Leadership

Our Team

FOUNDER & CEO

CHIEF ADVISORY OFFICER

MARKETING MANAGER

SALES & OPERATIONS MANAGER

Troy M. Pepito

Founder & CEO

Troy Pepito is the founder of the Genuine Spirit Company, an expanding beverage brand house led with operational rigor and clear strategic vision. A retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer with two decades of global leadership experience, Troy has built the company from a small import venture into a scalable producer and marketer of premium spirits with distribution across both military and civilian channels.

 

Prior to launching GSC, Troy played a key role in expanding a veteran-owned distillery into more than 100 military installations and multiple U.S. markets an experience that shaped his blueprint for building beverage brands.

 

Today, he is focused on accelerating GSC’s growth through disciplined execution, strengthened supply chain partnerships, channel diversification, and the development of premium whiskey brands positioned for national and international expansion. Troy’s leadership centers on clarity, precision, and the long-term value creation that consumers and investors look for in a modern beverage company.

Nick Ladig

Chief Advisory Officer

Nick Ladig is an entrepreneurial leader and seasoned CPG executive with a proven track record of guiding companies from early-stage momentum through successful acquisition. Over his career, he has managed every major function of a growing business, sales, marketing, operations, finance, and team development, giving him a rare end-to-end understanding of how to build, scale, and sustain brands in competitive markets.

Nick has launched, expanded, and exited an SBA-funded independent restaurant, raised more than $10M in venture capital and private equity for growth-stage companies, and helped secure over $10M in real estate development funding across Midwest metropolitan markets. His ability to tie high-level strategy directly to the financial models that drive outcomes makes him a trusted advisor to founders, investors, and leadership teams.

Equally comfortable in startup environments and mature organizations, Nick specializes in guiding businesses through the full growth cycle identifying opportunities, shaping the roadmap, building teams, structuring capital, and preparing for acquisition. His expertise spans multiple strategic frameworks, including the EOS and Lean Canvas models, which he adapts fluidly to each organization’s needs.


Rooted in Northeast Indiana, Nick has built a deep, respected network across the region and the broader U.S. His career has included launching new products, executing rebrands, leading marketing initiatives, negotiating complex private and public contracts, contributing to boards, and shaping ground-up site development projects. He is known for his calm, confident presence amid the fast-moving, sometimes chaotic nature of scaling a business.


Nick founded Digs Advising with a clear mission: to strengthen and elevate Northeast Indiana for the next generation. He continues to partner with companies looking to innovate, grow, and navigate the critical stages of business evolution.

Megan Walsh

Marketing Manager

Megan Walsh is the Marketing Manager for Genuine Spirit Company, where she leads digital marketing strategy, online sales initiatives, and brand growth efforts. She brings more than a decade of experience spanning digital marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, and tech — supported by roles in small business consulting, startup operations, and creative design work.


Before joining Genuine Spirit Company, Megan built and managed multiple independent ventures focused on marketing, lead generation, and digital media. She also supported a leading augmented reality tech company in a multifaceted role that included executive support, UI design, and marketing functions. Her earlier career in financial services strengthened her analytical skills and strategy-first approach to problem‑solving. 


Megan is known for her ability to think deeply, adapt quickly, and guide projects from concept to completion. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for elevating brand experiences, she helps companies grow through intentional storytelling, data-driven decision making, and standout creative execution.

Jabulani Mason

Sales & Operations Manager

Jabulani Mason’s story is one of skill, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to mastering complex systems. Born and raised in New York, he grew up with a natural curiosity for how things worked, especially the engines and machines that powered the world around him. That early fascination set him on a path that would shape his entire career. 

After leaving home as a young adult, Jabulani devoted himself to learning the art and science of aviation mechanics. He trained rigorously, developing the precision, discipline, and technical insight that would define his professional identity. Over the years, he became known for his ability to solve high-stakes mechanical challenges, lead teams through demanding environments, and keep aircraft performing at their absolute best.

His career took him across the country and around the globe, giving him the chance to mentor emerging technicians, manage complex maintenance operations, and ensure the performance and safety of some of the world’s most advanced aircraft. Along the way, he earned recognition for his expertise, his leadership, and his commitment to excellence, including multiple awards for technical mastery and organizational impact. 

What truly sets Jabulani apart is his presence. Calm under pressure, meticulous in his craft, and deeply invested in the people he leads. He has built a reputation not only as a master technician, but as a steady, trusted guide through fast-moving and high-demand operational cycles. 

Today, Jabulani brings that same dedication to every team and mission he supports. His journey from a curious young New Yorker to a seasoned expert responsible for some of the most complicated machinery in the world is a testament to what can be achieved through focus, passion, and relentless pursuit of improvement. 

Dillon Iffrig

Ambassador Director

Dillon Iffrig is the Ambassador Director for Genuine Spirit Company, bringing more than 12 years of leadership experience in security operations, executive protection, and team management to the role. A retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, Dillon pairs disciplined execution with a people-first approach rooted in trust, accountability, and results.

Throughout his career, Dillon has led high accountability teams in fast paced environments where clear communication and sound judgment were essential. His experience spans physical security operations, personnel development, conflict resolution, and performance evaluation, sharpening his ability to assess needs quickly, build trust, and drive results.

Today, Dillon applies those strengths to expanding Genuine Spirit Company’s presence in the marketplace. As a brand ambassador, he focuses on building authentic relationships, supporting sales initiatives, and representing the company’s portfolio with professionalism and credibility. Aligned with founder Troy Pepito through a shared foundation of naval leadership, Dillon helps advance the brand by connecting people, product, and purpose at every touchpoint.