LYNN — Bent Water Brewing Company is serving up craft beer and careers on the evening of Aug. 14, when it will host a night of networking and fundraising for the Special Operators Transition Foundation.
The SOTF is a nonprofit organization that specializes in transitioning special-operations veterans like Navy SEALs, Green Berets, Army Rangers, Air Force combat controllers, Pararescuemen, Marine Raiders, and members of special aviation units into new careers.
Bent Water President and co-founder Aaron Reames said that he and Chris Crawford, his fellow co-founder and the company’s head of sales, have been working with the SOTF for almost a decade, raising visibility and funds for the organization.
“We’ve chosen to do this just because a lot of time, people assume that it’s easy to basically go from an environment where you’re the first on the ground, really working under duress, and then find employment and transition back to civilian life,” Reames said. “When in fact, that can be challenging, especially thinking upon what these individuals have been exposed to.”
The event is open to everyone, and Reames encouraged businesses looking to hire, city officials, and special operators to attend. Retired special operators, including Army Special Operations Intelligence Sgt. Jake LaRochelle, will be in attendance.
East Regiment Brewing Company from Salem, which is owned by Navy veteran Scott Perry and Merchant Marine veteran Josh Engdahl, will also provide beer to raise money for the nonprofit, and Ciao Restaurant & Bar will provide food.
“You’ve got individuals that prepare, think on their feet, work under duress. They’ve gone into environments that most people couldn’t even imagine going into and they really have to execute,” Reames said. “Those are a lot of great capabilities and skill sets to bring into the work environment.”
The networking event will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Bent Water Brewing Taproom.
