CO-FOUNDER & MANAGER

Glen has spent over 35 years in manufacturing management and brings a deep passion for handcrafted products and attention to detail to our enterprise. Glen is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the distillery and is committed to upholding our mission of producing exceptional spirits with a local focus. Glen's love for the town of Bennington is reflected in his work at the distillery, and he is dedicated to creating a unique experience that showcases the best of what the region has to offer. When he's not working, Glen enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys, skiing, and listening to music, particularly the Foo Fighters. Glen is also a licensed crane operator and has a passion for extreme sports, although he admits he has less time for those activities these days due to his busy schedule and the need to take care of his knees.

CO-FOUNDER

Matt's family has a deep history in Bennington, dating back over two hundred years to the days of the original Vermont Republic. As a Bennington native, Matt is thrilled to contribute to the historic downtown and share his passion for quality spirits with the community. With a career that has taken him from Pittsburgh, where he met his wife Jodi at Carnegie Mellon University, to Chicago, where he earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Chicago, out to California, and now back to New York, where he resides with his family. Matt has founded and been involved in several startups, but the Village Garage Distillery is unique in its sense of mission. Matt's commitment to our craft and community is the foundation of our mission to create exceptional spirits with a local focus, and he continues to drive our vision as we grow and evolve. In his free time, Matt enjoys the great outdoors or explores new local flavors and experiences.

CHIEF STORYTELLER

Jonathan Goldsmith needs no introduction, but we’ll give him one anyway. Jonathan worked as an actor on New York stages and on Hollywood screens for nearly 50 years before landing a role as the advertising non-spokesperson “The Most Interesting Man in the World.” After years of Hollywood and Caribbean adventures that included films with John Wayne, television show appearances and playing date to Judy Garland, Jonathan moved to Vermont with his wife Barbara in 2012. He became active in philanthropy, the community and meeting the neighbors. In the classic “a guy walks into a bar” scenario, Jonathan quite literally walked into Village Garage Distillery in 2022 where he met co-founder Glen Sauer. One story led to another, which led to the one you’re reading now. As VGD’s Chief Storytelling Officer, Jonathan helps the brand and patrons alike tell and create stories through appearances, hosting events, and joining local and nationally recognized artists onstage, around bonfires, and more.

HEAD DISTILLER

From his humble beginnings as an industrial electrician, Ryan discovered a passion for all things fermentable, starting with brewing beer in the early 2000s. With his ability to build things, he built his first still over 11 years ago, sparking a journey that has taken him all over the world to learn and perfect his craft. Ryan's impressive career includes over five years as a lead distiller for the world-renowned Bluecoat Gin. Seeking a new challenge, Ryan joined Village Garage Distillery in the quiet town of Bennington, where he now serves as our Head Distiller. With his expertise and unwavering passion, the story of craft distilling is just getting started for Ryan.

HEAD OF SALES

A proud Bennington native. Jamie, his wife Amy, and their son Blake reside in nearby Pownal, Vermont. As a successful multiple business owner, Jamie has honed his sales skills through years of face-to-face interaction and exceptional customer service throughout his career. With his deep roots in Vermont, Jamie is committed to driving the Village Garage brand to new and exciting heights. He brings a wealth of expertise to our team, helping to shape our strategy and build meaningful connections with our customers. When Jamie isn't at work, you can find him spending time with his family or exploring the beautiful Vermont countryside.