David Katleski, Founder

Lead Consultant & Headhunter

DKAT Associates (Est. 2019) offers consulting and executive recruiting services for the hospitality, craft beverage and cannabis industry. “It has always been my personal mission to promote and protect the vital interest of the hospitality and craft beer industry. Working directly with business to integrate positive change and find qualified personnel which can help grow their businesses is a natural extension allowing me to continue my mission for these industries.”

For the past 30+ years David Katleski has been completely emersed in the craft beer, hospitality and craft beverage industry and is obsessed with protecting and promoting their vital interests. David founded Empire Brewing Company, managing and operating multiple brewpubs, breweries and a 30,000 sf, 23-acre farm brewery. He was actively involved in the expansion of Fuel Pizza Kitchen and multiple other notable clubs, restaurants and breweries. He also founded the New York State Brewers Association and was Board President for its first 14 years. Winner of the Brewers Association’s prestigious Defense of the Industry Award in 2013, the NYS Brewers Association Support of the Industry Award in 2023, and the prestigious Slow Food Snail of Approval Award in 2004 which recognized his commitment to its local farming support and renewable energy interests for being the first company in NYS that utilized 100% New York State produced renewable energy.