20 Under 40

Tyson Hunt
CEO/Captain, Logboat Brewing Co.
Age: 35

Job description:

I oversee operations and production of the company, and I work with all departments to ensure the Boat continues moving in the right direction and that we’re all paddling together.

Hometown:

Moberly, Missouri.

Years lived in Columbia:

About 13.

Education:

BS, BA in business marketing from the MU; master’s in secondary special education and business education from Portland State University.

Professional background:

Taught special education for six years, both in Portland and for Columbia Public Schools, before co-founding Logboat.

Mentors:

Personally — my wife, my family and close friends; professionally – Brian Habermehl, Gardell Powell, Todd Hoien.

What don’t people know about your job?

I don’t sit around and drink beer all day, although sampling product is a big part of running a brewery! A lot of work goes into the legal aspects of producing and selling an alcoholic beverage to the public, and that occupies a lot of my time, as does managing the finances associated with running a production brewery. Brewing beer is more like 80 percent cleaning, 10 percent actual brewing and 10 percent paperwork (this is based on empirical data).

What is the best thing about your job?

The Logboat family is a wonderful family to get to work with every day. We have some incredible individuals all working together to create something that has never existed before, and I find that both inspirational and humbling at the same time.

A favorite recent project?

Planning our next expansion through the use of Wisdom Fires. Bringing a bottling machine into the production room!

What was your New Year’s resolution in 2015? Did you accomplish it?

To start rock climbing again. I did not accomplish it, unfortunately. Maybe next year?

What are your specific professional goals for 2016?

To learn more about brewing beer and to spend more time developing new recipes that push the envelope for Logboat.

What about your day do you look forward to most?

Seeing as no two days are ever alike, it’s hard to pinpoint a favorite thing. I love being in the brewery when everyone is working on all kinds of different projects — analyzing sales numbers, working on the marketing of a fun new event, determining how to raise money for a local charity, creating a new brand label, brewing beer, packaging beer, getting the tap room ready for service, sampling product, talking about new recipe ideas for beers, naming new beers, running the canning line, cleaning, setting production goals, planning new adventures and team building experiences, MOTMs (meeting of the minds), etc. I love everything about my day, even the walkthroughs by the fire department, health inspector and liquor control agents. I love when the taproom opens and people can be heard conversing, laughing, and enjoying life around something we created. I love talking to and meeting new people, as well as sharing a pint with regulars and old friends and discussing everything from politics to Cardinals baseball.

What motivates you?

The fear of failure and success, as well as the responsibility we have to continue to produce a product that Columbia and the citizens of Missouri can be proud to call their own. I guess at the end of the day I’m motivated intrinsically by my own stubbornness to succeed and the challenge I put on myself to always improve. Extrinsically, I’m motivated by my community and by my desire to do good for others so that we can all live better lives.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

I’d still be in my classroom, working for Columbia Public Schools, teaching students with diverse needs the beauty of physics and mathematics and the amazing power of knowledge.

Community involvement:

I’m currently on the Young Business Leaders Council through Hawthorn Bank and a proud member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Involvement with the Small Business Technology and Development Center, as well as with One Million Cups, has been a tremendous asset to my growth professionally and hopefully helped budding entrepreneurs like myself.

Accomplishment you’re most proud of?

Taking a dream and making it a reality, in the face of a lot of adversity and ample opportunities to quit with no shame. That, and finally marrying the love of my life (since age 16) after trying to win her over for about 10 years, and the two of us creating the two most beautiful humans I’ve ever had the joy of knowing (my two daughters, Charlotte and Stella).

What do you do for fun?

I love taking my family on camping trips, float trips, and exploring the world. I enjoy hunting and fishing and being in the woods, sitting around campfires and telling stories. I love to travel and explore new places. My ideal locations are around a river, lake, in the woods or in the mountains. I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, with a love of wakeboarding and snowboarding, and someday, I want to wingsuit from a helicopter after summiting a very tall mountain. I have a passion for playing and creating music (I play guitar, sing, play piano, banjo and harmonica) and love live music. Spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks, at my family’s lake house, provides wonderful fellowship with more amazing people. I enjoy reading a good book, watching a great film, and cooking delicious meals. I like to throw parties and celebrate life.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Sour Patch Kids and bourbon.

Greatest lesson learned?

Don’t be in a hurry to be first, take your time, get it right, and be the best.

Want more 2016 20 Under 40? Check out Curt Kippenberger’s Q&A.