MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Jeff Glassman, President of Fire Island Beer Company

After graduating in 2004 from Lehigh University with a BS in Finance, Jeff started his career at Pinnacle Communities, a Chatham, NJ-based custom homebuilder specializing in homes ranging from $3-$15 million. As Director of Product Development, he was responsible for value-engineering products used in high-end custom homes ranging from movie theaters, to indoor basketball and bowling alleys as well as by forming strategic pricing agreements with suppliers. In addition, Jeff was responsible for sourcing and implementing company-wide CRM and intranet technology that provided better customer service and increased operating efficiency throughout the building process allowing clients to approve construction orders online as well as view photos of the latest progress on their dream home.

In 2006 Jeff left Pinnacle and to pursue his passion for cars and motorsports by joining the Classic Car Club as Sales and Motorsport Director. The Classic Car Club, a Manhattan-based private member’s club, provides its members access to a world-class fleet of cars in addition to organizing extravagant events including rallying through Europe, racing exotic cars on racetracks, and partying at some of the most exclusive venues in New York City. At this position, Jeff was responsible for developing and executing membership sales and brand-building partnership strategy and has successfully sold over $3 million worth of private and corporate memberships and has successfully forged partnerships with companies such as AMEX, Forbes.com and W Hotels to name a few.

During a hiking trip Manchu Picchu in late 2007, Jeff began to brainstorm various ideas that would allow him to fulfill his dream of starting his own business. With several different ideas on the table, one particular busiess idea kept making its way to the forefront of his mind. Back in 1999, 2000, and 2001 Jeff, along with his two cousins Bert and Tom, brewed their own beer at the house they rented in Atlantique on Fire Island and served it to locals at "The Shack" which was a burger stand they operated during their summers off from school. While the "Fire Island Ale" they served was quite popular with the locals, the time wasn't right to make anything more substantial of it. Two years ago, Jeff mentioned the idea of creating Fire Island Beer Company while at family BBQ get-together in Atlantique. After a some burgers and a couple pints of Tom's latest home-brew concoction, the concensus was clear, Fire Island deserved its own beer.

Starting in late 2007 Jeff set out to learn everything he could about the beer industry along with all the pieces and parts that would be necessary to make Fire Island Beer Company a success. It was clear that if they were able to craft great tasting beers while also incorporating the very things that they loved about Fire Island (or as they call it, "The Other New York") into their brand, they would have a hit. Questions relating to production brewing, distribution, branding, regulation and licensing all had to be addressed. After almost two years of preparation Fire Island Beer Company launched its first beer, Fire Island Lighthouse Ale, in May 2009 with the help of distribution heavy-weight Manhattan Beer Distributors to an amazing reception. In the ten weeks since it has launched on the market, they have successfully placed Fire Island Lighthouse Ale in over 650 establishments across Fire Island, Long Island, and Metro New York City with media such as NBC New York calling it "the official beer of Summer 2009". In fact, the reception has been so overwhelmingly positive that Jeff, Tom, and Bert have decided to push up the release of their next beer, Fire Island Red Wagon IPA, to this coming October.

When not completely immersed in all things Beer, Jeff can be found playing tennis, traveling, and being active in local charities including Group for the East End which helps preserve the environment on the east end of Long Island along with the ASPCA, which helps prevent cruelty to animals. Whom You Know is pleased to present him as our Mover and Shaker!

Peachy Deegan interviewed Jeff Glassman for Whom You Know.

Peachy Deegan: What did you learn in your previous fields that has helped you with Fire Island Beer Company?
Jeff Glassman: Starting a company is all about having a clear vision, lots of perseverance, and a high tolerance for stress. Having been in performance based jobs throughout my career, I'm used to having all three! Also, keeping motivated and positive at all times is important for your own progress and also for those working around you.

What kind of car do you drive now and what are your favorite cars?
Currently I have the Fire Island Beer Truck, a Jeep Liberty, perfect for schlepping beer around town! Having worked at the Classic Car Club for several years I had the amazing opportunity to drive most of my dream cars. My favorites include 1965 Shelby Cobra, Ferrari F430, and Porsche GT3. Oh, and the 1966 Mustang Fastback.

What do you know now about starting your own business that you did not know prior to starting it?
A successful company is all about finding good people and keeping them motivated. Also, I am realizing the workday never ends. Starting your own business completely blurs the line between work and leisure, which is fine if you love what you're doing.

What future goals does Fire Island Beer Company have?
We look forward to introducing some great tasting beers in the coming months and years ahead. Hopefully some of those brews will be able to be enjoyed in our brewpub we're planning! We're also eager to continue supporting environmental preservation causes on Long Island. Protecting the environment is something very important to us since Fire Island faces serious beach erosion issues currently.

Where would you like to be sold, where you are currently not sold?
We've made amazing progress in the short eleven weeks we've been on the market, getting placement in over seven hundred bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and bottle shops. We've already been asked to take our beer out of state, however there is plenty more work to do in our home market first.

What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
I've always been a very observant person. I'd like to think that my pursuit of excellence is the result of taking what I admire from the various people I've met throughout my life. Certainly my Dad's work ethic and undying attention to detail and organization has helped along with my Mom's outlook of making sure that its about enjoying the ride as much as the destination.

What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?
People watching on a park bench on a Sunday afternoon. Its so entertaining.

What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?
I always make an effort to support the local shop owners whenever I can. Having said that, I don't really like shopping.

What is your favorite drink?
Fire Island Lighthouse Ale of course!

What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?
There are so many amazing restaurants, but I love Cafe Cartadito in the East Village.

What is your favorite Manhattan book?
The Great Bridge by William McCullough. A very interesting look on how the Brooklyn Bridge was built.

What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience?
I love my early morning jogs down along the Hudson River. Its a great start to the day.

What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?
Be completely spontaneous. There is so much going on at any given time that plans are rarely necessary. I love this about Manhattan.

What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?
I love the annual Philharmonic concert in Central Park. Its a great time to relax with friends.

What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?
Underrated is the amount of opportunity that is here in NYC ready for anyone with imagination and determination. Overrated is the LONG winters.

Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?
"Gotham Gadgets". I like discovering new things I didn't even know existed. 3D web camera?? Who knew?

What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I'm doing what I love, so you'll generally always find me in a good mood.

How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
Email: jeff@fireislandbeer.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fireislandbeer
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/fireislandbeer