Meet our team
Mark Faller
Founder/Managing Partner
Commander Mark Faller served 20 years of active duty in the U. S. Coast Guard from 1983 - 2003, following his graduation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Highlights of his career include Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter Point Harris, an 82-foot patrol boat home ported in Oahu, HI. He also commanded the Coast Guard Cutter Penobscot Bay, a 140-foot, 700-ton icebreaker that kept the Hudson River shipping lanes open from Governors Island to Albany, NY. Mark retired in 2003 as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Recruiting Command.
Following his retirement from the Coast Guard, Mark formed Harkcon, Inc. with the other 5 bears and the goat. Harkcon provides customized solutions that improve organizational performance for government agencies and private businesses. He served as Harkcon's CFO until 2015, when he stepped aside to become the Managing Partner of 6 Bears & a Goat. He remains an owner and director of Harkcon, Inc.
Mark's vision to establish 6B&G brew house with his partners was inspired from his passion for home brewing, several visits to German biergartens, and Harkcon's desire to form a second line of business, separate and distinct from Harkcon's line of work. While making beer is quite different than his other skill sets, he never strays from his guiding principles of patriotism, service, community. His commitment to his customers is to provide great beer, great food, great service and a great atmosphere. Prost!
lindsey heppner
Director of Marketing & Brand Development / Accountant
Born in Yuma, AZ, Lindsey became a native to Stafford County when her father was stationed at Marine Corps Base – Quantico. After 21 years of service in the Marine Corps, her family decided to stay and make Stafford County their permanent home.
Lindsey grew up an avid sports lover and athlete which paid off with a field hockey scholarship to the University of Delaware. There she received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a minor in Management Information Systems. Before finding her home at 6 Bears & A Goat, she worked in many challenging positions and companies which ranged from auditor for a Big 4 accounting firm, fuel accountant for a power and energy company, and a financial reporting analyst for a regional bank. Lindsey was looking for a change of pace which led her to 6 Bears & A Goat.
Living locally, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, but during her “downtime” she is passionate about coaching field hockey. Lindsey currently serves as the Assistant Field Hockey Coach for the University of Mary Washington. At UMW, she is proud to assist in the development of young women both on and off the field. When not on the UMW field, she also is the head coach for High Voltage U-19 Travel Field Hockey Team which competes on the local and national levels. Lindsey has coached in the Fredericksburg area for over 11 years and has earned 2 state championships with the James Monroe High School field hockey team in 2017 and 2018. Lindsey still loves to play on the adult circuit and enjoyed her time in 2013 when she was selected to play on the U.S. National Indoor Team.
chuck arnold (right)
Head Brewer
Before joining the 6B&G team, Chuck served as the Assistant Brewer, then Head Brewer at a local commercial craft brewery and has the experience necessary to brew on a large scale while ensuring consistency of product. Chuck’s brewing roots start as a homebrewer and he quickly went on become a certified Beer Judge, which requires an in-depth knowledge of beer styles, their ingredients and brewing techniques. Chuck has completed the Concise Course in Brewing Technology from the Siebel Institute of Technology-World Brewing Academy. Finally, Chuck is a 26-year retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) Communications Chief - completing the 6B&G “Sea Services Trifecta!"
thomas faller (left)
Brewer
Born in New York City with his Coast Guard family stationed on Governor's Island, Thomas spent most of his childhood here in Stafford County. He began developing a love for the art of brewing while watching and helping his dad homebrew during his teenage and college years. After earning a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech, he also became a Stafford County trained EMT. Thomas has additionally completed the Concise Course in Brewing Technology from the Siebel Institute of Technology-World Brewing Academy. He enjoys trying any and all varieties of beer but his current favorites are a well balanced IPA or well done Wild Ale.
Lita Hines
Executive Chef
Born on Fort Belvoir, Lita spent the early years of her life up and down the East coast with her Army parents. She discovered her love of cooking as a small child watching shows such as Yan Can Cook, The Frugal Gourmet, and Great Chefs, and it wasn’t long before her tiny hands were helping out in the kitchen at home. Lita studied English at Mary Washington but ultimately decided that her passion for books wasn’t as strong as passion for cooking. She decided to change the course of her life … she trusted her gut, took a leap of faith, started cooking and hasn’t looked back. It hasn’t always been easy but it has always been worth it. There is no style of food that Lita isn’t willing to try her hand at creating. She believes that with clear instructions, patience, and dedication you can conquer just about anything. When in doubt just bake it out!
ryan thompson
Sous Chef
Born in northern Virginia, but raised in Fredericksburg. Ryan has been working in restaurants since he was 16. After a few years of college, Ryan decided to pursue his passion of cooking full time and has been doing so ever since. In that time Ryan has worked at some of the finest restaurants in the Fredericksburg area as well as one of the best ski hotels and restaurants in the country, in Vail, Colorado. In his free time, he enjoys Fly fishing, kayaking, and skiing in the winter months.
rachel griffith
Head Manager/Catering Coordinator
Rachel was born and raised in Fredericksburg, VA. As soon as she could crawl, she was outside playing with dirt, rocks, and bugs. Her love for the outdoors eventually resulted in her studying Environmental Science in college. While studying at the University of Mary Washington, she decided to apply to become a server at 6 Bears and a Goat just to make some extra cash. She started picking up more and more shifts because she realized how much she loved the atmosphere and staff. Finally after graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science, and still serving tables, she knew the next step was to look for a career. She began to browse for jobs when she realized that she couldn’t pull herself away from the brewery. Once accepting the position of Head Manager and Event Specialist, she knew that her home was at 6 Bears and a Goat! When she is not working, she still spends most of her time outside, usually kayaking and hiking, with her husband and dog by her side!
LAURA APANEWICZ
Manager/Events Specialist
Laura was born in Washington, D.C. She has spent most of her life living in Virginia, including Woodbridge, Reston, Alexandria, Stafford and now Fredericksburg. She is married with 3 grown sons and 3 fur babies.
Laura pursued a career in education, following her passion for teaching and working with students. She spent many years as an early childhood educator and special needs educator, impacting the lives of her students and contributing to the local community through her work in schools.
Laura became involved in planning events through her work with a bridal magazine, where she honed her skills in event coordination and organization. She also served on various social and morale-boosting committees, bringing her energy and creativity to enhance the community spirit of her workplace and local organizations.
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