Many people contributed to the completion of this book. First and foremost I would like to thank my wife, Kimberly; my sons, Thomas and Michael; my parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Schmid; and my Kentucky parents, Richard and Carol Dunn, for their love and support.
Thanks are also due to the following people for their direct or indirect support of this project:
My brother and sisters and their spouses: Gretchen, Tiffany, Rachel, Justin, Bennett, Ana, Shane, and John. I always enjoy drinking with you.
The Hotel-Restaurant Management, Beverage Management, and Hospitality Management faculty at Sullivan University’s National Center for Hospitality Studies: Anne Sandhu, Dawn McGiffen, and D. Stuart Wilson. I enjoy working with an “A-team” every day.
John Peter Laloganes, my friend. I appreciate your advice and support.
Bill Noel, my friend and mentor. Thank you for your ideas and support and, most of all, for sharing your experience.
Adam Segar, my friend. I am grateful for your advice and energy; you constantly raise the bar.
Scot Duval, who provided counsel and friendship.
Laura Sutton, who supported this project from the beginning, when I first pitched the idea.
Ashley Runyon, who picked up this book and ran with it across the goal line.
Joy Perrine, bartender extraordinaire. Thank you for your business savvy and your energy.
Chancellor A. R. Sullivan, who leads the university where I work. Thank you for your support.
President Glenn Sullivan, who shared his love of the Bluegrass State’s beverage, bourbon, and provided good advice and support.
Dr. Eric Harter, who believed in me.
Dr. Jay Marr, who offered support and advice.
Dr. Stephen Coppock, my friend and mentor.
Thank you for always seeing the light side of everything and for our jokes.
Keith Lerme, dean of the National Center for Hospitality Studies. Thank you for your leadership and sense of humor.
David H. Dodd, MBE. Thank you for leading by example and for your perspective and wisdom.
Allen Akmon, John Foster, Kimberly Jones, Derek Spendlove, Pam Hamilton, and Rob Beighey, the chairs of the programs at Sullivan University’s National Center for Hospitality Studies. Thank you for your leadership and example.
Finally, I would like to thank the following artists, whose music I listened to while writing this book: Keb Mo, Albert Cummings, B. B. King, Buddy Guy, Darius Rucker, Dave Matthews, David Holmes, Dr. Dre, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Etta James, Jay-Z, Jarrod Niemann, Johnny Cash, and Sheryl Crow.