As both General Manager and Wine Director of Peppervine, Tommy focuses on providing elevated hospitality through the use of extensive staff training on all things food and wine, through careful hiring, and by promoting a positive, happy work environment. In his role of Wine Director, his goal is to make the entire world’s premium and super-premium wines more accessible and affordable, through a careful and ever-expanding curation of the world’s most food-friendly wines.
Originally from Maryland, Tommy has been in and around the industry since the early 1990s. Additionally, he spent fifteen years as an award-winning playwright and college professor, with productions all around the country. In the mid-2010s, he developed an intense passion for wine and cheese, and embarked on an intensive study period. He is a certified French Wine Scholar, Spanish Wine Scholar, and holds advanced certification through the Wine Spirits Education Trust. Always an educator at heart, he also runs the YouTube channel Pocket Wine School. He joined Peppervine as wine director and manager in mid-2022.
Tommy lives in Charlotte with his wife Mara, and spends the majority of his downtime writing, making music, and eating his way through the Queen City.
In his role as Executive Chef of Peppervine Restaurant, Will continues the tradition of creating progressive American cuisine through a refined and technique-driven menu, focused on seasonality and sourcing from local farms wherever possible.
A native of Brevard, Will has been in the industry for seventeen years, honing his chops along the way at several notable restaurants in western North Carolina. Beginning in French and Creole cuisine at Hobnob in Brevard, he then moved to Gamekeeper Restaurant in Boone, a fine-dining establishment elevating the use of game. After working as a private chef at The Inn at Little Pond Farm, he moved to Bill and Anita Greene’s legendary Artisanal Restaurant in Banner Elk. He joined Peppervine upon opening, and has served as Chef de Cuisine since day one.
Will lives in Charlotte with his girlfriend Kim and their three dogs, where they spend their time walking, eating, and supporting local restaurants.
Robert W. Lackey, Sr., Current CEO of Imagine One Companies brings over 40 years of experience to Peppervine as a business proprietor of numerous companies. His resume also includes engineer and inventor titles, with over 200 products developed and/or patented. As a Peppervine owner and board member, Robert Sr., is heading up facility selection and design as well as brand strategies, new acquisitions, corporate directives, finance, key decisions and partner relations. He has a Bachelor’s degree in accounting with substantial experience in product development and M&A activities in over 75 company startups, mergers and acquisitions over his career.
Robert W. Lackey, Jr., is equipped with 27 years of experience as a business owner of over 15 companies. He’s also been involved in the air and water filtration industry for 15 years. He is an active Board Member, and shareholder of Protect Plus and Protect Plus Air Holdings. Robert Jr.’s responsibilities at Peppervine include strategic corporate direction, outside partnering, management initiatives, liaison between Board Members and key management/employees, key decisions in brand relationships, finance, and partner relations. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Elon University in business, with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in accounting.