Key Deal Facts
Having left Fiji water, incoming-CEO Tracy Keao is making waves in the industry at Uncle Ed's!
Partnered with Native Hawaiians to have real equity and validate the brand, a first, to have Native Hawaiian ownership!
Distribution through large National Distributor, RNDC, and priced well for recession proof growth!
Launched Lo-Cal Tropical Expressions winning DOUBLE GOLD at the Pr%ff Awards
Partnered with Common Kings + Slightly Stoopid to promote the brand and the mission through music.
Partnered with Cali Vibes, CRSSD, Summer Traditions & other concert activations for Damn Good Vibes
Seasoned industry beverage specialists with over 100 years experience leading innovation and growth
We control our production + manufacturing with deep supply-chain relationships
Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Tracy Hironaka-Keao Incoming CEOTracy is a native Hawaiian Entrepreneur, a key leader in the beverage "Wine & Spirits" industry since 1990, She has led the import beer division at Paradise Beverages, and most recently ran Fiji Water on the Hawaiian Islands., Walt Kerpa Manager & FounderWalt is a seasoned entrepreneur, with a career covering the food and beverage, entertainment, construction, and healthcare industries. He is the founder of Distilled Spirits USA, inc., with 15 years of experience in craft distillation and CPG., Tautua Reed Advisor/Partner Entertainment and Hawaiian AffairsTautua spent his entire life figuring out unique ways to perpetuate his Native Hawaiian, Polynesian culture by creating job opportunities in music, arts and the world of hospitality. He also is the Chairman of two NHO's, advancing Hawaiian causes., Jeff Delapp Global Growth Advisor Jeff is one of the most highly respected leaders in the Fortune 500 corporate food sector. He served as President of McCain Foods (NA), bringing enormous experience and leading his team to win the McCain Outstanding Business Performance Award 3x., Jordan Kerpa Head of Production, Distilled Spirits USAJordan is a biochemist and head distiller at Uncle Ed's. Kerpa studied at the prestigious UCSD, and apprenticed under his legendary Uncle Ed., Michael Carrosino Consulting CFOMichael has more than 25 years of senior-level business experience helping companies through ongoing operations, rapid growth, start-up operations, SEC filings, mergers and acquisitions, capital formation and fundraising., Brent Lievsay Head of Creative Brent is a 25 year creative industry veteran, Founder of Vividminds, Inc, a single-source creative services agency, founded in 2000/San Diego, CA. Lievsay has worked on a variety of national and international campaigns with award winning accolades., Melissa Meyers ContractorAs one of the original co-founders of Distilled Spirits USA Inc, Melissa has worked to guide strategic operational growth plans at the distillery and the brands. She brings extensive knowledge in global manufacturing, and operational systems., Jared Vallon Director of SalesJared has over 20 years experience in the hospitality sector and spent much of his tenure in upper management. He operated multiple restaurants in San Diego as General Manager with a successful track record in sales growth and team leadership., Errol Asuncion Director of Industry Relations Errol comes with over 2 decades of experience in the service, hospitality, & entertainment industry. An effective leader, he has championed the successful fundraising & launch of ventures & brands in the industry., Jasmine Rozales Southern California Sales Manager Jasmine has been working in the restaurant industry for 22 years from hostess to serving and managing fine dining establishments. She also had previous outside sales experience., Grant Prior Southern California Sales Grant has 13 years of bartending experience. He worked with Young’s Market and Ghost tequila and steadily grew the California market during his tenure. He’s excited to be a part of such an amazing thing with the Uncle Ed’s brand and family., Walt Kerpa
