Description

Lunch Sponsored by

"How I Built It" 

Through a moderated panel, local entrepreneurs and business owners will tell their stories of "How I Built It". So inspiring!

Moderator: Bill Rives

BIO: Bill Rives moved to Marble Falls in July of 1983 to serve as Asst. Principal at Marble Falls High School. He spent the next 21 years as an administrator in MFISD.

During that time, Bill started working on the weekends at Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow, TX. He continues to do marketing for Fall Creek.

For three years, 2013-2016, Bill was the Executive Director of the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce.

Panelists:

Dave Plante - Bluebonnet Cafe

BIO: Dave grew up on the East coast in Manchester, New Hampshire. He graduation from the University of New Hampshire at Durham with a degree in communications. Upon graduation, he joined Elmore Sports Group and work for minor league baseball and hockey teams across the country. He eventually made his way to Fort Worth, Texas, where he met his wife, Lindsay. He worked for Ben E. Keith Beverages in Fort Worth for five years before joining the management team at Blue Bonnet Cafe in 2005. He currently oversees the day-today operations of the restaurant. One of his proudest moments was when the Blue Bonnet Cafe received the Deep in the Heart Award from the Texas Restaurant Association in 2024. 

Dave served as President of the Marble Falls/Highland Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce in 2014-2015 and was an original member of the Marble Falls TIRZ Board No. 1.

Taylor Johnson, Cuvée Wine & Piano Bar

BIO: Taylor Johnson, an accomplished Advanced Sommelier and holder of the highly respected WSET Advanced Level 3 certification along with a Level 2 with the Court of Master Sommeliers. With two decades dedicated to the world of wine, Taylor's impressive background spans from the exacting standards of Michelin-starred restaurants to an immersive three-year study of wine in Italy. This was followed by a decade spent honing her craft in London, a true global center for fine wine. Taylor now channels this extensive knowledge and passion into her own ventures as the owner of Cuvée Wine and Piano Bar, with successful locations in Fredericksburg and the recently launched Marble Falls destination. She continues to educate alongside her Husband, Andy - who is the professional Pianist at both locations. The Johnsons currently live in Horseshoe Bay with their three children.

J.D. Guidry, Bear King Brewing Co.

BIO: J.D. Guidry is the CEO and co-owner of Bear King Brewing Company, a family-owned craft brewery based in Marble Falls, Texas. Under J.D.'s leadership, Bear King has grown from a passionate startup to a respected name in the local brewing scene, known for its unique blend of family values, community engagement, and legendary storytelling.

Founded on the rich history of the Marble Falls area, Bear King Brewing Company crafts beers inspired by real and fictional legends, sparking connections between family, friends, and their shared experiences. One of the brewery’s flagship beers, Cardiff Rice Lager, honors J.D.'s grandfather, a rice farmer from Katy, Texas, whose legacy lives on in the brewery’s rice lager.

J.D.'s journey in building Bear King Brewing Company was driven by a vision to create a space where the craft of beer and the warmth of family traditions intersected. His focus on sustainable growth, community involvement, and strong business partnerships has allowed Bear King to thrive, expanding both its local presence and distribution network.

When he's not working on the brewhouse crafting a new legend, J.D. is committed to fostering relationships within the Marble Falls community and beyond, always staying true to the values that built Bear King—family, authenticity, and good times shared over great beer.