Mike Hess began his adventure in Boy Scouting in the sixth grade. He joined Troop 818 based in Walnut Creek, CA, which is now part of the Mount Diablo Silverado Council. Mike enjoyed his time with Troop 818, especially the many new experiences it provided for him. He was a patrol leader and the official Troop Bugler. In eighth grade he was named the Official Bugler for the District Camporee. With Troop 818 he attained the rank of Star. One of his favorite experiences with the troop was completing a High Adventure 50 mile hike through Desolation Valley Wilderness.
Mike joined the Navy after his time in the Scouts. The sense of adventure, duty, and leadership skills he learned in Scouting served him well as he served our country. He was an officer and served aboard multiple air craft carriers. In 1994, while stationed in Philadelphia working on the USS John F. Kennedy, he decided it was time to rejoin Scouting and give back as a Scout Leader.
Mike Joined Troop Bala-One (officially Troop 16, now in the Cradle of Liberty Council). Bala-One is considered the oldest Boy Scout Troop in America, having been established a few years before the BSA got their charter. Mike is proud of the two years he spent as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Bala-One. His involvement, with no kids of his own at that time, helped increase the scope of activities the troop was able to do. He also brought his personal High Adventure experience, and was able to provide similar experiences to his new troop through hikes on the Appalachian Trail.
Mike’s Naval Career soon moved him back to San Diego, where he currently resides as Owner/Operator of the eponymous Mike Hess Brewing Co. The lessons he learned in Scouting have stuck with him through life. He attributes his early experiences in leadership roles to providing him with a base for his current leadership role in running a fast-growing successful business. His participation in community service with the BSA carried over into one of the core company values he’s established; Mike Hess Brewing Co. donates product and proceeds to 501(c)3 charities as often as possible, with MHB’s yearly HESSFEST Anniversary Party and Girl Scout Cookie Weekends are two prominent examples of such continued community service. His High Adventure experiences taught him valuable lessons which apply to entrepreneurship: survival requires a good team, always be prepared for the journey, the hard road has the best ending, and (this lesson is especially true in the brewing industry) make sure you have plenty of water.
Individual Ticket - $25 presale / $30 at the door
Each Ticket Gets You:
- A Flight of 5 Tasters
- Tacos from City Tacos
- A PURROWLER of Your Choice to Take Home
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