Our Team
Our collective ethos is exploring culture and growing community, and we’re dedicated to sharing that with the world one sip at a time.
Nick can typically be found watching the sunset and sipping on sotol palomas in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, surrounded by friends and family. He is a seasoned finance, operations, and startup professional with over 20 years of experience managing deals, valuing companies, forecasting trends, launching ventures, improving efficiencies, and scaling businesses. He has spent the last 14 years in the alcohol beverage industry, where he notably launched his own brand and headed the mergers and acquisitions team for Pernod Ricard USA before launching New Brand Ventures for Pernod Ricard. Most recently, Nick served as the CEO of Castle Brands, a $100 million spirits portfolio. Throughout his career, Nick has deployed over $700 million into small and emerging alcohol beverage brands. Before entering the alcohol beverage industry, Nick spent six years in investment banking. He is a graduate of Columbia Business School, where he received his MBA in value investing and entrepreneurship, and a graduate of Harvard University. Nick's passion lies in the intersection of beverages, culture, and community.
Nick Papanicolaou - Founder & CEO
David can typically be found enjoying tequila or mezcal margaritas with less sugar… less lime juice… less ice… neat. He is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses in the alcohol beverage industry. He is a seasoned corporate development and mergers and acquisitions professional and also serves as an investor, board advisor, and fractional CFO for various emerging CPG brands. Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, David worked as an investment banker at Deutsche Bank and Nomura. David has a diverse background — he was born in South Korea, raised in Argentina, and has lived in the United States for over 20 years. David is a graduate of the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, where he majored in finance and international business.
David No – CFO & CIO
Charlie Rodman – Fractional Head of Marketing & Insights
Charlie won’t ever say no to sotol, but can typically be found sipping single malt scotch bottled straight from the cask — maybe even from one of his own casks. He has spent the last decade researching consumer behavior and translating uncovered insights into growth for spirits brands. He fell into the industry after a consulting engagement for Diageo unlocked an unrelenting passion for spirits and redirected his career. He has since worked with both big and small brands. At Pernod Ricard USA, Charlie led the transition to consumer-centric marketing, while also heading consumer insights for their $130 million portfolio of premium whiskies. At Total Beverage Solution, he redeveloped the market strategies for midsized international brands like Edradour, Gozio Amaretto, and Ron Centenario. With Bevridge, he launched e-commerce sampling solutions tied to digital storytelling and education that let brands virtually connect directly with their end consumer.
Oscar Anderson – Fractional Head of Strategy & Communications
Oscar believes a martini can only be served with gin, as the original dry martini was made. After 30 years on Wall Street, Oscar is bringing his deal experience, investing acumen, and business development skills to No Sleep Beverage. As an active player in the leveraged finance market, he has invested in multiple consumer products companies and successfully raised billions in capital for a variety of investment strategies. He was most recently a managing director and portfolio manager at Mudrick Capital, a $3 billion alternative credit asset manager in New York City.
Kelley Spillane – Commercial Brand Advisor
Kelley can typically be found enjoying a Goslings and soda in Bermuda. He is a 30-year veteran in the alcohol beverage industry, currently serving as senior vice president of sales at Castle Brands. He manages some of the most iconic brands, including Goslings Rum, Goslings Ginger Beer and ready-to-drink cocktails, as well as Ramazzotti. Kelley's leadership helped Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer become the No. 1 selling brand in the category within 10 years. He also managed several other premier brands, including Jefferson's Bourbon, before Pernod Ricard's acquisition of Castle Brands. Before joining Castle Brands, Kelley worked at Seagram’s and Crillon Importers (Absolut Vodka).
Tom Spaven – Marketing Brand Advisor
Tom can typically be found playing soccer, tennis, and lying on the physio treatment table, occasionally with a refreshing G&T in hand. He is a 15-year veteran in brand marketing, specializing in the beverage and premium personal care sectors across Europe and North America. He currently leads marketing at Goodwipes, a fast-growing personal care disruptor brand. Prior to that, he worked at Volley Tequila Seltzer, where he established the marketing vision and brand strategy, grew the brand across the U.S., and listed the product in Whole Foods Market. Tom also spent over eight years at Bacardi, leading premium white spirits, vermouth, and cognac in the global travel retail division, and later revitalizing Grey Goose vodka and Bombay Sapphire gin in North America. His career began at the L'Oreal Luxe division in London.
James Sendon – National Accounts Brand Advisor
James can typically be found sharing a neat pour of cask-strength bourbon or a glass of Burgundy with friends. He is a seasoned wine and spirits industry leader with extensive experience in sales, brand marketing, and trade marketing, working in both supplier and distributor roles. He spent over 15 years with the Moet Hennessy division of LVMH, gaining valuable experience in luxury marketing and sales execution. James is also an avid whiskey collector who works with charity groups and has helped raise over $5 million to support charitable causes through whiskey-focused events.
Chris Hofbauer – Supply Chain Brand Advisor
Chris can typically be found drinking mezcal margaritas. He is a successful serial entrepreneur with expertise in alcohol beverage product launches. He specializes in product development, regulatory compliance, logistics, and international supply chains. Prior to his work in the industry, Chris was a professional musician and ran a record label, publishing company, and artist management firm. He studied astronomy and political science in Vienna, Austria.