Founder and Managing Partner for Turnout Beverage Company
Jim Erickson, as both Founder and Managing Partner for Turnout Beverage Company (Formerly Walter Station Brewery), is responsible for the development of the brewery from a brewpub model to a state-wide distribution brewery since its inception. Starting out as a home/club brewer with a group of like-minded enthusiasts, Jim helped develop the club and, in the process, helped fellow brewers launch their own operations. As an accomplished brewer and entrepreneur, Jim continues to support the brewery as the driving force behind distribution, managing chain stores and independents to grow to 500+ retail stores, grocery, C-Stores, bars/restaurants.
Prior to Walter Station Brewery, Jim developed and managed identification programs for brick-and-mortar chain stores, including Drug Stores, Banks, Automotive Dealerships, and Quick Serve Restaurants within the United States, as well as Europe, Canada, and Mexico. With a background in design and a natural ability to shape identification programs to fit population centers and geographic constraints, these skills proved useful in developing graphics programs, signs, and advertising for hundreds of sites annually, as well as large-format sites such as arenas and stadiums.
Jim is also the "will and the way" for all community efforts and charitable planning for Walter Station Brewery. Following a lifetime of giving back to communities, Jim works with various local, community, and civic organizations in helping them raise awareness and finances through programs and events with the help of the brewery. Jim makes his position on community payback philosophy quite clear with his often-quoted perspective: "Our little brewery cannot write a check big enough to pay back our communities for supporting us, but we can do more by making our customers/followers and fellow industry friends aware of our efforts and encourage all to participate in these, very special, causes."
If not at the brewery, Jim is traveling with his wife Jennifer, cooking or spending time with their two dogs and two cats or playing guitar poorly. Note: The cats are Jennifer's, the guitars are mine.
