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THE EXECUTIVE TEAM
Inspired by the values of our growers and their family hop farms, we aim to cultivate a welcoming, encouraging and compassionate company culture. As an employer, we have a responsibility to create a positive environment that fosters and enables productivity and quality, as well as healthy employees and a healthy business. We recognize that the success of our organization depends on the success of the people who make it happen.
At YCH, we take a holistic approach to company and employee wellness. We provide a wide range of employee benefits, from healthcare and retirement to education reimbursement and health-related incentives. We maintain regular communications with our employees, offering resources regarding community involvement, educational opportunities and mental health support. We offer career development opportunities and recognition for notable contributions.
As an organization rooted in the diverse farming community of Yakima, WA, we take racial equality and multi-cultural collaboration seriously. We recognize that many people are overlooked based on their background when being considered for a seat at the table. We not only aim to be inclusive and invite diversity to our table, but we seek to acknowledge and empower the marginalized voices in our company and community. Enacting the diverse perspectives of our company drives our innovation.
RYAN HOPKINS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
If Ryan was a hop, he would be Simcoe®. Ryan’s down to earth approach and passion for the planet Earth is aligned perfectly with the earthy, piney characteristics of Simcoe®.
LISA GARCIA
CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
If Lisa was a hop, she would be Sabro®, the strongly expressive daughter of a wild American Neomexicanus mother. Known for its complexity, Sabro® is a favorite of brewers looking for a bold, bright, strong impression in their beers.
KARL VANEVENHOVEN
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
If Karl was a hop, he would be Sabro®. Having followed its journey from soil to serve, you could say Karl and Sabro® have a SabroMance that has helped generate unique brews in the PNW, as well as awards at the Fresh Hop Ale Fest and AHA during its first commercial release in 2015 with Russian River Brewing.
BRYAN PIERCE
CHIEF SALES & MARKETING OFFICER
If Bryan were a hop he would be Simcoe®. Like Bryan, Simcoe® provide bold new characteristics without the harsh bitterness of other hops. Bryan and Simcoe® both provide a solid foundation for our business as we strive to create value for our customers.
DENIS GAYTE
MANAGING DIRECTOR, EUROPEAN BUSINESS
If Denis was a hop, he would be Cascade. An oldie but goodie! Easily adaptable and can fit into many beer styles, this American craft classic can go anywhere……it’s the 4 x 4 of hops. Cascade has been planted in other regions around the world but has maintained its solid roots in the state of Washington.
MISSY RAVER
CHIEF RISK & QUALITY OFFICER
If Missy were a hop, she would be Loral®. They both have a unique combination of pleasant fruitiness and growth, and under almost every condition is robust.
KEN MORTENSEN
VP, SUPPLY CHAIN
If Ken were a hop, he would be Sorachi Ace. As a kid his lively fastball and devastating breaking pitches led him to Washington State University where he was a standout on the pitching staff and advocate for good hops for his entire infield..
CESAR SILVA
VP, DATA SCIENCE
If Cesar were a hop he would be Talus®. While fairly new to Yakima Chief Hops, both Cesar and Talus® are contributing great value as good producers and providing unique characteristics. But what really sets these two apart are the dimples.
ARIC GAMACHE
VP, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
If Aric were a hop, he would be Amarillo® because he too was once found wild and growing on Virgil Gamache Farms.
FREDERIC SALOMON
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
TED STRONG
VP, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
If Ted were a hop he would be Cascade. This hop has experience growing in every corner of the world, but is native to the Pacific Northwest. Cascade, like Ted, is a hop with a gentle spiciness balanced with consistent performance and sustainability over the years.
TED STRONG
VP, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
If Ted were a hop he would be Cascade. This hop has experience growing in every corner of the world, but is native to the Pacific Northwest. Cascade, like Ted, is a hop with a gentle spiciness balanced with consistent performance and sustainability over the years.
DANE ALLISON
LOGISTICS DIRECTOR
If Dane were a hop he would be Vanguard. This hop has subtle characteristics and is a welcome, but not overpowering addition to any beer. Dane leads a vanguard of great teammates who will stop at nothing to get our hops to any point in the globe.
HUGO ROJAS
VP, QUALITY & PLANNING
PEDRO “PETE” VENEGAS
VP, GROWER RELATIONS
If Pete was a hop, he would be HBC 472. He’s earthy, mild and can pack a punch. Proud to be an American Hop…but without forgetting neomexicanus ancestry.
SALVADOR BENITEZ
VP, OPERATIONS SUNNYSIDE
If Sal were a hop, he would be Chinook. Both were born and bred in the lower Yakima Valley and are known for their consistency and versatility.
THE EXECUTIVE TEAM
Inspired by the values of our growers and their family hop farms, we aim to cultivate a welcoming, encouraging and compassionate company culture. As an employer, we have a responsibility to create a positive environment that fosters and enables productivity and quality, as well as healthy employees and a healthy business. We recognize that the success of our organization depends on the success of the people who make it happen.
At YCH, we take a holistic approach to company and employee wellness. We provide a wide range of employee benefits, from healthcare and retirement to education reimbursement and health-related incentives. We maintain regular communications with our employees, offering resources regarding community involvement, educational opportunities and mental health support. We offer career development opportunities and recognition for notable contributions.
As an organization rooted in the diverse farming community of Yakima, WA, we take racial equality and multi-cultural collaboration seriously. We recognize that many people are overlooked based on their background when being considered for a seat at the table. We not only aim to be inclusive and invite diversity to our table, but we seek to acknowledge and empower the marginalized voices in our company and community. Enacting the diverse perspectives of our company drives our innovation.
RYAN HOPKINS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
If Ryan was a hop, he would be Pahto™. He has been bred to be good for growers, processors and brewers. Pahto, like Ryan, is relatively new to the Yakima Chief Hops team. However, because of his deep roots in the Yakima Valley, he connects with Pahto’s name, which is the inspiring native name for Mount Adams.
STEVE CARPENTER
CHIEF SUPPLY CHAIN OFFICER
If Steve was a hop, he would be Ahtanum®, because he’s sweet, earthy and rarely bitter. He also has deep roots in the Ahtanum Valley..
LISA GARCIA
CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
If Lisa was a hop, she would be Sabro®, the strongly expressive daughter of a wild American Neomexicanus mother. Known for its complexity, Sabro® is a favorite of brewers looking for a bold, bright, strong impression in their beers.
KARL VANEVENHOVEN
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
If Karl was a hop, he would be Sabro®. Having followed its journey from soil to serve, you could say Karl and Sabro have a SabroMance that has helped generate unique brews in the PNW, as well as awards at the Fresh Hop Ale Fest and AHA during its first commercial release in 2015 with Russian River Brewing.
HOWARD ALLRED
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
If Howard were a hop, he would be Eroica. Like Howard, this variety was born and bred in Idaho and is known for subtle bitterness and consistency.
BRYAN PIERCE
CHIEF SALES & MARKETING OFFICER
DREW GASKELL
CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
DENIS GAYTE
VP, EUROPEAN SALES
If Denis was a hop, he would be Cascade. An oldie but goodie! Easily adaptable and can fit into many beer styles, this American craft classic can go anywhere……it’s the 4 x 4 of hops. Cascade has been planted in other regions around the world but has maintained its solid roots in the state of Washington.
MISSY RAVER
VP, QUALITY
If Missy were a hop, she would be Loral®. They both have a unique combination of pleasant fruitiness and growth, and under almost every condition is robust.
KEN MORTENSEN
VP, EXTRACTION & SUPPLY CHAIN
If Ken were a hop, he would be Sorachi Ace. As a kid his lively fastball and devastating breaking pitches led him to Washington State University where he was a standout on the pitching staff and advocate for good hops for his entire infield..
SALVADOR BENITEZ
VP, PELLETING
If Sal were a hop, he would be Chinook. Both were born and bred in the lower Yakima Valley and are known for their consistency and versatility.
PEDRO “PETE” VENEGAS
VP, PLANNING & CUSTOMER RELATIONS
If Pete was a hop, he would be HBC 472. He’s earthy, mild and can pack a punch. Proud to be an American Hop…but without forgetting neomexicanus ancestry.
NICK ZEIGLER
VP, HEMP & R&D
If Nick was a hop, he would Ekuanot®. Definitely polarizing – but when used correctly, he provides oodles of benefits. Nick, like Ekuanot™, is full of flavor and deeply weird, providing a fresh outlook on a wide range of beer styles.
TED STRONG
VP, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
CESAR SILVA
VP, DATA SCIENCE
ARIC GAMACHE
VP, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BRITTNEY HILL
CORPORATE CONTROLLER
DANE ALLISON
LOGISTICS DIRECTOR
regional sales managers
Inspired by the values of our growers and their family hop farms, we aim to cultivate a welcoming, encouraging and compassionate company culture. As an employer, we have a responsibility to create a positive environment that fosters and enables productivity and quality, as well as healthy employees and a healthy business. We recognize that the success of our organization depends on the success of the people who make it happen.
At YCH, we take a holistic approach to company and employee wellness. We provide a wide range of employee benefits, from healthcare and retirement to education reimbursement and health-related incentives. We maintain regular communications with our employees, offering resources regarding community involvement, educational opportunities and mental health support. We offer career development opportunities and recognition for notable contributions.
As an organization rooted in the diverse farming community of Yakima, WA, we take racial equality and multi-cultural collaboration seriously. We recognize that many people are overlooked based on their background when being considered for a seat at the table. We not only aim to be inclusive and invite diversity to our table, but we seek to acknowledge and empower the marginalized voices in our company and community. Enacting the diverse perspectives of our company drives our innovation.
REGION SERVED
PEDRO “PETE” VENEGAS
VP, PLANNING & CUSTOMER RELATIONS
If Pete was a hop, he would be HBC 472. He’s earthy, mild and can pack a punch. Proud to be an American Hop…but without forgetting neomexicanus ancestry.
REGION SERVED
NICK ZEIGLER
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
If Nick was a hop, he would Ekuanot™. Definitely polarizing – but when used correctly, he provides oodles of benefits. Nick, like Ekuanot™, is full of flavor and deeply weird, providing a fresh outlook on a wide range of beer styles.
REGION SERVED
CAROL AIKEN
VP, FINANCE
If Carol was a hop, she would be Crystal, a triploid sister of Liberty and Ultra. Delicate and sweet as a dry hop addition, but can exhibit a spicy bitterness in the boil.
REGION SERVED
DENIS GAYTE
VP, EUROPEAN SALES
If Denis was a hop, he would be Cascade. An oldie but goodie! Easily adaptable and can fit into many beer styles, this American craft classic can go anywhere……it’s the 4 x 4 of hops. Cascade has been planted in other regions around the world but has maintained its solid roots in the state of Washington.
REGION SERVED
PEDRO “PETE” VENEGAS
VP, PLANNING & CUSTOMER RELATIONS
If Pete was a hop, he would be HBC 472. He’s earthy, mild and can pack a punch. Proud to be an American Hop…but without forgetting neomexicanus ancestry.
REGION SERVED
NICK ZEIGLER
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
If Nick was a hop, he would Ekuanot™. Definitely polarizing – but when used correctly, he provides oodles of benefits. Nick, like Ekuanot™, is full of flavor and deeply weird, providing a fresh outlook on a wide range of beer styles.
REGION SERVED
CAROL AIKEN
VP, FINANCE
If Carol was a hop, she would be Crystal, a triploid sister of Liberty and Ultra. Delicate and sweet as a dry hop addition, but can exhibit a spicy bitterness in the boil.
REGION SERVED
DENIS GAYTE
VP, EUROPEAN SALES
If Denis was a hop, he would be Cascade. An oldie but goodie! Easily adaptable and can fit into many beer styles, this American craft classic can go anywhere……it’s the 4 x 4 of hops. Cascade has been planted in other regions around the world but has maintained its solid roots in the state of Washington.
REGION SERVED
PEDRO “PETE” VENEGAS
VP, PLANNING & CUSTOMER RELATIONS
If Pete was a hop, he would be HBC 472. He’s earthy, mild and can pack a punch. Proud to be an American Hop…but without forgetting neomexicanus ancestry.
REGION SERVED
NICK ZEIGLER
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
If Nick was a hop, he would Ekuanot™. Definitely polarizing – but when used correctly, he provides oodles of benefits. Nick, like Ekuanot™, is full of flavor and deeply weird, providing a fresh outlook on a wide range of beer styles.
REGION SERVED
CAROL AIKEN
VP, FINANCE
If Carol was a hop, she would be Crystal, a triploid sister of Liberty and Ultra. Delicate and sweet as a dry hop addition, but can exhibit a spicy bitterness in the boil.
REGION SERVED
DENIS GAYTE
VP, EUROPEAN SALES
If Denis was a hop, he would be Cascade. An oldie but goodie! Easily adaptable and can fit into many beer styles, this American craft classic can go anywhere……it’s the 4 x 4 of hops. Cascade has been planted in other regions around the world but has maintained its solid roots in the state of Washington.