When Tawnie Gootee walked through the doors of Heaven Hill on April 23, 1990, she didn’t know she’d spend the next three decades helping shape the quality and culture that define the company today. Now celebrating 35 years with the company, Tawnie serves as Supervisor of Quality Assurance and Master Taster in Bottling at the Tasting Room, bringing care, consistency, and a deep sense of pride to everything she touches.

Her role centers on quality, but to Tawnie, it’s never just about product. “I want people to enjoy what we make,” she says. “And I want to feel good knowing I helped make it right.” From managing quality checks on the bottling line to leading VIP tours that tell the story of the Shapira family, she sees her job as both technical and personal, keeping standards high while helping people connect with the heart of Heaven Hill. “I love getting to interact with people, sharing who we are, answering questions, and giving them a real experience of what makes us special.”

Around 2020, Tawnie was named Heaven Hill’s first female Master Taster. Becoming Master Taster was a proud moment for Tawnie, but what means the most to her is the path she’s taken to get here. She’s grown through change, taken on new challenges, and stayed committed to doing her work. “I’m proud to still be here, still growing, still doing this amazing work,” she states.

Over the years, Tawnie has helped welcome new hires by leading tours of the facility, giving them a glimpse into how things run and what matters most at Heaven Hill. “I try to make them feel at home,” she says. “It’s important to start off on the right foot.” For her, it’s not just about showing them the plant, it’s about making a connection. “I need them as much as they need me,” she adds. “We’re in it together.”

Reflecting on how the company has changed, Tawnie sees progress in how people communicate and collaborate. “We talk more. We help each other more. No matter your title, your voice matters here. And that’s made us stronger.” She points to today’s open-door culture as a key part of that growth, where it’s okay to ask questions and share ideas.

For Tawnie, Thriving Together means exactly what it sounds like: being part of something bigger than yourself. “You can’t thrive if you’re not showing up for others. We’ve got to hold hands. We’ve got to be involved.”

After 35 years, Tawnie still shows up every day with the same steady purpose she brought on day one. Her work continues to shape how we show up for each other and for every bottle we send out.