Meet The Team
Chip Comer
President
with Comer since 1971
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Beer – especially craft brews. Old cars, lake activities, hunting, and many activities concerning The University of South Carolina
Favorite Beer: Hard to pick a particular favorite – but I do like Black Lagers and Dry Hopped IPAs. Coors Banquet, PBR, and Schlitz are my all day brews.
“I started out at 12 years old loading trucks and working in the warehouse. Over time I’ve held almost all positions within the company.”
Rich Barker
Vice President/General Manager
with Comer since 2003
Hometown: Lancaster, SC
Hobbies: Fishing, Hunting, anything outdoors!
Favorite Beer: Anything barrel-aged
“I started in the beer industry in 1996 with another distributor. In 2003 I came over to Comer and I haven’t looked back since.”
Kleber Dusenbury
Convenience Chain Manager
with Comer since 1997
Hometown: Goodrich, MI
Hobbies: Baseball (Detroit Tigers), Raising Bees, Guns
Favorite Beer: Blue Moon Belgian White
“I started out in the restaurant business at age 14. I moved to Florida for college, and worked for the Beefsteak Charlie’s restaurant chain for 8 years. Finally, I moved to Lancaster in 1994, where I managed an Applebee’s. My first move into the beer business was to Comer in 1997.”
Pat Patterson
Grocery Sales Manager
with Comer from 1995-1999 and 2008-present
Hometown: Elmira, NY
Hobbies: Boating and Diving
Favorite Beer: COLD
“I started in the beer business with American Eagle in 1993. Comer purchased American Eagle in 1995. I stayed with Comer until 1999, when I moved to Charleston and worked for Lee Distributors for 6 years. I accepted a sales management position at Yahnis in Florence in 2005. Not in love with Florence, I came back to Comer in 2008 to work for Chip again.”
Kipp Ellis
Craft Brand Manager
with Comer since 2012
Hometown: Clover, SC
Hobbies: Home brewing, collecting rare sour beers, brewery hopping, camping, and growing an epic beard!
Favorite Beer: Sours
“I started in the beer industry in 2006 pulling grocery stores and worked my way into sales for another distributor. I came to Comer in 2012 as a driver and I have held nearly every position here. My love for craft beer has led me to many opportunities with the company and I love being able to educate and share that passion with others. “About beer I never lie. A man who lies about beer makes enemies.” — Stephen King
Jason Wilburn
York County Area Manager
with Comer since 2006
Hometown: Chester, SC
Hobbies: Hunting & golf
Favorite Beer: Cold
“I began as a driver for Comer in 2006. Since then I’ve held a myriad of positions: trainer, sales rep, Chester County Area Manager, Lancaster County Area Manager, and finally York County Area Manager.”
Jason Conner
On-Premise Manager
with Comer since 2013
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Spending time with my beautiful fiance, Annslee, hunting and fishing.
Favorite Beer: Coors Banquet
“I started out with Comer as a driver, both for on-premise and off-premise. I then trained employees and merchandised stores. Today I am an on-premise manager. I enjoy being at Comer because it feels like a family. ”
Chad Mobley
On-Premise Manager
with Comer since 2015
Hometown: Chester, SC
Hobbies: Spending time with my daughter, Spencer, and sports, especially Gamecock football.
Favorite Beer: OMB Copper and Coors Light
“I began working for Comer as a salesman for on-premise. After two years, I became on-premise manager. I love being at Comer because we have a great group of people who help create a family environment.”
Shawn Kyle
Lancaster & Indian Land Area Manager
with Comer since 2016
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Golf, swimming, and tasting beer
Favorite Beer: D9 Brown Cow
“I previously worked for Comer, and always regretted leaving. I came back because I love beer and all the people that work here.”
Paul Mobley
Chester Area Manager
with Comer 1998-2015 and since 2017
Hometown: Chester, SC
Hobbies: Fishing, basketball, and the Clemson Tigers
Favorite Beer: Milwaukee’s Best Light
Paul left us for a couple of years, but he remembered that “home is where the heart is”, and came back to us in 2017.
Josh Taylor
Columbia Area Manager & Craft Specialist
with Comer since 2012
Hometown: Lexington, SC
Hobbies: Touring breweries, camping, cooking, World of Warcraft
Favorite Beer: New Holland Dragons Milk
“I have been selling craft beer in SC since 2007. When I first started, I had 3 jobs to make ends meet. Now, the scene is booming and I am proud have been a part of it since almost day one.”
Rich Brown
with Comer since 2008
Hometown: York, SC
Hobbies: Spending time with family, entertaining family & friends, Shagging-SC State Dance, exercising/Working Out
Favorite Beer: Too many to name
“I first started working in the beverage industry in 1998, for small family owned company in Matthews NC, that dealt with H2O only. In May of 2008, the opportunity with Comer became available. Moving from the water industry to beer was quite the change for me, but I must say that it has been one of the most rewarding changes in my entire life.”
Valeska Penuela
Route Accounting
with Comer since 2014
Hometown: Neiva, Colombia, South America
Hobbies: Spending time with daughter, dancing, and traveling
Favorite Beer: Chocolate peanut butter porters
“During my last semester at The University of South Carolina, Mr. Comer gave me the opportunity to intern at Comer Distributing. I enjoyed my time as an intern, and was lucky enough to begin a career with this fabulous company. I now manage the route accounting system, and look forward to coming to work every day.”
Brent Durling
IT Manager
with Comer since 2007
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Video games, reading, & fantasy football
Favorite Beer: Ballast Point Calm Before The Storm
“I started working for Comer about a year after college. I get to work with technology AND beer? Sign me up.”
Sandy Woods
Graphic Designer
with Comer since 2014
Hometown: Statesville, NC
Hobbies: Cooking, computers, playing fantasy sports, & spending time with family, friends and my pets
Favorite Beer: Miller Lite, Blue Moon, PBR, Fruli
“I started in the beer business in 2006 working for a beer distributor in Concord, NC. I moved to Rock Hill and did the drive for many years from Rock Hill to Concord, NC. I will always be grateful for the day that Chip Comer offered me a job at this wonderful company. I love designing beer ads and seeing my “Beer Art” displayed around town. ”
Justin Jones
Pricing Coordinator
with Comer since 2008
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Golfing
Favorite Beer: Porters & Stouts