Leadership Biographies
We’ve dedicated our careers to the beer industry and now we’re working together to bring great craft beers to the people. At Brew Pipeline, we’re using our experience and passion to connect craft breweries to new markets with a top-notch distributor partner network. Our goal to create innovative revenue streams for craft breweries starts with our flagship initiative, the Nomad Brewer program, and continues with our bold pursuit of new market strategies. Learn more about who we are and why we love what we do below:

Steven “Q” Kwapil
CEO & Co-Founder
Steven worked as the VP of sales at River City Distributing in Wisconsin for more than 30 years, where he built a strong craft beer portfolio. He was an early proponent of craft beer and one of the first organizers of independent statewide craft alliances in the nation. Steven will lead Brew Pipeline’s marketing efforts to achieve ‘best of class’ distributor support. His goal is to bring innovation to the market and bring amazing craft beers to new people.
Trip Kloser
COO & Co-Founder
Trip has more than 25 years in the craft beer industry and has a history of developing innovative and successful craft beer business platforms. Most recently as the founder of the Kloser Group, focusing on craft brewer business development. Previously, he worked at KG Logistics managing operational processes and founded Trips Beer Trips™ for educational and experiential events between distributors and craft brewers throughout the U.S. and Europe. In 2014, he co-founded The Stout Beverage Group in 2014, representing top quality German packaging, hops and malts. Actively engaged in promoting craft beer, Trip also hosts bi-annual seminars before the Great American Beer Festival and Craft Brewers Conferences, and provides access for craft brewers to develop personal relationships with their ingredients growers. At Brew Pipeline, Trip will lead the team that handles logistics and operational details.


Scott Ebert
CFO, Business Development
Scott has built his career around finance and business development in the beverage industry, including roles at Three Floyd’s Holdings and Baker Tilly Beverage. On top of running Brew Pipeline’s finance and business development departments, he speaks nationally at Craft Beer Guilds, the Brewers Association Craft Beer Conference, NBWA events and others. Having experience with startups, destination breweries, wholesalers and a variety of other organizations in the beverage industry, Scott offers unmatched insights for our brewer and distributor partners.

Houston Shively
VP of Distributor Sales
Houston has over 30 years of industry experience, including localizing national brand marketing strategies and building relationships with wholesalers via Anheuser-Busch/InBev and MolsonCoors. He also managed national accounts for the largest supplier of glassware, barware and utilities for the beverage industry. Over the years, Houston has established himself as a trusted, valued partner for both larger beverage organizations along with craft breweries and distilleries.

Jeff Brown
Region Director – East
Jeff has a strong background in business development and marketing for our distribution network. Jeff leads distribution strategy for each of our brands. Including monthly communication with distributors, and chain account located in the Eastern United States.

Rick Laxague
VP Of Business Development
Rick has 20 years of industry experience with sales, distribution, corporate accounts and brand development.

Dane Voeltz
Region Director – Midwest
Dane has 15+ years of experience in the craft beer industry with distributor sales and as a supplier.