Kentucky Bourbon Festival Names New Board of Directors Members

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival has announced three new board members for 2022. The board recently updated its bylaws to include more representatives from across the bourbon industry. 

The new members include Jane Bowie, director of innovation at Maker’s Mark; Dan Callaway, vice president of hospitality and product development at Bardstown Bourbon Company; and Cordell Lawrence, chief operating officer at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.

“We could not be more excited to have such a creative, qualified and enthusiastic group of new Board members joining us,” says David Mandell, chairman of the board and head of the nominating committee. “The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is constantly evolving and these new board members will help us continue to produce the best bourbon experience for our customers.” 

Bowie, alongside Rob Samuels, introduced Maker’s Private Select, a single barrel program. Bowie spearheads every aspect of the Wood Finishing Series Experience. Bowie was the first international employee at Maker’s Mark and became its Global Brand Ambassador, introducing bourbon across five continents. 

Callaway enjoys “crafting immersive experiences for guests that highlight both cuisine and distillation,” the organization says.

Lawrence brings knowledge from working with heritage brands and a craft distillery. From global marketing and strategy to operations at Peerless, Lawrence is the first craft representative to join the board. His family’s Kentucky roots date back nearly 250 years.

The new board members join existing members including Randy Prasse, KBF president and COO; David Mandell, president of Kentucky Owl Real Estate and co-founder of Bardstown Bourbon Company; Melissa Horton, senior manager of corporate events at Heaven Hill; Donald Blincoe, president of Buzick Construction Inc.; Tony Kamer, distillery operations manager at Lux Row Distillers; Samantha Brady, executive director of the Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist and Convention Commission; and Andrew Wiehebrink, director of spirit research at Independent Stave Co.  

The 2022 Kentucky Bourbon Festival is Sept. 14-18 in Bardstown, KY. This year, the festival expands with the addition of the Bourbon Capital BBQ Challenge at Dant Crossing June 10-11, 2022.