Kirk Coco

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Kirk Coco is a native of New Orleans, who spent 11 years in the United States Navy serving as a Surface Warfare Officer. During his commission he served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer of the USS CHOSIN, Chief Engineer of the USS PELICAN, Operations Officer of the USS CAMDEN and served onboard the USS RONALD REAGAN as Tactical Action Officer/Readiness Officer for Destroyer Squadron Seven. Kirk chose to leave the Navy in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to return to New Orleans and help in the rebuilding and renewal of the city.

After a short career with Capitol One Bank, Kirk began his initial dream of bringing production and manufacturing back to New Orleans, founding NOLA Brewing Company in 2008. Since Dixie’s departure from the city in 2005 NOLA Brewing is the only operating production brewery in Orleans parish. In May 2015 Kirk began work on NOLA Distilling Company, a craft distillery located just 8 blocks from NOLA Brewery which produces sweet potato based NOLA Vodka and is developing Gins and Whiskeys for the New Orleans cocktail scene.

Kirk is a founding member and current President of the LA Brewer’s Guild, an organization of brewers in LA lobbying for a strong commitment from government for the burgeoning craft beer movement.

Kirk serves as a member of the Strategic Advisory Council for Economic Development for the Mayor of New Orleans and as an Advisory Board Member for the YAYA Arts Council. He serves as Vice Chairman for the Libertarian Party of Orleans and was a Voting Delegate for their 2016 National Convention. Finally, Kirk is a member of the Board of Directors for The Roots of Music, a non-profit organization committed to maintaining the city’s homegrown musical heritage by putting instruments into the hands of New Orleans youths and educating them on their use.

Kirk is a graduate of Louisiana State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and his Juris Doctorate. Kirk also earned a Masters in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans in 2003.