Why My Life Experience Equips Me to Lead 1878 & Company Brewing
Rob Johnston
I didn’t inherit a brewery—but I did inherit a passion for building things that last. With over 25 years of experience leading business development, sales, and digital transformation for highly regulated industries like biotech, pharma, and life sciences, I understand how to blend tradition with innovation.
This brewery isn’t just a business plan—it’s a tribute to Ohio’s rich brewing history and a personal mission to create something enduring for my family, my community, and future generations.
Expertise Built for Execution
As a Global Director of Client Success and longtime executive in the IT and compliance world, I’ve successfully led multi-million dollar implementations, partner ecosystems, and operations for clients like IQVIA, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and others. That experience translates directly into:
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Scalable operations – managing multiple tap trailers, staffing, and event logistics
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Compliant brewing and distribution – ensuring we meet all state and federal requirements
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Investor-grade modeling – building and executing detailed financial projections and growth models
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Brand and partner strategy – developing co-branding opportunities with regional breweries like Royal Docks, while positioning for high-ROI events and sustainable profit margins
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Personal Grit & Passion
Launching a mobile brewery brand from scratch isn’t for the faint of heart—but I’ve spent my life helping others succeed and know what it means to hustle. Whether it’s prepping the tap trailers at 6 AM for a community festival, working late on an investor deck, or meeting with food truck partners, I show up with integrity, work ethic, and creativity.
This project is a blend of my passions: community, legacy, craft, and purpose. I’m building something I want my kids and grandkids to be proud of—and something every investor, partner, and customer can believe in.
