Flying Fish Announces New President; Gene Muller Transitions to Founder Role

From Flying Fish:

November 9, 2017 – SOMERDALE, NJ  –New Jersey’s largest and most award-winning craft brewery, Flying Fish Brewing Co., which just celebrated its 21st anniversary, announces the appointment of Lou Romano as President, effective November 20, 2017.  Gene Muller, long the face and voice of Flying Fish, will assume the official full-time role of Founder, remaining heavily involved in all areas of managing the Flying Fish brand, focusing on special projects and lending expertise in an advisory capacity.  Flying Fish currently produces approximately 25,000 barrels per year and primarily distributes within a four-state area.

"As a lifelong resident of the Northeast, I’ve admired Flying Fish Brewing for years, because Gene and the team have been industry pioneers in so many ways. This is not only evident in the well balanced and diverse portfolio of high quality beer being crafted, but also by the way they’ve placed values like "community" and "sustainability" at the forefront of the company for decades. Having a chance to join this already successful team is an exciting opportunity for me personally, and I look forward to extending Gene’s vision for Flying Fish for years to come."

Romano, who began working in the beer business at age 16, comes most recently from Oskar Blues Brewery, where he served as National Sales Manager since 2013.  Before that, Romano served in a variety of capacities, including Director of Marketing & Wholesaler Development, for D. G. Yuengling & Son.  Other relevant experience includes Resort Beverage Company, West End Distributors and Nittany Beverage.

I’m excited to be working with someone of Lou’s background to help Flying Fish continue to expand and thrive.  We built a state-of-the-art facility and his experience is just what we need to move to the next level.” says Gene Muller, Founder.  “It’s great to begin the next chapter of the Flying Fish story.  The role of Founder will allow me to concentrate on high-level initiatives while staying deeply connected with the brand I’ve built.”

Romano’s hiring is the culmination of a three-month search, during which several candidates from top-tier craft breweries were interviewed.

About Flying Fish Brewing Company:

Flying Fish Brewing Company was established in 1995 as the world’s first virtual microbrewery, something novel that drew a lot of attention. Capitalizing on this early notoriety, founder Gene Muller took Flying Fish into brick and mortar, constructing the first microbrewery in South Jersey. While New Jersey once boasted more than 50 breweries, Flying Fish was the first new brewery built in Southern New Jersey in more than half a century.  Business grew, and Flying Fish now produces a range of beers year-round, along with a variety of seasonal specialties and limited edition brews, like the famed Exit Series. Flying Fish beers are 10 time medal winners at the Great American Beer Festival, the most of any New Jersey brewery.  Success meant expansion, and in 2012, Flying Fish moved from Cherry Hill to its new facility in Somerdale, making it the largest brewery built in the state since prohibition.  The tasting room at Somerdale now offers weekly one-off and barrel aged beers. This facility also boasts many sustainability features to brew the award-winning beer in the most environmentally friendly way possible.  Flying Fish primarily distributes in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington D.C. Flying Fish is also known for its ties to the community: eachyear, the company donates more than $100,000 in goods, services and merchandise to local nonprofit causes.  For more information about Flying Fish, please visit www.flyingfish.com or call (856) 504-3442.