Committed to Curiosity
UGA alumni at Creature Comforts are partnering with their alma mater to help Athens Get Comfortable.
David Stein (AB, AB ’06)
Franklin College of Arts & Sciences | School of Public and International Affairs
As Co-founder and Vice President of Brand Development & Creative, David developed the beginnings of the Creature Comforts brand as the name of his homebrews early in his career in craft beer.
After opening the brewery in Athens, he spent the first few years helping to manage beer production. He has since shifted his focus to developing the brand into an industry-respected and consumer-loved craft brewery built upon the idea that a curious mind leads to better living.
“We feel like we can be an anchor to our town as a for-profit business that is giving back a lot. It allows us to be in a place where we are helping with our community’s greatest needs.”
Adam Beauchamp (BS, BS ’05)
College of Environment & Design | Franklin College of Arts & Sciences
Adam studied life sciences at UGA and, soon after graduating, discovered his passion for brewing.
As Co-founder and Brewmaster, he is responsible for crafting all the familiar flavors of the brand. However, he is most excited about playing a mentor role for others at the brewery, including UGA interns focused on microbiology and sustainability.
“During my time at UGA I really learned how to be a scientist. I think I got a very good and diverse background coming out of Georgia, and it set me up for what I consider some pretty good success here.”
Fenwick Broyard (MSW ’13)
School of Social Work
Fenwick has been a long-time community leader in Athens and has served on the Get Comfortable Advisory Council since its inception.
He recently joined the CCBC team as Vice President of Talent & Culture. He hopes to build professionals and create the kind of environment that draws the best out of individuals – the kind of place Bulldogs want to work.
“It was really through the University of Georgia that I came to exercise leadership in Athens. I was poured into while I was there by some really high-quality mentors.”
Matt Stevens (AB ’03, MPA ’14 )
Franklin College of Arts & Sciences | School of Public & International Affairs
As Vice President of Strategic Impact, Matt leads CCBC’s community impact strategy including its flagship program Get Comfortable, which aims to align corporate philanthropy and concentrate resources where they are most needed. Matt was also a 2020 UGA 40 Under 40 honoree and 2021 TEDxUGA speaker.
The 2020 Get Comfortable campaign kicked off with a special event at UGA’s Studio 225 hosted by the Willson Center. Listeners sat in on a conversation between this year’s collaborating breweries and Associate Professor Grace Bagwell Adams from the College of Public Health, who serves on the Get Comfortable Advisory Council.
“My time in the MPA program at UGA was invaluable. That really fortified the direction I’ve been moving in for the last 10 years, which is how to position an organization to impact and serve the community around it.”
Ally Hellenga (ABJ ’16)
Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication
As the Community Manager, Ally stewards the Get Comfortable campaign as well as Brew for One, which was created to meet more specific needs in the community.
In the wake of COVID-19, she has been key in providing support for those struggling in Athens. As one example, CCBC partnered with Other Half Brewing in Brooklyn, New York on a beer collaboration called All Together, which benefits service industry workers across the state through the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.
“I wanted to make my community a better place. And I think that value was instilled in me during my time at the University of Georgia.”
Blake Tyers (BBA ’06)
Terry College of Business
As Wood Cellar & Mixed Fermentation Director, Blake the “barrel guy” is behind the speciality brand and he wants you to remember that good beer is directly tied to good farming.
He has worked hard to source many of CCBC’s ingredients locally including from UGArden. This partnership led to Tulsi – a saison brewed with tulsi and hibiscus – and Always a Pleasure – a dry-hopped foeder brewed with lemon verbena.
“When we opened up, I thought, just a few blocks away is a major research institution and also my Alma Mater. What are all the different ways we could work together?”
Connecting Businesses with Bulldogs
Below you’ll find the many ways UGA has partnered with CCBC over the years. Between our accomplished alumni, renowned faculty, groundbreaking research and high-caliber students, there are plenty of reasons for corporations of all sizes to partner with UGA. If your business is looking for a meaningful partnership, our Corporate Relations team can help.
- CCBC sources a number of ingredients for their beers from UGA’s horticulture lab, known as UGArden. (See Always a Pleasure and Tastes Like Flowers.)
- Every semester, CCBC works with the Office of Sustainability, the Terry College of Business, and the Microbiology Department to create experiential learning opportunities through UGA internships and class projects.
- The Willson Center for Humanities & Arts partnership with CCBC produces arts-enrichment and educational events for the Athens community.
- Dr. Grace Bagwell-Adams, the Assistant Dean for Outreach, Engagement & Equity at UGA’s College of Public Health, sits on the Get Comfortable Advisory Council.
- Terry College Distinguished Professor, Dr. Jessica Rodell spent several years studying Creature Comforts’ unique approach of incorporating customers into onsite service projects. Her research was published in the Academy of Management and tailored to a Harvard Business Review article.
