Schedule

A Connecticut native, Eric McKay holds his B.A. in economics from Davidson College and MBA from Fordham University. Eric began his career in the craft beer industry as a brewer’s apprentice in 2001, and subsequently spent eight years working on the distribution side of the business, culminating with his position as the marketing director for one of America’s largest craft beer wholesalers. In October 2011, Eric and longtime friend Patrick Murtaugh founded Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond, Virginia. Since opening, Hardywood has grown from two to more than 80 employees and was awarded the 2015 Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce Business IMPACT Award for its positive contributions to the community, and the 2015 Virginia Green Brewery of the Year by Virginia Green Travel. Outside of work, Eric most enjoys spending his time with his wife and children. An Eagle Scout, Eric remains an avid outdoor adventurer, with a love of running, cycling, camping, and skiing.

Patrick is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where he received a B.S. in hospitality management. Following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather and great-uncle, Patrick studied brewing science at The Siebel Institute in Chicago as part of the World Brewing Academy’s Master Brewer Program that culminated with practical brewing training at The Doemen’s Academy in Munich, Germany. Patrick’s career in the beer industry includes several years in sales and management roles at a craft beer wholesaler in New York City followed by apprenticeships at various breweries, including Brauerei Heller-Trum in Bamburg, Germany, and Defiant Brewing Co. in Pearl River, NY. Patrick is a member of the board of Directors of the Richmond Symphony.

Kate graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in food science and a minor in nutrition. Knowing she always wanted to join the brewing industry, Kate accepted an opportunity to join the quality assurance team at Anheuser-Busch, Inc (AB). Kate spent over 12 years working at AB at four of their domestic breweries and became their Assistant Brewmaster in Williamsburg, VA. In early 2014, Kate joined Hardywood Park Craft Brewery where she started up their Quality Assurance Program. Kate has been with Hardywood for the last 6 1/2 years.

Brian is a 2001 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in mechanical engineering. Brian worked for seven years in the automotive industry as a mechanical design engineer for Honda Research and Development and has eleven years of experience in the brewing industry with Hardywood as well as abroad in New Zealand with Galbraiths Ale House. Brian was the first employee at Hardywood, and over the past 8 1/2 years he has helped develop recipes and branding, brew on multiple brewhouses, and design multiple brewing systems and facilities.

For the past seven years, Herbert has taught the applied malting and brewing science course for the Department of Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech. Herbert graduated from the Master Brewers Program at UC Davis and passed the brewer’s exam from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, London. He served as head brewer and plant manager of two microbreweries and one brewpub, where he designed and produced dozens of beers for the market. Herbert graduated with a bachelor's in biochemistry and a minor in chemical engineering from Auburn University, a master's degree from Auburn University, and a doctoral from University of Virginia.

Brian oversees the pilot processing plants for the Department of Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech, and is responsible for specifying, installing, and operating equipment used in research, education, and extension. Since joining Virginia Tech in 2013, Brian’s interest in brewing has expanded into malting and hop production/processing, packaging, and developing extension courses for the department. Brian is an active member in the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) and the Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA). Brian has coordinated and developed programming for the regional brewing industry such as ASBC LABS–Sensory Evaluation, ASBC Deep Dive into Quality, HACCP & Food Safety for Brewers, and IFBM & Hartwick Advanced Craft Malting & Technology. Brian received a bachelor's degree in food science and technology from Virginia Tech and a master's in construction management from University of Washington.

Dr. Linda Edmonds Turner received a Ph.D. in business administration, MBA, and a B.S. in clothing textiles & related art, all from Virginia Tech. She also holds a M.S. in general ecology from Michigan State University and has completed a postdoctoral fellowship in higher education administration at Harvard University.

Dr. Turner arrived at Tech in the late '60s, when there were still only a few dozen Black students on campus and she was one of the first six Black women. In her professional career, she has held senior leadership positions in higher education, corporate, and government/public policy organizations. Dr. Turner held two college presidencies, including Interim President of Boston’s Roxbury Community College and the President of Urban College of Boston. She has been serving as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Director of Industrial Accidents (DIA) since 2015.

Linda continues to serve Virginia Tech, having been a member of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors, alongside her membership with the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Council and her continued involvement with the Black Alumni Reunion.

Denise was the first female to serve as Regimental Commander of the Corps of Cadets.

While living on upper quad, she received her bachelor's in international studies and was a member of various honor societies, including Omicron Delta Kappa, Sigma Tau Delta, the Gregory Guard Honorary Military Society, and Scabbard and Blade Honor Society. The Cadet Member-at-Large for her class, she also served on the Ring Design Committee.

After graduation, Denise spent 22 years as an Intelligence Officer in the Marine Corps, earned a doctorate in English while living in the U.K., and currently serves on the Corps of Cadets Alumni Board of Directors.

Tracy Castle-Newman is a managing director at Morgan Stanley in Institutional Equity Sales. She is a member of the Equity Operating Committee and has worked in Financial Services for over 30 years. In her current role, she has specific responsibility for Client Strategy as well as being responsible for running multiple businesses.

Beyond her responsibilities, Tracy has spent time elevating women’s profiles both internally and externally. She has founded multiple marquis clients events focused on raising the profile of women portfolio managers.   

Tracy has been recognized by many organizations and publications, including Worth Power 100 and Crain’s Most Notable Women on Wall St.

She serves on the Pamplin Cabinet, is co-chair of the Finance Advisory Board and is a member of the Seed Advisory Board. Tracy and her husband, Andrew, are members of the Ut Prosim Society.

Robyn earned dual bachelor’s degrees in architecture and political science. During her undergraduate years, she served as class president, and was an active member in Student Alumni Associates, and Order of the Gavel. Robyn looked to further her education and earned a master’s degree, also from Virginia Tech.

During her graduate program, Robyn served as the graduate student representative on the Board of Visitors and has maintained her involvement with her alma mater through the William Preston Society and working with her class reunion committee.

Robyn currently works as the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Marketing at Joba, an award-winning  design, marketing, and communications studio that she and her husband, Kevin, founded here in Blacksburg. Robyn continues to stay on the go between her company and four children that she and Kevin are proudly bringing up in Hokie Nation.

Camille received her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in industrial and systems engineering with a minor in leadership and social change. While at Virginia Tech, Camille was an active student leader involved with Student Alumni Associates, Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, and ISE Student Ambassadors. She was named the 2011 Undergraduate Woman of the Year and Greek Woman of the Year.

Since graduation from Virginia Tech, Camille has worked for General Motors with roles in manufacturing engineering and product development. Concurrently, she earned a master’s degree in global automotive and manufacturing engineering from the University of Michigan. Camille is currently an Engineering Group Manager for Instrument Panels and Floor Consoles in Interior Thermal Cabin Comfort Global Product Engineering. 

As a Virginia Tech alumna, Camille has served as a member of the Student Affairs Young Alumni Board and the ISE Emerging Leaders Board. She currently serves on the VT Alumni Association Board of Directors and is an active member of the Southeast Michigan VT Alumni Chapter.