The Pulse Behind Tryon
Our People
At Tryon we pride ourselves on being just a little different than most other beer and wine distributors.
Executive Team
Brad Johnston
Owner / Founder
Brad was born and raised in Charlotte. He received a Business degree from UNC-Greensboro where he met his wife, Suzan. After several years in the restaurant industry Brad and his old college roommate Steve Hedberg put together a group of investors to purchase an eighteen-month-old business that was failing. Brad was only 26 at the time, but even at that age he saw the potential in Tryon Distributing.
As the President of Tryon, Brad has been very active within the Craft Beer and Wine industries. He has been a board member of the Charlotte Hospitality and Tourism Alliance as well as the North Carolina Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association.
Brad was also very active in the grassroots movement to raise the alcohol limit in beer, called ‘Pop the Cap’. He was also the Chairman of the National Craft Beer Wholesalers Symposium for several years and in 2017 was honored with the Industry Impact Award, which was awarded to him by the North Carolina Brewer’s Guild. In 2018, Brad accepted the Wholesaler of the Year Award from the National Brewers Association.
Hobbies & Interest
Ed Johnston
President
Ed developed a passion for the beer and wine industry at a young age and found his first job in the industry working second shift in the Tryon warehouse when he was 18 years old. After graduating from NC State University (Go Pack!) he took a job as a brewery sales rep in Atlanta, GA. He eventually made his way back to North Carolina and began working with Tryon again as their Statewide Draft Manager. From there he has held several positions including Merchandising, Triangle operations manager, On-Premise sales, Off-Premise sales, Beer Brand Manager, Vice President of Business Development, and became President of the company in January of 2021. Ed is committed to ensuring that Tryon Distributing remains the leader in craft beer and fine wine wholesale distribution in North Carolina and is excited about what the future holds!
Certifications
Angie Packer
Executive Vice President / Owner
Since 1985, Angie has worked to make Tryon a viable alternative to larger, more corporate driven wine and beer distributors in the North Carolina market. Trained as an educator in college, her passion has always been tasting with and educating employees and consumers on the products represented by Tryon. She has worked as a salesperson, Charlotte manager, Statewide Sales manager, VP of Marketing and currently the Senior Vice President.
As the business has evolved over the years, it has remained a challenging and rewarding career.
A personal goal, within Tryon, is to work with local charities and organizations featuring Tryon’s products.
Max Perkins
Vice President of Sales
Max began selling wine tableside in restaurants in 1985, but his career in distribution began in Charlotte retail in 1989. He has worked on the street in both the retail and restaurant arenas. His journeys have taken him across the country working for wineries and around the world working as an importer. But Max will tell you, distribution is in his blood and he loves the diversity of portfolio that working for Tryon brings.
When he isn’t pounding out emails and reports, he is often in the market seeing what is happening first hand. Outside the office his passions are:
Dale Cannon
Vice President of Operations
Dale has been with Tryon for over 17 years, during which time he has held various different management roles in both the Charlotte and Durham Distribution Centers. As our previous Eastern Regional Sales Manager, Dale effectively lead our sales teams in the eastern half of the state. Dale brings with him previous extensive operational experience, Encompass proficiency, product knowledge, an understanding of our different markets across the state, and an unparalleled drive to succeed.
Certified Specialist of Wine
Dale enjoys turkey hunting and spending time with his family.
Jeff Brodmerkel
Chief Financial Officer
Jeff has been with Tryon for 10 years now, first starting back in 2013 as the Accounting Manager. He is a graduate of Clemson University, and has worked as an accountant in the Charlotte area for 30+ years in such industries as banking, construction, and manufacturing, before coming to Tryon. Jeff is a tenacious “numbers guy" who loves to dig through the details to find the key financial elements that make the difference. Accounting is a science, he will tell you, that safeguards the financial health of any company. Jeff and his finance team work tirelessly to process, analyze, and report all the financial data that will ensure that Tryon will continue to grow and be the most profitable and proactive company it can be.
When Jeff is not busy crunching the numbers, he loves to travel with friends and family, eat and discuss all the great food from those travels, cruise around in classic cars, and play a round of golf whenever possible.
Employee Spotlight
Jeff Penny
Chain Sales Specialist
Mario Heath
Delivery Driver
"Mario is an incredible asset to the Charlotte transportation team. Mario regularly goes above and beyond to make deliveries happen, running long routes, running routes on weekends, and even volunteering for the mountain runs. Mario took over one of the Boone routes a little over a year ago and has excelled where it can be very difficult. Mario is great with customers and has fantastic relationships with the sales team in the area." - Randall Franklin, Director of Operations
Jordan Gardner
Beer Brand Manager
Meet our newest Beer Brand Manager: Jordan!
Jordan's current favorite drink of choice is Squeezy Rider - a new West Coast IPA from our friends at Deschutes Brewing - but notes that he is an occasional drinker, meaning that he feels different occasions call for different drinks. (We humbly agree!)
When asked about his favorite Tryon memory so far, Jordan laughed, "I was sitting in on a supplier review during my first couple weeks of being hired and the joking idea of an incentive trip to Burning Man came up. As laughter and explanations of what Burning Man entailed circled the room, I thought to myself - I have found my people."
When he's not crushing his new(ish) role at Tryon, Jordan loves to be outside - hiking, fishing, playing golf, disc golf, or spending time in the garden. He also enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and complimenting his food creations with beer and wine pairings.
Corey Chambers
Pricing Coordinator
Meet our Pricing Coordinator, Corey Chambers. Corey has been a part of the Tryon family for 7 years now, and makes sure that prices on all of our products are submitted to chains and other stores correctly, so customers are never over-paying for any products!
Corey's favorite Tryon product is the Cavicchioli Prosecco, and when talking about our company he says, "I love the family values that Tryon holds. Tryon operates as a family, working together, willing to help each other out and not look down on one or another. Whereas most companies are strictly 'Corporate America' related. I also love Brad’s motto: Make money while having fun."
When Corey isn't crushing his role at work, you can find him connecting with one of his favorite things - Music. Corey is a musician, and loves anything music-related. He also enjoys movies, bowling, traveling and fishing.
Our Staff
Dedicated to Our Staff
We strive to create the best environment possible
At Tryon Distributing, we love technology. We use it every day and (most of the time) it makes our lives a lot easier. Technology, however, can only take you so far. It’s our people that really make us who we are as a company. Over the last three decades we have strived to create the best environment possible for our people to not only work, but to grow and excel. We are constantly investing in our people in many different ways because we not only know that highly skilled and happier people are more productive, but also because it’s just the right thing to do.
Our Culture Join Our Team
