Katharine (Kate) Jerkens is the Chief Business Officer for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, overseeing all areas of sales, marketing and distribution efforts for the brand globally. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and spirits industries, Jerkens brings an educated perspective to her role as she works to solidify Uncle Nearest as a top premium spirits brand with distributors for bars and restaurants worldwide.
Jerken’s joined the Uncle Nearest team prior to its launch in 2017 when founder and CEO Fawn Weaver approached her about the idea of starting the whiskey brand Under Jerkens leadership, Uncle Nearest has become the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in history, the most awarded whiskey - including bourbon - of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, and, in 2022, the brand reached $100 million in sales. In addition to her role as Chief Business Officer, Jerkens is also a leader of the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative, and currently serves on the DISCUS Craft Advisory Council and the DISCUS DEI Committee.
Previously, Jerkens served as Vice President of Sales for JRK Hotel Group, Director of Sales for Viceroy Hotels and Director of Sales for SLS Beverly Hills and W Los Angeles. Jerkens also worked as a brand immersion trainer for W Hotels, which she credits for helping her understand the importance of developing a brand.
One of our guiding principles is “Pound the Rock.” That is what we have done since day one. Against all odds, having no spirits experience, the whole team, me included, just put our heads down and pounded the rock every day. We didn’t take no for an answer, took help where we were offered, and figured things out alone when we had to. Without a shadow of doubt there were also things happening that were being guided from above, as what we did and continue to do cannot be done without outside forces.
Learning to pivot. In my past life, I was given a lot of roadmaps to follow. I did work for smaller companies that were more entrepreneurial, but the path of success had been laid out. This was a path not laid out in front of us, but one in which we were building as we went. So, learning to trust the experience and to pivot when something wasn’t working, or the market was changing (i.e. during a global pandemic) was something I had to learn and now, it’s a superpower.
Opportunity. When I started in the spirits business, American Whiskey was having its moment – and it still is! Just in the past 7+ years, I have watched various spirits ebb and flow, and now we are seeing a rise of Ready to Drink. I just keep thinking the sky's the limit. The opportunity is there for all of us, and there really isn’t a ceiling to what we can all do.
My husband. My success isn’t just about my success with Uncle Nearest, but about having an amazing husband, three amazing kids, a sweet dog, a house, and a life that we have built together. Without a doubt, none of this is possible for me without the support I have from my husband. Not everyone wants to see their wives succeed, nor will give them the rope to do so, and I have all of that. I get to be me, do what I need to, and I am fully supported (and rooted on) in life.
I have been lucky enough in my life to be surrounded by so many incredible women – both leaders and colleagues (who are now leaders). Having attended an all-girls school, and being a part of a sorority, and then part of the hospitality business for 20+ years, I have met so many incredible women. Recently, I lost my mom to a 7-year battle with Alzheimer’s. As I think back on her life, I must focus on her. She was a feminist – a nurse in the Army, a Labor & Delivery Nurse, a women’s health advocate at Planned Parenthood, a scholar, a counselor, and so much more. She achieved so much early in her life and was my biggest champion. She taught me to be independent and to be a mom, and I only wish it hadn’t taken me so many years to soak in all that she achieved in her life. She also has some pretty amazing sisters, my aunts, that have lifted me up over the years. So often we give credit to previous leaders, but today I want to recognize my mom for helping to shape who I am today.
Outside of the obvious answer – my family- I would say music. I listen to all kinds of music, and music is part of my morning routine, my airport routine (I like to cruise through an airport undistracted), and it’s something that brings me life. Along those same lines, we never miss a chance to see our favorite artists in concert, and often, more than once!
I am excited to see the growth I am seeing in our brand, especially in bars and restaurants. We have worked hard to cultivate relationships with the trade, and we are seeing that support continue to unfold in front of us through overall growth, incredible cocktail programs, and events.
