About

Craft beer drinker. Problem solver. Builder of things.

With a degree in mechanical engineering and a penchant for fostering and accelerating startups, John is equal parts cowboy visionary and pragmatic business director.

While John’s early career was spent in a suit as a technology consultant for Accenture, he’s devoted the last 15 years to working with other entrepreneurs, designing and pioneering new kick-ass products and solutions to market in the hi-tech, non-profit, and real estate industries.  His startup experience traverses the spectrum of bootstrapping innovations from his kitchen table while pounding coffee to working sales for the world’s largest venture capital firm.

John is a keen observer of human nature. His superpower is his ability to relate with humans genuinely, and build deep connections. He is passionate about mentoring those who have drive,  grit and a particular spark that ignites passion, innovation and a desire to change the world.

Growing up in Cincinnati, John’s love for invention and creation started early. He spent his childhood geeking out in competitive science fairs, mentored by his idol, his dad, a welding engineer who spent a career building aircraft engines for General Electric, from whom he learned woodworking, fixing cars, and the fine art of parade float construction. And roller-skating! Roller skating was not a small part of John’s childhood.

A self proclaimed nerd and startup junkie, if John won the lottery, he’d definitely reprise America’s fading passion for the science fair, investing in programs to introduce more minorities to the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).  He’d lean deep into helping entrepreneurs develop early-stage innovations, donate to environmental and social justice causes he and his wife, Julie, are passionate about, and would continue to explore the world’s wonders with her. There would be lots of mountain biking in beautiful places.

When John isn’t flexing his business acumen, he can probably be found riding, tinkering, building bikes, trail running, exploring and soaking up the good stuff in life: connection, innovation, great craft beer, fine wine, and good food. And living that #adventurelife with his wife and three amazing step kids.

Beer of choice:  The Golden Coffee Lager from Zillicoah Brewing… Delicious!

Does Julien sleep? Is he even human? Why is he *so* good at Monty Python’s Ministry of Silly Walks? Well, when it’s your job to make sure your clients’ technology is always up and running at 100%, in addition to innovating web solutions for the best craft breweries in the world, you might just be half robot or…you’re a little mad. And honestly, we haven’t ruled either out for the anomaly that is Julien.

Though his favorite job to date is dishwashing (after trying out every other imaginable restaurant position), Julien became a mad scientist in the digital world as a teenager. He interned with a web dev company in high school, and has spent the vast majority of his career successfully freelancing. A self-taught developer, Julien realized early in the game that most people need (and have trouble finding) that magical blend of competence, creativity, and bomb communication skills in a programmer.

With a knack for innovating the digital space and creating website features specific to the needs of craft breweries, Julien co-founded Craftpeak with Corey Bullman in 2015, who functioned as his main collaborator and go-to web designer for years. When he’s not pushing digital limits, he’s often advocating for the open source community and creating space for other developers, more innovation, and the free exchange of [digital] ideas. He speaks at conferences around the world and makes himself accessible as a mentor to like-minded developers.

Is Julien a true Asheville native? Well, he landed in Asheville at age 11, after spending his first decade in California and Georgia, so you be the judge. He lives with his girlfriend, Sarah, their DJ bestie (DJ Little Meow Meow for the locals), Wilbur the big mutt, and 2 cats, Theo and Charlie. Though the gang resides in a normal house, Julien is converting a 28-foot long school bus into a traveling home, so who knows where the road may take him.

And for the record, Julien identifies as neither hunter nor gatherer, but simply as manifester. Cue 90’s jam, “Groove is in the Heart” by Deee-lite and watch this man take award-winning breweries to the next level online!

Beer style of choice: Farmhouse lager

Corey brings patience, integrity, and humanity to his role at Craftpeak, working directly with clients to conceptualize and execute their projects. He’s heavily involved in the planning and designing of sites, and is the dude most familiar to Craftpeak’s clients during and after website development. Though Yvonne is a recent addition to the team and has stepped into many of Corey’s client-centric responsibilities, he’s the OG facilitator of training & ongoing support for Craftpeak’s impressive roster of breweries.

A graduate of the Atlanta Institute of Music, Corey taught himself the foundations of web design and development on the road, rigging up websites and promo materials for his band and friends’ bands. Music not only led Corey to his life’s work, but also to his life partner! He met his wife, Leigh Glass, playing guitar in her band on an evening when she needed a fill-in for a solitary show. Corey hasn’t left the band (or Leigh’s life) since! Together, they make music, cook up delicious food, and enjoy the local brewery scene.

Having worked as a freelance web designer for many years, Corey’s only foray into the corporate world was as the Digital Media Director for local Clear Channel stations, in which he was granted creative freedom to produce multimedia, digital content. He left that position in 2008, just as the economy was crashing. “Surely,” Corey thought, “this is the best time to leave a full-time job with benefits and go out on my own.” His confidence wasn’t for naught, and Bullman Design was a raging success. Shortly after, Julien and Corey joined forces to found Craftpeak, then along came John, and the holy trilogy was formed. The rest is history!

Corey is devoted to growing Craftpeak and making it a place where great people want to work and where good people are served through their work. In 5 or 10 years, Corey envisions himself still heavily involved in Craftpeak, but with more emphasis on travelling with his wife.

Born and raised in Asheville, Corey lives with Leigh, their 130-pound Great Dane, and his stepson. A curious soul and perpetual learner, Corey dreams of going back to school simply for the joy of learning. Don’t be surprised if a future chapter in his life includes woodworking or a degree in history!

Beer style of choice: A light pilsner in the sunshine, and a gooey, thick stout in colder, cloudier times.

As the newest member to the Craftpeak team, Yvonne is stoked to bring her professional photography skills and experience as a self-employed creative to the table. Her objective: launching sites and taking names. She works with the Creative Director to steward projects and coordinate website content for the incredible craft breweries in her care. Though Yvonne considers herself more of a gatherer, she isn’t afraid to hunt down clients in pursuit of curating the dopest content for their websites.

Yvonne studied commercial photography with a minor in marketing and entrepreneurship at Appalachian State University. She ran her professional photography business for nine years and has served as the marketing manager of a local nonprofit.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Yvonne loves the Asheville mountains but is an avid explorer of new places. Travel adventures have led her to live in New Zealand, backpack through South East Asia and Europe, and on a road trip through South America. She loves all of the “typical Asheville things,” which is probably the reason she calls the land of the sky home. She’s a regular biker, trail runner, paddle boarder, and yogi! Upon deep reflection, the color Yvonne identifies most with is green, which is the most prolific color in nature and gives you hope in the winter.

Beer style of choice: a refreshing IPA