Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief with Cameron Herold
Ep. 609 - New Belgium Beer Chief Supply Chain Officer Tom O'Connell - We're a Human Powered Business
What does it take to keep a brewery's supply chain running when a hurricane floods it six feet deep, four days after you start the job? In this episode, Lindsay Smith sits down with Tom O'Connell, Chief Supply Chain Officer at New Belgium Beer. Tom brings nearly 28 years in brewing, including 25 years at Anheuser-Busch where he led more than 1,400 employees across 46 locations, before joining New Belgium in 2024 to oversee brewing operations across its four US breweries. Tom breaks down what it actually means to own everything from raw materials to the last mile of delivery, how New Belgium keeps culture consistent across four very different regions, and what he learned leading the Asheville brewery through Hurricane Helene, a crisis that tested the company's people first philosophy in real time. Listen now. Sponsored by: Genius Network, an exclusive community for highly successful entrepreneurs, that connects you with top-tier leaders, strategic insights, and powerful relationships to help you grow your business faster and smarter. Learn more here . Timestamped Highlights 00:33 Meet Tom O'Connell, Chief Supply Chain Officer 02:00 How Tom Got Into Beer by Fate 02:54 25 Years at Anheuser-Busch 04:14 What the Chief Supply Chain Officer Role Covers 09:56 The Annual Leadership Retreat 12:06 Managing Culture Across Four Regions 14:42 Innovation Engine: Voodoo Ranger, RTDs, and Kirin 25:20 Hurricane Helene Hits Asheville 27:56 Crisis Leadership: People First 44:07 Rising Costs and Supply Chain Disruptions About the Guest Tom O'Connell is Chief Supply Chain Officer at New Belgium Beer, where he oversees brewing operations and supply chain strategy across the company's four US breweries. He brings nearly 28 years of brewing experience, including 25 years at Anheuser-Busch, where he rose from intern to Vice President of Brewing and Quality for North America, leading a team of more than 1,400 employees across 46 locations. He joined New Belgium in 2024 and led the Asheville brewery's recovery after Hurricane Helene flooded the facility just days into his tenure. Mentioned Resources Anheuser-Busch New Belgium Brewing Bell's Brewery About the Co-Host Lindsay Smith is an experience-driven growth strategist and former Chief Strategy Officer. She previously scaled a new region without a traditional sales team or bloated marketing budget by turning relationships, culture, and execution into revenue. She is the author of No One Needs Another Company Mug, Stop Branding, Start Experiencing, and helps leadership teams use experience as a competitive growth lever. Important Links Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn Explore the COO Alliance – The World's Leading Community for Seconds in Command Get Cameron's book: Second in Command, Unleash the Power of Your COO Book Claim your FREE copy: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off) Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi
