MadTree Brewing is thrilled to announce its first ever CEO: Rhiannon Hoeweler and first COO: Justin Wiener. Effective April 29, 2026, Hoeweler is getting promoted from her current position of Vice President of Experience and Impact, while Wiener is getting promoted from his current role: Vice President of Revenue.
Kenny McNutt and Brady Duncan will retain their titles as Co-Founders and remain very close to MadTree, transitioning out of day-to-day operations to shift more focus to vision setting, strategic business development and relationships, expansion opportunities, and special projects related to scaling the business.
“The transition to a CEO is the culmination of a four-year strategic plan to professionalize MadTree through strengthening operations, enhancing consumer experiences, and amplifying outcomes,” said Duncan and McNutt. “Rhi has grown the company’s community impact, culture, and overall business through a strategic mindset aligned with the original vision of MadTree: to build a sustainable, purpose-driven company our kids are proud of. We could not be more excited for this next chapter of MadTree.”
“Over the past two years we’ve been transitioning responsibility and decision making to Rhi for this role and we are very proud and impressed with what she’s accomplished,” McNutt added. “We started this thing in our garage and are so grateful to have an immense talent like Rhi to take us to the next level.”
During the two-year transition leading to this announcement, Hoeweler has:
- Achieved industry-leading growth in 2025 through beer and Sway by MadTree distribution, as well as hospitality growth across three locations, leading MadTree to its most profitable year since pre-COVID.
- Opened MadTree Parks & Rec while handling the day-to-day operations enabling Duncan and McNutt to focus on new locations resulting in Alcove-Summit Park opening summer 2026
- Created long-term business sustainability through expense control and a more focused portfolio
- Enabled sustainable growth by improving our staff for alignment with strategic decisions
- Positioned MadTree as a city and industry leader for Let’s Grow Local Impact Work. This not only drives our purpose within the community, but also aligns consumers with our mission and allows them to contribute across our entire business.
“It’s the privilege of a lifetime to get this opportunity,” said Hoeweler, “Our staff does an amazing job bringing Kenny and Brady’s vision to life every day. It’s such an honor to work with them and guide MadTree into the future with Justin.”
Hoeweler has spent the last six years at MadTree, the first two as the Director of Strategic Impact before her promotion to Vice President of Experience and Impact in 2022. Prior to MadTree, she served as the Vice President of Visitor Experience, Strategy, and Fun at the Cincinnati Zoo. An active member and advocate for the community, she sits on the board of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden as well as CORA, the Cincinnati Off Road Alliance.
As she assumes the role of CEO, Hoeweler’s priorities are:
- Sustainably growing MadTree across current and emerging revenue streams through purpose, clarity, and intentionality.
- Continuing to create and develop spaces for connection and lifelong memories across all our locations & brands.
- Cultivating and growing MadTree’s place in the communities we serve through Let’s Grow Local initiatives.
The craft beer industry is also celebrating this announcement, “Craft’s next era of growth requires new leaders to continue cultivating and growing brands and breweries in their communities. We’re excited to watch Rhiannon and her team do that and look forward to continuing working in partnership with her and MadTree,” added Bart Watson, President & CEO of the Brewers Association.
Voted Cincinnati’s #1 Local Brewery by Cincinnati Magazine readers, MadTree Brewing is energized by a community that believes great beer, Sway by MadTree, and a better world belong in the same can.
