There is a lot of work behind the scenes while the brewery is under construction, and these three are building the foundation for what is to come here at Lasting Joy Brewery. As we near the completion of the building, which is just the beginning of it all, we thought it was time for a formal introduction!
Alex Wenner | CEO, Founder & Head Brewer
Alex and his wife, Emily, came to the Hudson Valley via Brooklyn with the dream of opening their own brewery and creating a hospitality-focused taproom. Since their arrival in the area in 2018, they have been balancing building their dream with raising four school-age children, taking advantage of the amazing schools and tight-knit community the Hudson Valley has to offer. Alex started as a home brewer, developing a passion for beer and brewing before attending Siebel University and going pro. For Alex, the joy of brewing is all about the intersection of agriculture, science, creativity, and community. Having grown up in a family business, Alex (together with Emily) named the brewery Lasting Joy, after their hopes for their own family business- that no matter the outcome, pursuing their dream of brewing excellent beer and serving it in a welcoming and inclusive taproom will bring themselves and others lasting joy.
Matt Brown | CFO & Business Development
Matt grew up in Maine and the Berkshires and still feels most at home when hiking the rocky seashore with his wife Deb and their three young adult children or fishing for trout in a mountain stream. At first glance, adding CFO of a craft brewery to his career portfolio of launching and leading multiple churches and non-profits may seem like quite a leap until you consider that he is simply modernizing the long marriage of clergy and brewing practiced by Belgium’s Trappist monks. Alex and Matt met in Brooklyn and developed a deep friendship over many craft beers, often bringing one another bottles to share from their travels. When Alex needed someone to handle the business side of the brewery so that he could focus on construction and recipe development, he knew that Matt would be a natural fit. Matt brings to the team years of experience managing budgets and teams, as well as seemingly boundless entrepreneurial energy and a love of diving into new experiences. In Brooklyn, Matt and his family are known for their wide open-door policy, hosting a never-ending revolving door of friends and family with indefatigable welcome, a practice he is excited to continue in Tivoli at Lasting Joy.
Katherine Telesca | COO, Front of House Operations
A Red Hook native, Katherine has always been passionate about the Hudson Valley’s agricultural heritage and small business community. She began her career at local farm-to-table restaurants before heading downstate to hone her hospitality and management skills, working everywhere from local pubs, wineries, and breweries to Michelin Star restaurants, all while tackling every position from bartender to General Manager. She spent five years at Coney Island Brewery, where she oversaw the expansion of their new taproom and restaurant. She raised the brewery’s profile in New York City, drawing visitors from around the world to its baseball stadium location on Coney Island’s legendary Surf Avenue. But, after five wonderful years at Coney Island’s unique combination of sun, sideshow, and subways, life and love have called her home to cornfields and Catskills sunsets. Katherine shares Alex and Emily’s vision of a more inclusive and equitable brewing industry. She is excited to bring that mission back to her hometown, continuing the Hudson Valley’s long agricultural excellence and warm hospitality tradition.