MEET THE TEAM
The heart of our operation – a vibrant mosaic of diverse talents, united by a shared passion for innovation and excellence! Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery as we introduce you to the brilliant minds that turn our dreams into reality.
Chris Cross: Founder/Agave Geek
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Chris is the other-half of the husband and wife owner-team of New World. After 20 years of military service as an aviator, and 17 years in the Aviation Training Industry for the Department of Defense, Chris wanted to no longer work “for the man” and decided to turn a passion for Agave and a long time hobby into a business (um… poor judgement, for sure). #ThanksUtah. Outdoors is where he wants to be: hot, or cold, but hopefully 67 degrees. He loves to eat, and is lucky in that Ashley is an incredible cook, so he is spoiled daily. Chris and Ashley love to travel and eat…or travel to eat. Life is too short to drink poorly, as well. Travel to drink. Chris imagines that his final days will be spent on a rooftop in Mexico. He hates the term “Master Distiller,” but if you have had the opportunity to follow his path, his passion and his products, you will agree that that is exactly what he is. His spirits belong in your liquor cabinet. On the top shelf. In the bars and restaurants. In amazing cocktails. Dreams do come true.
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“A Gin Martini (is there any other martini?!) and Steely Dan’s Aja.”
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“I would say the Margherita Pizza, because less is more when it comes to pizza. But, the perfect pizza is the Fennel Sausage Pizza at Flora Farms, Los Cabos, BCS, Mexico. Because it is the perfect combination of what AND where.”
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“Jewel. Singers over actors any day.”
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“Cremation. Unless I can be buried covertly. Edward Abbey style.”
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“The dogs. Even though we have two, does that count as one item?”
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“FLY IN STYLE. Don”t like road trips more than four hours. And I’ll never cruise. I’ve been on “cruises” for work. Not vacation for me.”
Ashley Cross: Founder/Gin-Soaked Barroom Queen
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Ashley is one-half the husband and wife owner-team of New World. After 23 years in public education, Ashley told Chris that she was burned out and needed “a new world.” Her love of gin and Chris’s love of tequila informed their travels for well over two decades so the decision to build a distillery seemed a viable endeavor. Ashley is an animal lover and the fur baby loves of her life are Deigo, her rescue Chiweenie and Frida, a skittish Boston Terrier. She is a foodie and always says if she could do it over, she’d go to cooking school instead of University. Ashley and Chris live in a tiny A-Frame in Eden, when in Utah, and a tiny flat with a rooftop terrace when in San Miguel de Allende, where they intend to retire…one day.
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“Negroni and REM’s Leaving New York.”
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“Italian Sausage/mushrooms/black olives/green peppers.”
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“:Jack Black.”
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“Cremation/a tiny box at USNA with Chris.”
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“Diego. If dogs and people are already out, I’d grab my wedding ring.”
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Fly in style with the dogs.
Mike Parkinson: Art Director/Distiller’s Apprentice
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Mike grew up in a small Idaho town always yearning for something new. Aviation led him to Utah where he spent 4 years flying and studying at Utah State University followed by 2 years as an airline pilot. After marrying a woman who is way smarter and makes much more money than he does, Mike is now an avid mountain biker and full time dog Dad. When not on the trails or playing fetch with Indy, Mike spends his time running his business, Wild Utah Photography, and working as New World Distillery’s newest Distiller’s Apprentice. Mike says, “The best part of working at New World is the sense of community garnered among both customers and fellow staff members. No one ever comes in to talk about booze in a bad mood!”
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“Nothing would fit the mood better than a Black Walnut Whiskey Sour made with Ogden Nine Rails, fresh Vermont maple syrup and Honest John's Black Walnut bitters. Pair that with Florence + The Machine’s Under Heaven Over Hell and you have the PERFECT evening.”
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“Easy answer! Two slices of pepperoni from the original Joe's Pizza in Manhattan.”
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“Ruby Bhogal season 9 Great British Bake Off.”
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“Neither. Freeze me like Walt Disney and don't thaw me out until we've figured out climate change.”
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“Assuming my wife and dog made it out ok, the first thing I would grab would be my mountain bike. As long as I have my bike I can survive just fine as a hermit in the mountains of Utah.”
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“Fly in style definitely. Ideally anywhere in Spain.”
Linda LeStayo: Doctor Somm
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Linda lives in the Ogden Valley and is retired after a long career in the biotech industry. A pharmacist by training, she decided to pursue her love of chemistry in the form of beverage chemistry and became a certified sommelier. When she isn’t geeking out at New World Distillery, Linda is a wine consultant - educating people about wine one sip at a time. Most people don’t know this but sommeliers are also trained in spirits, so Linda considers her time at New World Distillery to be post graduate training. AND Linda has beehives and sells her honey and honey lollipops at NWD. In her spare time, Linda loves to bike, ski, and travel with her beautiful and growing family. Being a grandma is THE BEST! In Linda’s opinion, NWD is the best possible form of life long learning - being surrounded by expert distillers and amazing coworkers who care deeply about what they are doing and all just generally good humans.
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“Lavender Bees Knees with Oomaw Gin of course. Vinyl is Fleetwood Mac Rumors.”
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“Mushroom and Truffle with white sauce, parmesan shavings, and arugula with balsamic drizzle paired with a White Burgundy.”
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“Dr. Jane Goodall.”
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“Cremation and scatter me somewhere nice - I’m dead so you choose where - I don’t care.”
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“Assuming all people and pets are safe then it must be my Frye boots that are worn in to perfection. And a couple of bottles of wine of course.”
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“Road trip in our Sprinter van but I do like the occasional stylish flying. Cruise? NEVER!”
Diego: Distillery Dog Number One
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Diego, the ChiWeenie, came to Utah via Lucky Chi Rescue in CA. He was purchased online by Ashley, who at the time was heavily-medicated and recovering from an accident. He was dumped at a shelter weighing 2.5 lbs and now weighs in at a portly 9 lbs. He is a perro de calle at heart and will devour any food item left unattended in a second. He has a perfect eyeliner coloring around his brown eyes and the most manicured toenails on any dog. He has some street scars, both physical and internal, but the love of his life, Frida, helps him cope. He is a burrower and a Mama’s Boy. His favorite thing about distillery life is riding on the center console down to work and chilling on his heated dog bed pad in the office. He is super protective of Frida and his “gig” in general so his barks are kind of obnoxious. He dislikes unmasked customers, vaccine deniers and anyone who tries to touch Frida.
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“Alternating shots of Mezcal and Schnapps. His song is “Rescue Me” by Fontella Bass.”
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“Chorizo con queso.”
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“Ashley”
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“Mexicans don’t believe in death.”
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“Frida, but she’ll already have me by the neck so I will grab food.”
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“Would travel in a paper sack as long as it meant I wasn’t separated from my family.”
Frida: Distillery Dog Number Two
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Frida is a brindle Boston Terrier, born in Salt Lake City and raised in Eden, Utah. She is Diego’s support dog and love of his life. She is a Covid era puppy who has spent her life with very little human interaction outside of her immediate family, so she is afraid of pretty much everything. Her least favorite thing about distillery life is the broom, vacuum and/or mop. Her favorite thing is to chase crickets in the parking lot or eat juniper berries off the floor. She is named after the iconic Mexican artist, Frida Khalo, who was also dainty and beautiful.
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Pond Water Martini, Dirty. And La Llorona by Lila Downs.
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“Cheese.”
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“Chris”
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“Cremation and returned in a little cedar box to join all the other Cross Fur Babies that have passed.”
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“Diego, by the neck/collar.”
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“Fly in style in my pink Mr Peanuts, airline approved travel tote, dosed on melatonin and CBD drops, facing Diego so that she has her eyes on him constantly.”