LARS' RECENT CV
Scroll Down to download in PDF format
Lawrence Lesterud
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Employment:
HiDef Brewing/Audio Graph Beer Company, Los Angeles, CA
Co-Founder/Partner/Brewermaster, 2017 - present
Design and implementation of brewery physical plans and business plans for our brewery start up in Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Multiple award-winning specialty beers, including sours, barrel sours and strong barrel aged beers, unique beers, as well as traditional staples for our tap house and wholesale distribution.
El Segundo Brewing Co.,El Segundo, CA
Head Brewer, 2015 – 2016
Managed a team of brewers and packaging technicians in an 8,000 bbl plant. Recipe formulation, including an IPA collaboration with wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin. Additional work in training in QA and recipe development and professional development of brewers and hiring. Worked with ownership on expansion plans.
Angel City Brewery, Los Angeles, CA
Brewing and Quality Manager, 2014 – 2015
Managed all aspects of production, short- and long-term planning in a Boston Beer Pilot development plant, an 8,000 bbl capacity brewery. Assisted in expansion projects, including the installation of 8 new fermenters and bright tanks. Managed a staff of brewers, coached brewers, hired both brewers and interns, and created SOPs for training, executed performance and bonus goals and reviews. Managed QA/QC, directed barrel program including sour production. Worked with sales department both local and with Boston Beer based sales to schedule and allocate production and planning for new product development for local and regional wholesale distribution.
Peet's Coffee and Tea, Alameda, CA
Coffee Production Manager, 2009 - 2014
Production manager in a large specialty roast-to-order coffee plant with a high volume, form and fill multi-line packaging dept., scheduling both packaging and roasting schedules. Mentored employee development, and implemented safety programs, productivity tracking, and packaging quality. Mentored lean manufacturing initiatives, among employees utilizing Kaisan, 6 Sigma and Toyota manufacturing principles leading to greater efficiencies, safety, quality and growth in production capacity. Created and lead environmental programs which accomplished $100k annual reduction in landfill fees and 90% waste reduction by re-directing waste materials to the best available environmental uses and reducing wasteful use.
Mad River Brewing Co., Blue Lake, CA
Plant Manager, QA Manager, 2004 - 2008
Whole business turn-around from product quality revamp and packaging redesign to employee and business culture refresh. Brought business from red to black and expanded production volume 250%. Plant management position included financing for cellar and packaging expansions, negotiating raw materials futures contracts, union employee contracts, safety programs. Oversight over all plant daily operations, production scheduling, new product formulation, new package development and planning for long range production growth.
Education and Background:
Humboldt State University
M.A.T.W., English, Teaching of Writing Masters’ Program
B.A., English Literature
Brewing Science and Microbiology courses, UC Davis
Mentored for 1 ½ years under Steve Parkes, now currently lead instructor and owner of the American Brewers Guild, and owner of his own brewery.
As an American Brewers’ Guild brewing mentor, taught students practical brewing techniques and basic brewery management skills. Hired, trained, and mentored interns from various brewing schools and backgrounds.
Personal interests include woodworking, noodling on guitar, motorcycles, trout flyfishing, camping, arts including charcoal and graphite drawing and painting, and cooking.
References, further experience background and awards can be made available upon request.
