Meet The MEAN TEAM

MEAN Motto:
"Success isn't how much money you make, it's doing what you love."

As a guitarist in the rock band Three Days Grace, Barry’s passion for music has instilled in him the MEAN mindset that you’ve got to give it your all in life. It doesn’t matter what you do, just be the best you can be at it. MEAN BEARD is inspired by growing a beard and the positive-aggressive attitude behind the beard. Barry welcomes you onboard the MEAN BEARD Community and is proud to bring you the MEAN BEARD care product line that he stands by & uses daily.

Joe Loving
Managing Partner & MEAN TEAM Leader
@beardspiration12

MEAN Motto:
“My beard is a sign of individuality and belief in personal freedom.”

Joe came onboard with the team as managing partner and team lead early in 2017.  He worked hand in hand with Barry Stock to develop the best beard care product in the world that gives every beard the nourishment needed to create a MEAN BEARD.  As a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife Jen and 4 children, Joe is a strong advocate for both the bleeding disorder community and Type 1 diabetes. He is very active in the bearding community and is a member of the Cincinnati Beard Barons.

Chad Taylor
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador & Beard Competitor
@blackdenim1

MEAN Motto:
“I stand for faith, family and giving unconditionally.”

Chad resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife Kimberly and 2 children. While not working in a machine shop during the day, Chad enjoys wood-working, hot rods and home remodelling. He is also a member of the Cincinnati Beard Barons and has competed in numerous beard competitions.

Chris Stewart
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador & Beard Competitor
@bandit_1

MEAN Motto:
“I stand for those who cannot stand up for themselves.”

Chris lives in Kansas City, Missouri where he works in the manufacturing industry by day, and by night he is a full fledged Outlaw Country Music artist, inspired by the music of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.  As a  man of peace and serenity, you may spot Chris out on the back country roads riding his Harley Davidson.

Garey Faulkner
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador & Beard Competitor
@misleadcincinnati

MEAN Motto:
“Live life to the fullest with no regrets.”

Garey brings to MEAN BEARD years of experience in the beard industry.  His dynamically interesting beard styles have captured Garey a 2019 3rd place “Full Beard Freestyle” World title and a 2016 1st place American National title in the same category.  Garey attracts national media attention and has appeared on television entertainment shows and news stations across America. On St. Patrick’s Day 2010, which is also Garey’s wife Miranda's birthday, Garey's bearding journey began.  A friend bet him $1,000 to grow a beard for a year for charity. Garey not only won the bet, he also decided the beard was here to stay and he got involved with multiple charities using his beard for their fundraising initiatives. The latest charity involvement is The Beard It Up Campaign with The Cure Starts Now which is on every November raising money for children's brain cancer DIPG.  Garey enjoys working out, travelling, and acting.  He has worked in films with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jon Voight and James Franco. Garey's favorite television moment is when he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in a game called “Phone Booth” with Miley Cyrus.  For Garey, being an Ambassador of MEAN BEARD is more than big, burly, long and hairy, it's a representation of being a stand up individual.

Gerry Spiller
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador & Beard Competitor
@spillergerry

MEAN Motto:
“Honesty is the best policy.”

Gerry is the 2018 MEANest BEARD Worldwide Champion.  He impressed us with the size of his full beard (length + width).  Gerry's beard is 15" ... and still growing strong.  Gerry resides in Grantham, New Hampshire with his lovely wife Kelly.  If you ever need a mover, call Gerry, he owns a small moving company and he takes pride in his work and customer service. Gerry enjoys traveling, trail running, fishing and cars.  As a member of the Greater Hartford Beard and Mustache Club, one of Gerry's favorite hobbies is competing in charity beard competitions.  He has placed first many times, and came in 2nd place (full beard 12-18") at the 2018 Great American Beard and Moustache Championship.  We are excited to bring Gerry onboard the MEAN TEAM, and we wish him luck as he is going for the 2019 World title in his division at the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Belgium.  

Jamie Murphy
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador & Beard Competitor
@fastbackbeast68

MEAN Motto:
“Beards bring confidence.”

Jamie is the 2017 MEANest BEARD Worldwide Champion.  We invited Jamie to come onboard the MEAN TEAM shortly after his big win.  We knew he would make an excellent addition to our team.  Jamie lives in Wapato, Washington with his wife and two children.  He is a Finish Carpenter and has been working in that trade for the past 20 years.  Jamie has a passon for classic cars - he currently has a collection of Ford Mustangs 65, 66, 67 Coupes, a 68 Fastback, and a 1971 Bronco.  Jamie was inspired by the show Whisker Wars to grow an epic kick ass beard.  Bound and determined, he knew he could do it, and now, almost 4 years later, Jamie's full, untrimmed beard measures in at approximately 24 inches from the bottom lip down to the longest point.  Jamie competes in beard competitions locally and he looks forward to reaching out further into America as a member of our team.  

Jeremy R. Sharp
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador & Beard Competitor
@1sharpbeard

MEAN Motto:
“I stand for hard work, love of family, and a life well lived.”

Jeremy and his beautiful wife Margo currently live in Cincinnati, Ohio and are members of the Cincinnati Beard Barons. As a professional illustrator and graphic designer, Jeremy assisted MEAN BEARD with creation of many of our incredible designs. When Jeremy is not creating behind the computer, he finds himself outside enjoying mushroom hunting, fixing things, and one of his greatest passions - wood-working.

Mark Dana

Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador
@markhasabeard

MEAN Motto:
“Be who you are, with all you are."

Mark is a California native, born & raised in Orange County. He grew up feeling like an outcast due to needing to shave by 7th grade. His peers ripped on him relentlessly for not being like everyone else with only peach fuzz on their face. Two years ago Mark said no more to the endless shaving and decided to let his beard be what it was always meant to be. This thanks to his wife, Jamie who encouraged him to let it flow. Mark is a competitive tennis player, has a huge love for dogs and reptiles (specifically snakes), and he was a stage actor for almost 15 years in local theatres where he met his wife. He still sings with his wife in their church band, and he lives for going to the movies every chance he gets. And though he is now part of the mean beard team, he is truly all about being kind to everyone, and only being mean to evil. But yeah his beard is as mean as it gets ;) 

Matt Bischoff
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador & Beard Competitor
@themattbischoff

MEAN Motto:
“Life is a blessing. Work hard, dream big and make shit happen.”

Matt and his wife Tessa (founder of the Whiskerinas), have two boys and live in Cincinnati, Ohio, they are both big in the bearding community - raising money and competing in local competitions together.  Matt is a man of many talents and aspirations, he was a cast member on the TV show Survivor season 26, he is a former professional BMX rider, he is currently Sales Manager at DK Bicycles and he is the singer in the heavy metal  band “Moonbow” having recently released their 3rd album entitled “War Bear”.

Matt Stock
Sponsored Ambassador
@meanstock

MEAN Motto: 
“Speak your mind, there are few that can read it.”

Matt is Barry’s 2nd oldest nephew and right hand man. Whenever Barry needs something done, Matt always steps up to the plate. Matt has been Barry’s #1 MEAN supporter and a huge part in the building of the brand from the very beginning with MEAN Clothing Company. Matt’s passion for paintballing inspired him to start a team - MEAN Tactical, they slay the paintball fields near his home in Mississauga, Ontario all summer long. Matt lives with his beautiful partner Casey & sons Logan and Liam.

Patrick Quinn
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador & Beard Competitor
@twomeanbeards

MEAN Motto:
“My family is my life. Everything else is secondary.”

Living in Powhatan, Virginia USA and proud father of 2 boys, Patrick is a huge fan of Star Wars and Deadpool.  He collects comics and 'Funko Pops' (currently with a collection of over 250).  Patrick is a natural when it comes to fixing things or creating things such as forged metal.  He's a specialist of the 'Honey-Do-List' currently working as a handy man for his own company "Quinn & Sons Home Improvements".  Patrick and his friendly Mutton Chops have been part of facial hair competitions for over 4 years now, traveling all over the nation in the spirit of competition and charity.  He has over 30 medals under his belt, most recently placing 2nd in 'Sideburns Natural' at the 2017 World Beard and Moustache Championship and 1st place in 'Mutton Chops' at the 2016 Great American Beard and Moustache Championships.  Patrick has been featured on TV, such as Fast N' Loud, Legends and Lies and other media outlets.  In his spare time you will find Patrick fishing, off-roading, or playing video games.

Rick Jackett
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador
@rickjackett 

MEAN Motto:
“Don’t Shave”

Rick plays a mean guitar and 6 string banjo, called a banjitar.  He is a guitarist in the rock band “Finger Eleven” and the banjitarist in the country band “Blackie Jackett Jr.”  Rick’s life passion has always been music, he lives & breathes it daily, whether he is creating it, playing live, or kicking back listening to it.  Rick lives in Toronto, Canada and is a pioneer of the beard - 17+ years, standing true to his motto.  

Photo credit:  Kris Gelder

Tom “Crusty” Cruickshank
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador
@mr_crusty1

MEAN Motto:
"Have Guns ~ Will Travel”

Call him Crusty, he says -  “Ugly is Skin Deep, but Crusty is to da Bone!”  Crusty is the Alaskan mountain man who won the 2015 MEANest Beard Worldwide Contest with a bear claw in his beard.   He resides with his lovely wife Brenda at the old homestead in the great state of Alaska.  You may recognize Crusty, he is one of the stars on the TV series “Alaska Monsters”.  He also appeared in a short-film called “Memory Collector”.  Crusty is all about making memories, when he’s not out guiding hunting expeditions, or hunting for himself and family, he’s out at the local arena watching his grandkids play hockey.

Zac Thomas
Sponsored MEAN BEARD Ambassador & Beard Competitor
@bjorn_to_beard

MEAN Motto:
“I stand for kindness & respect to all, no matter the race, political preference, gender or financial stature.”

Zac lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with his beautiful wife Erica and his one son.  Zac currently works in the property management business.  He enjoys lifting weights and participating as a movie extra when time permits.  Zac is a member of the Cincinnati Beard Barons and enjoys competitive bearding to raise money for charitable causes.