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
Nathan Hall
Controller and Compliance Manager
with Comer since 2006
Hometown: Lancaster, SC
Hobbies: Spending time with my family and friends, music, movies, reading, boating, travel, acting, writing.
Favorite Beer: Mille Lite, OMB Copper, Rogue Hazelnut, Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate Stout
“I’ve been working at Comer Distributing since 2006. I’ve worked as a Driver, Trainer, Area Manager, Purchasing Manager, and now as the Controller and Compliance Officer. I live in Indian Trail with my wife Alison, and my daughter Ashley. We love the outdoors, so on weekends you can normally find us at Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park, or on the waters around Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown.”
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. “
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, AR, and HR 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
Will Funderburk
Pricing Coordinator
with Comer since 2022
Hometown: Lancaster, SC
Hobbies: Spending time with my girlfriend, friends and family, gaming, watching movies, reading, & playing golf.
Favorite Beer: Hard ciders, IPA’s (specifically Sycamore), and stouts.
“I first started in the beer business when I got a part time job at a local micro-brewery in my hometown. 3 years after that I started working for Comer Distributing as a part time merchandiser, working on the weekends. 2 years after that, I graduated college and started working as a full-time merchandiser for the company. And 3 months after that at 23 years old, I am now their Pricing Coordinator, and I am having an absolute blast. I owe everything to Chip and Rich for giving me such a big start with a wonderful company filled with such wonderful people!”
Sharon Pringle
HR Manager
with Comer since 2023
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Hobbies: When I am not working, I love to read, travel, and enjoy being with my family, friends, and black Labrador.
Favorite Beer: Angry Orchard, Blue Moon, and Heineken (I toured the Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam many years ago!)
“I’ve been in the human resources field for approximately 25 years. After taking a few years off, I am thrilled to join the team at Comer Distributing Company. From the start, it was clear that this is a well-respected organization with leadership that truly cares about their employees.“
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: Spending time with my wife and daughter, camping, barbequing in the great outdoors, building things that go bang and traveling.
Favorite Beer: Beer Flavored Beer! Cold and in my hand.
“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
Warehouse managers
Aaron Hughes
Warehouse Manager
with Comer since 2018
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Golf, Gamecock football, spending time with family and friends, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and going on cruises.
Favorite Beer: Coors Banquet, and a new favorite of Modelo Oro
“I’ve been in Warehouse work for 20 years, and the Warehouse Manager for Comer Distributing for the past 6. This is a great family-owned company that takes care of their employees and I’m glad to be a part of it!”
JT Smart
Warehouse Manager
with Comer since 2018
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Fishing and spending time with family
Favorite Beer: Modelo and 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.”
TL Leonard
York County Area Manager
with Comer since 2021
Hometown: York, SC
Hobbies: Sports & coaching
Favorite Beer: Corona & Coors Light
Pat Cooper
Lancaster Area Manager
with Comer since 2023
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Cars, motorcycles, guns and vacations
Favorite Beer: No favorite, I like them all!
“I got into the beer business in 2009 doing delivery/sales along with merchandising. The beer bug just got into and been in it pretty much ever since. I like the competitive nature of it along with interacting with store owners along the way. “
Gus Cibbarelli
Chester Area Manager
with Comer since 2020
Hometown: Fort Mill, SC
Hobbies:Fishing, cooking, homebrewing beer
Favorite Beer: Coors Light
“I started with Comer as a weekend merchandiser but once I graduated from college, I started full time with the company as a spare driver. I was on a delivery route of my own, moved to a trainer position, and I have now happily been given the opportunity to be the Chester 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
"Growing up, I was always trying out new beers - it was my passion. Back then, imported beer was considered "craft" in my community, so when the craft beer boom hit, I felt like I had won the lottery. In 2014, I was fortunate to join Comer in craft beer sales, and I'm happy to say that my hobby has now become my dream job."
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