The Schulten family distilling enterprise is growing!
Click here to send your resume or inquiry about joining the team.
Rob Schulten
Distiller | Co-Founder
Rob started his professional life after graduating from Tufts and the University of Chicago. Having been raised in Connecticut a few country road exits from the distillery he quickly turned his talents to chemical engineering and ensuring efficiencies and quality control in GE facilities. Following his fathers late path to entrepreneurship Rob fulfilled his dream and opened the distillery with his family in 2015. His father had been a New York trained lawyer prior to starting the famous Old McDonald Farm restaurant in Norwalk Connecticut. The family owned that landmark for thirty five years. Rob felt the itch to do what he loved and wanted to do it in his home state of Connecticut. He designed, built, and created Fifth State Distillery from the ground up and now controls all aspects of production for the award winning spirits.
Bridget Schulten
CEO | Co-Founder
Bridget controls the business end of things for the distillery. Hailing from Rome, Georgia she found a home long ago in Connecticut with Rob after attending the University of Georgia. They met while working together and now work together again on the daily operations of Fifth State. Bridget monitors the core direction of the company while ensuring the trains run on time, the harvests are timely, and the best products are obtained for Rob’s processes.
Sam Schulten
Distillery Manager
Sam was born and raised in Connecticut and attended the University of Connecticut. He’d like to say he didn’t research distilled products in college but no one would believe him. Sam cultivated a love of the distillery while joining his parents on the weekends and soon found a great aptitude for assisting Rob and the rest of the team in keeping the distillery orderly. Under the watchful eye of Rob, Sam intends on beginning to create his own spirits soon.
Neil Doocy
Graphics and Marketing
Neil has been working with the distillery since its founding. He keeps a fine tuning on the branding and marketing literature for Fifth State while also coordinating visitors, tastings, and most recently a ton of ZOOM guests. Neil loves being creative and has an eye for detail that enables him to be a great cocktail purveyor as well.
Art Williams
Brand Ambassador
Art is a lifelong resident and big fan of all things Connecticut. He has been active in the Central Connecticut music and martial arts scenes for over 20 years. He has a History degree from the University of Connecticut and a Minor in Marine Archaeology. His professional life started in the most stereotypical of Connecticut’s industries, Insurance. During his time in insurance he discovered he loves to meet new people and make connections. He has since transitioned to Education. After meeting the Fifth State Team at a tasting in 2018 he offered his services to promote their products. Art is a man who has worn many hats, but weekends Spring to Fall you will likely see him at local festivals in a patchwork cap, espousing the virtues of Fifth State Products.