Kelly Chasteen (BSED ’00) has an abundance of spirit: entrepreneurial spirit, school spirit and, as chief human resources officer and partner at ASW Distillery, the other kind of spirit as well.
Kelly didn’t expect to land in the alcohol industry. The UGA alumni volunteer and donor graduated with a degree in special education and went on to develop curricula in the Fulton County School System for several years before ASW was launched in her home by her husband, Jim (BBA ’98), and friend and fellow UGA alum, Charlie Thomspon (MBA ’03). As the company continued to grow, they eventually added two more Bulldogs to the partnership.
Kelly and this group of alumni have grown ASW Distillery into a Georgia staple and Bulldog 100 business. The success and accolades stem from her time at UGA, she says.
“No matter what job I’ve worked in the years since, the education and degree that I received at UGA has been the cornerstone of my success,” Kelly says.
And that success shows no signs of slowing down: after multiple years on the Bulldog 100, ASW Distillery was named the winner of the 2024 Michael J. Bryan Award, given to a returning Bulldog 100 business that demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit – spirit that Kelly and Jim have in spades.
“My life has really been driven by the saying, ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ I feel so blessed for the education, opportunities and family that UGA has given me. I want to share that with the next generation.”
Connecting back with UGA
Kelly and Jim share their entrepreneurial drive by supporting the UGA Entrepreneurship Program, which uses comprehensive courses and experiential learning to help cultivate enterprising students, regardless of their major area. As someone whose degree is unrelated to her career path, the program’s mission resonates with Kelly.
ASW Distillery also frequently hosts game-watching parties and other alumni gatherings at its locations throughout Atlanta. Kelly says this comes from a deep-rooted desire to provide a place for people to gather and make connections.
“Our favorite part of owning a business is being a central place for people to make new friends and build a community,” Kelly says. “Who better to do that with than fellow Dawgs?”
Her involvement with her alma mater is deepened even further by the giving initiatives with which she generously participates. Kelly is a donor to Georgia Women Give, a group committed to philanthropy, community and learning at UGA, because she wants to ensure tomorrow’s Bulldogs have limitless opportunities — and no regrets.
“As a woman who attended UGA, I wanted to be a part of this special alumni community that is helping to give back to the next generation of women at UGA through merit-based scholarships and study away programs,” Kelly says.
Part of the desire to be involved here comes from not studying abroad herself. “It’s my one regret about my time at UGA – that I didn’t travel and get that experience.”
When Kelly looks back on her time at UGA and the successful years since, she recognizes that she enjoys giving to others and making an impact.
“My life has really been driven by the saying, ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” she says. “I feel so blessed for the education, opportunities and family that UGA has given me. I want to share that with the next generation.”
Kelly’s relationships with her husband and their ASW Distillery business partners began at UGA. Because of that, she feels she has a duty to UGA students to support them, guide them and ensure that they feel empowered to make the most of their college experience.
“I would tell students to take advantage of every opportunity that you can,” she says. “I enjoyed every single minute of my time at UGA. I’d go back and do it all again.”
It takes a tremendous amount of spirit to build what the Chasteens and their business partners have built: a successful and growing distillery in the heart of Atlanta, a loyal connection with their alma mater, and a commitment to putting students on a path to prosper.
Do you share a similar Bulldog spirit? Consider growing your connection to UGA, giving back to students, or guiding others to understand what makes UGA a powerhouse.
