cider company

aBOUT

About Avid’s Journey

In 2013, AVID Cider entrepreneur Samantha Roberts and her co-founder envisioned a new taste to share with their community. Something that surprised and delighted cider fans with a unique and unforgettable edge. Born from concert kegs at local events and pints passed around picnic tables, Sam’s cider company dream took legs as a business. 

Thanks to that early success and local support, AVID Cider Company started looking for partners to begin expanding operations in the Pacific Northwest and teamed up with Blake’s Hard Cider of Michigan. This winning combo means more Oregon-produced products in the hands of cider fans. 

cider company

More Flavor,
Less Sugar

By Locals,
For Everyone

The Good Kind
Of DIfferent

Meet The Team

The cider company dream team is here. Meet our one, big, happy family. We come from everywhere with one thing in common: cider rules in this house. 

Sam Roberts

Sam Roberts

CEO | Co-Founder

about sam

Sam is our OG. Since the beginning, she’s been involved in every team from the taproom to the production side. Sam is the ultimate taste tester thanks to her family roots in England, where she gets her love of cider. Crossing paths in public with an AVID cider drinker is her favorite full circle moment. Sam loves people and is active in the operations of the business with her local team and regional partners. When she’s not running the show, she loves hiking around Central Oregon and laying in the sun by the High Lakes. Sam’s favorite AVID drink is the Royal Apricot Imperial Cider.

Michael Erwert

Michael Erwert

Sales Director

about mike

Mike is our Sales Manager and resident golfing fanatic. He helps lead sales support efforts and helps collaborate with distributors on multiple fronts. Mike strives to be his best and is behind the creation of new processes that deliver results in cider sales. Best of all, he loves working for a homegrown company based in Oregon. Mike’s favorite AVID beverage is the Blackberry Cider. 

Tim Dodd

Tim Dodd

Key Account Manager

about tim

Tim is our Key Account Manager, and contributes to the success of Avid through strategic relationships with our distributors and key accounts. Tim works with chain buyers to maintain and grow Avid’s footprint across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. He is fueled by his passion for developing lasting relationships that mutualy benefit all parties involed. When Tim is not slinging cider to our accounts, you’ll find him on the golf course, playing weekend jam sessions on the drums or enjoying an Avid Jungle Juice hard cider.

Finn Leahy

Finn Leahy

Marketing Manager

about finn

Finn is at the helm of our busy marketing team! He runs the project management behind our exciting product releases and marketing initiatives. Finn manages digital marketing and helps sales with campaigns and community events. His love for the craft beverage community is driven by personal connection and making incredible memories. His favorite outdoor activities are lacrosse, waterfall chasing, and, of course, hiking. Finn’s favorite AVID beverage is the Blackberry Cider.

scott krug

scott krug

Operations Manager

about scott

Scott is on the operations side of things. For over a year, he has led and managed AVID’s team of production staff, providing guidance, training and performance feedback. He stays motivated by the fact that he gets to make alcohol for a living and enjoys collaborating with sales, marketing and finance teams at AVID. Scott enjoys sipping on an AVID Jungle Juice after a nice hike with the family, a round of golf, or mountain biking ride. 

Tyson Sixkiller

Tyson Sixkiller

Regional Sales Manager

about tyson

Tyson is a key contributor to our success in the Washington Market. As the Regional Sales Manager, he supports and promotes the Avid brand through working with our distributors and key retailers. He is motivated to help Avid grow through creating a stronger presense and connecting with key retail accounts to build lasting relationships. When he is not selling cider you’ll find him golfing, exploring the zoo with his daughter, or kicking back by the firepit with Avid’s Jungle Juice cider.

Reis Nielsen

Reis Nielsen

Field Sales Manager

about Reis

Tyson is a key contributor to the success of our Portland sales market. You will routinely find Reis collaborating with our distributors and making sure our accounts are well taken care of. When Reis is not in the field, you may find him out on the gold course or spending quality time with his wife and children. 

Grant Johnson

Grant Johnson

Field Sales Manager

about grant

Grant is responsible for key account management for AVID, managing our sales in Central and Southern Oregon. A huge part of Grant’s job is attending events and festivals where others get to sample AVID beverages. Giving back to the community that raised him is Grant’s favorite aspect of the job, and being part of what started as a small, family-owned business is a big motivating factor in his work. Grant loves disc golf and skiing and his go-to AVID beverage is the seasonal Pineapple Mango Cider. 

jenna wazny

jenna wazny

Taproom Manager

about jenna

Jenna, affectionately known by us as “Waz,” goes back eight years with AVID as our original taproom team member. Once a bartender, now Taproom Manager, Jenna creates a chill space for our local patrons to unwind, enjoy live music experiences, and shoot some pool. Jenna hires and trains our tasting room experts on the nuances of AVID’s amazing flavor profiles. And best of all, Jenna met her now-fiance while working at AVID. Her favorite AVID beverage is the Royal Apricot Imperial Cider. 

Devin Boner

Devin Boner

Quality Manager

about devin

Devin “Bonesaw” Boner is our chief product quality manger. His role is a crucial component of our production team to ensure that our cider remains the highest quality throughout the production process. Being able to innovate and create high quality products that are new to the market keeps his stoke at an all time high. When not monitoring our cider production, you’ll find Devin shreding the mountain or throwing discs at the local disc golf course.

Stefan Arnsberg

Stefan Arnsberg

Lead Cellar Hand

about stefan

Stefan joined the team a year ago as our lead cellar hand. He is the magic behind the fermentation journey our cider makes from apple juice to finished product. Stefan helps to package finished cider that ships out all over the nation. Quality control and maintaining high standards are his daily passions. Being a Central Oregon resident, Stefan also knows how to have fun snowboarding, camping, kayaking, and adventuring with his three dogs. His favorite AVID beverage is a tie between the Royal Apricot Imperial Cider and the Seven Peaks Marionberry Peach Bellini Hard Seltzer.

Jacob Wilson

Jacob Wilson

Warehouse Supervisor

about jacob

Jacob loves working with local products as our valuable Warehouse Supervisor. For a little over a year, Jacob’s been part of the fun of managing, building, and shipping orders all over the country. He also receives products and helps us track inventory and storage. When Jacob’s not fielding the occasional Castaway volleyball joke about his last name, he’s biking or swimming. Jacob loves cider and AVID’s flagship blackberry flavor is his favorite. 

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