Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Change of guard at Flying Fish Brewing

Gene Muller, long the face of Flying Fish, will be simply known as founder.

At Flying Fish Brewing Co., founder Gene Muller (left) and chief executive Lou Romano.
At Flying Fish Brewing Co., founder Gene Muller (left) and chief executive Lou Romano.Read moreMEGAN YORK PARKER

Gene Muller, who founded Flying Fish Brewing Co. 21 years ago and grew it into New Jersey's largest brewery, is ceding his chief executive's role this month to industry veteran Lou Romano.

Muller, long the face of the Somerdale, Camden County, brewery, will be simply known as founder. He will continue to manage the Flying Fish brand, focusing on special projects and advising.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said. "The only change is that I might work six days a week instead of seven.  I'm making this lateral move into my new position because, to use an analogy, I built a really fast race car but then realized there are a lot better drivers out there than me."

A Flying Fish bio says Romano began working in the beer business at age 16, and most recently was national sales manager of Oskar Blues Brewery. He also has worked for D.G. Yuengling & Son.

Here's a backgrounder on Flying Fish and Muller.