Our Team
Behind every pour, every handshake, and every moment that turns into a story… there’s a team making it all happen.
The Texas Whiskey Festival isn’t built by one person—it’s brought to life by a group of friends and collaborators with one goal in mind: to create a night where Texas whiskey feels a little closer, a little more connected, and a lot more memorable.
We take the work seriously—because the details matter. But we don’t take ourselves too seriously—because this only works if it feels like a good time.
So if you’ve ever had a glass in hand and thought, “this feels easy”…
That’s not by accident. That’s the team.
Jake Clements
The co-founder and driving force behind the Texas Whiskey Festival. What started as an idea has grown into the go-to gathering for Texas whiskey, built on the belief that the real magic isn’t just in the glass, but in the people who share it. A whiskey sommelier, event creator, and collaborator, he has worked closely with distilleries to shape experiences and bring whiskey to life. Known for his warm, witty style, Jake turns every pour into something shared, memorable, and a little more connected.
Co-Founder & Head Hombre
Michelle Clements
Behind the Texas Whiskey Festival is a shared vision shaped from the ground up with Michelle Clements, whose steady leadership and thoughtful perspective help guide what the experience becomes each year. What started as an idea has been refined through collaboration, bringing clarity, intention, and a sense of what makes the night truly work. By day, she serves as Vice President of Enterprise Marketing, with more than 30 years of experience guiding strategy and growth. She may not drink whiskey — you’ll usually find her with a glass of wine — but as the festival’s panel moderator, she keeps the conversation flowing just as well as the pours.
Co-Founder & Head Lass
Partner & Whiskey HandTJ Jurecka
TJ Jurecka brings a lifelong curiosity and a technical mind to the Texas Whiskey Festival, backed by a career in chemical manufacturing, research and development, and process design. A longtime whiskey enthusiast and Level 3 Whiskey Sommelier, he has expanded that passion through formal education at Moonshine University and Wizard Academy, countless distillery visits, and years spent exploring and sharing whiskey with others. TJ spent six years supporting distillers and the Texas Whiskey Festival before joining the team as a partner, giving him a firsthand understanding of the community and experience we work to create. Whether working with a distiller or welcoming a guest, TJ brings the same curiosity, hospitality, and enthusiasm for whiskey that brought him into this world in the first place.