Meet The Team
Management
Chip Comer
President
with Comer since 1971
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Beer- especially craft brews. Old Cars, guns, Lake Wylie activities, boating in the intercoastal and fishing offshore, and many activities with the University of South Carolina.
Favorite Beer: Hard to pick a particular favorite – but I do like Sours and Barrel-Aged brews. Coors Banquet, and PBR are my go-to day beers, but Schlitz will always be near and dear to my heart…that’s where it all started!
“I started out at 12 years old loading trucks and working in the warehouse after school. Over time the business has changed in many ways, but it’s remained the same in other ways. It is will always be a “people” business! That is what I love about it. What an experience it has been working in all the different positions within the company over the years!” Remember that patience, drive, honesty, and a hard day’s work can be the framework to meeting your goals in life.
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.”
Office and Administration
Sandy Woods
Marketing/Graphic Design and Social Media Specialist
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. “
Valeska Penuela
Administrative and HR Specialist
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.”
Chuck Lee
Inventory Specialist
with Comer since 2016
Hometown: Lancaster, SC
Hobbies: Going to see live music, traveling, reading, and cooking.
Favorite Beer: Barrel-aged Stouts, Hazy IPAs, Banquet and PBR.
“I like to spend time with my girlfriend, Missy, at home or hanging out with friends. I spend most of the rest of my time away from Comer hitting things. I’ve played drums most of my life and still get to play live music.”
Melanie Funderburk
Administrative and Pricing Specialist
with Comer since 2019
Hometown: Lancaster but lived in Charlotte over half my life
Hobbies: Traveling the world (favorite city – Prague, Czech Republic), Dogs, Football, Puzzles
Favorite Beer: Dale’s Pale Ale
Andrew Vinson
Controller and Compliance Officer
with Comer since 2021
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Hobbies: Newberry College and South Carolina Athletics – especially football. Also fishing, spending time with my Yellow Lab Bonnie, and hanging out with family and friends
Favorite Beer: Miller Lite, Corona, and RJ Rockers Son of a Peach
“I was born and raised in Charleston, SC, but I have called York County home since 2006. I moved to Rock Hill in 2006 after graduating from Newberry College to pursue my MBA from Winthrop University. I just entered the beer industry in 2021. Over the last 15 years, I was in the banking industry in the Small Business & Commercial area. Over my banking career, I was fortunate to work with Comer Distributing and when they approached me about the Controller and Compliance Officer position, I made the move. The move to Comer Distributing has been great so far, and I look forward to the future.”
Chain Account Managers
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
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.”
Brand Managers
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
Lee Comer
Import Brand Manager
with Comer since 2011
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Spending time with my daughter, outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking, cars and driving fast
Favorite Beer: Heineken
Creighton Comer
Seltzer & FMB Brand Manager
with Comer since 2012
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Working on and driving cars and motorcycles
Favorite Beer: Corona
Off-Premise Area Managers
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.”
Ben Bacot
Columbia Area Manager
with Comer since 2014
Hometown: North Myrtle Beach, SC
Hobbies: Hiking in the Smokies
Favorite Beer: NoDa Radio Haze
"I grew up trying a lot of different beers, I guess it was my hobby back then. Imported beer was our craft beer back in the day, so when the craft boom hit, it was a dream come true. I got very lucky to get into craft sales with Comer in 2014, and a hobby became a job I love. "
Mark Rogers
York County Area Manager
with Comer since 2018
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Fishing and dirt bikes
Favorite Beer: Coors Light
Travis Williams
Chester Area Manager
with Comer since 2019
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Dirt track racing
Favorite Beer: Coors Banquet
“If you put you mind to it you can do anything in this world. Don’t let your dreams chase you because they won’t happen. Chase them and make it happen.”
Trey Beck
Lancaster Area Manager
with Comer since 2019
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Hanging out with his girls and shooting
Favorite Beer: Miller Lite
On-Premise Area Managers
Jason Conner
On-Premise Manager
with Comer since 2013
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Spending time with my beautiful wife, 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.”
Keith Elliott
On-Premise Manager
with Comer since 2020
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Playing golf and hanging out with his kids
Favorite Beer: Coors Banquet