The Team
The Mason Jar Group is a collection of the city’s most authentic and unique hospitality experiences. No one is alike in our family, and we celebrate the differences we have. We encouraged our team to be themselves as they provide the best customer experience in all our venues. Just as our team is unique, so are the establishments they work in. Our culinary team believes in the freshest local and highest quality products available. They believe each and every plate served needs to be perfection.
OUR TEAM
Anthony Kearey
Anthony Kearey is the operating partner for Mason Jar Group. As the personality of the group, the first thing people notice and remember is his boisterous laugh. Kearey and his team created the organization in 2007 with the opening of Tilt on Trade. Tilt’s longevity has made it Uptown Charlotte’s second-longest open bar which celebrated 10 years in 2017. He identified a gap in the market for casual fine dining in Uptown and conceptualized 204 North Kitchen and Cocktails. A farm-to-table style twist on modern American cuisine with a rustic feel in the heart of the Queen City. 204 North’s booming beginning is a testament to Kearey’s passion and vision for the Queen City. In 2016, 204 North officially opened its doors as the first three-story restaurant in Uptown. Within its first year, 204 garnered such positive media attention and patron support that it was named Charlotte Magazine’s 2017 ’Best New Restaurant’. An accolade was given to an elite few. With two successes, Kearey felt it was time to add to the group and diversify out of Uptown. Historic South End is Charlotte’s quickest growing vibrant neighborhood where in 2018, he opened The Union. After a fantastic inaugural year, Kearey and MJG continued their vision and in 2019 Kearey opened two new concepts, an Irish pub in the quaint city of Matthews just outside of Uptown called Grace O’Malleys and a party bar in Charlotte’s Art District, NoDa named Bargarita.
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Kearey attributes Mason Jar Group’s growing success to the team of individuals behind the brand, powering it forward to new heights. With over 150 employees in the MJG network, he finds it crucial to focus on giving each customer the best experience possible through service.
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Kearey oversees day-to-day and fiscal planning, organizational goal setting, and overall operations of the five properties. Additionally, he manages the initial construction and development phases of new contracts through his family-owned company, Kearey Builders, which specializes in the development of commercial properties. He also focuses on city permitting and planning while assisting in concept development.
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A native of South Africa, when he’s not spending his time conceptualizing new projects, Kearey enjoys spending time on the water, most specifically Lake Norman.
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Kearey currently lives in Uptown Charlotte, N.C.
Rachel Lindsay
Rachel Lindsay is managing partner for Mason Jar Group. She brings a lifetime of experience to the table having her start in her family’s restaurant in Pittsburgh. She has a laser focus on the ins and outs of hospitality. She joined the organization in August 2007 and wears many hats beginning with previously held titles of director of operations and bar manager. In her ever growing role, Lindsay oversees the overall operations and employee relations divisions, as well as back of house inventory control and crisis management. Additionally, she is responsible for human resources, payroll and accounting while also serving as lead creative design and build out manger for all of the MJG properties. Rachel’s calm and commanding presence allows those around her to flourish. With her steady hand she has overseen the growth of the organization, moving from 15 employees in 2007 to nearly 200 by early 2023 across seven properties.
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Lindsay has managed and aided in projects related to the Democratic National Convention, the CIAA Basketball Tournament, NBA All-Star Weekend, Coca-Cola,Yelp, and, NASCAR while managing a diverse portfolio of clients. She was also the operations and creative design lead for the opening of 204 North Kitchen and Cocktails, Charlotte Magazine’s ‘Best New Restaurant of 2017’ and Elevate Lifestyle ‘Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant’ of 2017. As of 2023, Lindsay has conceptualized and designed seven of MJG’s properties. Her attention to detail and a natural eye for interior design allows her to create unique dining and social settings where guests become immersed in the experience.
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Prior to joining MJG, Lindsay spent multiple years at Bar Management Group, working in the organization’s Charlotte office. While at BMG, Lindsay was a bartender and was promoted to the role of marketing and events manager in which she planned and executed large-scale projects, lead promotional efforts and developed partner relationships.
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Lindsay currently lives in Oak Ridge, NC with her husband and sons.
Brendan Flory
Brendan is Director of Operations for the Mason Jar Group. Both his personal and profession background made it clear to Anthony and Rachel that he was the only person for the job, especially to help as they get their newest projects located at Congdon Yards in High Point, NC up and running.
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Growing up in hospitality, Brendan’s family was always working catering jobs on weekends and summers. He started working quickly throughout a catering business on Hilton Head Island, SC. That led to him working in various positions in many restaurants in Hilton Head until he moved to Charlotte, NC in 2010. He began working at the Omni Charlotte and quickly moved up into leadership becoming the Outlet Manager for the hotel. During this time, he would often pop into the famous Tilt on Trade, where he, Rachel and Anthony met. He and Anthnoy became good friends and some will say great drinking buddies.
Brendan continued to grow with the Omni brand moving to Asheville, NC to oversee the Sunset Terrace Restaurant and their bar operations. After two years, he moved to Dallas, and then Houston working in resorts and continuing his development. Three years later, in 2019 after working at the Westin Galleria, as General Manager over Restaurants and Director of Outlets for The Woodlands Resort, Brendan moved back closer to home to Asheville, NC where he was the Director of Food and Beverage for The Omni Grove Park Inn. Brendan has great knowledge of operations while running multiple outlets, group and leisure banquets and catering events. He has a strong passion for developing people into their new roles and continued evolution of this exciting industry.
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​While constantly traveling to oversee all locations, he resides in High Point as the group focuses on expanding in the triad area.
Downing Riley
Downing began his hospitality career in college when his wife told him he needed a job. After being unable to secure a job as a mechanic she found a restaurant in Asheville willing to give him his first server job. She didn't realize it would continue for the next 25 years. Downing moved back to Texas and found a coveted position at The Mercury Grill working for Chef Chris Ward voted as one of the best restaurants in Dallas and developed a passion for incredible food, wine and cocktails. He worked hard to find ways to make guests' experiences unique and individual. After working for years in fine dining restaurants Downing found a home at The Cheesecake Factory where he would spend 15 years learning and working with some of the best leaders in the industry.The Cheesecake Factory provided chances to travel the country working with some of the best staff and managers learning from them every chance he could.
After traveling with his family to so many cities it was time to return to the Carolinas where Downing and his wife had met and spent so many vacations with their girls at the beach. Downing spent a few more years with The Cheesecake Factory sister restaurant Flowerchild before connecting with Mason Jar Group and joining their team of dedicated hospitality veterans. Downing hopes his passion for food and treating people with Kindness and Empathy will give him a chance to help Mason Jar Group grow more.
Downing, his wife Ashley and their two beautiful children, Avery and Kenadi, live in Fort Mill SC. With the beach and mountains a short drive away it gives them plenty to do. In their free time you can usually find Downing and Ashley and their dog Sir Pickleton trying out all the local brewery and distillery options the Carolinas have to offer. Sir Pickleton hasn't met someone that doesnt love her yet.
Adam Penn
Adam Penn is the Director of Bar Operations for Mason Jar Group. Adam is responsible for keeping the fun times rolling, while ensuring the standards for service are met.
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Born and raised in Canyon, Texas, Adam moved to Charlotte in 2012 to be close to family after he finished his time in the Army. As a sergeant in Afghanistan from 2006-2012, Adam is no stranger to leading a team. Starting as a bouncer at Tilt, Adam worked his way up to become General Manager. He even worked at 204 North, and opened Bargarita.
When he’s not hard at work, you can find Adam working on projects around his house or spending time with his two dogs, Maya and Jackson.
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Michaela Sampson
Michaela Sampson is the Director of Marketing for Mason Jar Group. Starting out as a bartender throughout the company, Michaela is now responsible for the social media and marketing for all of our concepts.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Michaela started working in the food service industry at 15. From fast food to fine dining, and everything in between, Michaela has done it all.
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Studying Marketing at The University of Alabama, Michaela grew a passion for bringing what she learned to the hospitality industry that she fell in love with.
When she’s not running around snapping pictures, you can find Michaela spending time with her dog Charlotte.
Jimmy Kotrotsios
A Charlotte native and proud father of two sons and a daughter, Jimmy has a deep connection to his roots. With a background in mechanical and electrical studies from Central Piedmont, he has spent over three years working with Mason Jar and more than 16 years with ANT.
Jimmy's passion for the mountains, hiking, and fishing reflects his love for the outdoors. His favorite aspect of his work is watching how everything comes together like a puzzle. Coming from a family with a history in restaurants, Jimmy took a unique path by choosing to build, fix, and work on them, blending his skills with his heritage.
