The Mad River Distillers Team
John Egan
Founder
Maura Connolly
Co-Founder, National Sales Director
Mimi Buttenheim
President
Mimi joined Mad River Distillers in May of 2015.Her career in food, wine and spirits spans 15 years and multiple coasts. After graduating from Brown University with a degree in Classics, she earned a Certificate of Baking and Pastry Arts from the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California. Mimi moved to Vermont in 2010 and made the transition from the wine world to craft spirits. A competitive equestrian and avid cook, she is the only Mad River Distillers member who does not ski or snowboard. She enjoys the après-ski drinks and her favorite cocktail is the Boulevardier.
Alex Hilton
General Manager & Chief Distiller
Alex Hilton grew up in Mad River Distillers backyard in Warren, Vermont. As a child he learned to enjoy everything VT has to offer from skiing to hiking and everything in between. Before joining Mad River Distillers Alex worked in the trades as a carpenter for nearly 10 years building homes all around the area. He performed all of the renovations on the old horse barn that is now the distillery. Alex now lives in Fayston, VT with his wife and their children. His favorite cocktail is a Rye Old Fashioned.
John Carroll
Distiller
John is the newest addition to our team, having previously worked in the boating industry managing a custom sailboat company. His love of spirits led him to take the distilling course at Vermont Technical College, and he joins us in full time production at our Warren distillery.
Maeghan Kleinerman
Massachusetts Sales Manager
Maeghan Kleinerman has a passion for hospitality, food and Spirits. She is an experienced spirits sales specialist and craft cocktail bartender. During her tenure at Inspired Beverage, she was responsible for 20+ spirits brands as an account specialist. Under the mentorship of Jackson Cannon, she spent three years at The Hawthorne Bar in Boston. Maeghan won or finished in the finals of multiple cocktail competitions including Speed Rack, The Real McCoy, Grand Mariner & Monkey Shoulder. She lives in Salem with her husband and loves the beach, cooking, playing tennis, dancing and singing karaoke. Her favorite cocktail is a Paper Plane.
Connor Dermody
Bar Manager
Connor grew up in southeastern Massachusetts and eventually came to Burlington to study at the University of Vermont. He acquired a bachelor’s degree in English in the spring of 2018, and continued his education to acquire a master’s in English in 2019. He felt drawn to Vermont due to his passion for skiing, and has worked in the service industry since his arrival in the Green Mountain State in 2014. While he aspires to be a college professor, he has found his experience at our tasting room to be an excellent opportunity to pick up a new craft. He has a love for books, banter, and booze with anyone and everyone. His favorite cocktail is a Trinidad sour.
Taylor Sacco
Vermont Sales and Marketing
Taylor grew up in Hinesburg, VT, where he spent as much time exploring the woods behind his house as possible. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy and then a master’s in English at the University of Vermont. After a brief time working in the classroom he entered the craft spirits world after many years as a fan. He then worked in sales, marketing, events and as a distiller for nearly three and a half years before joining the Mad River team. He lives in Shelburne with his wife and son. His favorite cocktail is a classic daiquiri.
Isabelle Federico
Marketing and Communications
Isabelle grew up on the island of South Hero, VT and attended the University of Vermont where she received her B.S in Environmental Studies. She started as an intern for our distillery and has since become a full time Bartender, manages our social media and coordinates events for our Burlington Tasting Room. Her main passion and focus is increasing the sustainability practices for Mad River Distillers. Her favorite cocktail is an Old Cuban.
