Our Team
Meet the Humans of BKON
DEAN VASTARDIS
CEO
Dean is the inventor of RAIN technology and driving force behind BKON. His industrial sculpting background and self-taught engineering and fluid dynamics expertise drives BKON’s unique art and science approach. An unparalleled problem solver, Dean is a continuous cultivator of pragmatic and unconventional methodologies for evolving BKON’s capabilities and flavor advantages. Outside of work Dean has the most fun spending time with his family and his dog Jeff.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
CRAFT BEER
LOU VASTARDIs
PRESIDENT
Lou Vastardis is responsible for spearheading BKON’s commercial strategy, which led the company to growing 1400% over the last three years. Lou’s entrepreneurial passion stems from his experience in building new markets and pivoting early-stage companies. His unique blend of can-do energy and strategic thinking has shaped BKON’s collaborative approach. Lou’s love of coffee extends to all food & beverage as an accomplished home chef.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
RED WINE
ZACH BOVE
director OF PRODUCTION
Zach’s passion for perfection is matched by his enthusiasm for creating a fun work environment. According to Zach the best days are exceeding customer expectations followed by warehouse push-ups. BKON’s resident adventurer, Zach was once saved by the national park search and rescue in the Mojave Desert.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
CHEAP BEER
JOHN Donaldson
Director of Quality
John’s most exciting days consist of hard work from a full production day and cooling off in the reefer truck. His experience as Head Distiller at La Colombe brings special skillsets to BKON and translates to his proficiency in home brewing. Outside work John can be found rock climbing, when he’s not watching Frasier reruns.
Favorite Beverage
Rosé de Gambrinus
BEAU BERNSTEIN
VICE PRESIDENT, SALES
With 25 years in Food & Beverage, Beau still finds energy in collaborating with mission-driven teams. His work with brands in the U.S., Japan, and Germany reflects a passion for cross-cultural learning. For two decades, his mornings have started with quiet matcha meditation—followed now by espresso service at the BKON coffee counter. He thrives on helping others achieve their goals, fueled by curiosity and craft
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
MATCHA
COlin Shawcross
MainteNANCE mechanic
Colin brings his decade of brewing experience to BKON’s production team. He’s master of BKON’s filtration and is most excited when the team exceeds a customer’s yield. Colin is known for his positive attitude and laughter, mad creative skills that range from drawing to music, and being the best Dad he can to his daughter. During break time, you can find him enjoying frisbee and football.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
German Style beers
AARON STOUT senior direcTOR OF buSINESS deVELOPMENT
With over 24 years in the food and beverage industry, Aaron thrives on crafting creative solutions to unique challenges. He’s most excited when we're tasting, exploring, and innovating with products, sharing those magical moments of discovery with our team and customers. Known for his positive attitude and culinary skills, Aaron feels unstoppable when our collaborative efforts lead to big wins. Outside of work, you'll find him hiking, kayaking, and exploring new craft breweries and restaurants.
favorite beverage tie between coffee & craft beer
MASON SNYDER
WAREHOUSING & lOGISTICS
With his cat-like reflexes and forklift mastery, Mason tackles BKON’s busiest production days with a positive attitude and some good music in tow. His love for music extends beyond the workplace, as he plays guitar, makes beats and collects records. His work as a logistics coordinator at a live events company, sparked his interest in shipping and receiving. Mason spends lots of time in the reefer trailer, and keeps himself cool outside of work at his favorite spot, Dewey Beach.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
BLUEBERRY LEMONADE
ANGELINA VENTRESCA
ACCOUNT & MARKETING COORDINATOR
Angelina brings a decade of marketing experience to the team, with the last five years focused on expert event planning and execution. She loves the feeling of marking a task complete on a detailed spreadsheet, highlighting her exceptional organizational skills. Angelina is thrilled to be in the cold coffee industry and enjoys collaborating and laughing with colleagues on marketing projects and show planning. Outside of work, you can find her at brunch with girlfriends or reading a mystery novel.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
MATCHA ICED CHAI LATTE
kimberly fritz
cellar worker
Kim brings eight years of experience in the coffee industry and several more in the brewery world—making BKON the perfect home for her dual passions. Known for her flexibility and curiosity, she thrives on learning new processes, asking smart questions, and adapting quickly. You’ll often find her in the coffee lab, where she loves exploring flavor nuances through tastings and cuppings. Outside of work, Kim enjoys baking, catching theater shows, watching classic mystery films, and spending time with her fiancé and their cats.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
sazerac
Itamar Loss
Vice President OF R&D
Itamar uses his 30+ years in product development and “Gambiarra” practice to bring a resourceful and analytical approach to BKON’s R&D efforts. He’s a walking TV guide, known for his loyalty to those he loves and after many moves, determination to not buy any more furniture than the basics.
Favorite Beverage
COFFEE
PHIL Rainsford
Quality Technician
Phil spends the majority of his days on BKON’s production floor where his team collaboration and solution-driven mentality shines. Friday’s are his most feel-good day of the workweek, when he celebrates all that was accomplished. Outside of work you can find him visiting craft breweries, cooking new recipes, or just relaxing on the couch.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
Belgian Beers
Christina STevens
Business Development Manager
Christina is a creative problem solver and loves finding the perfect solution for clients. Developing strategies & relationships is where she thrives, but Christina has the most fun during events where she can interact with potential customers. On a farm is where she feels at home, while hiking mountains gives Christina the most clarity and the best ideas.
FAVORITE BEVERAGE
Seltzer Water
Lauren Wholey
vice president of finance and Business operations
Lauren W will answer all your math questions while simultaneously accomplishing three tasks. She appears to have a photographic memory and feels most accomplished when the day’s To Do list is complete. Family time and the smell of coffee are two of Lauren’s favorite things, and she once released newly hatched baby sea turtles into the ocean while in Mexico.
Favorite Beverage
MOJITO
jt melvin production manager
JT is the Maestro of the production floor, bringing camaraderie and process optimization with his decade of craft brewing experience. He gets stoked on busy days when team collaboration is at its peak. Outside work he finds inspiration in music rhythms, spins tales during D&D quests with friends and discovers serenity amidst nature’s embrace while camping. Known for his spirited opinions and love for a good beer, JT's favorite story to tell involves three brothers, and a coffin—ending with a hilariously anticlimactic punchline.
favorite beverage high life
shane mccann production & operations
With 15+ years in manufacturing, Shane brings steady focus and reliability to the brew deck. He’s at his best tackling big projects and keeping production on track with his calm, deadline-driven approach. Shane’s favorite moments are team huddles where the crew game-plans the week, always ending with trivia. Outside BKON, you can find him at an ice hockey rink with his son Liam or chasing around his toddler, Rhys.
favorite beverage sierra nevada pale ale
jackson harper
cellar worker
Jackson brings reliability and a positive attitude to the cellar every day. He loves working alongside passionate teammates and keeping production running smoothly, whether he’s cleaning tanks or filling totes. Outside of work, you’ll find him checking out new restaurants or cheering on the Penn State football team, especially at home games in Beaver Stadium. Known for being level-headed (and for hosting an annual Oscars party), Jackson unwinds with movies, friends, and the occasional bar-trivia win.