Drexel Alum’s Eight Oaks Craft Distillers Possesses the Spirit of Sustainability
Before going on to pursue his MBA degree at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, Chad Butters (MBA, 2012) had spent twenty-five years in aviation, serving both in military and civilian industries.
After Drexel, Butters went on to head Lehigh Valley’s Eight Oaks Craft Distillers, a local, sustainable, spirits business. With Eight Oaks, Chad found a way to synthesize the skills he gained in the military and at Lebow.
“Things like generating revenue, paying taxes and accounting for employee benefits did not come from the Army,” Chad said. “But discipline of thought transfers. You have to be able to have a disciplined, methodical approach.”
The seeds for Eight Oaks were planted early in Butters’ time at LeBow, as he searched for direction after completing his tenure in the Army.
Realizing he had an affinity for the farm-to-table movement (and a lifelong interest in agriculture), Chad considered starting either a winery or a craft brewing company. The idea for the distillery arrived when he realized that the other markets had become saturated.
During his final MBA course at LeBow’s Malvern campus, Chad struck up a lunch conversation with a classmate, Mary Kate Lo Conte (MBA, 2015), an account service director for the Merz Group branding agency. Lo Conte vetted Chad’s idea to her colleagues and the firm hopped on board.
Lo Conte’s team recognized in Chad a visionary drive. Drawing from Chad’s passion for history, the Merz Group developed a brand that embodied his love for his family and his strong connection with the past. The ‘8’ in Eight Oaks was inspired by his grandfather’s habit of signing letters with the number.
While Merz developed the brand, Chad got to work, planting winter wheat on the 28 acre farm he’d purchased in New Tripoli, PA. He learned the intricate science of distillation through online coursework at Cornell and Michigan State.
The first spirit Eight Oaks produced was applejack cider, made with apples from a local family-owned orchard. The distillery has since expanded with offerings of vodka, gin, and rum, all made with locally sourced ingredients.
About the Author
Maggie Boccella
Maggie Boccella, a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, is a freelance writer, artist and photographer. She has consulted on various film and multimedia projects, and she also serves as a juror for the city's annual LGBTQIA Film Festival.
