OUR TEAM
Meet our Full Time Team Members
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Glenn Lavender
Founder and Owner
Glenn had a 12 year career touring North America and Europe with his Juno award winning band, Downhere. He spent a lot of time on tour reading beekeeping books and historical fiction novels by author, Stephen Lawhead. It was through his readings that Glenn discovered and developed a passion for the ancient drink of mead. After exploring the world of meadmaking as a hobby for a few years, Glenn decided to take things to the next level by receiving some formal training at UC Davis, the world's premier winemaking institute. In 2015, he and his wife Sherri opened Williamsburg's first Meadery; the rest, they say, is history! Today, Glenn is a passionate, award-winning meadmaker and amateur beekeeper that maintains his insatiable appetite for innovation, collaboration and learning.
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Sherri Lavender
Co-Founder
Ever since the idea of opening a Meadery was first mentioned, Sherri has been instrumental to the founding of Silver Hand Meadery. In the hobby days Sherri played a key role in developing recipes which went on to win awards and are now currently part of Silver Hand’s regular line up. Many of the values of Silver Hand Meadery come from Sherri’s desire to make the most of every moment (savor what is good), and to be good stewards with what we’ve been given (rediscover and reimagine). Even though she prefers staying behind the scenes her personality and influence permeate through the entire staff team and to the customers every day.
Kenny Bumbaco
Chief Operating Officer
Kenny started his career with Smithfield Specialty Foods Group, where he created a local wine and beer program and first became fascinated with Virginia craft beverages. This led him to spend much of his time off traveling across the state visiting wineries, cideries, meaderies, and breweries. He then joined The Williamsburg Winery, where over the next 12 years he served as Tasting Room Manager, Festival and Wine Club Manager, and finally Vice President and Senior Operating Officer. While still working at the winery, Kenny earned his M.B.A. from William and Mary. Kenny left the beverage industry for two years to work in marketing for La Tienda, a Spanish food importer, before joining Silver Hand Meadery in 2024. He holds the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) designation from the Society of Wine Educators and has previously served as a judge for several regional wine competitions, including the Virginia Governor’s Cup.
Seth Carter
Production Lead
A former civil servant, Seth was tired of cubicle farms and restless legs. After some sampling of life outside bureaucracy, a world of creativity was found in craft beverages. After a brief stint in distillation, Seth was hired as a Tasting Room Sales Associate. A year later, he finds himself behind the scenes. Now, Seth is never bored. Pairing intellectual humility with a willingness to learn, he primarily spends his days tending to the needs of the meads. He sincerely hopes you stay present, savoring what is good with the people you love.
Reya Jones
Insider Club Manager
After spending a few years in sales and marketing, Reya decided it was time for a fresh start. Remembering mead from books she read as a kid, she joined Silver Hand Meadery as a Tasting Room Associate in 2025, where her interest in mead quickly grew into knowledge. She became the Insider Club Manager in 2026, where her focus is creating unique and welcoming experiences so that guests feel excited to learn and savor what is good together.