Updates: More on Don Russell leaving Beer Week
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
More news on this unexpected turn of beer events.
Yesterday we broke the news that Don Russell a.k.a. Joe Sixpack is severing ties with Philly Beer Week. Today friend of Meal Ticket, Danya Henninger reached out to Russell and PBW chairman (and co-owner of Philly craft institutions Standard Tap and Johnny Brenda's) William Reed for further information on this unexpected turn of events.
Here's what Russell had to say about the break: "I'm totally proud of Philly Beer Week. I loved all the work I did to build it into what it became - an unprecedented event! But over time, specifically the past couple of months, it became clear to me that the majority of the board of directors didn't share my vision for PBW - specifically, that they didn't value my time or work that reflect my degree of expertise and the effort I put into it."
Sadly, according to Reed Russell's departure may have come down to a financial matter: "The board of directors and Don couldn't agree on fair compensation for the coming year and I believe Don felt his work undervalued. It's a big loss to us at PBW. Don has been a friend to most of us on the board for many years. He's earned my respect and admiration on a professional level and I'm sorry to see him resign."
Henninger ends on a reassuring note, saying that there's no need to worry, Beer Week isn't going anywhere and Russell is planning on continuing his 17-year-running Joe Sixpack column for the Daily News.
