The Team
It's Just Our Passion
Meet the team behind the passion. The Central Standard team works hard behind the scenes to bring you some of the best distilled products in the land. Sure, we might be a young brand but we’re talented team that brings quality, passion and perseverance to every creation we share with the world.
Pat McQuillan
Fun Fact – Pat was born and raised in a town of less than 600 people in Nebraska.
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Bourbon.
Favorite quote – you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Favorite Superhero – Superman.
Favorite thing to do in WI – Attending any festival in the summer and tailgating at sporting events with friends!
Evan Hughes
Fun Fact – I could count to 10 trillion if I had the time.
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Central Standard Rye Whiskey.
Favorite quote – “Central Standard Craft Distillery is my favorite distillery of all time”- George Washington or “The voyage would have been much better had we had ample amounts of Central Standard liquors”- Christopher Columbus
Favorite Superhero – My wife Megan.
Favorite thing to do in WI – Spend time on the lakefront
Jim Kanter
Fun Fact – Great wife and four great kids….and I have a tattoo, which surprises many.
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Red Cabin Bourbon and Washington Rye.
Favorite quote – “The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have” Vince Lombardi
Favorite Superhero – Aquaman – very underrated skills, plus I was a swimmer so have to give him some props.
Favorite thing to do in WI – Enjoying cocktails, bonfires and BBQ with friends outdoors….in every season.
Jake Helling
Fun Fact – Plays disc golf professionally in his free time (but still misses way too many putts).
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Guided Trail Gin.
Favorite quote – “If you ain’t first, you’re last”- Ricky Bobby’s dad?
Favorite Superhero – Giannis
Favorite thing to do in WI – Attempt to play all 351 disc golf courses in the state
Trevor Norgal
Fun Fact – Made national news when I brought a hot tub to Brewers Opening Day in 2019.
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – L Flag Bourbon.
Favorite quote – “Fact: Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.” – Jim Halpert.
Favorite Superhero – Milverine.
Favorite thing to do in WI – Canoeing on the Wisconsin River.
Greg Diny
Fun Fact – Grew up on a farm near Green Bay, WI.
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Gin.
Favorite quote – “The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.”
Favorite Superhero – Yoda.
Favorite thing to do in WI – Snowmobiling or fishing.
Michelle Urena
Fun Fact – I am in the virtual audience of the Dr. Phil show.
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Guided Trail Gin.
Favorite quote – “Don’t cry because it’s over, be happy it happened.”
Favorite Superhero – Librarians.
Favorite thing to do in WI – Day drinking on a patio, beach, or park with family and friends.
Terrell Freeman
Fun Fact – Got hired after meeting Evan, as an Uber driver.
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Straight Bourbon, Washington Rye.
Favorite quote – “The only difference between a winner and a loser is, a winner plays until he wins…” – Big KRIT.
Favorite Superhero – My Wolverine.
Favorite thing to do in WI – Find new places to eat and drink.
Logan Reynolds
Fun Fact – I used to roll barrels competitively.
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Red Cabin.
Favorite quote – “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” J.R.R. Tolkien.
Favorite Superhero – Dayman, Champion of the Sun.
Favorite thing to do in WI – Exploring the city, visiting local breweries, and eating as much food as my stomach will allow me
Jorge Villagran
Fun Fact – Worked at a brewery for 9 years. Now I’m at a distillery.
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Red Cabin.
Favorite quote – “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Favorite Superhero – Iron Man.
Favorite thing to do in WI – Drink local craft beers and cocktails.
Ben Cook
Fun Fact – I’ve never been to Antarctica
Favorite Central Standard Spirit – Whatever my friends are drinking
Favorite quote – “You cannot waste time, only yourself.”
Favorite Superhero – Edna Mode (From the Incredibles)
Favorite thing to do in WI – Is there anything better than boating on the lake with friends?