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 from watching her mom, a long-time marketing and public relations executive, untangle some of the most interesting issues and events to take place over the last decades in 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 communications strategist at a well-known local public relations firm. As Chief Brand Officer, Meagen is leading the team in thoughtfully introducing the Happy Raptor brand and mission to the community and laying down a 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. 

Melissa McKenzie | Guest Experience Coordinator
mel@happyraptor.com

As Guest Experience Coordinator, 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.

Parker Welch | Tasting Room Manager
parker@happyraptor.com

As our tasting room manager, Parker is determined to continue to share his zeal for the historic and current implications of rum making, engaging and empowering the greater New Orleans agricultural community, and showing you the best time possible doing it. Having spent the better part of a decade exploring the globe, making art and sharing his hospitable nature along the route, Parker has embraced his affinity for the natural world, and his (and our) place in it. Foraging for local herbs, crafting cocktails, meeting friends. It all goes hand in hand to him. Come by sometime and swap travel stories, he'd love to pour you a drink. Stay Happy!

April Lawton | Tour Manager
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.

Ash Easterly | Social Media Manager
ash@happyraptor.com

Though not a native New Orleanian, Ash has called this city home for nearly a decade, after moving here from Texas for school. Ash joined the Happy Raptor team as a first-time bartender after months of COVID-related unemployment, and has enjoyed every second of their time behind bar. With years of experience in the digital media world, Ash now brings their passion for storytelling to Happy Raptor and beyond as our Social Media Manager. Even though their work is now mostly behind the screen instead of behind the bar, they still make a mean Mojito, and can often be found on their back porch harvesting home-grown herbs for cocktail experimentation. Ash lives a short ride down the streetcar line from Happy Raptor with their girlfriend, dog, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants.

Patrick Colborn | Assistant Distiller
patrick@happyraptor.com

​Patrick joins the Happy Raptor Distilling team following 20 years of service in the United States Army Infantry. A two-time recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, his military career included three combat deployments lasting 37 months; duty stations include Washington DC, Germany, South Carolina, Texas, California, New Mexico, Georgia, and retired in New Orleans. Patrick also served as a 9-11 first responder at the Pentagon. As a disabled veteran, he brings methodical determination to his role as Assistant Distiller at Happy Raptor. Since retirement, he has embraced NOLA as his home, an avid Saints fan (hello season ticket holder), a riding member of Krewe of Morpheus, and a vast traveler through the Caribbean, he really puts the “spirit” in “spirit run”.