Michael Rubel is a respected industry veteran who has played a pivotal role in shaping Chicago's bar landscape. In 2007, Michael joined the opening team for One Off Hospitality's The Violet Hour as General Manager, transitioning into Beverage Director while overseeing beverage conceptualization and development at Big Star. Michael has also spent time behind the bar at a variety of trailblazing venues, including the award-winning Billy Sunday and Heisler Hospitality's Lone Wolf. In 2016, Michael teamed up with Heisler Hospitality to open Estereo, a love letter to Latin and Caribbean spirits. His progressive approach to seasonal cocktails adds to the bar’s renown, and as with everything he does, pushes Estereo's program to the forefront of the industry, both locally and nationally.

It is with extreme sadness and a deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of our founding Beverage Director, Partner and friend, Spring 2023. A true friend and inspiration, Michael showed remarkable passion in all aspects of his life, and we will continue to celebrate his contributions to our lives. He leaves behind a company that only he could have helped build, and whose spirit will forever be our foundation.

Claudia, our CEO and Partner, has been has been curating customer experiences for over twenty years for premium food and beverage, consumer goods and lifestyle brands. Claudia’s career has taken her from brands as diverse as Adidas and Stolen Spirits, to the IL Lottery, and from producing the Opening of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, to procuring talent for President Barack Obama’s 50th Birthday party, and being a founding partner of Chicago mainstay; Debonair Social Club.

Finding her passion in spirits and consumer packaged goods, Claudia partnered with the Blue Blazer team bringing a well rounded track record of creating and managing dynamic businesses.

She understands how to select and develop the best ideas within the budget and time constraints to maximize strategic output from supply chain to most sippable cocktail.

When she is not crunching numbers and planning to take over the world a few brands at a time, you can find Claudia cooking for friends, travelling.... or screaming about a Formula 1 Race.

claudia@drinkblueblazer.com

Brian Troglia is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Co-Founder of Blue Blazer. With over 25 years of experience providing legal representation to hospitality clients, Brian's knowledge of the industry and love for all things liquor makes Blue Blazer a perfect fit for his passion and desire to bring a new standard of ready-to-drink cocktails to market. Brian works with the Blue Blazer team to develop clients, oversee business growth, and provide leadership in a constantly evolving segment of the liquor industry. An avid outdoorsman, Brian is excited to now have high-quality and ready-to-drink Blue Blazer cocktails as a "travel companion" to wind down after a long day on the water or in the field.

brian@drinkblueblazer.com

Josh Kaplan is a co-founder of Blue Blazer, an attorney, a music manager and addicted to start-ups. Josh brings his entrepreneurial background and real world experience to the team and focuses on value add partnerships for the company. When Josh has a moment away from one of his several ventures he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids (while drinking a Blue Blazer cocktail).

josh@drinkblueblazer.com