JOHN DEGROOTE: CEO & Brewmaster

Member Number: 1
Date Joined: June 2016

Bio: Engineer turned brewer/entrepreneur. They call me "Dad" around here because I make sure no one leaves the cooler door open and I sort of started this place as well. Also, I'm a real dad of two children.  But you know, I'm a self taught homebrewer that was shown the commercial ropes back in 2018, and have been making crispy bois ever since. Pizza hobbyist on the side.

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
Me and the team are refocusing our brand around two things, beer and community. As leader, I'm looking to elevate my staff and any member owner who wants to get involved and make their mark on the brewery. If you want to have a beer sometime with me to discuss, email [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Every cooperative has a Board of Directors. Our Board is a resource to oversee, guide, and offer strategic planning for the brewery.

MATTHEW WITTERSCHEIN: Board President

Member Number: 3
Date Joined: June 2016

Bio: From helping John in the very beginnings of homebrewing on the lower East Side to building out the taproom for a place to call our home, I've been in love with New Barons from the get go. From Yeti's Night Out to The Fugitive to our Oktoberfest, New Barons makes drinkable beers that leave me wanting to imbibe more with those around me at the taproom. When I'm not in the tap room, I'm out of the golf course or helping rep the 2nd best beverage in the world behind NBBC - Coca-Cola!

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
Continue to help expand the reach of New Barons through memberships, awareness, and consumption of our brand!

 

Dan Pappas: Board Vice President

Member Number: 396
Date Joined: October 2021

Bio: Dan has been working at New Barons since 2022. What is his role here? Yes. You'll be sure to see him behind the bar serving our beer, planning our events in the taproom and selling beer out in the market!  Outside of the brewery, Dan loves collecting vinyl records and playing his guitar & banjo!

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
I want to drive our existing community to get out into the greater community to help make a difference! The New Barons Brewing Cooperative is based on community, and I can't think of a better way to show how strong out community is than making a difference here in Milwaukee!

 

Kris Savela: Board Treasurer

Member Number: 121
Date Joined: August 2017

Bio: Finance leader for a privately held manufacturing company.  I’m a long time home brewer and beer judge.  Volunteering with NBBC fits with my interests.

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
Hope to help NBBC achieve its finance goals and help strategic planning for future next nexts for the organization.

 

Stephanie Wagner: Board Secretary

Member Number: 498
Date Joined: March 2023

Bio: I have lived in Wisconsin my entire life having grown up in Muskego, WI.  After high school, I earned a degree from UW-Milwaukee in Radiology where I have found my niche working at the VA Interventional Radiology for the past 12 years.  I have recently started pursuing another passion of mine, real estate.  I do have some experience in this world already as I have spent the past 4 years as a landlord in the city of west allis, but now I am proud to say that I am a licensed real estate agent for Shorewest at their New Berlin office.  This is something I have wanted to do from a young age and finally had the opportunity to follow through with it. I am really excited to help people find their next home or help them sell their current one for top dollar.  In addition to being on the BOD for NBBC, I am very active in the beer community.  I run the Barley's Angels for the State of Wisconsin.  If you are not familiar with the Barley's Angels, we are a craft beer enthusiasts club for women that promotes the education and enjoyment of craft beer.  I have the pleasure of working with different breweries and taprooms  in the state to set up different events such as food and hygiene drives, craft beer and crafting nights, and educational brewery tours.  I have been running this ladies only beer club for several years and I enjoy it very much!

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
I hope to continue my duties as Board Secretary at NBBC and help them meet their business and financial goals they wish to accomplish.  I am also very motivated to help them with any real estate transactions if needed in the future.

ANDREW KLAIN

Member Number: 34
Date Joined: October 2016

Bio: I joined New Barons in 2016 as member-owner 34 (#Giannis) and have been fortunate to be an active member of the NBBC community ever since. During the day, I'm a Communications Strategist at Northwestern Mutual. At night, I play in a band called Pepper and Pineapples. In between, I like to drink Hopped By Ziggy.

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
Expand our footprint in the Milwaukee area as a premiere lager destination - If you like lagers, there's nowhere else to be.

 

David Wage

Member Number: 111
Date Joined: June 2017

Bio: I've been a member-owner since 2017 and in that time have been a very active participant in events and other member-owner opportunities. I occasionally homebrew and am passionate about listening to, and playing music.

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
The current craft beer market is a challenge to navigate for any brewery, and I believe the best way to find further success is by listening to our member-owners and finding new ways to engage with all of them. I would like to help create new ways to connect member-owners to the brewery.

 

James Claiborne

Member Number: 370
Date Joined: June 2021

Bio: Barman, brewman---anyman. If it's a thing in the taproom, I've either done it once or lost it twice.

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
I intend to help us find ways to live up to our mission in terms of being an exemplar of the industry, specifically by way of community engagement.

 

Don Klain

Member Number: 168
Date Joined: July 2018

Quick Bio:  I have been in the Hotel/Bar Restaurant Industry for 40 years both as owner/operator as well as developer.  I have taught at WCTC and have held many positions on Choice Hotels Owner National board.  I am married, have three great sons, two great daughter in laws and two wonderful grandchildren

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
I hope to help NBBC achieve the to the next level.  I hope to help to take all the momentum that NBBC has gained and accelerate it to new and great things.

 

JORDAN MURPHY

Member Number: 326
Date Joined: November 2020

Quick Bio: Just a First Responder who loves great craft beer. I also enjoy homebrewing and have participated in New Barons homebrewing competitions throughout the years.

What are you looking to accomplish for New Barons in the next year?
I am hoping to increase our number of member owners through community engagement, beer gardens, and great events! I am also looking forward to the next iteration of the homebrewing competition.