What skills, resources, and/or connections do you feel you will be able to contribute to the Guild’s Board?

As a leader, my strengths are to listen closely, to value the perspectives of others and to work with a collaborative and diligent ethic. My experience with craft malt over the past twelve years ranges from farming and producing malt to working with breeders on variety development to managing a multi-faceted business. As an active current Board member, I will bring experience and familiarity with Guild operations into a second term to provide continuity and immediate contributions to ongoing projects.

What other long-term volunteer opportunities have you been involved with (including service on other boards of directors)? Please list and describe your responsibilities with each below.

My initial term on the Craft Maltsters Guild Board has been my first experience on a Board of Directors. On this board, I have served as Secretary since April 2021 and have been a committed, active participant and contributor for the Technical, Member Services, and Marketing & Events working groups at different times as assistance was needed. I am currently serving on the Conference Planning Committee for the 2024 Craft Malt Conference in Davis. Outside of the Craft Maltsters Guild, I have worked as a volunteer coach for the San Francisco High School Mountain Bike Team and have tutored at-risk youth in a GED program.

What do you hope to achieve as a Craft Maltsters Guild board member?

I hope to build new relationships with Guild members and enrich existing ones. I hope to grow as a leader and maltster by working closely with a dynamic and varied team from across the craft malt community and have a good time doing it!

What is one thing that your fellow Guild members should know about you?

I am fascinated by barley and malt and care deeply for the folks that I work alongside and share that fascination with.

Chelsea Miller, Montana Craft Malt

Role: Business Development
Location: Butte, MT
Guild Member Since 2018

What is your personal vision for the craft malt community?

The malt industry impacts the entire supply chain of grain. We procure grain from growers, offering them an opportunity to grow malt barley at a premium. We work with universities to fuel their barley breeding programs and quality labs. We provide brewers and distillers with the ingredients to make high quality beer and spirits, contributing to culture and community. Craft maltsters do this on a local scale, supporting local and regional economies. My vision for the craft malt community is to source more directly from local farmers, to push malt barley innovation at the university level, and to further evolve the craft brewing and distilling industry.

Why are you interested in serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors?

The craft malt industry is facing economic headwinds and a shift in the overall consumer market for beer. I believe that it is important now more than ever to help craft maltsters navigate these challenges and preserve the unique culture and community that we have created. In serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors, I believe that I will be able to engage in the necessary conversations and decisions that will ultimately shape the future of craft malting, brewing, and distilling for years to come.

What skills, resources, and/or connections do you feel you will be able to contribute to the Guild’s Board?

In my current position at Montana Craft Malt, I work on all fronts of the business. I contract grain from growers, manage inventory and production, assess financials to optimize plant utilization, run production reports and analytics, support current accounts and generate new business, handle media collaborations and marketing efforts, and explore new business pathways and partnerships. From this work, I have developed a well-rounded perspective of the craft malt industry and established key relationships with people along the entire supply chain of grain.

What other long-term volunteer opportunities have you been involved with (including service on other boards of directors)? Please list and describe your responsibilities with each below.

Serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors will be my first long-term volunteer opportunity.

What do you hope to achieve as a Craft Maltsters Guild board member?

I hope to help farmers preserve local agriculture, support universities in bringing new malt barley varieties to market, and further promote the art and science of craft brewing and distilling. Through this, I hope to build more economic prosperity, connection, and culture in local communities.

What is one thing that your fellow Guild members should know about you?

I am a strong, creative, and independent thinker.

Jared Stober, Two Track Malting

Role: CEO
Location: Bismark, ND
Guild Member Since 2015

What is your personal vision for the craft malt community?

Craft Malting is continuing to grain momentum and becoming a reputable source for malt among brewers and distillers. The craft malting industry is offering products and services which are unique to the market that large commercial malting can’t offer. I feel now is a great time to figure out how we can all work together to continue to build up the industry. Looking into ways to help with logistics, marketing, and sharing the stories of the craft malting community while engaging craft brewers and distillers will be key for continued success.

Why are you interested in serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors?

The Guild is a way to connect with others in this industry and the Guild has done a great job in bringing us all together. I want to continue to provide ways to grow the industry and provide avenues for increased awareness among the craft brewing and distilling industry. My focus would be on ways to collaborate with marketing, awareness, logistics and support for industry.

What skills, resources, and/or connections do you feel you will be able to contribute to the Guild’s Board?

I come from a farm background, being raised on a 5th generation family farm. I have always been involved with agriculture and value-added ag products. Since forming Two Track Malting in 2015, we have experienced all the ups and downs that you all have experienced as well. I have worn, and continue to wear, all the hats that come along with running a craft malthouse and we all know it is not easy. Where I can provide value is on how we have been able to expand our products into 35 states across the country and how we can figure out ways to leverage resources we all have. We have been able to develop our very own barley variety which catered to our unique needs through connections in the research and development sector. My personal skillset would be focused on the business side of the craft malting industry and discovering ways to meet the needs of this great industry.

What other long-term volunteer opportunities have you been involved with (including service on other boards of directors)? Please list and describe your responsibilities with each below.

I currently serve on the Jamestown Regional Entrepreneur Center board since 2018 which helps startups and entrepreneurs in the community. I have also volunteered with other organizations such as Start Bismarck and 1 Million Cups which focuses on developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

What do you hope to achieve as a Craft Maltsters Guild board member?

My main goal is to figure out ways to work together with others in the guild on developing ways to bring some economies of scale within the industry. For this to work we need to have the mindset that we are not competitors but collaborators and key in on the issues that all of us face and figure out ways to address them. I would focus on logistics and making craft malt more accessible for brewers, as we all know shipping can be a limiting factor reaching customers outside the immediate region. I would also focus on creating marketing items such as promotional videos and testimonials that can be used by all of us to help explain the reason why craft malt exists and is growing.

What is one thing that your fellow Guild members should know about you?

Along with all of you, I have a strong passion for this industry and want the industry to succeed.

Allied Trade Partner Nominee:

Glen Fox, University of California-Davis

Role: Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor Malting and Brewing Science
Location: Davis, CA
Guild Member Since 2020

What is your personal vision for the craft malt community?

I envision the craft malt community continuing to build a space of global recognition. The brewing world looks to the USA in how the craft brewing has grown and navigated highs and lows, and the USA craft malting industry is now garnering the world’s attention as well. I see the CMG being a body to deliver the message of the value of craft malting to grain farmers and craft brewers. We have to challenge some old paradigms, especially when it comes to methods and malt CoA data. Most of the methods are quite redundant and most brewers don’t care about the data on a malt CoA because the data doesn’t reflect how they brew. As a guild we can bring the craft malting and craft brewing along in redesigning the malt CoA to create a craft malt CoA.

Why are you interested in serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors?

My interest is to continue to add a deeper understanding of the complex science of malting and how grain quality will influence malting quality. We can try and force malt quality but sometime the grain quality will not allow the desired malt quality to be achieved. I am interested in providing more education beyond the typical grain analysis and how grain composition is more important than just measuring protein content and grain size.

What skills, resources, and/or connections do you feel you will be able to contribute to the Guild’s Board?

My 30 years experience working in grain and malting science and how quality relates to brewing efficiency and beer quality would add value to the Guild’s Board. My experience in working in several countries, with different grains brings a more diverse understand of grains not typically used for malting. The industry is exploring alternative grains to add value to brewing and add to the sustainability platforms the malting and brewing industries need for a strong future. My research includes new method which better explain quality and these methods would make malting more efficient and provide the craft brewing industry with more relative malt data. I believe through my grad students on how abiotic stress impacts barley quality will guide the future and risks associated with climate change. I am a member of different committees with ASBC, MBAA and EBC. My experience in working outside the USA brings a more global view. Being in charge of the UC Davis brewing program, I can offer customized hands-on brewing training for craft maltsters where they can use their malts and make a range of beer styles to understand how their malts impact brewing efficiency and beer quality.

What other long-term volunteer opportunities have you been involved with (including service on other boards of directors)? Please list and describe your responsibilities with each below.

I have been a member of various committees with ASBC, MBAA, EBC and the IBD. These committees were typically around new methods and what benefits there were to the industry with these new methods. While on the methods committee, my role was to provide my lab as one of the many labs required for a study or to work with other labs to make sure they could be involved and the value for them to be involved. In Australia a lead a committee to standardize methods in barley breeding quality testing laboratories so the breeding program were presenting standardized data to the barley industry when considering accrediting new varieties.

What do you hope to achieve as a Craft Maltsters Guild board member?

My hope being a CMG board member would raise the profile more. The guild has done an amazing job to bring craft malt to the curious craft brewing industry. I feel I can help continue to communicate the message of the guild through all the brewing classes I run at UC Davis. Craft brewers come to UCD for additional educational training, and covering the importance of grain quality and the value of craft malt to those brewers provides a new group of potential customers.

What is one thing that your fellow Guild members should know about you?

My passion for the grain, malt and beer industries. I take on challenges where many people would be too reluctant.

Individual Member Nominees:

Ari Klafter, Thorton Distilling

Role: Co-Founder/Head Distiller
Location: Thorton, IL
Guild Member Since 2022

What is your personal vision for the craft malt community?

I’d like to see “craft malt” get the same recognition as a concept as craft beer or craft spirits, and hold its rightful place in the conversation around craft brewing and distilling. I’d also like to see the craft malt community come together to use its collective voice, messaging and network to achieve the best possible regulatory and business landscapes for the craft malt industry. Lastly — and this is something I’m trying to champion personally as our single malt whisky continues to mature and gets closer to release — I want craft malt to be a major talking point in national beer, spirits and general food and beverage media outlets.

Why are you interested in serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors?

Craft malt has so much to offer, and I’d like to do what I can to help it succeed, gain broader recognition and be part of local economies across the U.S. As an American single malt whisky distiller who purchases exclusively craft malt, I think I can bring a unique view to the Board and also use my own microphone and network on the distilling side to help promote craft malt use. Craft malt is a concept and value proposition that most consumers can understand and want to support given the chance and right direction, and I’d like to use my experiences as a distiller, leader of another trade guild and prior career in PR to help drive this.

What skills, resources, and/or connections do you feel you will be able to contribute to the Guild’s Board?

I can speak to the perspectives of craft malt customers, especially distillers. The success of craft malthouses depends on the buy-in of distillers and brewers, and I can speak to what our side is looking for in a partnership, from malt specs, pricing, marketing partnerships, collaborations etc., as well as ways to engage breweries and distilleries to champion craft malt and individual malthouses and farmers.

What other long-term volunteer opportunities have you been involved with (including service on other boards of directors)? Please list and describe your responsibilities with each below.

I’ve served as President of the Illinois Craft Distillers Association since 2021 and have been a member of its Board since 2019. I lead the organization’s government affairs and consumer engagement efforts with a main focus in delivering the most favorable regulatory and business environment for craft distilleries in our state, as well as educating consumers about the array of craft spirits produced in Illinois. As President, I coordinate with our lobbying organization and meet with lawmakers around legislation on the state level — both bills we want to pass or proposed changes that we want to respond to — and also work with national distilled spirits organizations to help organize the efforts of different states and coordinate on the federal level. I also coordinate the Board’s monthly meetings and quarterly member meetings, and help organize our yearly spirits festival.

What do you hope to achieve as a Craft Maltsters Guild board member?

I hope to help broaden awareness of craft malt among consumers and producers. People should know what sets craft malt apart and how supporting local maltsters is great for the local economy and community, while also diversifying the range of flavors that breweries and distilleries can achieve. I also hope to use my experience as craft distiller (and craft malt buyer) to help the craft malt sector effectively market its grain to people like me. While I come at this from a producer’s perspective, I want to harness my experience leading Illinois’ craft distillery guild to help the Craft Maltsters Guild achieve its legislative and organizational goals.

What is one thing that your fellow Guild members should know about you?

I’m deeply committed to growing the category of American single malt whisky and specifically championing the use of craft malt. I had been meeting the criteria for craft malt certified distillery for years before my distillery sought certification, and we use 100% locally produced craft malt from a maltster I know, trust and respect. While not a maltster myself, I earned a Master’s degree in Brewing & Distilling from Heriot-Watt University, where I made good friends who would later move into the malting world and I studied malting and grain selection in depth — not many distillers I know have written papers on the use of near-infrared reflectance to assess the commercial potential of new malting barley varieties!

Jason Parker, Copperworks Distilling Co.

Role: Co-Founder/President
Location: Seattle, WA
Guild Member Since 2020

What is your personal vision for the craft malt community?

Craft maltsters, brewers, distillers, and farmers working together to produce malt selected for appropriateness to environment, quality of flavor, and distinction create new customer demand for craft malt-based products. Craft malt will be valued for its important contribution to products, environmental stewardship, and boost to the local economy, rather than viewed as a commodity.

Why are you interested in serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors?

I would like to continue my involvement in the board as we onboard the new Executive Director. Continuity of the board—as much as possible—helps by contributing context for the new ED, so she can create processes and recommend policies that are in line with the value and direction set by the board. I would also continue to contribute to increasing the understand and use of craft malt in beer and distilled spirits. My experience in brewing and distilling helps inform strategies, messaging, and tactics to engage brewers and distillers. Personally, I desire a deeper understanding of the challenges facing farmers and maltsters so that I can help my own company and other producers learn to be better stewards of and advocates for their local grain shed.

What skills, resources, and/or connections do you feel you will be able to contribute to the Guild’s Board?

I’m a passionate evangelist and a frequent speaker on the topic of using small-farm, locally produced, and craft malted barley for creating flavors that differentiate a brand. I’m well connected in the US malt whiskey distilling community, the PNW craft maltsters, and have many contacts in the brewing community from my years as a brewer. I can help connect farmers and maltsters to brewers and distillers and communicate the possibilities for creating products of distinction using craft malts.

What other long-term volunteer opportunities have you been involved with (including service on other boards of directors)? Please list and describe your responsibilities with each below.

Founding member of the Washington Distillers Guild and Officer from 2012 to 2019. Various Committee Chair 2012-present. Help write, lobby, and pass legislation supporting the state’s distilleries, run education programs, and produce events and other marketing opportunities for WA State’s distilleries and associated members.
Founding member of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, and member 2015-present. Helping draft standards of identity for American Single Malt Whiskey, lobby for its approval by the TTB, and communicate the value of ASMW to producers, distributors, the media, and consumers.
Steering Committee member for the Cascadia Grains Conference 2018-2020. Presented at this annual conference all 5 years it existed. 2019 Keynote speaker. With the goal of strengthening the role of grains in the region’s local food economy, this annual conference brings farmers, bakers, brewers, distillers, brokers, students, investors, policy makers, and others together to share ideas, science, techniques, and networking opportunities.
Board of Advisors member of South Puget Sound Community College Brewing and Distilling program 2019-present. Advise on curriculum, equipment specifications for build-out of brewhouse, distillery, fermentation, and other production processes, and sometimes teach students, both online and in person.
Member of MBAA and ASBC since 1990. Speaker at numerous conferences for both. Long-running trade organizations for brewers and brewing scientists.
Member of AMBA since 2018. On the marketing committee since 2019. Joined to learn how this body influences grain policy in the US and to help influence future decisions.

What do you hope to achieve as a Craft Maltsters Guild board member?

To learn from the craft malting community of their challenges, successes, opportunities, and risks so as to better advocate for their support and adoption by beer and spirit producers.
To learn more about, and contribute to, the science, art, and craft of matching barley variety, soil health, location, and environment to the appropriate malting, brewing, distilling and aging practices to create new and delicious malt whiskey.
To contribute to the conversation on research and development of new varieties of barley and their appropriateness in farms, malt houses, breweries, and distilleries.

What is one thing that your fellow Guild members should know about you?

I’m quite social and play well with others, but I’m also extremely focused on advancing locally produced craft malt, especially for the production of Whiskey and beer. I may sometimes seem unsympathetic to the current market conditions when I ask others to challenge their assumptions of the commodity grain system. However, I assure the board that I will listen to understand everyone’s issues and concerns and will respectfully strive for a shared vision of the future. When considering the adage “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”, I believe we need to do both. I’ll continue to go fast in my business pursuits. But my real passion is in changing the way the market thinks of malt, cereal grains, and farming, which is why I hope you’ll consider me for a seat on the Craft Maltsters Guild board.

Jon Simson, Fullsteam Brewery

Role: Head Brewer
Location: Durham, NC
Guild Member Since 2000

What is your personal vision for the craft malt community?

I’d like to see the craft malt community continue to advocate and educate. We should always be answering the question, “Why craft malt?” For me personally, craft malt allows me to make a beer that can only be made here. For example- anyone can make a Czech -style Dark Lager using European malt. But can they do it with local malt? And how does that local malt make that beer unique. It’s that uniqueness that I love talking about.

Why are you interested in serving on the Guild’s Board of Directors?

I have been a craft malt advocate my entire time at Fullsteam. When I moved into the Head Brewer Position, I expanded our use of craft malt, creating our Plow to Pint series of beers. In my time as Head Brewer we have doubled the amount of craft malt we use every year. I want to continue to spread the gospel of why local malt matters.

What skills, resources, and/or connections do you feel you will be able to contribute to the Guild’s Board?

I’m organized and hit deadlines. I have a large number of connections in the North Carolina Craft Brewer’s Guild.

What other long-term volunteer opportunities have you been involved with (including service on other boards of directors)? Please list and describe your responsibilities with each below.

Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance- Represented Siemens Healthcare on multi-manufacturer advocacy board. Hillsborough Tree Board- Board Member.

What do you hope to achieve as a Craft Maltsters Guild board member?

I hope to continue to be a craft malt evangelist and use the position to spread the craft malt story

What is one thing that your fellow Guild members should know about you?

Eight years ago I worked for Siemens Healthcare as a Marketing Director. I decided to take a chance on my dreams and switched careers to be a brewer. I’ve never looked back!