Chris Miller
CEO/Founder
Gina Burrus
Vice President of Sales
Erik LeVang
Vice President of Sales
Aussie Jiwani
Advisory Board Member
Travis Tharp
Advisory Board Member
Andrew Fulton
Advisory Board Member
Chris Koons
Advisory Board Member
Brooke Jelniker
Marketing and Events Manager
Chris Miller CEO/Founder
Mr. Miller is the founder and CEO of KOIOS, serving on the board of directors and executive staff, while leading the sales and marketing teams. An entrepreneur at an early age his first exit from a company he founded and grew was in 2008, at the age of 27. Chris created KOIOS out of the huge need he saw in the marketplace for sustainable and earth grown products that could enhance human productivity, ultimately reaching hundreds of thousands of people around the United States and Canada within the first three years of operation. He is involved in crafting company culture, executing the vision and driving high level marketing and sales efforts. Chris has spoken globally on entrepreneurship and effectively growing sales organizations and has been recognized as a leader by some of the top organizations in the world for outstanding leadership and entrepreneurial ability. Chris lifelong obsession with sports led him to playing Rugby at The University of Nevada, where he graduated with a degree in Economics.
Gina Burrus Vice President of Sales
Gina Burrus moved to Denver from Orange County, California. She studied Criminology at the University of Colorado, Denver. Gina has an extensive sales background with proven success in management and team development. She is one of the original founding members of KOIOS and was instrumental in its success throughout. Gina has developed some of KOIOS’ key national accounts and will oversee outside sales efforts across the United States.
Erik LeVang Director
Erik LeVang is an experienced and well-respected sales manager with over 25 years of experience in the CPG industry. He is currently a Sales Director for BigMouth Inc, a private equity owned company that designs and manufacturers outrageous lifestyle products based in Glastonbury, CT.
Erik currently resides in NW Arkansas where he has worked directly with Walmart and Sam’s Club for almost 10 years. He also has current experience with many large national retailers including Costco, Kroger, Walgreens, Kohls, Bed Bath & Beyond, and 7-Eleven stores. Erik’s broad background with brick & mortar and e-commerce retailers through direct sales and distribution channels has made him a valuable resource to help create sales strategies with our retail partners. Erik earned a bachelors degree in business at the University of Northern Colorado.
Aussie Jiwani Advisory Board Member
Mr. Jiwani is a veteran executive in the North American beverage industry, becoming the National Account Managers with both Molson Coors Canada and Key Account Manager with what is now Arterra Wines Canada (formerly Constellations Brands Canada). He has consistently been recognized for setting record sales figures, developing new sales territories, and building up large new corporate accounts or acquisitions. A long-time Vancouver resident, Mr. Jiwani assisted in organizing the Molson Indy Vancouver race series and the Molson 2010 Winter Olympics.
Travis Tharp Advisory Board Member
From 2013 to 2016, Mr. Tharp was Head of City Operations for peer-to-peer home services marketplace Handy ( http://handy.com ), with responsibility for 32 different markets. In this role, Tharp built operations teams and workflows that were capable of handling hundreds of thousands of bookings per month and recruiting thousands of workers per week. Tharp also led the integration of two acquired competitors (from the United States and the United Kingdom) into Handy’s operations. Following Tharp’s tenure, Handy was acquired in 2018 by Denver-based ANGI Homeservices Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGI), parent company of other home services marketplaces such as Angie’s List and HomeStars. Prior to joining Keef Brands in 2017, Tharp served as Vice President of Marketplace Growth at HopSkipDrive (rideshare marketplace for children’s rides), leading teams for marketing, inside sales, and driver operations. Tharp holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University and an MBA with an entrepreneurship concentration from UCLA’sAnderson School of Management.
Andrew Fulton Advisory Board Member
Mr. Fulton has created and designed more than 30 award-winning products, the most recent of which is Colorado’s Best Drinks, a full line of sparkling CBD sodas. Before that he co-founded Lifted Libations, a line of organic canned cocktails, and Rocky Mountain Soda in 2009, where he created and designed all 12 flavours and continues running the company today.
“Drew is a talented beverage maker who brings the added experience of success innovating in the CBD soda market,” said Koios CEO Chris Miller. “That combined with his phenomenal acumen as an international business success has us all thrilled to have him join our board. We look forward to working together in the years to come.” Mr. Fulton studied international relations and diplomacy in China and continued his education at the London School of Economics. He also graduated Cum Laude from Schiller International University in Madrid, with an international business degree. Upon moving back home to Denver, Mr. Fulton founded, built and orchestrated the buyout of numerous businesses, including in the transportation and finance sectors. He now concentrates mostly on the beverage sector, offering his consulting services to many name brand businesses around the world.
Chris Koons Advisory Board Member
Koons, an early adopter of craft distilling in the Colorado market, has partnered and co-founded several beverage companies and events, including Rocky Mountain Soda, Sparkling CBD, Dram Drinks, the DSTILL spirit-centred festival, and Tub Gin.
The Advisory Board’s purpose is to advise the Company from time-to-time on issues as requested by the Company, including assisting with business development by and for the Company, and facilitating introductions between the Company and third parties, who may be in a position to assist in furthering the goals of the Company. Koons brings a great deal of experience and expertise to the board. His vast knowledge of the beverage industry includes creating and organizing DSTILL, one of the largest craft-spirit events in North America.
“Chris Koons has helped develop these types of products, including being a founding member of Rocky Mountain Soda, which is distributed nationwide and holds a long and profitable position with Whole Foods in the Rocky Mountain region,” said Koios CEO Chris Miller. “This will be of tremendous benefit as we move forward with our CBD-infused beverage line and position ourselves to be a dominant player in the functional beverage market.” Koons helped Rocky Mountain Soda develop major retail accounts across the country and has a strong track record of growing beverage brands.
Brooke Jelniker Marketing Manager
Brooke Jelniker is former division one athlete. She started her basketball career at the University of Kansas and completed her Business/Communications dual degree at the University of San Diego. Brooke immediately joined the sales and marketing world after college, beginning in wine sales and most recently working as a digital marketing account manager for a large marketing agency. Brooke joined KOIOS in 2018 as the Marketing Director and events manager.