Meet Our Missing Links

Meet the Missing Links!

Lori Brower

Sales Greater Hartford and Eastern Shoreline, Does Not Suffer Fools

Lori’s career in the wild world of wine and spirits (unofficially!) began at the tender age of 11 when she (accidentally?) crossed paths with a Bartles & James Fuzzy Navel wine cooler at her grandparents home and immediately knew there had to be something (anything!) better to drink out there.

Today, Lori brings a wealth of retail wine experience to Missing Link where she is happy to share her passion and introduce clients and their customers to their new favorites. She lives in Essex with her husband and baby boy (who will never risk a run in with a wine cooler as long as Lori can help it).

Robert Jordon

Operations Manager, Professor-in-Residence

Ever since narrowly missing being hit by a barge while swimming the Kanawha River in West Virginia, where he grew up, Robert was hooked on near-death experiences, and decided to one day become a salesperson who would drive I-95 in Connecticut everyday.

Having fulfilled that dream, he now placidly oversees operations for Missing Link. It’s a mysterious job description, with an even more mysterious future. But somewhere out there in the misty eddies, he can sense the growing loom of another barge — one filled with back-vintage rosado…and paella…and all of his family and friends dancing on the deck.

Jason Persaud

Distribution, Assistant to the Regional Manager

Hi, my name is Jason. I am the warehouse manager for Missing Link. I am driven by our customers having a positive experience with us. I am a father of 2. I was born in Brooklyn, NY with a passion for basketball. I am known to always carry 2 things, a positive attitude and a basketball . Game on!

Peter Slywka

Portfolio & Sales, Philosopher & Absurdist

Born into a family of circus folk, Peter found a niche as a “barker” at the ripe old age of 7.

As the family morphed from one act to the next his journey through the ramshackled towns of Upstate NY taught him an endless amount of invaluable and absurd character traits.

The long road of performance, married with the travails of his lengthy family pecking order landed Peter in Brooklyn, NY where his finely honed skills of bombast and analyzation suited his new found passion in the wine business.

From retail sales and customer service, to “walking the beat” in sales, Peter stacked experience upon experience to transform his fortuitous upbringing into its current iteration.

“A man came to a fork in the road; and took it.” – A Brilliant Ape

Doug Rankin

Operations, Portfolio, Optimist

It was a mere forty years into the game of life when I found a profession that actually lit a fire, and led to the formation of Missing Link Wine Co. Running a business that supports many more small businesses satisfies the soul. And working with like-minded people, even more so.

The good producers out there – the ones that don’t take shortcuts or rely on gimmicks, need inspired representation in the marketplace. So while I can’t make wine or Amaro, or plant a grapevine, our company is more than capable of helping those that can.

Ann Reynolds

Finances, Planning, Payables, Do-er

You know it’s a good day when you realize how blessed you are to work with wonderful and talented wineries and importers , who more often than not take extra care of the land for future generations. I am proud of our work and am grateful to our supportive customers.

My primary job is to keep the ship afloat behind the scenes. My background in international sports and business naturally led me to wine. Not any wine. Fabulous wine.

My favorite part of the job is having wine makers, their families and our import partners staying with us when they visit the market. Our family considers them friends.

Stephanie Guilmette

Sales, New Haven and Litchfield counties

After graduating with a degree in music, Stephanie made the obvious career choice- work in a wine shop. Years later having done her time in both retail and production, she decided to finally jump into the belly of the beast; sales.

She is hoping to always show up with delicious wine, a good story behind it, and maybe a weird joke.

Favorite things include: basque cider, bitters, bubbles and alliterations.

Lola

Mascot, Muse and Muckraker

Lola works hard, and plays harder. She loves long morning walks to the bus-stop and chasing squirrels up trees; she innately prefers that everyone stays close together, which is tough on our sales team, but good for team spirit.

Random snacks of kindness are always encouraged… And somewhat related to her Border Collie need for order, a stickler for expense reports being submitted on time and checks in the bank.

Deb

Web & Tech, AI

Born 1955, the best year for American Babies and French Wines. Nepotism got me this gig, thanks, baby brother!

Missing Link Wine Company