Head Office

Bill Meissner - CEO

Bill Meissner is a 16 year veteran of the beverage industry. Recent positions have included Brand Director at SoBe Beverages and PepsiCo, Chief Marketing Officer of FUZE Beverages and Coca-Cola, and President of Talking Rain Beverages in Seattle. Bill has a family of 5 with wife Kim, Sons Bryan and Luke and daughter Alyssa. He enjoys outdoor sports and when he has time enjoys competing in Endurance Mt. Biking events.

Carrie Traner – VP of Finance

 A native of Seattle and collector of Pez and Mariner bobble-heads, Carrie Traner enjoys the great outdoors here in the Pacific Northwest when she’s not bean-counting. 

 To frame her likes/dislikes, she refers to the lingo used in one of her favorite radio programs, Too Beautiful to Live (TBTL), ‘Awesome/Not Awesome’.

 Awesome: working at Jones Soda, cycling, hiking, fly fishing, making hand-dipped corn dogs, Vanilla Bean Zilch, being an Auntie

 Not Awesome: High fructose corn syrup, finding a toilet in the parking lot near her parked car, people who throw cigarette butts on the ground (or any litter for that matter), excessive heat/humidity, excessive grime (i.e., bowling shoes)

Eric Chastain – VP of Operations

Willie Nelson. Muddy Waters. Vintage Volkswagens. The Rolling Stones. Family. Back scratches. Old Crow Medicine Show. Barbecue. The Shins. Bob Wills andThe Playboys. Jones Soda. Office Space. Death Cab For Cutie. strong>Pandora.Frank Sinatra. Seinfeld. Trees.  John Lee Hooker. Hawaiian shirts. Costco. Miles Davis. Mexican beer.Neil Young. Sunny afternoons. The Black Keys. Ms. Pac-Man. The Graduate. Stevie Ray Vaughan. Arrested Development. The White Stripes. Cooking. The garagefridge. Elvis Presley. Converse All-Stars. Hank Williams. Hot bubble baths (yeah, so??). Pub food. The Beatles. Laughing. Tom Petty. Molly Moon's Salted Caramel ice cream. Pizza.  The Who. Road trips. Johnny Cash. Practical jokes. Cashews. Presidents of the USA (the band). iPods. Snow days. Gibson Guitars. The Grateful Dead.Dick's Drive-In. The Office. Cake.Karaoke. Tenacious D. Disneyland. Mexican food. Bob Dylan. Cool, fall days. The Ramones.

Phil Brooks- Director Of Tech Services

Phil’s the geeky science guy; 35+ years in the industry; quality control; operations; projects; you name it. He’s so old now he doesn’t even show up on a digital camera.

Phil lives in Canada. Where all that cold air comes from.

Mark Clagg - Operations Manager

I could eat fried corn dogs, tater tots, fish & chips, chicken strips, mushrooms, everyday.  I’m not sure that Paula Dean is really attractive to me, she has a deep fryer built into her kitchen range,  I can’t stop thinking about that, seriously that’s pretty sweet. Other things that are cool, Woody Allen, the Frontier Room (once upon a time), lots of snow in the city, some kind of impossible challenge or deadlines, these crazy cool  people at Jones Soda, small towns – especially their diners, Magnum P.I., the feeling you get after a race, sarcasm, happy hour, Sergio Leone film, John Prines - In Spite of Ourselves.

Even though I have never had any wrangling experience, I can sometimes be heard to utter the comment “that really chaps my hide”.

Laura Earl- Accounting Manager

Likes: Micro & Macro Brews, Deck Parties, Taco Time Tots, Christmas in Cambria, Old Navy Sales, New Hair Cuts, Late Dinners with Trav, Emma’s kindness, Kenz’s wit, Isaac’s accent, Roscoe’s tuxedo

Dislikes: Tardy Tooth Fairies, Traffic, Lisis, Tidying my office

Favorite Jones Flavor: Pomegranate Zilch

Chris Milberger - Inventory Control Manager

I am part of a hard working team. We do work. We do it for the feeling we obtain & because we’re in search of something. We want to relive some great moment we had in the past. Moreover, it’s also to create some other incredible moment like the last one but more intense. As long as we reach our limits... but who knows where those are?  Our realm is when we are together against a new dare. It can be anywhere, on snowboards, at the ballpark, in water, in the air... or at the office doing work.

Laura Blazyk - Director of Logistics & Customer Service

Leaving a smoldering trail of broken hearts and ruined fortunes across Europe, Laura comes to us from the court of Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein. She has expressed weariness of court life and a burning desire to learn how “the real people” get along without staff, limousines, fine art collections, or teams of prize-winning Arabian horses. “It will be so fun,” she has been heard to say, “Like camping!”

A legendary raconteur and philosopher, Laura has had over a dozen volumes of poems, thoughts, scholarship, political analysis, and romance novels published under various pseudonyms, the most famous being the world-renowned cookbook and science fiction legend Esmerelda Bassington-Bassington. She asks that this be kept strictly confidential, as she doesn’t want earnest, doe-eyed young men or autograph-seekers to bother her at work. Especially not the doe-eyed, curly-haired, muscular young men.

Melissa Kelley – Customer Service Coordinator: International, National DTR, Midwest DSD and East Coast DSD Accounts & Facilities Manager

Not to brag, but I’m kind of known for my long titles. Previously, I was called “The One and Only Little Miss Milaca, MN of 1978”. Then, I became “The Queen of All Things, also know as the Little/Big Sister”. When I was older, I became “Melissa Joy, The Supreme Dictator of the Universe Forever and Always”. Well, it turns out that forever started to feel like too long a time and honestly, being the boss of the universe, though it had some great perks, got a little old. Nowadays, I just go by MelKel.

I’ve worked for Jones since 2005. Currently, I’m helping our distribution network east of the Rockies, in Australia and the UK and if they’re in food service. In my “spare time” I will try to wrangle my co-workers into tidying this place up a bit. At the end of the day, I’m happy to go hang with my husband, Dave and our daughter, Lucia B. If you need me after 5pm, check the playground. I’m probably on the swings.

Donna Gentry - CSR Canada

Painter...of pictures not houses

Photographer...of stuff not weddings

Einstein's mom...the pug not Albert

I love: art, movies, pugs, mac's, books, saltwater reef fish tanks, lizards,

family, friends, gin and tonic, PBR, LINDA'S, The Perfect Cup of Coffee, Capitol Hill, sleep

I Hate: pug haters, pc's, traffic, people who

don't know how to yield/merge into traffic,

cheese out of a can, sticky things, Pioneer

Square

Favorite Food: Pho, Mexican food and Pizza

Quote: "GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE"

Einstein Gentry- Customer Service Representative

I am Einstein... Hear me roar...er rather snore...

When I was a young pup I dreamt of someday being fantastically rich and famous. I one day finally reached that destination at Jones Soda Co…under a desk…in a dream again. I was having a nap you see as that is my job here at Jones. Well that and leaving hair on every surface, chewing all the tupperware containers, snatching cookies out of unsuspecting hands, sneaking downstairs to the lobby, eating other dogs food, displaying disorderly raucous conduct to receive my own food or walks, misplacing noxious gasses in neighboring cubicles….totally not on purpose… totally.

Steve Capurro- E-Commerce Coordinator

Likes: Origami, Fighting Video Games, Manga, Anime, People Watching, Berry Lemonade Jones Soda.

Dislikes: People that charge into the elevator before it is empty.

Favorite flavor: Straight B-Rad Lemonade

Hometown: Reno, NV

Pets: I’ve been know to go by several pet names…..

Favorite color: Red, Color to Wear: Black

Places you have been: And it keeps growing and growing and growing...

Hannah Lee- Budget Analyst

Likes: spending time with family, friends and Mr. Mung – my dog, blue sky, warm coffee especially on rainy days, music, driving, watching drama….. and sleep

Dislike: people who have no consideration for others

Hidden talents: playing piano, able to read, write and speak Korean fluently!!!!

Favorite flavors: Sugar-free cola and Berry Lemonade

Hometown: Visalia, CA

Likes:  Tucker, warm weather in Seattle, camping with Benny, neighbor dinner, $5 tights from Target, funny people and veggies from our garden,

Dislikes:  Answering the same questions about my dog every time I leave the house, living away from my family and thumbs.

Kieu Nguyen-Former inventory control coordinator – Former administrative assistant - Current AR administrator

Likes- public transportation

Dislikes- driving

Katie Peterson- Accounts Payable

Things that make my mouth turn upwards: Tucker (my conversational wizard of a cat), Microbrews, Kites, Floating the river, Tomatoes, the Gorge, Free PT from Carly, Trees, Friends (both live humans and the TV series), Hwy20, Recycling, Singing out loud in my car, Dad’s stories, Skiing, Pictures, Road Trips, Mail that isn’t bills, Patty art, House plants, Vacations with Callie & Lacey (Holla!), Picnics, and Orange 76’ Dodge Aspens.

Things that turn my mouth downwards: Plastic water bottles, Crying children, SVU’s in the city, when my Friends DVD skips, mean people, when I forget to water my house plants, cleaning my room, people eating meat, car trouble, and feet touching me. Gross.

Karen Wheeler- Director of Human Resources

I like when my work emulates my life style and Jones is a great fit!

I am an avid outdoor enthusiast. In the winter I spend my weekends teaching snowboarding and exploring the back country at our local ski areas. Summers are spent on the lake wakeboarding, hiking and camping. During the boring months when I can’t swim or snowboard I travel to visit family or explore a new part of the world.

Likes: Being outdoors, adventure and spending time with family and friends

Dislikes: Being bored!

Hobbies: Snowboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, riding motorcycles and travel.

Favorite flavor: Pomegranate Zilch or Root Beer

Favorite Quote: I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day. ~ E. B. White

Stacy Sipinen – Sales Operations Associate

Love: The Pacific Northwest. Kayaking in the San Juan Islands. Running. Coffee. Milk Chocolate. Sleeping in. Organizing. Movies. Brandi Carlile. Bold red wine. Total silence. Chocolate cake. Crisp sunny fall days. Family. Good friends. Cats. Office supplies. Sting. Holiday lights. Movies. Wild weather. Those candy cake decorations I’m not sure anyone else actually eats. Could live without:Florescent lights. Rushing. Motto to Live By: A place for everything and everything in its place. Best travel experiences: Italy. Sailing in Croatia. The San Juan Islands. Whistler, BC. The Gulf Islands. Sailing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Favorite Jones flavors: Vanilla Bean Zilch and Pomegranate Zilch.

Jerald Roco-Systems Administrator

‘Sup, I’m Jerald, but you can call me G, or “Hey You” or simply Jerald. I work on the computers and network here, sometimes the phones. You could say that I’m the computer guy.

I come from a small island in the pacific called Guahan, aka Guam,

Some of the things I like; Lurking the halls at work while pretending to be the creepy guy (hmmm actually I think I am the creepy guy), Pretending I have mad ninja skills, and Asian Cinema.

Some of the things I dislike: People who steal catalytic converters!

Andrew Baumann - Brand Manager

Likes: music, movies, my dogs, my girlfriend, sports, Vegas, eating out, sunny days, investing in stocks, working out, flying places.

Favorites: The hangover, Benihana, cheesecake factory, basketball, football, sour cream and onion gold fish crackers, gummy bears

Erin Flores- Staff Accountant

Favorites: all things purple (I have quite a collection!), sunny days, iced white-mocha Americanos, playing with my new DroidX, vacations & travelling, going on new adventures, cooking, being crafty, finding great deals, cuddly animals, and trying new/fun/exciting activities

Not so favorites: Traffic, being bored, smoking, too hot or too cold weather

Rachel Ross-Receptionist, Exec Admin

I am simply thrilled to be part of the Jones team! Ever since my first FuFu Berry back in the ‘96, I was hooked. It was fate that lead me to the front door.

Hobbies: Acting! painting, cooking, knitting, camping.

Loves: really cold, crisp days with something warm to drink. cheese fries. Skiing. Montana. Driving anywhere! Did I mention I love cheese? Movie trailers are pretty awesome.

Dis-loves: wrappers on packs of anything that you can’t get off. Any hot beverage that spills on your clothes way too early in the morning. The ends of songs.

Favorite Movies: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Ghostbusters. And The Life Aquatic. And The Music Man. And…and…and…

I recently joined a silent Vaudeville comedy troupe, Troupe Comique, and can be seen in their shows all around town. (shameless plug, I know).

Thanks for calling, have a nice day!

Laurie Bernitt- Marketing Coordinator

A recent graduate, a Seattle native and a new member to Jones Soda team… what could be better!? It is nice to be back home in the Emerald City and I am having a blast working for an awesome company. Working at Jones helps keep me busy and helps support my shopping, concert going, cupcake eating lifestyle.

Hobbies: cooking, baking, anything food related.

Likes: fall fashion, fall weather, coffee on rainy days, sunny days, walking to alki, dogs, wine tasting, going to concerts, cupcakes!

Guilty Pleasure: Lady Gaga

Dislikes: snow in Seattle, spiders (with a passion), people who cough into their hands, general disrespect.

Josh Witsoe - Accounting & Payroll Admin

I enjoy long walks with my dog Maggie and Auzzie (not Ozzy), they are very silly and strange and make me smile. 

I enjoy urban farming in my backyard, I grow all kinds of veggies and herbs and have three young hens who really want to destroy them and make me cry. 

I enjoy camping and outdoorsy stuff and traveling. 

I enjoy Scandinavian culture and politics; I also enjoy butchering the Swedish language and any other foreign language when I happen to learn a few phrases.

“Où est le moutarde?”

I do not enjoy idling.

Favorite Jones Flavor: Lime (soooo refreshing!)

Ben Harwood - E-Commerce Customer Service

Abandoned deep in the Nisqually woods at the age of 3 and raised by a pack of Timber wolves, Ben Harwood emerged from the forest several weeks prior to his employment with Jones Soda, subsequently taking up residence in an abandoned cat box off occidental and 1st. After his 2nd interview, they felt he was a perfect fit for customer service in the company’s “MyJones” division. His penchant for howling, and dirt cheap employment requirements, which include only a den built from shredded paper inserts pulled from unsold copies of Jamie Foxx’s last album , and the occasional live marmot, have made him an instant and immediate hit with the team. He is currently at work on his 3rd Random House appointed and distributed autobiographic novel entitled:  “If Wolves Could Take Phone Calls.”

Derek Vandergriend - Design Intern

My name is Derek, I happen to be a designer.

I love skateboarding, bicycles, and live music.

I dislike haterz.

Here is my band:

theyhibernate.bandcamp.com

( I also like turtles )