NoFo Brew Co Announces Leadership Transition

CUMMING, GA. — July 1, 2026 — NoFo Brew Co today announced a leadership transition, as co-founder Joe Garcia will be exiting the company at the end of September after seven years as CEO. Co-founder Shannon Miles will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, leading the company into its next chapter.

Founded in 2019 by Joe Garcia, Shannon Miles, and Bryan Miles, NoFo Brew Co was built on a shared passion for craft beer, craft spirits, and adventure. Affectionately named after North Forsyth County, where the company’s original location was established, NoFo has grown from a single local brewery into a multi-location brewery and distillery with distribution throughout Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida, as well as international distribution partnerships in the UK and Ireland.

Since co-founding NoFo Brew Co in 2019, Garcia has played an instrumental role in shaping the company from its earliest days into one of Georgia’s fastest-growing craft beverage brands. His leadership has been foundational in building NoFo’s culture, vision, and commitment to creating a community-centered space to bring people together.

“Joe’s impact on NoFo is immeasurable,” said Shannon Miles. “From day one, he helped bring this vision to life and played a critical role in building the company into what it is today. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, friendship, and dedication over the years. While we will miss him in this role, we are excited for what lies ahead for him and wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.”

“Building NoFo alongside this team, our partners, and our community has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” said Garcia. “What started as a ‘back-of-the-napkin’ idea in 2018 became something real because of the people who believed in it, sacrificed for it, and worked tirelessly to bring it to life. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created: the brand, the culture, the experiences we’ve built for our customers, and the way this team has continued to show up through every stage of growth. It has been an honor to work alongside so many talented and passionate people. I’m proud of this team, proud of this brand, and I’ll be cheering everyone on as NoFo enters this next chapter.”

Co-founder Shannon Miles brings a deep background in entrepreneurship, leadership, and company building to her role as CEO. She is a passionate and adventurous leader, wife, mother, entrepreneur, mentor, and writer who has intentionally built a life and career centered on entrepreneurship, family, and purpose-driven work. Shannon co-founded BELAY, a premium virtual staffing service, in 2010 alongside her husband, Bryan Miles, during the height of the Great Recession. Under their leadership, BELAY grew to a team of over 2,000 people and earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies for 10 consecutive years.

Today, Shannon and Bryan continue to build and invest in businesses and serve as co-founders of O’nr, a platform created to support and equip business owners as they navigate the realities of building meaningful, sustainable companies. As CEO, Shannon Miles will continue to lead the company alongside the existing NoFo leadership team, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and maintaining the culture and guest experience that have defined NoFo since its founding.

“What makes NoFo special remains unchanged,” shares Miles. “From the beginning, our goal was never simply to build a brewery. It was to create a place where people could gather, connect, celebrate, and feel at home. We are incredibly proud of the community that has grown around NoFo, and we remain committed to serving our guests, supporting our team, and creating spaces where meaningful connections can thrive.”

The company emphasized that the leadership transition will support continuity across the business while allowing the team to thoughtfully explore new ideas, operational improvements, and future growth opportunities. NoFo Brew Co will continue operating its three Georgia taprooms in Cumming, Gainesville, and Cleveland, while continuing to expand distribution of its craft beer and spirits portfolio throughout the Southeast.

From the beginning, NoFo has been about creating a welcoming “third place” where people can gather, celebrate, share stories, and build meaningful connections within their community.

As the company enters this next phase of leadership, that commitment remains unchanged.