Meet the Experts.
Experienced.
Welcoming.
Genuine.
Our team may be small, but we are mighty! First and foremost, we use attention to detail to produce the highest quality, cleanest spirits possible. Second, we use a “go getter” attitude to provide the highest level of hospitality to our guests and customers. We will be prepared, welcome you with a smile and make sure you are entertained and well cared for in our distillery.
Meet the Team
Hover or click on a team member below!
Scott Bush
Scott has a degree from MIT but somehow found his way into the booze business. He started and grew Templeton Rye from nothing into one of the best known and most successful whiskey brands of the 21st century.
Scott was an early leader in the fledgling craft spirit industry including being active in the American Distilling Institute, an original member of the Craft Spirits Board for DISCUS and working with various colleagues to recreate George Washington’s original peach brandy at his distillery at Mt Vernon. He shared a lot of his time, learnings and enthusiasm with early craft distillers, helping them and the industry get off the ground.
Scott loves to entertain guests at the distillery and help them craft custom spirits to celebrate a business or personal milestone.
In his free time, Scott coaches youth basketball and serves on the board of directors for Lincoln Savings Bank and Thelma’s Treats.
Ashley Baker
General Manager
Ashley grew up in the Des Moines area. She graduated from Interstate 35 and then went on to get her bachelor's degree in criminal justice. When Ashley isn't at Foundry Distilling Company, which is one of her favorite places to be, you can find her riding motorcycles, shooting at the range, or spending time with her two daughters.
Ashley started in the bar industry when she was 21 and has been bartending for over 10 years. She started at the distillery September 2022 as a bartender and transitioned into management.
If you've ever met Ashley at the distillery, you know she loves her whiskey and she loves to talk!
Brian Kuhn
Head Distiller
Brian has spent nearly a decade in the alcohol production industry. While waiting to attend law school after college, Brian started bartending at a local brewery. This bartending gig led to a full-time position on the production floor, and Brian discovered that he preferred making beer to studying legal theory. Thus began his brewing career. Over the next half decade, Brian accumulated multiple national awards including Brew Pub Brewer of the Year.
An Iowa native, Brian found his way back home to begin a new challenge, joining the Foundry team as Head Distiller.
Brian enjoys cooking, gaming, and karaoke. And he never lost his love for arguing.
Andrew Tomes
Brand Manager
He’s here, he’s there, he’s every #%$@& where. Meet Andrew Tomes, Head of Sales for Foundry Distilling Co, who is known to many as “Can-do Andrew”. Andrew has been in the spirits and hospitality business for many years, starting as a bartender and spending over a decade selling Templeton Rye all over the country.
Andrew grew up in West Des Moines, with a short stint living outside of Toronto. Andrew knows a fair amount about almost any subject and probably knows a few people and the best dive bar in your town. Drew’s favorite whiskey is our Arrogant Bastard Malt, but he is often seen enjoying a Coor’s Light.
Richie Allen
Iowa Brand Ambassador
If you have ever had a sample of one of our products poured for you in Iowa, chances are you have met Richie Allen. Richie joined Foundry in 2021 and is our Iowa Brand Ambassador, responsible for events and product sales in our state. Richie is well liked by all guests who come through the distillery as well as bartenders and store managers. Richie grew up in Iowa and attended St Johns Prep in Minnesota followed by Grandview College and Drake University. He worked in mortgage banking for 20+ years and joined us during Covid to help make hand sanitizer and has been with us ever since. Richie is a great skier and coined the term “Whiskey Time” for when the team talks shop after work.