Michael is an Ohio-native-turned-Chicagoan. After graduating from the Art Institute of Chicago, his passion for hospitality became profession as he worked his way through the ranks of the industry, landing coveted positions at some of the city’s most-renowned outlets like The Violet Hour and The Publican. Michael’s hard work and innovation earned him the StarChefs Chicago Rising Star Sommelier award in 2010 and he was recognized in 2013 in Zagat’s 30 Under 30 list for Outstanding Industry Excellence. He honed his sales skills as East Coast Sales Manager with Virtue Cider and eventually joined Heisler Hospitality as a corporate beverage director, curating programs at many of Chicago’s dearly beloved haunts. Most recently, after cultivating and combining his extensive knowledge and experience, Michael formed a consulting company through which he provides top-notch beverage programming and manages national sales for his clients.
R.I.P. Alan Dikty
In Memoriam: Alan Dikty (August 5, 1954 – March 25, 2026) Everyone at Beverage Testing Institute is grieving the loss of our dear colleague, a partner, and friend, Alan Dikty. Since the mid-19...
2026 World Packaging Competition Winners
2025 was another tough year for the adult beverage industry. Alcohol sales were down due to the convergence of several “perfect storms” of obstacles on multiple fronts: tariffs and resulting trade...