An 8th generation Charlotte native, Conrad Hunter spent the better part of the 80s and 90s as a professional touring musician and recording studio owner. His serious love of wine began inn 1988 as a byproduct when helping a friend open Charlotte’s first open kitchen brasserie, The Artist’s Cafe. Growing disillusioned with the collapse of the music industry in the late 90s Hunter sold his studio and launched a new career in the wine business. His first Foxcroft Wine Co. opened in 2004 in the heart of Charlotte’s Foxcroft neighborhood. After 15 years, he’s still at it, leading the expansion of Foxcroft Wine Co. into multiple locations as well as it's sister business, the award-winning Dot Dot Dot, Charlotte’s classic cocktail lounge.

Susan is a Charlotte native. She has been part of the evolving restaurant industry in the city and brings 20 years of experience to Foxcroft Wine Co. Working in the hospitality industry is a family business for Susan, whose mother also worked in restaurants. Susan started her culinary career as a hostess at 15, then continued to work throughout school until she became a server. She quickly realized that it was more than an after-school job. With a passion for nurturing people through food, the restaurant industry was a natural fit. Susan takes pride in caring for people both at work and home. She enjoys hosting family dinners and entertaining friends, a love that has transposed into the restaurant world seamlessly. Susan lives in Charlotte with her husband, Anthony, and their dogs, Fred & Ralph. 

Shawn Paul is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and holds certification in Advanced Blind Tasting from the American Sommelier Society. A native of central Maine, Shawn studied Classics, Philosophy and French at Clark University in Worcester, MA and spent an academic year in Dijon, France. Shawn has more than 15 years of experience in Food & Beverage management, with nearly 10 as a professional sommelier and beverage director in New York City at Michelin starred restaurants. Prior to leaving New York for North Carolina, Shawn worked as an Associate Specialist in the wine department of the international auction house Christie's.

In North Carolina Shawn has worked as the Wine Buyer and Wine Room Manager for Dean & Deluca and later General Manager and Beverage Director at Corkbuzz by Master Sommelier Laura Maniec. With Foxcroft Wine Co. Shawn works as Wine Operations Director where he oversees purchasing, education and professional development. Shawn lives in Matthews, NC with his wife Heather and sons Oliver and Emmett.

Mary-Kate (MK) has a background as the one-woman marketing department for diverse industries from textiles to pet care but has found a home in hospitality with Foxcroft Wine Co & Dot Dot Dot Cocktail Lounge. She works diligently behind the scenes for all locations and is quick to brag about her talented, knowledgeable, and friendly co-workers. Since 2019, she has played a central role in developing the Foxcroft brand and digital presence. MK enjoys all her fun and diverse marketing projects including all things creative, social media, graphic design, event marketing, community outreach and more - all while learning about the world of wine, cocktails, and top notch cuisine. She’s grateful for a career that feels more like a hobby and co-workers that feel more like friends. During her free time, MK can be found kayaking on Lake Norman, creating abstract gold leaf paintings, sipping wine on her front porch, and hanging out with Walter, her golden retriever and personality doppelgänger.

Amanda got her start in the restaurant industry as a pastry chef. After graduating from Johnson and Wales University and working in a kitchen she quickly learned that that was not the place for her. She spent the next 10 years managing restaurants and retail shops. Here she found her passion for wine and enjoys teaching others about the world of wine. On her off time she enjoys photography and going to hockey and football games. 

Keely has been in the hospitality industry for her entire working life. Her experience ranges from working in local restaurants, to corporate and boutique hotels and private country clubs. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University with a B.S. Degree in Hotel Management, Keely continued on to complete her certification with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Keely’s personal passions include activities such as hiking, biking, riding horses, and reading at eccentric coffee shops. She is originally from Washington State.

Kristy Strasswimmer, Executive Pastry Chef at Foxcroft Wine Co., graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. After gaining experience in specialty bakeries across Charlotte, she decided to focus on bread baking at Foxcroft Wine Co. in 2018. Kristy now oversees a team of bakers and the daily production of house-made breads, pastas, and desserts. Her love for cooking stems from her upbringing in New York, where food played a central role in celebrations, and she strives to bring people joy and memorable experiences through delicious food. In her free time, she enjoys being with her fiancé Matt and their two cats, Tiki and Carrot, crafting macramé and woven art, and exploring North Carolina's natural beauty.

Charlotte native, Taylor Chambers, is our Pastry Sous Chef with over 7 years of experience in baking and pastry. She has been in the food service industry since she was 16 and began baking and decorating cakes while pursuing her Associate's Degree in Pastry Arts at Central Piedmont Community College. Outside of work, you can find her at the gym, hosting a bible study or enjoying time with family.

Pastry Assistant, Holly Goad, graduated early from high school and began working as a prep cook at The Smoke Pit where she discovered her passion for the food service industry. She particularly enjoyed the rush of catering season and the camaraderie found within the kitchen. Holly turned her sights to baking and pastry to expand her work experience and soon joined the Foxcroft Wine Co. team. She spends her free time immersing herself in books, baking, and spending quality time with family and her black cat, Salem.