Meet The Team

There are many sides to Ben. A Ph.D. in Horticulture. A nose for a good deal. Allergies to long meetings. And the ability to build a business with $50 and a dream. But like the barrels he loves so much, Ben is more than the sum of his parts. He’s Barrel Ben. The guy that started it all.

Ben’s happy places include dusty auction barns, vineyards, distilleries, breweries and barrel warehouses - and anywhere with Jess and the boys.

When Jess married Ben, she didn’t realize that most of the rings in her future would be around barrels. Still, she wouldn’t change a thing. She’s always got a new idea and isn’t afraid to mix things up. That’s how she grew a hobby into the country’s leading barrel broker. And she’s not done yet.

Jess balances it all with being the mom of two boys and two pups. She’s fueled by coffee and daily planks. Not sure how she does it, but we’re glad she does.

Josh’s job description? Budgeting, forecasting, and ensuring the numbers add up. And, of course, finding a few nickels to fund each Friday’s happy hour. No wonder he’s so popular.

Josh’s also been known to jump in and sling a few barrels when the need arises. It gets him out from behind his desk and helps him keep up with three active kids. It’s also a good excuse for a hazy IPA at day's end. Well deserved, Josh.

They should change the saying “serious as a heart attack” to “serious as a Kyle Alvey” because when it comes to his job, he’s all (barrel) business, all the time. Kyle's key role is the procurement of Damn. Good. Barrels.™, and let us assure you… he's damn good at it.

 
Whether he’s negotiating deals or inspecting the finest oak, Kyle’s on a relentless mission to leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of barrel perfection. Kyle’s the ace up our sleeve, the secret weapon, the guy who gets it done.

Born and raised in the bluegrass, Kyle's got the spirit of Kentucky running deep and a collection of rare bourbons to prove it. Off-duty, he's a true family man—splashing around in the pool with his three little Wildcats. 

Ashlee is the Mary Poppins of Midwest Barrel Co. Not in the flying umbrella sense, rather the fact that she has everything anyone would ever need in her bag. And we’re thankful for that.

She’s also a pro at scheduling, communicating and organizing. Her title may be Executive Assistant, but the entire office would be lost without her!

When Ashlee’s not drinking water out of one of her many Stanley cups, she’s proudly partaking in happy hour. She’s always upbeat, bubbly and focusing on her favorite part of the day, which makes every day a good day.

If you’re a brewer, you’ve probably spent time chatting with Ethan. More than just a sales guy, he genuinely cares about our customers and takes pride in helping them be successful in whatever barrel project they’re embarking on.

If Ethan’s not here, he’s outside, enjoying some fresh air, a little exercise, and all that the wide world has to offer. What he’s not doing right now? Sleeping. As a proud dad of a new daughter, Ethan stays busy 24/7.

Justin’s quest? Navigating the twisted realm of "beeps" and "boops" while charting our strategic marketing course. Though the digital seas be rough, he thrives in the tidal waves of complexity. His affinity for problem-solving & analytics is matched only by his dedication to his most vital duty: unraveling Jess's laptop snags.

Fostering camaraderie and spirited debates, Justin infuses the office with positivity and movie quotes aplenty. After hours, he’s an avid cook, gamer, and outdoorsman. Despite his neverending interests, Justin's heart belongs to his furry companion and fellow adventurer: Meli. 

Embark on a journey to barrel wonderland led by Tim, our self-proclaimed “Warehouse Guru and Organizational master.” Go ahead and brag, Tim – we fully agree! His inventory management know-how ensures our operations run smoother than a well-aged whiskey. He fosters a collaborative environment and leads his team to crush any challenge. 

Beyond the barrels, Tim's adventurous spirit beckons, leading him and his wife on epic journeys camping and hiking across the country in over 30 National Parks! With bourbon in his veins and kindness in his heart, Tim brings a unique blend of warmth and industry insight to Midwest Barrel Co., making him an indispensable cornerstone of our family.

Of all our Midwest Barrel Co. employees, Mitch has been with us the longest. You could say that he didn't just get in on the ground floor, he helped us pave it. Making cool stuff is his passion - both on and off the clock. He calls it tinkering - we call it artistry. If you're ogling cool barrel merch on our website, it's probably Mitch's brainchild you're admiring.

If you can't find Mitch at our warehouse, he's outside enjoying nature, rain or shine, and dreaming up new ideas for his next project.

As MWBC’s Business Development Rep, he’s all about building strong relationships and making sure distilleries get exactly what they need. His international sales background and ability to talk shop at literally any time of day prove he was destined for this role.

And lately? He’s added “Dad” to his list of titles, now balancing barrel shipments with baby bottles.

When he’s not keeping operations on track, you can find him casting a line, perfecting his golf swing, or cheering for the Cubs. A Chicagoan by birth but now fully embracing the peaceful Kentucky life, he’s most at home on the porch at sunset—bourbon in hand, soaking up the bluegrass evening.

Devin’s default setting? Full throttle. With 10 years of experience and a background as a business owner, she brings a sharp eye for strategy and a whole lot of heart to Midwest Barrel Co.’s brand voice. From email campaigns to content planning, she makes sure every word, click, and communication reflects who we are and where we’re headed.

She’s a pro at blending polish with personality, even if her desk looks like a creative tornado touched down. (Somewhere in those 37 notebooks is absolute marketing gold, we’ve seen it.)

Known around the office as our resident Southern Sparkplug, Devin brings energy, charm, and just the right amount of chaos to the team. When she’s not wrangling content calendars, she’s tending to her jungle of houseplants, eating hot dogs, snuggling her pup Elouise, or belting out “Grove Street Party” at Kroger Field while cheering on the Cats in full game day glam, of course.

Cool, calm & collected, Corey is our easy-going jack of all trades from Lawrenceburg, KY. With his laid-back demeanor and strong work ethic, Corey brings a steady rhythm to our warehouse operations. After working 8 years at Buffalo Trace Distillery, if there’s one thing Corey knows, it’s barrels.

Outside the warehouse, Corey’s a man of simple pleasures, making music and enjoying the tunes of Garth Brooks. Above all, Corey takes the most pride in being a dedicated dad & fierce protector of his kids.

We sure couldn’t do it without Corey, the cool-headed force behind every barrel load.

Meet “the Swiss army knife” of the warehouse team from Owingsville, KY. Noah’s domain is BBQ Smoking Wood, but he seamlessly transitions between roles with a can-do attitude and dedication to excellence.

Outside of work, Noah forages Morel mushrooms and is an avid angler, with sights set on reeling in the Kentucky state record fish. Most days, you’ll find him hanging with his beloved husky, Astro, intensely rooting for the Bengals, or whipping up a new recipe. Noah's secret sauce? Passion, straight up. 

When it comes to bringing a brand to life, Aaron doesn’t just design, he transforms. With over 8 years of experience crafting head-turning visuals, he’s the mastermind behind the scenes making Midwest Barrel Co. look as good as its barrels smell. Whether it’s a digital graphic or a print piece that makes you pause, Aaron’s magic is behind it.

He’s fluent in the language of Photoshop, Illustrator, and dad jokes. While his Adobe skills are tight, his hat game is even tighter (seriously, he has a different one for every day of the week). From presentations to social assets, if it needs style and storytelling, Aaron’s your guy.

When he’s not deep in a design file or fine-tuning every pixel to perfection, you’ll find him quoting movies, racking up wins in his favorite video games, or wrangling his busy crew: his wife, kids, a not-so-sleepy infant, and two dogs Niko and Livvy. His creative fuel of choice? Reign energy drinks and whatever new Coca-Cola flavor is out this week. 

Shop dog, sidekick, supervisor, director of morale… Willett has many titles at Midwest Barrel Co. From greeting people at the door, to chipper morning hellos, to constant toy squeaking during meetings, Willett’s always ready to lend a helping paw.

This little Parti Yorkie is named after Willett Distillery, whose bourbon and rye whiskey barrels are only available through Midwest Barrel Co. No matter how your day has gone, Willett can put a smile on your face with a lick or excited tail wag. Stop by and say hi!