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First Key Consulting
  • Who We Are
    The leading brewing and beverage industry consulting firm.
    • Overview
      The leading brewing and beverage industry consulting firm.
    • At a Glance
      Highly experienced industry experts delivering thousands of projects across the globe for the past 30 years.
    • Why First Key
      We deliver projects and services better, leaner and faster than anyone else.
    • Leadership
      Brief biographies of our firm's management.
    • Sample Projects
      Our wide range of experiences is a benefit for our clients.
    • Clients
      First Key has a solid track record delivering insights that our clients act on - practical roadmaps that are tailored to the specific situation of each client.
    • Testimonials
      Our clients tell us that early integration of our experience and best practices ensures their project success, secures consistent quality, and reduces costs.
    • World Beer Cup
      First Key is an official sponsor of the World Beer Cup.
  • What We Do
    With our industry focus and expertise we dig deeper, challenge thinking and drive sustainable advantage for our clients.
    • Overview
      With our industry focus and expertise we dig deeper, challenge thinking and drive sustainable advantage for our clients.
    • New Breweries and Expansions
      Let’s get it right the first time.
      • Feasibility Studies and Business Plans
        The foundation of your brewery starts here.
      • Design, Procure, Build, Commission
        First Key will help your company successfully navigate through the many activities and decisions that face a new brewery start up or expansion.
      • Expansion Roadmaps
        The experience that takes your brewery to the next level.
      • Brew Pub Restaurant Operations
        We can enhance every aspect of your brewpub restaurant and kitchen operations.
      • Product Innovation
        We develop award-winning beers.
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
        We will help you get brewing and packaging arrangements that work for you.
      • Marketing and Sales
        What really drives your growth?
      • People & Organizational Performance
        Where talent meets opportunity in the brewing industry.
    • Engineering Services
      We integrate value, quality, innovation, and efficiency for your benefit.
      • Feasibility Studies and Business Plans
        The foundation of your brewery starts here.
      • Design, Procure, Build, Commission
        First Key will help your company successfully navigate through the many activities and decisions that face a new brewery start up or expansion.
      • Capital Project Management
        While you focus on making great beer, we focus on your capital project.
      • Process Engineering
        Specialized process, utilities, malting and automation engineering.
      • Packaging Engineering
        Specialized packaging, utilities and automation engineering for packaging operations.
    • Strategy and Finance
      Deep industry knowledge is our point of difference.
      • Performance Improvement
        It takes integrated solutions to capture maximum value.
      • Acquisitions and Divestitures
        A wider view of the strategic options.
      • Valuations
        Well-supported, logical and defensible valuation conclusions.
      • Due Diligence
        We are independent, neutral and objective.
      • M&A Integration
        Don't leave value on the table in your deals.
      • Investment Management
        The goal is to maximize value, while mitigating risk.
      • Turnaround and Insolvency
        A fresh perspective on the tough issues.
      • CFO Services
        Contract CFOs with brewing industry experience.
    • Quality and Process Optimization
      Turning your quality, operations and business processes into a competitive advantage.
      • Process Improvement Roadmaps
        Our brewery experts help you define and implement the most impactful projects to improve quality, cost and delivery.
      • Continuous Improvement Culture
        Teaching your team to “fish where the fish are”.
      • Technical Partner
        Ongoing expertise, but not on your payroll.
      • Quality Management System (QMS)
        The future belongs to top quality beers.
      • Quality Troubleshooting Services
        Sound advice on demand from experienced professionals.
      • Environment, Health and Safety
        Improving Safety and Reducing Environmental Impact.
    • Product Innovation
      We develop award-winning products.
      • Recipe Development and Pilot Trials
        Your passion, pride and personality reflected in each recipe.
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
        We will help you get brewing and packaging arrangements that work for you.
      • Commercial Scale Up
        Quickly transferring your new recipe into reliable commercial production.
    • Marketing and Sales
      What really drives your growth?
      • Brand Strategy and Implementation
        Are your strategies connecting with your customers?
      • Brewpub / Taproom Development and Training
        How does your brand stand out in a crowded market?
      • Sales and Distribution
        Strategies, programs and training to succeed.
    • Agribusiness
      Hops and Malt from the ground up.
      • Malting Industry Reports
        Market intelligence is more valuable now than ever before
      • Business Planning for Maltsters
        Comprehensive feasibility studies for your malting facility plans
      • Malting Operations Audit and Optimization
        Independent malting facility audits and improvement plans
      • Malt Sourcing for Brewers
        Value creation is on the mind of every brewer
      • Business Planning for Hop Growers
        First Key can help you navigate the specific agricultural, technical, market and financial aspects of your hop farm feasibility study
      • Hop Innovation
        Looking for hop innovation backed by sound science?
    • Supply Chain
      Are your operating margins where they should be?
      • PLAN – Sourcing & Procurement
        Secure reliable suppliers at the best possible cost
      • MAKE – Manufacturing and Warehousing
        For streamlined process flow
      • SHIP – Distribution
        Develop your network and relationships
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
        We will help you get brewing and packaging arrangements that work for you.
      • Risk Management and Product/Marketplace Recalls
        Protect your brand and keep your piece of mind
      • Supply Chain Network Modeling & Analysis
        Powerful network modeling, analysis and optimization for your complex supply chain
    • People & Organizational Performance
      Where talent meets opportunity in the brewing industry.
      • Interim Staffing
        Experienced brewery consultants working seamlessly with your team.
      • Recruitment, Hiring & Staffing Roadmaps
        Let's find the best possible candidate for your role.
      • BrewingWork.com
        The brewing industry job board.
      • Training Program Design & Implementation
        Engaging your people to drive performance.
      • HR Audit / Assessment
        Reviewing policies, procedures, documents, and systems.
  • Insights
    Set this pull quote in the 'excerpt' section of this page's edit screen. Scroll to the bottom to locate the text input.
  • Careers
    Join our team of talented, interesting and experienced consultants.
  • Contact
Skip to content
  • Who We Are
    • Overview
    • At a Glance
    • Why First Key
    • Leadership
    • Sample Projects
    • Clients
    • Testimonials
    • World Beer Cup
  • What We Do
    • Overview
    • New Breweries and Expansions
      • Feasibility Studies and Business Plans
      • Design, Procure, Build, Commission
      • Expansion Roadmaps
      • Brew Pub Restaurant Operations
      • Product Innovation
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
      • Marketing and Sales
      • People & Organizational Performance
    • Engineering Services
      • Feasibility Studies and Business Plans
      • Design, Procure, Build, Commission
      • Capital Project Management
      • Process Engineering
      • Packaging Engineering
    • Strategy and Finance
      • Performance Improvement
      • Acquisitions and Divestitures
      • Valuations
      • Due Diligence
      • M&A Integration
      • Investment Management
      • Turnaround and Insolvency
      • CFO Services
    • Quality and Process Optimization
      • Process Improvement Roadmaps
      • Continuous Improvement Culture
      • Technical Partner
      • Quality Management System (QMS)
      • Quality Troubleshooting Services
      • Environment, Health and Safety
    • Product Innovation
      • Recipe Development and Pilot Trials
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
      • Commercial Scale Up
    • Marketing and Sales
      • Brand Strategy and Implementation
      • Brewpub / Taproom Development and Training
      • Sales and Distribution
    • Agribusiness
      • Malting Industry Reports
      • Business Planning for Maltsters
      • Malting Operations Audit and Optimization
      • Malt Sourcing for Brewers
      • Business Planning for Hop Growers
      • Hop Innovation
    • Supply Chain
      • PLAN – Sourcing & Procurement
      • MAKE – Manufacturing and Warehousing
      • SHIP – Distribution
      • Contract Brewing & Packaging
      • Risk Management and Product/Marketplace Recalls
      • Supply Chain Network Modeling & Analysis
    • People & Organizational Performance
      • Interim Staffing
      • Recruitment, Hiring & Staffing Roadmaps
      • BrewingWork.com
      • Training Program Design & Implementation
      • HR Audit / Assessment
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Contact

Home > Who We Are > Leadership

Leadership

Why First Key
Sample Projects
Dr. Heather Pilkington
Managing Director & CEO
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Chris Barrow
Managing Partner
First Key Capital Advisors
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Mark Benzaquen
Senior Advisor,
Technical Services
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Jerry Biggar
Senior Advisor,
Supply Chain
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Tanya Birch
Tanya Birch
Senior Advisor,
Human Resources
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Dr. Jack Buffington
Director of Supply Chain and Sustainability
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Lars Christensen
Lars Christensen
Senior Advisor,
Technical and Engineering Services
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Chris Clarke
Chief Commercial Officer
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Oralee Corbett
Senior Advisor,
Technical Services
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Dr. Nigel Davies
Senior Advisor,
Technical Services and Sustainability
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Mike Gerhart
Senior Advisor,
Technical Services
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Jack Hansell
Senior Advisor,
Supply Chain
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Daniel Huvet
Director of Agribusiness
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Simon Jackson
Director of European Region
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Mike Kallenberger
Senior Advisor, Marketing Insights and Strategy
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Ludmila Kopyl
Corporate Accounting
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Phil Leinhart
Senior Advisor,
Technical Services
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Becky Lloyd
Senior Advisor, Engineering Services
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Rob McCaig
Senior Advisor,
Technical Services
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Greg Merideth
Senior Advisor,
Sales and Distribution
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Christian Paquette
Christian Paquette
Senior Advisor,
Engineering Services
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Dr. Hugo Patiño
Director of Technical Services
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Nick Posloski
Senior Advisor,
Technical Services
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Patrick Truman
Director of Corporate Operations
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Wendy Verbeek-Bartlett
Director of Corporate Accounting
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Rod Waite
Director of Engineering Services
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Tim Wolf
Senior Advisor, Engineering Services
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Wayne Wood
Senior Advisor,
Strategy and Finance
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Paul Woodhouse
Director of Strategy and Finance
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First Key is the leading brewing and beverage industry consulting firm. We have been operating for over 30 years and have worked in over 50 countries. Our consultants are some of the most talented, interesting and experienced experts who provide clients with independent and comprehensive advice, and work with them to implement solutions in every area of their business.

Who We Are

  • At a Glance
  • Why First Key
  • Leadership
  • Sample Projects
  • Clients
  • Testimonials
  • World Beer Cup

What We Do

  • New Breweries and Expansions
  • Engineering Services
  • Strategy and Finance
  • Quality and Process Optimization
  • Product Innovation
  • Marketing and Sales
  • Agribusiness
  • Supply Chain
  • People & Organizational Performance

Insights

  • Insights
  • Downloads

Contact

  • Contact
  • Submit a Business Enquiry
  • Supplier Directory
  • Media Relations
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Insights
  • Contact

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    Long-term positive relationships are a primary objective at First Key. We are committed to a teamwork approach built on trust and communication to deliver quality work to each client. Are you:

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