Michigan’s First Farm Distillery Welcomes New Chief Sales & Business Development Officer
(Thompsonville, MI) May, 2026 – Iron Fish Distillery is pleased to announce the appointment of Jesse Scherzer as Chief Sales & Business Development Officer, further strengthening the distillery’s leadership team as the company continues its growth across key markets.
Scherzer will lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives focused on expanding revenue streams, optimizing sales performance, and accelerating customer acquisition. He will work closely alongside Director of Sales Katie Lynn, Creative Director Jesse Den Herder, and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Eddington to help guide the next phase of growth for the Michigan-based farm distillery.
Bringing extensive experience in both sales and financial leadership within the beverage industry, Scherzer’s background spans national spirits brands, Michigan-based beer and wine companies, and leadership roles with Bacardi Ltd. His expertise across distribution, brand development, and commercial strategy will support Iron Fish Distillery’s continued expansion while reinforcing the company’s commitment to craftsmanship, authenticity, and long-term sustainability.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Jesse to the Iron Fish team,” said co-founders David Wallace and Heidi Bolger. “Jesse brings a deep passion for craft spirits, a strategic mindset, and extensive industry leadership experience to Iron Fish. As a longtime fan of the brand and what we stand for, he’s a natural fit to help lead our next chapter of growth across our market areas.”
Over the coming weeks, Scherzer will spend time with teams across the organization to immerse himself in Iron Fish’s culture, products, people, and processes.
About Iron Fish Distillery
Established in 2016, Iron Fish Distillery stands as Michigan’s first farm distillery, cultivating grains, distilling spirits, and aiming to perfect the art of barrel-finishing sourced whiskey. This third party environmentally audited working farm and distillery attracts over 150, 000 guests annually to the agricultural destination, reborn on a long-abandoned 120-acre farm located in rural Springdale Township in Manistee County.
Named for the Steelhead that journeys up the nearby Betsie River, every step of the Iron Fish soil-to-spirit process occurs onsite. The process starts in farm fields where the distillery grows and harvests its own grain. Milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, and barrel aging is on full display for visitors. Iron Fish also carefully sources bourbon for finishing in barrels from around the world. To date, their library of aged spirits exceeds 2,500 barrels.
Iron Fish Distillery’s vision is to be a beloved legacy distillery leaving the land and community a better place than they found it.
