The People

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Presently the CEO of Hammond Advisors, a family office, Mr. Smith has over 42 years of business experience in industries ranging from management consulting to serving as the president of a company that financed and distributed major motion pictures. Mr. Smith was a Senior Manager in strategy and management advisory services with Price Waterhouse & Co. (now Price Waterhouse Coopers) in the 1980’s. Since that time Mr. Smith has been involved in numerous entrepreneurial activities including co-founding McMann and Ransford, a specialized management consulting organization. For several years he has been researching the craft distilling industry and is well positioned to establish Fredericksburg Spirits as a major player in the industry.  

Founder and Head Distiller

Spirited Oak is the brainchild of Trenton Smith. Mr. Smith served as an apprentice distiller with Balcones Distilling in Waco, Texas. Balcones was one of the early movers in the craft distilling industry and is now perhaps the preeminent craft distiller in the United States, known everywhere for its array of award winning spirits. Mr. Smith will manage the day-to-day operation of the distillery. He is a long time resident of the Texas Hill Country and is well connected in the Texas Hill Country business and social community.