Our BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Leah Dienes - President

Leah Dienes is a partner and the head brewer for Apocalypse Brew Works in Louisville, KY. Leah previously was the 502 Representative and Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Committee on the Guild Board. She currently serves on a variety of other boards in her community, as well as holding past offices in those organizations. She’s also a BJCP National Beer, Cider and Mead judge who is quoted in several books for her work as part of the research and re-introduction of the Kentucky Common beer style. When not running the brewery, she travels to judge beer at competitions such as the World Beer Cup, the Great American Beer Festival and the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers.

Kate Russell - Vice President

Kate Russell is the founder and co-owner of Hopkinsville Brewing Company. She currently serves as the operations manager and one of the company’s two brewers.

She has won notable awards that have had a positive impact in Hopkinsville and beyond.

Kate is a fermentation science instructor at Madisonville Community College and serves on the program’s advisory board, as well as the boards for both the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library and the Minority Economic Development Initiative. She is an active member of the Pink Boots Society and currently serves as the Kentucky chapter’s collaboration brew day coordinator.

Kate is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She earned her bachelor’s in psychology from Cornell University and her master’s degree from Auburn University’s Brewing Science and Operations program.

Outside of work, Kate is the single baseball/volleyball mom of two amazing teenagers, Bobby and Maeby.

Dale Shinkle - Treasurer

Owner/Operator at 3rd Turn Brewing, with two brewery locations: Jeffersontown (Jefferson Co) and Crestwood (Oldham Co). Primary responsibilities at 3rd Turn are as CSG (Chief Spreadsheet Guy)/ Brewcountant for the business, plus coordinating with any regulators, accountants, banks or anyone likely to wear a suit. Dale is a CPA with over 20 years experience in the corporate world and equally long with brewing. In his spare time, Dale enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, or visiting other breweries.

Mason Forsythe - 859 South Representative

Mason is the Guest Relations and Events Director Country Boy Brewing. He has been involved in Kentucky craft beer in one way or another since 2012. He started behind the bar at Country Boy Brewing Lexington Taproom, served as an on-premise sales representative through a distributor selling multiple KY Craft brands, and ultimately came back to Country Boy as sales rep in 2021 before making the move in to his current management role with the brewery.

Justin Matthews - 606 Representative

Justin Matthews is the co-owner and head brewer of Eridanus Brewing in Russell, Kentucky but he will jokingly tell you that he is also the payroll and receivables accountant, human resources representative, and supply chain analyst. He holds a BA in accounting, as well as an MBA and Masters in Industrial Employee Relations from Marshall University, all of which have served him well with the business side of brewery ownership. Particularly when it comes to spreadsheets, forecasting, or analyzing trends and in his day job as a senior economics researcher at Marshall University. He is also enrolled in Madisonville Community and Technical College’s Fermentation Science program, having earned certificates in packaging, cellaring, brewing assistance, and brewhouse operations. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, Dodgers baseball, and live music, particularly metal or as his wife and Eridanus co-owner Kristen lovingly refers to as “screamy bullshit”.

Doug Laramie - 270 Representative

Doug is a passionate KY brewer, pharmacist, and father of two girls. He opened Henderson Brewing Company in July 2018 with his business partners and has loved every minute of being a part of the industry in the commonwealth.

Kelly Hieronymus - Secretary

Kelly Hieronymus is the Marketing & Creative Director and a managing leader at West Sixth Brewing, proudly working for the company since 2012. Throughout her time there, Kelly has stretched across many areas of the business, from bartending to event planning, all while building a completely in-house marketing program at West Sixth. Born and raised in Kentucky, you can find her drinking West Sixth IPA in the kitchen, after a bike ride, and outdoors with friends. 

Andy Reynolds - 859 North Representative

CEO & Head Brewer - Alexandria Brewing Company

Andy started out making hard cider in 2007 while he was deployed in Iraq serving as a Combat Engineer in the United States Army. He was introduced to “real beer” when he was able to spend some time in the Bavarian region of Germany as a soldier in 2005. After he got home from Iraq, a friend of his introduced him to home brewing. Andy was hooked on the process of brewing, which often helped soothe the troubled mind he brought back. After reading every book he could get his hands on related to brewing, Andy applied to Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. There, he received a degree in Advanced Brewing Theory, priming him with the knowhow to get Alexandria Brewing Company up and running.

Brian Holton - 502 Representative

Brien is the owner of Monnik Beer Company. He opened Beer Engine in 2011, opened Monnik in 2015. In the words of Buddy Buddy Buddy: "I like beer."

Jessy and Katie, a dynamic duo shaping the craft beer landscape for a combined 25 years.

Jessy, a powerhouse in events, marketing, operations, and leadership, has been the driving force behind seamless and engaging experiences, from conceptualization to execution. Her strategic approach ensures not just successful events but also a cohesive company culture that resonates with both staff and consumers.

On the other side of the spectrum is Katie, a zealot in marketing, brand development, ideation, and design. With a knack for translating concepts into ideas and stories, Katie has played a pivotal role in crafting unique brand identities that resonate with the diverse craft beer audience.

Together, Jessy and Katie form a formidable team, seamlessly blending operational excellence with creative prowess to propel craft beer to new heights.