Mark Taliancich | Co-Founder, CEO & Head Distiller
mark@happyraptor.com

A native New Orleanian, Mark built his career as a mental health counselor. His experience has included work in for-profit and non-profit organizations, and with community members from all walks of life. He began working in management in 2010, with a small team of professionals. Since that time, he has worked as a program director at three organizations, managing and overseeing personnel, services, and finances for programs with budgets exceeding $500,000. He earned a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Holy Cross in 2016. Mark began making alcohol in 2010 as a hobby that took over his house, and after many years of experimentation and trial and error, has refined his skills and palate to create smooth, delicious beverages. Mark's spirit and undying optimism sparked the first flames of opening Happy Raptor and keeps the team going. 

Meagen Moreland-Taliancich | Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer
meagen@happyraptor.com

Meagen's passion for public relations began by watching her mom, a long-time marketing and public relations executive, as she untangled complex and interesting challenges impacting her home state of South Carolina. Meagen holds a BA from The George Washington University and an MA from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in French Studies. After moving to New Orleans almost a decade ago, she served as Press and Communications Attaché at the Consulate General of France In Louisiana and as a communications strategist at Gambel Communications, a well-known local public relations firm. As Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Happy Raptor Distilling, Meagen is leading her team in thoughtfully introducing Happy Raptor's signature line of locally handcrafted, infused rums and its community-first mission, laying down a strong foundation for years to come.

Peter Rivera | Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
peter@happyraptor.com

Hailing from his home state of Florida, Peter Rivera began studying engineering in 2007, and he focused those studies in the Fall of 2012 when he entered graduate school for mechanical engineering. In 2014, Peter obtained his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and took up the challenge with Lockheed Martin as a Design Engineer for NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. In 2015, Mark and Meagen moved into the other half of a shotgun house next to Peter, and eventually roped him into starting a distillery. At Happy Raptor, Peter keeps systems and equipment in tip-top shape, and works to streamline efficiency in the distillery's manufacturing, programs, and processes. 

April Lawton | Director of Operations
april@happyraptor.com

April is a New Orleans transplant of over 7 plus years. April is currently living out her 12 year old self's fantasy. She was obsessed with dinosaurs and wanted to grow up to be a pirate. Now she is working in a dinosaur themed distillery that makes the official drink of pirates. #winning #lifegoals She is now our tour guide extraordinaire and we challenge you to not leave your tour smiling and laughing. You’ll know her by her boisterous laughter and her natural zeal for life. Come meet her and fall in love with the distillery and city that has captured her heart.

Melissa McKenzie | Events & Partnerships Manager
mel@happyraptor.com

As Events & Partnerships, Melissa brings over a decade of knowledge and experience to the role here at Happy Raptor.  After graduating from Chico State with a degree in Hospitality Management, she worked as an Activities and Event Coordinator at a retirement community in Southern California. The military has relocated her, her husband, and 3 cats to NOLA and she's thrilled to be working at the newest rum distillery in town. At Happy Raptor, Mel coordinates and oversees pop-up experiences and off-site tastings, assists with private events, and manages vendor relationships. Mel additionally manages all nonprofit partnerships and events.

Ash Easterly | Marketing Manager
ash@happyraptor.com

A passion for innovative storytelling brought Ash (they/them) to work in the realm of Marketing, and a global pandemic brought them to their involvement with Happy Raptor. Ash currently serves as Marketing Manager, but their time at Happy Raptor began as a first-time bartender in the days when our Tasting Room was to-go only. Ash brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in digital and print media to their role, with a particular focus on accessibility. Their personal focus on inclusion and accessibility has inspired events at the distillery like our Pride Art Market and fundraisers for local organizations serving queer communities. Though their work is mostly behind the screen instead of behind the bar, they still love crafting new cocktails and can often be found harvesting home-grown herbs for mixology experimentation. A resident of New Orleans for a decade, Ash lives a short ride down the streetcar line from Happy Raptor with their partner, dog, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants.

Richard Dubus | Tour Manager
richard@happyraptor.com

If you book a distillery tour, you are most likely to be greeted by Richard upon your entrance to our Tasting Room. He'll inform you that you're sitting within history itself - and from there, you'll have an hour full of history, rum, and laughter! A self-described Booze Nerd and native New Orleanian, Richard started off as a regular customer in the tasting room, and eventually found his way onto our team - where he shares his passion for alcohol, creative cocktails, and the history of rum on a daily basis. 

Niki Prestipino | Lead Bartender
niki@happyraptor.com

Niki brings years of experience in the hospitality and service industry both domestically and internationally to the Happy Raptor team. Originally from South Carolina, Niki moved to New Orleans in 2016 to attend Tulane University, where she graduated from with a degree in Spanish and International Development. Her interest in experiencing new cultures, places, and languages has taken her across the globe - she'd love to chat with you about where you're from, where you've been, and where you want to go when you stop in for a drink, bottle, or tour!