Company Description
Seven Sisters, the brainchild of owner David Clark, is much more than your average craft brewery. Intended to showcase the beauty and wonders of Southwest Virginia while offering patrons a variety of high quality craft beer, it is very much a community brewery that offers an inviting, relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere.
Patrons are encouraged to bring their children (and pets) to Seven Sisters where everyone can enjoy food, fun and games together. The brewery serves gourmet snacks, utilizes a variety of food vendors and has food trucks on site as well. The game hall includes such staples as tic-tac-toe, Connect Four and cornhole.
Seven Sisters is also proud to present a variety of live local and regional music and features several large television screens on which customers can enjoy any number of sporting events.
“I want Seven Sisters to be a place where everybody can come and have a great time, or just relax if that’s what they want,” said Clark. “Certainly, we have some amazing craft beer, but it’s also very important to me that the brewery be family-friendly where kids and pets are welcome too.”
And what about that unique name, Seven Sisters Brewery? It’s a tribute to the Wytheville area, which features a well-traveled trail by the same name, located on iconic Little Walker Mountain in Wythe County.
A variety of other beers also will be on the menu as well, on a rotating basis.
Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
David Clark
Owner
David grew up in Wytheville, the home of Seven Sisters Brewery. He graduated from George Wythe High School. After high school, he moved to Richmond, VA to attend Virginia Commonwealth University, where he completed a B.S. in Finance in 2014. As a part of his education, he completed an internship at Dorsey, Wright & Associates, a registered investment advisory firm based in Richmond that specialized in the Point & Figure Methodology and Relative Strength strategies. Dorsey Wright was acquired by NASDAQ OMX Group and David started working for the firm as a Financial Analyst in 2015.David’s entrepreneurial spirit along with the rapid growth of the craft beer industry, particularly in Virginia, was the genesis of Seven Sisters Brewery. He began research on the industry and market in 2016. Through 2017, David developed the plans and projections for opening a brewery. He also completed a Fermentation Science course at Appalachian State University in the summer of 2017. David worked with NASDAQ until 2018, when he returned to his hometown to focus on developing and opening the brewery.At present, David is focused on operating and growing Seven Sisters. He also complementing the business by serving as Manager of Skeeter’s World Famous Hotdogs. Skeeter’s was acquired by Debbie Clark from long-time friends and owners in the Summer of 2019. Skeeter’s has operated in Wytheville since 1925.
Joe Hayes
Head Brewer
Joe has been brewing for more than 20 years and has occupied head brewer positions at Red Rock Winery & Brewery (California), Black Forest Brew Haus (New York), and Greenport Harbor Brewing Company (New York).Joe received his B.S. in Food Science Microbiology from the University of California at Davis.Although originally from California, Joe immediately fell in love with Southwest Virginia and specifically Wytheville's charm. "Wytheville is a special place and the scenery is unbelievable," he said. Joe loves to brew traditional German and Belgian style beers, but also enjoys testing new recipes. Even if you're new to craft beer Joe is likely to have something on tap or in mind for you to try.
Debbie Clark
Partner
Debbie is a native of neighboring Bland County. She completed a B.S. in Physical Therapy at Medical College of Virginia (Virginia Commonwealth University). Her management career and experience began as a department director at Wythe County Community Hospital (WCCH) where she was responsible for the in- and out-patient therapy services. In 1985, she left WCCH to begin Blue Ridge Rehabilitation Services. Blue Ridge started providing contract therapy services to local schools, home health agencies and nursing homes. Beginning in 1989, the company expanded to include outpatient clinics in Wytheville, Marion and Pulaski-all communities located along I-81 in Virginia.With continued growth and expansion across the region, Blue Ridge was acquired by Heartland Rehabilitation Services, a subsidiary of HCR Manor Care. At the time of acquisition in 1997, Blue Ridge had grown to $2.7 million in net revenue and more than 50 employees. Debbie remained with Heartland through 2006, working as a Regional Direction of Operations for Virginia with responsibilities that included clinics and contracts across as 14-county region. Heartland in Virginia grew to $12 million in net revenue, 17 clinic locations and 175 employees. After the acquisition, Blue Ridge achieved EBITDA targets for the next 5-year period.Debbie returned to a department leader role at Wythe County Community Hospital in 2006. She was responsible for therapy services as well as developing and operating a pain clinic. In 2015, she relocated to Wise County and later to Kingsport, TN with husband Dale’s career moves. Presently, she is working as a physical therapist and supporting Seven Sisters Brewery and Skeeter’s World Famous Hotdogs.
Dale Clark
Partner
Dale is a native of Bland County, Virginia. He began his working career as a pharmacist after completing a BS in Pharmacy at Medical College of Virginia (Virginia Commonwealth University). His management career started as a Pharmacy Department Director at Wythe County Community Hospital (WCCH). As wife Debbie’s business, Blue Ridge Rehabilitation Services grew, he joined the company full-time in 1994. Blue Ridge was acquired by Heartland Rehabilitation Services, a subsidiary of HCR Manor Care. Dale worked with Heartland through 2004 as a Regional Administrator.In late 2004, Dale returned to pharmacy, working with Horizon Health Care as a Pharmacist. The company provided infusion, hospice, home health and long-term care pharmacy services. Dale returned to a management role in early 2007 as the Director of Pharmacy Operations at Carilion New River Medical Center.Dale came back to Wythe County Community Hospital in 2009 as an Assistant Administrator. He moved to the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2014. The hospital is a 100-bed community hospital with 350 employees that generated over $43 million in net revenue with a 20% EBITDA margin.In 2015, Dale moved to the position of President/CEO for Lonesome Pine Hospital and Mountain View Regional Medical Center with Wellmont Health System in Wise County, VA. Lonesome Pine was a 60-bed hospital and Mt. View was 128-bed facility. The two hospitals combined for more than $75 million in net revenue with more than 400 employees. In 2018, Wellmont merged with a second system to form Ballad Health. With the merger, Dale moved to the Chief Operating Officer at Indian Path Community Hospital in Kingsport, TN. Indian Path is a 263-bed community hospital with over $100 million in net revenue and more than 500 team members.
