Rick Fillmore

Beverage Consultant for our
Livonia store.

Email Rick at Rick_Fillmore@buschs.com
Livonia - 734-779-6100

My first experience with wine occurred in the 1980s, when I was a Beverage Manager at the Holiday Inn-West in Ann Arbor. I worked many weddings and banquets, so I was always around wine. At that time, a couple of my friends moved to wine regions (Finger Lakes, NY and
St. Louis, MO). Every time I visited, my friends and I attended wineries together. Because I was exposed to wine constantly, I had no choice but to become an enthusiast.

I have worked at Busch's as a Beverage Consultant for almost six years. I love partaking in the tasting events that we hold because I get to experience many wonderful wines.

I feel that every wine has its place – from the earthy Mourvèdre to the buttery Chardonnay. Right now, my favorites are the Spanish red Rioja and the spicy red Rhone. I am a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and also am a Level 1 Sommelier with the Masters of Sommelier program. I'm a man of indiscriminate tastes, so talk to me if you want to try something new.

Fred Nelson

Beverage Consultant for our
West Bloomfield store.

Email Fred at Fred_Nelson@buschs.com
West Bloomfield - (248) 539-4581

My experience with wine began in 2001 with a small family owned distributor that had an amazing portfolio. Initially I had no knowledge of wine, but I was willing to learn, and slowly but surely I became a convert.

I have traveled to California and Michigan wine regions, enjoying some of the finest wines and hospitality the world has to offer. I am also a Certified Specialist of Wine and my passion for Craft Beers is ever growing.

Here at Busch’s I will be happy to assist you in making a selection for any occasion, whether it be a pairing for a meal or simply finding your favorite beverage, so please visit me and we can explore the wide world of wine together.

Ed Hanna

Beverage Consultant for our
Plymouth/Northville store.

Email Ed at Ed_Hanna@buschs.com
Plymouth/Northville - 734-414-5200

I have been with Busch's since 2001. But before I became a Beverage Consultant for the company, I traveled to many parts of the world – and tasted many wines throughout it.

Before moving to America in 1991 to start the Northville Gourmet & Wine Shop in Northville, MI, I had lived in and visited many countries.
I was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Iraq.
In 1966, I moved to Nigeria, West Africa and joined the Marketing & Shipping Company (MASCO) as a Supplier Markets Supervisor. When I became the Managing Director of the company in 1972, my business allowed me to travel to about 18 countries. Because of this, I was able to visit wineries in Germany, Italy and France.

Most of my wine experience comes from the importing, distributing, and retailing I did in Africa. I know about wine cultures from different parts of the world, and I look forward to sharing that knowledge with you.

Rebecca Bawkon

Beverage Consultant for our
Ann Arbor - Main St. store.

Email Rebecca at Rebecca_Bawkon@buschs.com
Ann Arbor - Main St. - 734-998-2666

During my 20 years in the wine business, I haven't met many wine aficionados that didn't enjoy a good wine-and-food pairing. To me,
the two go hand-in-hand. My interest in wine began when I worked at a retail wine store. From there, I was a wine distributor, as well as a wine and cheese buyer for a small gourmet market. I have been a Beverage Consultant with Busch's for close to five years – and I love
every second of it.

I have tasted wines from Sonoma all the way to Southern France. I like how the styles of wines change from country to country. It's interesting how a country's climate, soil, and winemakers can make the same grape taste differently.

I love the everyday routines of life and helping people, which is why I like working at Busch's. Nothing's more rewarding than helping a person find just the right wine for a meal or special occasion.

John Najduch

Beverage Consultant for our
South Lyon and Novi stores.

Email John at John_Najduch@buschs.com
South Lyon - 248-446-8812
Novi - 248-348-0708

For me, beer and wine are linked closely with food, celebration, and family. When I was a kid, my parents used to pour me an ounce of wine to go with my holiday dinners. Whenever my grandfather visited, he would pour me a shot glass of beer. So as you can see, beer and wine have a special spot in my heart.

I am a self-taught wine enthusiast. I read
books and articles about wine and visit wineries whenever I travel. I also look for restaurants with large drink selections, so I can learn more about the relationship between
wine and food.

My passion for beer and wine naturally led me to a job at Busch's. I was a dietary manager at a long-term care facility, and I drove by the yet-unopened grocery store on my way to work one day. Out of curiosity, I stopped at the front door to see if there were job postings. When I saw a position for a wine steward, I thought, "Dream job!" Call it fate if you want – wine and I are just meant to be together.

Chuck Koelbel

Beverage Consultant for our
Ann Arbor-Green Road store.

Email Chuck at Charles_Koelbel@buschs.com
Ann Arbor-Green Road - 734-994-7200

It started with the berry that's used for only the finest wines – the noble grape.

During the 1980s, my wife and I started having a glass of wine with one or two dinners a week. Eventually, that one or two dinners turned into six or seven, and I was a wine lover before I knew it.

I have a research background with the Detroit Free Press, so that experience – coupled with my general curiosity – drove me to learn more about the history and production of wine. After leaving the newspaper business, I worked at Bloomfield Hills Country Club as an Assistant Food and Beverage Specialist. Under the tutelage of a certain savvy Food and Beverage Director there, I honed my knowledge of the wine industry.

After years of tasting, food pairings, and gaining a few pounds, I finally understand the relationship among wine, food, and man. And it was all because of a noble grape.

Bill Kotila

Beverage Consultant for our
Tecumseh and Saline stores.

Email Bill at Bill_Kotila@buschs.com
Tecumseh - 517-424-1100
Saline - 734-429-6100

I became acquainted with wine while I was an exchange student in West Berlin. When I returned to the U.S., my brother and his wife were making their way through Julia Child's first cookbook. (Talk about perfect timing!) Food and wine have been a passion of mine ever since.

I used to be an attorney and businessman, which allowed me to travel around Europe for
25 years. During this time, I visited vineyards and restaurants in Spain, Germany, and Italy.
I also spent some time in Napa Valley, which many people considered the wine Mecca of the United States.

I have limited restaurant experience, but the experience I do have is important. I spent a year helping Eve Aronoff – a former contestant on the TV show Top Chef: Sin City – put together her first restaurant, Eve.

I'm an avid cook, and my affection for food and wine is stronger than ever. Come to Busch's, and let me find the right food-and-wine pairing for you.

Dan Lossia

Beverage Consultant for our
Rochester Hills store.

Email Dan at Dan_Lossia@buschs.com
Rochester Hills - 248-375-0900

My passion for wine and beer began in the 1970s, when I owned and operated a gourmet store in West Bloomfield.

I love wines from every region; France, Germany, Italy – I don't discriminate. (Nothing, however, beats California wines.) I also love discovering new, unique varieties of grapes from major wine-producing countries. My interest in wine even led me to take courses in Viticulture at the University of California-Davis. My 30+ years of experience in the industry have given me great knowledge of everything beer- and wine-related.

My goal as a beverage consultant is simple: to provide you with the best representations of wine and beer from around the globe. I suggest wines that not only compliment your meals, but also give you a taste of different cultures. So let me be your tour guide and show you the wines of the world – right here at Busch's.

Mary Purol

Beverage Consultant for our
Farmington Hills store.

Email Mary at Mary_Purol@buschs.com
Farmington Hills - 248-427-7400

I'm a Certified Wine Specialist who has completed the first level of Sommelier accreditation. My passion for wine guided me through many classes and seminars, and eventually into the wine industry itself.

I have been to wineries in France and Italy, and I've set my sights on Spain next. Bordeaux wines would have to be my favorites, with Spanish wines coming in a close second.

In addition to wine, I also love cooking. It's fun to try out new recipes and keep up with the latest food trends. I look forward to talking with Busch's guests about food, wine and beer. Look for me in the wine section at Busch's in Farmington Hills!