Gourmet Jerky Since 1977
Chapter One: Charlie Does Jerky
In 1977, a butcher and artisan named Celestino “Charlie” Mirarchi started making jerky. Charlie was definitely a doer. In fact, he was so busy making jerky that he couldn’t devote much time to selling it. So, his snacks remained a hidden gem—until Eugene and Susan Kang discovered it at a roadside stand on a trip to the Grand Canyon. They loved the jerky so much they decided to track down the maker. Soon, the trio went into business together—with a mission to share their meaty secret with the world.
Chapter Two: Doing Things the Right Way
Slowly but surely, more and more people found Country Archer jerky, and our snacks found their way into specialty grocers and other outlets. Fans started asking for variety, and so we channeled our passion into new recipes. And while we could have taken shortcuts, we chose to go with what we know. True to Charlie’s tradition, we still craft each batch with grass-fed beef, cage-free turkey, and quality pork.
Chapter Three: Let’s Do This
Today, we’re putting on our big-kid pants and taking our not-so-secret story nationwide. There’s still just one kitchen, although it’s quite a bit bigger now. And for doers who want to do more—and do it well—there are lots more ways to enjoy Country Archer meat snacks, and lots more places to find them. Heck, you can even order a box of bars, sticks, or jerky packs right here online. We think Charlie would be proud.
How It’s Made
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Grass-fed beef and turkey raised with no antibiotics.
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Lean cuts for maximum protein.
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Simple, honest organic ingredients.
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Extended marinating. Zero shortcuts.
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Slow cooked for maximum noms.
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Direct shipping to your store or face.
Our fearless leader never has a problem keeping busy. Ironically, this avid outdoorsmen can be found most often in the test kitchen dreaming up new flavors, products and who knows what else. A recent convert to CrossFit, Eugene's love-hate relationship with burpees is ever evolving. Foodie, meat monger, serial entrepreneur... he wears many hats.
Eugene Kang
Co-Founder
Susan hates waste. Whether that be food, money, or time, she cannot stand it. This translates over to her hobbies. As an avid gardener, she gives high praise to her compost bin. In her eyes, why waste precious resources when they could be turned into black gold!
Susan Kang
Co-Founder
An unapologetically carnivorous nerd, Jeremy has long sought to merge his two greatest passions of meat snacks and business optimization. His love of jerky – “freedom meats” as they are known at his house – is surpassed only by his love of financial models and lean manufacturing. When not at work, Jeremy is often a character actor for the Disney scenes his daughters recreate at home.
Jeremy White
COO/CFO
Tim lives, breathes, and eats meat snacks. At 40+ years of age, he’s still hitting PRs on the regular and giving his younger counterparts a run for their money at his local Cross Fit. Burpees, double-unders, thrusters…he eats them for breakfast.
Tim Bateman
VP Of Sales
Pump up song? Diplo - Welcome to the Party
After work, you can find me. . . Spending time with my family and friends, cooking or watching Movies
Favorite Country Archer product? Honey Chipotle
Dream vacation spot? Tahiti
Hobby? Traveling, cooking , playing guitar, watching all kinds of movies
Random fact? When I was younger I had a giant afro
Eric Glenn
Controller
Francis Suh
Director of Finance
Brandon’s job is simple: “put meat on the table”. Whether it be in the boardroom or out hunting, the appetite for new business and organic proteins (aka wild animals) is his game!
Brandon Bayman
Director of Sales East - Grocery
A master in the art of people watching and hitting at the batting cages, Cameron used to think he could be a professional athlete; Those hopes faded when his sisters beat him at everything. He loves food and thinks that nothing is better than a good burger or thick pancakes. He wins at buffets. Looking at him, you’d never know that he buys all of his clothes from Costco.
Cameron Sanchez
Director of Sales - Southwest
Tom Vujovich
Director of Convenience - East
Pump up song? Led Zeppelin
After work, you can find me. . . At home relaxing
Favorite Country Archer product? Crushed Red Pepper
Dream vacation spot? Carmel by the beach
Hobby? Gardening & fishing
Mike Williams
Director of Operations
Pump up song? The Killers - Mr. Brightside
After work, you can find me. . . Either with my wife and our dogs or at any sporting event - I love dogs and sports!
Favorite Country Archer product? Mango Habanero Beef Jerky - 16oz
Dream vacation spot? Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hobby? Grilling/Cooking. Men's league soccer and basketball
Random fact? I played D1 soccer at SDSU or my wife and I have rescued/fostered over 50 dogs. You pick the more random
Ryan Ivkovich
Director of Field Marketing
Pump up song? AC/DC Highway to Hell
After work, you can find me. . . Watching Baseball
Favorite Country Archer product? Original Jerky
Dream vacation spot? Alaska
Hobby? Fishing
Random fact? I like to cook
David Brand
Area Sales Manager - Los Angeles/Las Vegas
Gretchen Kennedy
Regional Sales Manager - Mid-West
John Farese
Regional Sales Manager - Northeast
Nikki Frisz
Brand Manager
Great shows like Westworld and going to the gym are what keep Eric sane. He overcame his fear of heights ascending V5’s at his local climbing gym. This undisputed office fashion guru boasts a treasure trove of limited-edition collectible shoes that even Kanye West would drool over.
Eric Kim
Accounting Manager
Pump up song? The Man by Aloe Blacc
After work, you can find me. . . Spending time with my daughter and wife
Favorite Country Archer product? That is like asking me to choose my favorite kid. I love them all equally but Honey Chipotle Turkey Jerky and Hatch Chile Beef Jerky a little bit more
Dream vacation spot? Spain
Hobby? Watching Michigan football and going to the park with my family
Eric Lally
Brand Manager
Pump up song? Logic – Wu-Tang Forever
After work, you can find me. . . Working on my MBA
Favorite Country Archer product? Crush Red Pepper/ Honey Chipotle
Dream vacation spot? Curacao
Hobby? Supply Chain Optimization, everything else is NSFW
Random fact? I can eat 50 chicken wings in 1 sitting
Bryan Lu
Supply Chain Manager
Elena was one of the first Country Archer employees, along with her father, and knows all the ins and outs of Country Archer. She is an avid mountain biker and when she’s not on her steel steed, you can find her at the firing range shooting clays. She is our very own Annie Oakley!
Elena Pierce
Plant Manager
Heriberto Solis
Quality Assurance Manager
Blair Turner
Field Marketing Manager - So Cal
Pump up song? Anything Lil Wayne
After work, you can find me. . . At the gym or exploring with my wife and daughter who's obsessed with Lizards
Favorite Country Archer product? Hatch Chile and Original Jerky
Dream vacation spot? Jamaica
Hobby? Singing, Playing sports (football)
Random fact? San Francisco 49ers were the first NFL team to win 5 Super bowls...and yes, that’s my squad!
Jeantel Williams
Area Sales Manager - San Diego
Ian Greene
Area Sales Manager - I.E./O.C.
Dominic Alvarado
Area Sales Manager - Northern California
Eva is passionate about cooking and making the best meals for family and friends. She is an outdoor enthusiast and loves going camping with her partner-in-crime, her husband. You may see her out-and-about on trails far less traveled.
Eva Martinez
Human Resources Generalist
Pump up song? Eye of the Tiger
After work, you can find me. . . At home
Favorite Country Archer product? 12ct 3oz Mango Habanero Beef Jerk
Dream vacation spot? Costa Rica
Hobby? Writing/Recording Music
Random fact? I can play the drums, guitar, bass, and ukulele
Hyunsoo Ahn
Accounts Payable Specialist
Pump up song? It's My Life - Bon Jovi
After work, you can find me. . . At the gym, or home depending on if I decide to be lazy
Favorite Country Archer product? Toss up between Honey Chipotle and Teriyaki Jerky
Dream vacation spot? Iceland to see the northern lights
Hobby? Watching/playing sports, martial arts, making String Art
Random fact? Ran into a pole and knocked myself unconscious, had to perform a solo with a huge bump on my forehead and 2 black eyes
Nicole Beaumont
Accounts Receivable Specialist
Pump up song? The Real Slim Shady - Eminem
After work, you can find me. . . At home with my cats
Favorite Country Archer product? Mango Habanero Beef Jerky
Dream vacation spot? Greece
Hobby? Reading
Random fact? I can play five different instruments
Hannah Kinsinger
Accounts Payable Specialist
Whether it's sitting at his computer or riding his bike, Joseph is constantly thinking about the sweet thrill of backcountry snowboarding. In those rare moments he isn't dreaming of the slopes, you'll find him re-watching episodes of Community or using telekinesis to pat his dog.
Joseph Gaite
Marketing Coordinator
Chris loves a good beer. Whether it’s a Belgian, Amber, or IPA he’s got a favorite. He enjoys introspective conversation while on long hikes with friends, and is open to anything and everything. Fun fact: Chris has identical twin brothers… both vegan.
Chris Lopez
Customer Service Coordinator
Pump up song? Love country music, but this answer would have to be "We will rock you", by Queen! (I'm showing my age....)
After work, you can find me. . . At my grandson's baseball games!
Favorite Country Archer product? Crushed Red Pepper
Dream vacation spot? Ireland
Hobby? Hmmmm, probably reading...(boring, I know!)
Random fact? Well, not sure if this is news worthy, but I did marry my high school sweetheart! Been married 31 years
Jenny Turner
Assistant Buyer
Lucia Gonzalez
Packaging Supervisor
Pump up song? In My Feelings – Drake
After work, you can find me. . . Dance practice with my daughters
Favorite Country Archer product? Hickory Smoke Turkey Jerky
Dream vacation spot? Italy with some pizza
Hobby? Playing soccer
Random fact? I’m a HUGE sports fan!
