Meet Our Team

It's like we've always said: being a BBQ Guy is as simple as believing in great friends, awesome food, and a whole lot of fun (preferably near a grill, but we don't nitpick). Whether you're new to our grilling lifestyle or one of our loyal customers over the decades, we're all about inclusion. Grab a bottle and pull up a seat! There's always room at our table for more. But if you want to become a bona fide BBQ Guy, why don't we break the ice by getting to know each other (don't worry - we'll take the lead)? From our senior leadership to our outdoor living and grilling experts, here are some of the friendly faces on the other side of this premium grilling experience.

Meet Our Leadership


We proudly introduce the BBQ Guys® leadership team, dedicated to guaranteeing your outdoor life is the best it can be. Everything we do and are filters through their oversight — whether that's delivering ever better options for grill masters, supplying industry-leading support for builders and contractors, or providing more ways to bring good friends, family, and great food to the backyard. With proven track records and strong industry direction, our executives are committed to matching every BBQ enthusiast out there with their perfect grill.

    • Russ Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer
    • Russ Wheeler  |  Chief Executive Officer

      Russ Wheeler leads our BBQGuys team, guiding the company’s strategic vision and operations in line with executing all company goals. With 25 years of online home improvement experience, he joined BBQGuys at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to BBQGuys, Russ helped grow Build.com from $250M to a $1B+ business. While General Manager for YOW, an online specialty distributor for home improvement, the company was acquired by Home Depot — becoming an early driver of Homedepot.com.

      Favorite BBQ: Smoked wings on a Traeger Timberline

    • Byron West, Chief Operations Officer
    • Byron West  |  Chief Operations Officer

      Byron West heads all aspects of the supply chain and Human Resources. His responsibilities include customer care through the entire sourcing and distribution process for BBQGuys.com, PCM, and Blaze. He furthermore involves himself in recruiting, onboarding, professional development, performance management, and retention. Before BBQGuys, Byron founded and oversaw Hire Velocity, providing recruitment processing services to Fortune 500 companies, operated as Chief Operations Officer for Atlanta Tent Rental, and served in the US Navy as a nuclear submarine officer.

      Favorite BBQ: Smoked Pulled Pork

    • Charlie Bini, Chief Sales Officer
    • Charlie Bini  |  Chief Sales Officer

      Charlie Bini supervises all aspects of company sales, primarily through the sales center, Pro team, and Blaze. From contractor support to customer care services, his work grows and matures new sales channels, maximizes sales efforts, and develops new sales strategies and training. Before joining BBQGuys, Charlie served as a VP of Sales in portable sanitation, hereditary cancer genetic testing sales (President’s Club), business owner for custom home construction and sales, and a wine distribution regional manager.

      Favorite BBQ: Dry rub baby back ribs on the smoker

    • Ron Hamilton, Chief Technology Officer
    • Ron Hamilton  |  Chief Technology Officer

      Ron Hamilton oversees all technological infrastructure vital to our business operations, from core systems supporting our facilities, call center, and distribution centers to back-office systems all the way down to desktop and application support. Additionally, he’s responsible for all aspects of our digital commerce engineering efforts and Product management. Prior to joining the BBQGuys team, Ron served in a similar capacity for Build.com and was later responsible for a myriad of digital estates across the Ferguson footprint as Build integrated into the greater Ferguson enterprise. Ron’s extensive background in digital commerce technology — both B2B and B2C — makes him the ideal steward for BBQGuys’ technological footprint.

      Favorite BBQ: Slow-cooked tri-tip (perfect for leftovers, too)

    • Justin Petersen, Chief Merchandising Officer
    • Justin Petersen  |  Chief Merchandising Officer

      Justin Petersen guides the development and execution of BBQGuys’ comprehensive category management structure, strengthening our position as the premier destination for consumers and contractors looking to furnish their outdoor kitchens and outdoor living spaces. He came to BBQGuys with extensive category management experience, having most recently been Wayfair’s General Manager of Accent, Entertainment, and Office Furniture. Prior to that, Justin served Wayfair in leadership positions for Fireplaces & Grills and Outdoor Décor. Justin also previously worked in a series of brand management roles at Procter & Gamble, heading up brands like Gillette, Tide, and Vicks, among others.

      Favorite BBQ: Beer brats

    • Mike Giambrone, Chief Financial Officer
    • Mike Giambrone  |  Chief Financial Officer

      Mike Giambrone is responsible for all of BBQGuys’ financial planning and analysis, including that of its owned brands. In addition to concentrating on overall profitability, he collaborates closely with leadership and department heads to maximize efficiency and cost savings. Before joining BBQGuys, he held the position of CFO for a restaurant & entertainment group, as well as a heavy civil construction company—providing expert budgeting, strategic planning, and exceptional vendor relationships for each. As a leader, he is committed to establishing a rapport with all levels of staff, management, and business partners.

      Favorite BBQ: Smoked brisket on my pellet grill

    • Erin Ryan, Chief Legal Officer
    • Erin Ryan  |  Chief Legal & People Officer

      Erin manages company risk by providing strategic legal advice on vendor agreements, intellectual property, marketing and advertising, litigation, compliance with current laws, and more. As Secretary to the Board of Directors, she advises on governance matters; in overseeing Human Resources, her assistance guides everything from organizational development to recruitment and retention of employees. Before BBQGuys, she served as Senior Counsel for the Sherwin-Williams Company, worked at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and clerked for a federal judge. Erin attended the University of Pennsylvania and Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she later taught legal research and writing.

      Favorite BBQ: Waygu brisket with a side of mac and cheese for my kids!

    • Chase Shelton, Senior Counsel
    • Chase Shelton  |  Senior Counsel

      Chase Shelton is BBQGuy’s Senior Counsel, working alongside Erin Ryan to provide advice on insurance, investigations, employment, intellectual property, contracts and more. Chase joined the BBQGuys family in 2015 as the Corporate Counsel for BBQGuys, before expanding his role to Corporate Counsel for both Blaze and BBQGuys, and finally to his current role of Senior Counsel. Before joining BBQGuys, Chase attended both Louisiana State University and Southern University Law School.

      Favorite BBQ: BBQ pulled pork