Hotel
Hilary
Status
Online
Company
Tango
Travis
HT-HTTP-001
Jump To
Are you over 21?
Yes
No
Mission
Hotel Tango creates disciplined spirits that bring people together

Core Values

Disciplined
We are committed to excellence and always improving
Spirited
We are passionate and playful
Straightforward
We tell it like it is and demand accountability
Gung-Ho
We relentlessly work together

Summary

Founded in 2014 by Recon Marine veteran Travis Barnes and his wife Hilary, Hotel Tango is a veteran-owned and operated distillery. We’re also one of the fastest-growing, from just two employees in 2014 to over 50 today.

The company was born not only out of our founders’ passion for distilling, but also their desire to create a space (and a brand) that’s welcoming to all comers who want to have a good time while enjoying high-quality spirits. And you can see this same attitude in our dedication to creating an inclusive environment for workers, stakeholders, partners and consumers.

Through it all, we remain committed to delivering on our promise: Guaranteed to elevate morale.

The Team

Corporate
Travis Barnes
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Travis Barnes grew up near the small town of Albion, Indiana. After the events of 9/11, Travis was compelled to leave college in 2001, and enlist as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps. Later on, he was selected for the elite Marine Recon, where he served three combat tours in Iraq with First Reconnaissance Battalion. After obtaining his undergrad degree Travis went on to earn his law degree in the spring of 2013, where he met his wife Hilary. After law school, Travis and Hilary founded Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery in downtown Indianapolis. The mission of Hotel Tango is to create disciplined spirits that bring people together. In his spare time, Travis likes to hang out with his three amazing daughters & eat Korean BBQ. 
Veteran
Hilary Barnes
Founder & Chief Legal Officer
Hilary Barnes is an Indiana native that attended Indiana University where she received her bachelor's degree in Business Process Management. She continued her education at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and graduated in 2013. In addition to serving as general counsel for Hotel Tango, Hilary Barnes works for the law firm of Christopher & Taylor, where she focuses primarily on business litigation and personal injury cases. Hilary has been named by Super Lawyers as an Indiana Rising Star in the area of business litigation in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In her free time she loves flying planes & spending time with her three adorable daughters.
Chuck Hundt
Chief Financial + Operating Officer
Chuck grew up in Northern Indiana in the small town of Bremen. He graduated from Manchester University obtaining both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a Masters of Accountancy. Upon graduating, Chuck began his career at Katz, Sapper and Miller, LLP, where he worked for 8 years. He joined Angie’s List in 2005 at the start of their expansion across the nation. Chuck assisted with the public and secondary offerings of Angie’s List in 2011 and 2012, respectively. After the public offering, Chuck became the Chief Accounting Officer overseeing all accounting functions including finance, collections, procurement and internal audit. After 15 years at Angie’s List, Chuck’s executive position was eliminated due to a merger with Home Advisor in June 2018. Chuck worked on CFO consulting for startup companies before joining Hotel Tango. Chuck is married and has four children ranging in ages from 13 to 26. In his free time, Chuck enjoys travelling and playing golf.
Ginger Barnes
Director of Production & Compliance
Ginger grew up in Albion, IN and is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, where she earned her bachelor’s in Communications, and San Diego State University, where she earned a Master of Science in Counseling. Ginger is responsible for facilities management and day-to-day operations of the production facility, corporate offices, and Hotel Tango Farms. Prior to Hotel Tango, Ginger worked in the mental health counseling field after serving nine years in the United States Navy, specializing in operations.
Veteran
Alisha Hernandez
Director of Human Resources
Alisha is an Indiana native and attended the Kelley School of Business at IUPUI where she completed her degree with a double major in Human Resources Management and Business Management. Alisha joined Hotel Tango in 2020 with over 10 years of human resources and operations management experience. Alisha is responsible for identifying and implementing long-range strategic talent management goals. In her free time, Alisha likes to travel, cook, eat, and experience new cultures with her hubby Drew.
Kelsey Strohmeyer
Director of Marketing
Kelsey is an Indiana native and attended DePauw University where she graduated with a degree in communications and education. After graduating she moved to Shanghai, China to teach at Shanghai High School International Division. She returned to the US after 3 years abroad and joined the Hotel Tango team in September of 2019. In her time at Hotel Tango she has held the role of brand coordinator, brand manager, and now sits in the Director of Marketing role. She is responsible for keeping local and national audiences up to date with everything Hotel Tango.
Chris Hibbert
Director of Sales
Chris has lived in Indiana his entire life. He enjoys spending time with his family, coaching when time allows, and hanging out with friends. Chris met his wife at Franklin College and they have been married ever since. He has been in the adult beverage space for almost 24 years. He truly enjoys the industry and the people . In his role as Director of Sales, he strives to make Hotel Tango a household name. His most recent work history was with Oliver Winery, where he spent about 12 years building out sales for the country. Hard work, kindness, and treating people with respect has been a huge part of his work mantra. Chris looks forward to sharing the Hotel Tango product and story with as many people as he can. Giddy up!
Sales & Marketing
Blake Loudermilk
NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER
Blake is a native Indianapolis resident who grew up working at her family's orchard and learning the basics of small business management. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management and was a 2013 recipient of the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Since returning to Indianapolis she has worked in the craft beverage industry selling both wine and spirits with a focus on growing business in national chain accounts. She is responsible for submitting Hotel Tango spirits and programs to buyers in grocery, liquor, club, drug, convenience, and restaurant chains across the country. Today Blake lives with her boyfriend, two dogs, and one cat in Indianapolis and spends her free time roaming the woods at Eagle Creek, watching cartoons, and reading murder mysteries.
Olivia Leisz
MIDWEST REGION SALES MANAGER
Olivia is a Hoosier through and through! She grew up in Greenwood, IN attending Center Grove schools and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelors degree in HR Management. Olivia has been in the wine & spirits industry for nearly 10 years and has experience in distribution, production and sales. When she's not out working you can probably find her frequenting one of her favorite watering holes in Broad Ripple or hanging out with her two cats, Ash and Jet.
Holleh Matlock
Content Manager
Holleh is a multifaceted creative, well versed in the arts, ranging from theatre, photography, graphic design, videography, music, and fine art. She combines her lifetime of artistic practice with a decade of mixology experience to become a sorcerer of spirits. Holleh also has a strong passion for philanthropy, and often incorporates this into Hotel Tango Drink-to-Donate programs. Holleh is the Director of Events and Fundraising for USBG Indy and a member of the Hotel Tango Innovation Committee. She says, “you can achieve whatever you set your mind to, as long as you have a lot of discipline and even more glitter.”
Megan Knuckles
Brand Manager
Megan, born and raised in Cincinnati, attended Miami University where she graduated with a double major in Strategic Communications and Social Work. After graduating she moved to Chicago, Illinois gaining marketing experience within the Alcohol Beverage Industry. She returned to her hometown in Cincinnati and joined the Hotel Tango team Summer of 2021. As the Brand Manager, she is responsible for protecting the integrity of the Hotel Tango brand, building out future programming, and growing company collateral. She loves being at the lake, finding new coffee shops, happy hour and spending time with family and friends.
Chloe Cain
Regional Sales Representative
Chloe is an Illinois native who made Indiana her home after attending Ball State University and The Art Institute of Indianapolis. She began working at age 15 and spent over a decade in the service industry which she likes to believe shaped her work ethic. Through building relationships Chloe was able to gain experience in sales- which she later learned was her true passion. Chloe has previous experience with product development and the submersion of products into a new market. Her past roles have allowed her to work hand in hand with Nascar and Indy Car sponsorships and multimillion dollar concert partnerships. She is a member of the sales team and holds a Regional Sales Representative role. She is looking forward to hitting the ground running and making Hotel Tango a household name. In her free time you’ll see her shaking up a Hotel Tango Vodka strawberry martini, or taking her dogs Gus and Mowgli on a walk through Broadripple Park.
Production
Bob Yates
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Bobby is an Indianapolis native and has been brewing/distilling since the age of 19. He experimented with fermentation and brewing at home, eventually leading into winemaking and distilling over the course of the subsequent 5 years. Bobby moved into a head brewer role in a small brewpub and learned more of the brewing craft from one of Indiana's first Craft Brewers. Bobby started working at Hotel Tango in 2017, peeling lemons as a second job hoping to expand his distilling knowledge and experience. He now maintains quality and consistency of Hotel Tango's spirit portfolio and production operations.
Dilon Richter
PRODUCT COORDINATOR
Dilon grew up in Columbus, Indiana. After high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a MV-22 Osprey Crew Chief and Mechanic. After his 5 years Active Duty in the Marine Corps Dilon worked in Production Control, Logistics, and Quality Assurance in automotive manufacturing. Dilon joined Hotel Tango in the fall of 2019 after working at a local craft brewery for multiple years. Dilon currently lives with his girlfriend Avery, and their two cats, Frank and Leonna.
Veteran
Andrew Schulten
LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
Andrew is a native to Indiana, but has lived and traveled all over the country and world. He attended the University of Evansville and received a B.S. in Health Services Administration. While attending college he was a full scholarship ROTC cadet at the University of Southern Indiana and became a commissioned Officer in the US Army after college. After the Army, Andrew continued to serve others as a Police Officer in Lafayette, IN. Eventually, he chose to follow his wife's career progression after she followed his for several years. During this time Andrew selected a new career path that lead him into the craft brewery and distillery world that combined his experience as a leader in the military as a logistician with his passion for spirits and landed him as the Logistics Coordinator here at Hotel Tango.
VETERAN
Moose
PACKAGING COORDINATOR
Moose grew up on the north side of Indy and has enjoyed building/tinkering with things since his first LEGO set back in the 80s. This love of understanding how things work evolved into a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree from Purdue. After working in various fields, he moved into the beverage industry with a job at Sun King. Moose is responsible for the smooth operation of the bottling line, including maintenance and improvements. When not working it's easy to find him reading or watching something, often with feet up and a cold beverage nearby.
Fletcher Place Tasting Room
Ryan
General Manager
Ryan is an Iowa native from the small town of Burlington. After attending the University of Iowa, he relocated to Houston, TX where he began his hospitality journey working the door at a British Pub. From there he moved back and forth between Indiana and Texas working his way up the ladder in the catering and concessions world until finally landing in Indianapolis in 2012. Working in both sales and event management, Ryan was lucky enough to travel around the country working sporting events and music festivals with the highlight being Bonarroo, where he was the manager for the Brooer's Village for 10 years. He joined the Hotel Tango team in March of 2022 as the General Manager of the Fletcher Place Tasting Room.
Luci
Assistant General Manager
A southern Indiana native, Luci moved to Indianapolis to attend the University of Indianapolis for kinesiology. Upon completing her degree, managed a gym for a few years before Covid took all the fun out of going to work. With her people skills and a few other skill sets under her belt, she stumbled upon Hotel Tango. After a few months apart, Luci just couldn’t stay away and decided that it’s time to reunite with the team.
Bri
Event Coordinator
Bri grew up in Carmel, IN and is a graduate of Ball State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. While in college, she led events for Four Day Brewing company where she developed a love for all events, big and small. In early 2023, She joined the Hotel Tango team as the Event Coordinator. Bri loves to be the life of the party and always makes sure everyone around her is having a good time. Some of her favorite things outside of hosting events are playing pickleball, spoiling her furbaby Ozzy Jean, and spending time with loved ones. She is always down to try new things and never shies away from a challenge.
Kati
Lead Mixologist
Brad
Tasting Room Lead
Rachel
Tasting Room Lead
Rachel, a self-proclaimed extrovert and Indiana native, attended Ball State University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Creative Development and Advertising. With that degree, she spends most of her time expressing creativity whether it be in her photography business, graphic design, or even renovating her home. Rachel started at Hotel Tango as a second gig with hopes to not only further her knowledge and experience in distilling, but also to meet new people, make new friends, and continue to grow in the Indianapolis community. When she's not working, she enjoys hanging out with her pitbull rescues, traveling to National Parks, and powerlifting at Indy City Barbell.
Ashley
Tasting Room Team Member
Ryan
Tasting Room Team Member
Mat
Tasting Room Team Member
Lauren
Tasting Room Team Member
Alex
Tasting Room Team Member
Alex started at Hotel Tango in August of 2022. She's new to Indy and looking forward to the next phase of her life, while giving the best service to her guests.
Caitilin
Tasting Room Team Member
Caitilin was born and raised in Indiana. She attended Western Governors University and graduated with a degree in elementary education. She is looking forward to her work as a server at Hotel Tango and joining the collaborative team that has been established.
Hali
Tasting Room Team Member
Hali is a 2020 graduate of Indiana University Bloomington. Bloomington was a great change of pace from her small, country hometown and then she found herself in Fountain Square after graduation due to the similarities. Hali originally began working part time at Hotel Tango in November 2020 and took a hiatus to explore some other things. She found her way back here at the end of 2022. In her free time you can find her playing with her dogs Nacho and Bell, eating local foods, or doing Pilates (shoutout Era Pilates!) Hali also has a passion for helping individuals with mental illness , as all of her day jobs have been within this field.
Sam
Tasting Room Team Member
Emily
Kitchen Supervisor
Emily has lived in Central Indiana their whole life, graduating a year early from Brownsburg high school. Since graduating, they have been focusing their time and energy back into their family and renovating their property; but plans to attend college next year for therapeutic massage and creative writing. At Hotel Tango Emily spends their time with us in the kitchen preparing everyone's food to perfection.
X

Careers

We’re always on the lookout for exceptional new recruits. Check out what’s currently available and see if you fit the bill.

View Openings

1920px
1080px