Meet our team
Mark Faller
Founder/Managing Partner
Mark grew up on Long Island, New York, in the town of Bayport. He spent most of his free time enjoying water sports and working on the Great South Bay. Mark developed a love for the bay by working as a deck hand for his older brother Steve, who has been a commercial fisherman for over 50 years.
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Commander Mark Faller served 20 years of active duty in the U. S. Coast Guard from 1983 - 2003, following his graduation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Highlights of his career include Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter Point Harris, an 82-foot patrol boat home ported in Oahu, HI. He also commanded the Coast Guard Cutter Penobscot Bay, a 140-foot, 700-ton icebreaker that kept the Hudson River shipping lanes open from Governors Island to Albany, NY. Mark retired in 2003 as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Recruiting Command.
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Following his retirement from the Coast Guard, Mark formed Harkcon, Inc. with the other 5 bears and the goat. Harkcon provides customized solutions that improve organizational performance for government agencies and private businesses. He served as Harkcon's CFO until 2015, when he stepped aside to become the Managing Partner of 6 Bears & a Goat.
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Mark's vision to establish the 6B&G brew house with his partners was inspired by his passion for home brewing and several visits to German biergartens in Bavaria. While making beer is quite different than his other skill sets, he never strays from his guiding principles of patriotism, service, community. His commitment to his customers is to provide great beer, great food, great service and a great atmosphere. Prost!
lindsey heppner
Director of Marketing & Brand Development / Accountant
Born in Yuma, AZ, Lindsey became a native to Stafford County when her father was stationed at Marine Corps Base – Quantico. After 21 years of service in the Marine Corps, her family decided to stay and make Stafford County their permanent home.
Lindsey grew up an avid sports lover and athlete which paid off with a field hockey scholarship to the University of Delaware. There she received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a minor in Management Information Systems. Before finding her home at 6 Bears & A Goat, she worked in many challenging positions and companies which ranged from auditor for a Big 4 accounting firm, fuel accountant for a power and energy company, and a financial reporting analyst for a regional bank. Lindsey was looking for a change of pace which led her to 6 Bears & A Goat.
Living locally, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, but during her “downtime” she is passionate about coaching field hockey. Lindsey currently serves as the Assistant Field Hockey Coach for the University of Mary Washington. At UMW, she is proud to assist in the development of young women both on and off the field. When not on the UMW field, she also is the head coach for High Voltage U-19 Travel Field Hockey Team which competes on the local and national levels. Lindsey has coached in the Fredericksburg area for over 11 years and has earned 2 state championships with the James Monroe High School field hockey team in 2017 and 2018. Lindsey still loves to play on the adult circuit and enjoyed her time in 2013 when she was selected to play on the U.S. National Indoor Team. She is currently a member of the USA Masters Field Hockey team. She made the U.S. O-35 Masters Team in the PanAm games in Argentina in December 2023 and the U.S. O-40s Master Team in the World Cup in Cape Town, SA in October 2024.
chuck arnold (right)
Head Brewer
Before joining the 6B&G team, Chuck served as the Assistant Brewer, then Head Brewer at a local commercial craft brewery and has the experience necessary to brew on a large scale while ensuring consistency of product. Chuck’s brewing roots start as a homebrewer and he quickly went on become a certified Beer Judge, which requires an in-depth knowledge of beer styles, their ingredients and brewing techniques. Chuck has completed the Concise Course in Brewing Technology from the Siebel Institute of Technology-World Brewing Academy. Finally, Chuck is a 26-year retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) Communications Chief - completing the 6B&G “Sea Services Trifecta!"
thomas faller (left)
Brewer
Born in New York City with his Coast Guard family stationed on Governor's Island, Thomas spent most of his childhood here in Stafford County. He began developing a love for the art of brewing while watching and helping his dad homebrew during his teenage and college years. After earning a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech, he also became a Stafford County trained EMT. Thomas has additionally completed the Concise Course in Brewing Technology from the Siebel Institute of Technology-World Brewing Academy. He enjoys trying any and all varieties of beer but his current favorites are a well balanced IPA or well done Wild Ale.
andrew michalick
Executive Chef
Bio coming soon!
LAURA APANEWICZ
Manager/Events Specialist
Laura was born in Washington, D.C. She has spent most of her life living in Virginia, including Woodbridge, Reston, Alexandria, Stafford and now Fredericksburg. She is married with 3 grown sons and 3 fur babies.
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Laura pursued a career in education, following her passion for teaching and working with students. She spent many years as an early childhood educator and special needs educator, impacting the lives of her students and contributing to the local community through her work in schools.
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Laura became involved in planning events through her work with a bridal magazine, where she honed her skills in event coordination and organization. She also served on various social and morale-boosting committees, bringing her energy and creativity to enhance the community spirit of her workplace and local organizations.
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