North Coast Brewing Names Daniel G. Lee CEO
Lee succeeds Jennifer Owen, who earlier this year said she plans to retire from the company.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
North Coast Brewing Co. has hired Daniel G. Lee as chief executive, succeeding Jennifer Owen. The company announced the appointment Wednesday.
Why it matters
The leadership change marks a transition at the Mendocino County craft brewery as Owen steps away after serving as CEO since January 2022. Lee brings more than two decades of experience in brewing and consumer products, including founding Odin Brewing Co. in Seattle.
North Coast produced 33,400 barrels, or 1.03 million gallons, of beer in 2025, according to the company's figures. Lee brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across brewing and consumer products, but the announcement did not detail his first priorities.
The players
North Coast Brewing Co.
A craft brewery founded in 1988 in Mendocino County, California, known for its beers and its long-running brewing operation.
Daniel G. Lee
A brewing and consumer products executive who founded Odin Brewing Co. in Seattle in 2009 and has worked at Miller Brewing Co. and SC Johnson.
Jennifer Owen
North Coast's former chief financial officer who became its first female CEO in January 2022 and is planning to retire.
The details
Daniel G. Lee was hired as CEO of North Coast Brewing Co., replacing Jennifer Owen, who had previously served as the brewery's chief financial officer and kept that role while leading the company. Lee most recently worked as principal consultant at Strong Consulting Partners and previously held leadership roles at Miller Brewing Co., Philips Electronics' Sonicare division and SC Johnson.
Timeline
- 1988: North Coast Brewing was founded by Mark Ruedrich and partners.
- 2009: Lee founded Odin Brewing Co. in Seattle.
- 2019: Ruedrich retired from executive leadership.
- October 2021: Owen began serving as interim CEO.
- January 2022: Owen became North Coast's first female CEO.
Leadership Trajectory
Lee's hiring follows the path North Coast set when Jennifer Owen moved from interim CEO in October 2021 to permanent CEO in January 2022, a sequence that marked the brewery's first female chief executive. The succession now transfers that role to an executive whose background spans brewing founding and large consumer-products firms.
Customers of North Coast's beers may see whatever pricing, product or distribution decisions Lee makes as he takes over, though the announcement did not specify any changes. Shoppers and fans of the brewery should watch for updates on the company's direction under its new leadership.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at established craft breweries often signal shifts in strategy, and Lee's background in both brewing and large consumer products suggests the company may balance tradition with broader market reach. Readers following North Coast should track future announcements on its direction.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage on the leadership moves shaping California businesses.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Willits News.
