Briess Team

Joined Briess
June 2020

Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing, Management, and Finance from Mankato State University, Minnesota. Master of Business Administration from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota.

Profile
Bill Schaeffer brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the Food and Ingredients industry to Briess. Throughout his career, he held various executive leadership roles including Vice President of Sales for National Accounts with The Schwan Food Company and most recently, Vice President of Sales for the Food Service and Ingredients Division at Sargento Foods, Inc. Bill’s passion is for building relationships, developing product expertise, and leading the Sales and Marketing team to deliver the best customer partnerships in the industry.

Joined Briess
July 2015

Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA.

Profile
After graduating from Kutztown University in 1995, Mike began his career at Stroh’s Brewing Co. in Allentown, PA. Over the next 6 years Mike would hold several positions in both the QA and Brewing Departments. In 2001, after the brewery in Pennsylvania closed, Mike moved to Wisconsin, accepting a position with Cargill at its Jefferson Junction Malthouse. In 2007, Mike transitioned from operations management to the commercial side of Cargill’s malt business, becoming an Account Executive with its Specialty Malt Products Group. In July of 2015, Mike brought his talents to Briess and joined as the National Distillery Manager. In February of 2016, Mike was promoted to Director of Brewing and Distilling.

Joined Briess
April 2023

Education
Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Executive Master of Business Administration from Krannert School of Management, Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Master of Arts in Military History from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN.

Profile
After graduating from Purdue University in 2003, Kyle began his career in the United States Army. Over 8 years, Kyle served as an enlisted Field Artillery Forward Observer and was promoted to a Non-Commissioned Officer, earning his commission as a Field Artillery Officer. He served with the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Fort Campbell, KY, and 4^th Infantry Division in Fort Carson and Colorado, with combat tours to both Iraq and Afghanistan. After his military service, Kyle joined DuBois Chemicals – Alcohol Beverage Manufacturing, serving as an Account Manager and Technical Specialist. Kyle and his spouse Lindsey are co-founders of Cartridge Brewing in Cincinnati, OH.

Joined Briess
January 2016

Education
Completed the 28-week Craft Brewer’s Apprenticeship program offered by the American Brewers Guild.

Profile
Growing up in the Boston area, Mike was inspired by the New England craft brewing scene and began home-brewing in the galley kitchen of his small apartment. After moving to Virginia and completing the American Brewers Guild’s Craft Brewers Apprenticeship program, he spent the next 10 years working at two central Virginia breweries – Legend Brewing Company, and Center of the Universe Brewing Company where he was the Head Brewer. Mike is also one of the founders of the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild and served as its initial Chairman for its first four years. Those first four years saw several key state legislative changes, including the passage of SB604, the so-called “Tap Room Law.” Since joining Briess in 2016, Mike has consumed a large quantity of malted milk balls. He’s an active member of the MBAA and has served as a judge for GABF.

Joined Briess
December 2019

Education
Associates Degree in Business Management, MBAA Beer Steward program and Introduction to Practical Brewing from UC Davis.

Profile
Mike brings more than a decade of experience from various facets of the Craft Brewing industry to Briess. After 5 years as a Craft Beer Manager at one of the major distributors in central MN, he spent more than three years as a Sales Manager with a large central MN craft brewery. From there, he transitioned to Account Manager and National Distribution Manager roles for a large maltster in the US. His many years of experience in multiple arenas of the industry bring comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the industry’s unique trends, needs, and culture.

Joined Briess
April 2018

Education
Associate of Liberal Arts, De Anza College — Cupertino, California. Studied Mandarin Chinese at Tunghai University, Taiwan

Profile
Prior to joining Briess, Michael spent 5½ years internationally helping PBCraft (金鼎豐興業有限公) build their sales in Taiwan and Hong Kong, develop a supply chain, new warehousing, and a new e-commerce marketplace in East Asia. Before his assignment at PBCraft, Michael worked for 15 years in software development in Silicon Valley where he combined his passions for Homebrewing and Technology.

Joined Briess
November 2024

Education
Masters of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland.

Profile
With a strong background in sales and technical support within the brewing industry, Tanner brings extensive experience from his previous roles at ATPGroup’s Brewing Division, Yakima Chief Hops, Country Malt Group, Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, and Bob Hall LLC. His expertise in managing large territories, generating sales, and providing technical insights will significantly benefit the brewing division at Briess.

Tanner’s proven track record in account management and revenue growth, coupled with his deep understanding of the brewing process, makes him a valuable asset to the team. Tanner also has hands-on experience as a brewer, giving him a firsthand understanding of the needs and challenges faced by brewers.

Joined Briess
November 2007

Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Attended brewing courses at Seibel Institute and microbiology courses at Silliker Laboratories.

Profile
Dan is a Technical Services Representative at Briess where he works on brewing and R&D projects, including new product development and process improvement. Dan manages the pilot brewing and pilot plant operations and commercialization of new products in the extract plant. Recent projects include gluten free beer, fermented malt beverage base, and downstream beer color and flavor adjustment products. He regularly helps formulate recipes for home and craft brewers and has published articles, posters, and given presentations in support of the craft brewing industry. Prior to joining the technical service staff, Dan was an analyst in the malting lab.

Joined Briess
April 2012

Education
Master of Beer Styles and Evaluation—Siebel Institute of Technology, Chicago, Fundamentals of Microbiology for Food Industry Professionals, Deibel Laboratories.

Profile
Scott’s training includes completion of the HACCP workshop from AIB International, implementing SQF Systems through SGS North America, FSPCA Preventive Controls for human foods via the FSPCA as well as Internal Auditor, Introduction to GFSI, and Principles of HACCP online training with Vinca LLC. He has worked at Briess for more than seven years in the Extract facility in roles of increasing responsibility from Operations to Quality Control & Assurance. In his current role of Technical Service Associate—Pilot Plant Operator, he supports the company through Technical Service. His role is focused on internal support of pilot plants while continuing to assist and provide insight to our Production and Quality teams.

Joined Briess
June 2009

Education
Bachelor of Science Degree with double major in Biochemistry and Food Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Profile
Experience in both the malting and food industries. Prior to coming to Briess, Betsy worked as a Quality Control Supervisor for the J.M. Smucker Company. Betsy started her professional experience in the malting industry, gaining experience in both malting production and quality analysis while working for Anheuser-Busch and the USDA Cereal Crops Research Unit Barley and Malt Division. Betsy started with Briess in the Technical Services Group, driving various projects to improve malt quality, including method validations and new method development. She has served as a company regulatory resource, allergen technical resource, and product analysis resource, as well as provided quality training and developed procedures in various areas of the Briess quality system. In her current role, Betsy is responsible for assuring product quality of each of our malthouses, as well as the barley operation. She also manages the two malt analytical labs in Chilton and Manitowoc. Betsy is a member of the ASBC, MBAA, and AACC.

Joined Briess
October 2013

Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology and Organismal Biology from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.

Profile
Before joining Briess, Jordon worked with the USDA in the Barley Malt Quality Lab at the Cereal Crops Research Unit where he specialized in small batch and pilot malting. In his current role at Briess he provides technical support services for malting operations, quality control, assurance, and R&D projects. Recent projects include the development of Blonde RoastOat^® malt and American Honey malt, assisting in the commissioning of the new Briess roasting operations and re-opening of the 1 and 2 malthouse on the Manitowoc campus. Ongoing education includes courses at Seibel Institute, MBAA Brewing and Malting Science course, a certificate in Grain Distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling as well as providing internal and external training to customers and industry professionals.

Joined Briess
April 2006

Education
Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in Soil Science and Natural Resources from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Earned an Accredited Environmental Studies Certificate.

Profile
Prior to joining Briess, Jason worked for Kelling Laboratory in Madison, WI, in its vegetable plant and cereal crop research program. In his role at Briess, Jason focuses on quality support of the Extract Plant and Insta Grains^® facilities. He is responsible for quality approval of process improvements, reviews root cause analysis of deviations, provides customer and regulatory audit support, and oversees the Extract Plant & Insta Grains^® analytical laboratories. Jason is a formally trained PCQI per FSMA, a WDATCP Certified Laboratory Analyst, an AIB Trained HACCP participant, a trained SQF Coordinator, and a member of the Food Plant Defense Teams.

Joined Briess
September 1995

Education
Associate Degree in Management Development.
Technical Certificate in Business Operations.
Technical Certificate in Business Fundamentals.

Profile
Leona joined Briess while enlisted in Army Reserves, eventually retiring with 30 years in service as a Civil Affairs First Sergeant. Leona has worked in several roles while at Briess; including Inventory Control Associate, Purchasing Agent, Quality Assurance Coordinator, and her current role as Quality Systems Supervisor.  In her current role, Leona focuses on quality support for all Briess facilities. She is responsible for managing Briess’ Organic and Kosher programs, conducting/managing audits (internal, customer, and 3rd party audits), global regulatory compliance, labeling and food safety. Leona is formally trained as a PCQI per FSMA, an AIB trained HACCP Coordinator, a trained SQF Coordinator, Food Defense Coordinator, and trained Internal Auditor.

Joined Briess
May 2019

Education
MBA Marketing from the University of Minnesota. Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Business Administration and German Language from Calvin University.

Profile
Since beginning his career at Kimberly-Clark, Ron has more than 30 years marketing management experience in food & beverage ingredients and consumer packaged goods. At Briess, Ron is responsible for the Brew and Food divisions, with focus on marketing strategy, category insights, advertising, and communications.  He is passionate about building the Briess brand and helping our customers grow.