Meet the Team
The Proof Ambassadors are a team of tenured industry veterans with a passion for culture, spirits, and building community. Through our program we’re set to fuel inspiration and appreciation around each brand.
Ewan Morgan
National Luxury
Ewan Morgan boasts an impressive 31-year career in the spirits industry coming from a family steeped in Whisky he is the 3rd of his family to work in the Scotch industry and his son is now the 4th. As certified Master of Whisky, Ewan has served as the National Director of Diageo’s Masters of Whisky program. His career spans from Maltman and lab technician in a large Speyside Distillery to online Whisky marketeer and Scotch Ambassador. In 2016, Ewan was named World Whisky Ambassador of the year.
Ewan was also inducted into the Keepers of the Quaich in 2013, an exclusive society whose membership is the highest honor in the Scotch Whisky industry and is the Diageo representative for the society in North America. Ewan has also been nominated for American Ambassador of the Year (2016) and Scotch Whisky Ambassador of the Year (2011-2016) as well as winning World Whisky Ambassador of the Year in 2016. Ewan is passionate about the power of education and being a valued part of the Global bartending and hospitality community.
Ewan also works on various projects for Diageo’s innovation team helping to pick liquids for projects like Orphan Barrel and the Game of Thrones Single Malts Editions.
Megan Sparks
Johnnie Walker -
TEXAS
Megan Sparks grew up in Atlanta, GA and has been working in the hospitality industry for over fifteen years. She moved to Austin, Texas ten years ago to work at one of the first cocktail bars in Austin, Péche, where she eventually became their first female bar manager. She later transferred her skills and love of fine spirits to the other side of the bar when she became the Southwest Region Portfolio Manager for Fernet-Branca and then the On Premise Specialist for William Grant and Sons where she has spent the past six years focusing on the Texas market. She enjoys living a healthy lifestyle, yoga, dancing, trying new restaurants, supporting local businesses, traveling abroad and being outdoors with her fiancé Matt and their dog Daisy. And her favorite cocktail is one of the easiest to make- a highball with 1oz of Johnnie Walker!
Paul Jones
JOHNNIE WALKER - CALIFORNIA
Known in the Conejo Valley for his unwavering commitment to local produce and unique culinary techniques, Paul Jones has created quite the name for himself. From starting as an assistant bartender to local Los Angeles bartender chef Mathew Biancinello to creating custom menus, launching new concept bars, and leading whisky dinners for local bars and restaurants, Paul has a true talent and passion for craft cocktails and curating spirits tastings.
He latest role was as the Beverage Director for Decker Kitchen in Westlake Village. From the beginning, his focus was on platforming unique spirits and sourcing local flavors exclusively from the Santa Monica farmers market and surrounding farms including Apricot Lanes. Paul built his reputation as a true Bar Chef, adopting cutting-edge culinary techniques (sous vide-infused cocktails , centrifuged local ingredients ) to his acclaimed program.
He is now excited to take on the ambassador role for Johnnie Walker in SouthernCalifornia and looks forward to bring his unique take to the team.
Lacy Hawkins
JOHNNIE WALKER - ILLINOIS
Lacy Hawkins has been immersed in the beverage industry for over 15-years. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she got her start by working as a nightclub bouncer. Since then, she has won multiple cocktail competitions, twice been hailed as a national mixologist to watch by Beverage Media Magazine and helped The NoMad claim a James Beard Award in the category of Best Bar Team. In 2017, Lacy was called out by Nylon Magazine as one of the top 30 women running the beverage industry. For the last five years, Lacy proudly worked as the National Brand Ambassador for Monkey 47 Gin and during that time was also nominated as the Best American Brand Ambassador by Tales of the Cocktail. Today, as the New York City Brand Ambassador for Johnnie Walker Lacy can be found enjoying scotch with friends and colleagues. When she's not sharing her passion for spirits and the beverage industry, Lacy is an LGBTQ+ rights activist who enjoys biking throughout New York City, beekeeping, collecting rare honeys and making art.
Jack Souder
BLADE & BOW
Jack Souder believes in the ability of fine bourbon to unite groups of unique individuals. With a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communications from Texas Christian University, Jack brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Jack is also known for his dedication to social causes. As the co-founder of One Love Club, an organization focused on ending domestic and relationship violence, he actively works towards creating a safer and more inclusive society.
When he's not making an impact in his community, Jack indulges in his various interests and hobbies. He has a deep love for travel and building meaningful relationships along the way. Beyond bourbon, Jack can be found immersing himself in the world of cars and automotive sports. He is always in for a round of golf or a day spent fishing.
Previously, Jack served as the Blade & Bow touring ambassador for Proof's experiential team, where he played a crucial role in driving trial awareness through field activations across the United States.
With his diverse experiences and unwavering dedication, Jack Souder continues to make a positive difference in both his professional and personal spheres.
Jessica Ramirez
COPPER DOG - TEXAS
Jessica has spent her entire professional career in the alcohol industry. Prior to joining Proof Media Mix, she worked at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, for nine years, as an Area Sales Manager, and most recently worked for Elenita Mezcal as a field sales manager, helping build a startup RTD brand.
Jessica fell in love with the beverage industry while taking a wine appreciation course at The University of Houston’s Hotel and Restaurant Management program. It was initially this program and degree which would lead her directly to the beverage industry upon graduation. With a strong background in hospitality, Jessica is an expert at building lasting customer relationships.
Jessica is a native Houstonian who loves spending time outdoors-despite the toasty summers. In her spare time, she can be found behind her camera lens snapping photos, reading a book, riding her peloton, or on her next family vacation. Jessica resides in “the burbs” of Houston with her husband, Rudy, and children, Alexander and Isabella.
Andres Grimaldo
DON JULIO - FLORIDA
Andres Grimaldo has spent the last 8 years working as a sales professional in the Spirits & Beer Industry. Prior to joining Proof Media Mix, Andres was the South Florida Market Manager for Kimo Sabe Mezcal, where he managed the on and off premise channels throughout the Central and South Florida areas.
Andres got his start working in the beer industry for Anheuser-Busch and Heineken USA before crossing over into the spirits side. He was responsible for sales execution in the South Florida market.
Andres originates from South America and is multilingual. Andres was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and moved to Miami at the age of 14 where he pursued a soccer career before getting injured. He’s very passionate about soccer, loves traveling, music concerts and building plant terrariums. His two biggest loves are his schnauzer kids; Maxiroo and Iris.
Israel Fernandez
DON JULIO - Chicago
Earning his keep from behind the stick in the fair City of Chicago since 2003, Israel Fernandez III has tended bar from star studded Rush Street steak houses and high- profile luxury hotel nightclubs down to neighborhood watering holes nestled in yet to be discovered neighborhoods before becoming a Marketing Consultant for Diageo Reserve.
Israel’s insatiable thirst for knowledge and historical appreciation for the world of spirits paved the way for cocktail craftsmanship and educating numerous restaurant professionals throughout the local service industry and has curated impactful whiskey seminars and led education for eager learners from all walks of life.
From Logan Square’s hipster hot spots down to the city’s finest hotel bars, Israel can be found imbibing classic whiskey and gin cocktails – spreading the good word on the craft of the cocktail and leaving no coupe unturned.
