RD1 Team Members

Mike Tetterton

CEO

Mike Tetterton is a Lexington, Ky., entrepreneur with tremendous success growing emerging businesses in the hospitality industry by focusing on the customer experience. Throughout his career, he has started and/or acquired 25 companies. Currently, he’s also the CEO and co-founder of Key Investment Solutions, where he oversees investment exploration, strategy design, and business development. Prior to RD1, he served as CEO and co-founder of Creative Lodging Solutions, where he grew from a team of four to 260 employees. Tetterton also founded Home-Towne Suites and co-founded Triad Transportation.

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Marsha Couch

Chief Financial Officer

Marsha Couch is no stranger to entrepreneurial-based businesses. She is an active co-founder of Key Investment Solutions and Triad Transportation, where she leads investment strategy, financing, and audit functions, and plays a pivotal role in guiding companies to accelerated growth. Marsha was most recently CFO and cofounder of Creative Lodging Solutions (sold to FLEETCOR), overseeing a CAGR of 46% since 2002, and instrumental in Creative Lodging Solutions’ 7-year Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies’ achievement. Prior to that, Marsha served as controller of Hughes Aircraft Company.

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Chris Tetterton

Vice President of Marketing

Chris Tetterton brings the creative energy to RD1 Spirits. He also has the Tetterton family entrepreneurial gene, serving as Vice President of Client Relations with Creative Lodging Solutions and later with CLC Lodging (a division of Fleetcor Technologies, Inc.). In addition, Chris has sales experience with Blastics, a paint and coating removal company. He attended the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky.

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Barry Brinegar

National Brand Ambassador

Meeting Barry Brinegar is like seeing an old friend. You’ll find yourself swapping stories for hours. Barry has been an active member of the Lexington, Ky., business community for the past three decades and an active bourbon ambassador since 2020. His background is an interesting roadmap with the themes of passion and education evident in every role. Barry’s career started in healthcare, first as a field medic in the 1st Marine Division, then as a RN, and later evolved into medical and pharmaceutical device sales. His appreciation for bourbon grew after spending time with Kentucky bourbon groups, including the Lexington Bourbon Society, where he later served on the board of directors. Barry began connecting with other Lexington business owners and bourbon enthusiasts, and his interest in all aspects of bourbon - from production to packaging - continued to grow. Barry set out to surround himself with smart business partners and industry experts where he can continue to share his gifts of Lexington historical charm and bourbon comradery with everyone he meets.

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Joe Nageotte

Chief Operating Officer

There are few decisions where Joe Nageotte is not integrally involved. Joe brings decades of experience in business planning, operational management, business unit analysis and customer service to the RD1 team. He has served in leadership roles with Creative Lodging Solutions, Rise, CheapCaribbean.com, Starwood Hotels, Charles Schwab, and American Express.

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Don Hardwick

Vice President of Operations

Don Hardwick is highly regarded in the bourbon industry for his expertise in supply chain, packaging consulting and spirit acquisition integrations. He spent the majority of his career with Beam Inc. in management leadership roles, including VP of Global Supply Chain and VP New Product Commercialization. Now, he is focusing his efforts advising craft startups.

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Don Rodgers

Financial Brand Advisor

Don Rodgers is no stranger to the bourbon business. He has 40 years of experience in the distilled spirits industry, focusing on accounting and business development. Like Hardwick, he spent significant time with Beam Inc., managing all North American plants and overseeing budgeting and cost of goods standards for more than 30 years. Upon retirement, he saw the need for financial business advisory for craft distilleries. Since then, he has helped grow 150 brands throughout the United States.

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Marc Lohnes

Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

Marc Lohnes began his career in alcohol beverage 46 years ago working for Anheuser Busch in college (ask him to tell you more!). After college, he started his career with E & J Gallo Winery where he spent 24 years working closely with domestic and international retailers and wholesalers. Since then, he’s been helping introduce growing brands (Golden State Vintners, Oak Ridge Winery, Belfour Spirits and Thomas Allen Wine Estates) to new markets to dramatically increase not only sales but also brand value.

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Elizabeth Cornelius

Director of Marketing

Elizabeth Cornelius marries 20 years of PR agency experience with alcohol industry sales and marketing counsel. She understands how to navigate the industry nuances of markets and wholesalers, and brings the creative insight to help brands articulate and own their value proposition. For RD1 Spirits, she leads a strategic media mix of third-party credibility, consumer engagement, digital and social media, events, influencer relationships and brand partnerships.

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Jory Westerman

Area Sales Manager

Jory Westerman joins RD1 with both wholesaler and producer experience in spirits. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Sales with Hotel Tango Distillery, where he introduced the brand to numerous markets throughout the U.S. Previous roles include Indiana sales manager with Quaff ON Brewery and Hard Truth Distilling Co., business development with Inspira Marketing Group and sales with Monarch Beverage. Jory earned a master’s of business administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana University Bloomington.

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Sydney Disponett

Field Sales Manager

Sydney Disponett is a native Kentuckian with significant knowledge in - passion for - the bourbon industry. Previous roles include category manager with Anheuser-Busch and Smith Brothers Distribution Company, and event coordinator with The Bardstown Bourbon Company. Sydney has earned her Bourbon Steward certificate and a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and strategic marketing from the University of Louisville.

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Jackie Ellis

HR Manager

Jackie Ellis thrives when partnering with colleagues to develop and implement HR solutions that address business challenges. Jackie’s two decades of HR experience spans roles at Kentucky Legal Aid, Ford Motor Company, UnitedHealthcare and Creative Lodging Solutions, among others.

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Carol Robinson

Accounting & Finance

Carol Robinson has expertise in financial statement preparation, forecasting, budget development and analysis, project job costing and standard costing in a manufacturing environment. She is a proven leader acknowledged for sound decision making abilities, strong analytical skills, and outstanding performance developed from a solid background in both the public and private accounting sectors.

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Veronica Horvath

Accounting & Finance

Veronica Horvath has all the financial answers with 30 years of financial experience, specializing in public accounting, tax preparation, audits, payroll processing and monthly-financial reporting. Veronica has worked with a broad range of industries, including retail, manufacturing, golf courses, legal, medical and insurance.

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