For our most recent #BLIB we met with RJ Bee. RJ is SVP of Operations at Hattaway Communications. Originally from Northern Ohio, RJ came to Washington, D.C. in 2002. RJ met his current boss - Doug Hattaway - while they were working on political campaigns together. RJ was hired at Hattaway as employee #3 in 2008 and since then has been instrumental in building the firm. Hattaway Communications focuses on developing research-driven content, strategy, and campaigns for organizations that benefit people and the planet.
The Beer:
RJ's beer knowledge is formidable and his understanding of the beer landscape is vast. He's never attempted to brew his own beer, but instead asks, "Why brew my own beer when I can just go buy my favorite six pack?" When I asked RJ to describe his beer mastery level -- a non-existent scale that we came up with on the spot -- he called himself an "Intermediate Consumer." He enjoys drinking IPA's and describes them as being "delicious and flavorful." His favorite brewery in DC is DC Brau, and he has an affinity for The Public (87). He's also a big fan of Tired Hands Brewery and Right Proper Brewing Company. Specific beers that RJ enjoys are Session IPA's and he made a point to call out Founder's All Day IPA (87) as a good one. He also mentioned liking 21st Amendment's Down to Earth Session IPA (86) and Lunch IPA (96) from Maine Beer Company. And what BLIB would be complete without a discussion referencing The Alchemists' elusive and exclusive Heady Topper (100)? When it comes to dislikes, RJ brought up Belgian beers and Wheat Beers. RJ didn't knock any breweries when I asked him about his least favorite beer, but he did say that he thought that Ballast Point was a bit overrated. Maybe it has something to do with Ballast Point recently being acquired by Constellation Brands?
The Bar:
RJ and I met at Smith Public Trust which is in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C. This wasn't RJ's first rodeo at SPT, as he comes here for the "serious" beer selection. He likes SPT because it's big and open, a place where he can let his kid run around and make a lot of noise, and because there's not a single "pedestrian" beer on their draught menu. He described the food as "good and interesting." RJ recommended a backup spot of Brookland Pint, which is located down the street and has close to 30 beers on tap. While at SPT, we managed to quaff tulip glasses of Bells Hopslam (98). For those who aren't familiar with Hopslam and the buzz around it, they can read more about the legendary beer on Popville's site. For round two, I had a Ommegang Witte (85) - which RJ wanted no part of - and RJ drank a Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter (90).
The Business Leader:
Next, RJ and I delved into challenges that he sees in the business world and in his own business. One of the challenges that RJ brought up was related to managing growth within organizations. Specifically, RJ mentioned having to reevaluate and re-calibrate every time you hire 4/5 new people. The new training, orientation, education can be daunting -- not to mention existing employees getting used to new employees (and vice versa). Hattaway Communications has about two dozen employees right now and they expect to continue to grow, so RJ will have his work cut out for him. RJ also talked about "enforcing" a culture, while at the same time admitting that "enforcing" is such a weird word to use. He feels that culture has to be natural and that there has to be a balance between creating standards and allowing employees to be individuals. When I asked RJ what he thought was most important to growing as a business leader, he mentioned "letting go" and realizing that there are many ways to get from point A to Point B. Embracing that concept when it comes to employees and culture is something that RJ feels is important.
A huge thanks to RJ for drinking beers with us and being a part of BLIB.
#BLIB is part of an ongoing series. For more information about Business Leaders in Bars Drinking Beers you can click here.
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