# Bill Dessel

> Bill Dessel is a Rhode Island entrepreneur, corporate lawyer, manufacturer, restaurateur, and co-founder of KEEL Vodka. After noticing restaurant guests move from cocktails to light beer, he and longtime friend Tom McGowan developed a 23.8% ABV vodka, navigated a two-year federal label and permit process, and built the brand across multiple states. Newport Craft Distilling acquired KEEL in June 2024, bringing production of the Rhode Island-born spirit back to its home state.

- **Role:** CEO and Co-Founder at KEEL Vodka
- **Organizations:** KEEL Vodka, Newport Craft Distilling, Duffy & Sweeney, Billy's Restaurant, FatHead LLC, Cowan Plastics, American Assembly, Cookson Group plc, Brown Rudnick LLP, Tacari Networks, Rhode Island Hospitality Association
- **Education:** B.A. in Economics, Boston College, J.D., New England School of Law
- **Known for:** Co-created KEEL Vodka, a 23.8% ABV product positioned as a premium light spirit., Navigated a two-year federal permit and label approval process for KEEL., Put a nutrition panel on KEEL bottles at a time when doing so was unusual for spirits.

## Career timeline

- **1992-1999** — Worked at Cookson Group plc as an attorney and Corporate Development Manager, coordinating acquisitions in the United States and Europe.
- **1999-2000** — Served as Of Counsel at Brown Rudnick LLP.
- **2000-2008** — Led Cowan Plastics and American Assembly as president; received the 2004 Rhode Island Manufacturer of the Year award.
- **2008-2010** — Served as Managing Director of FatHead LLC, working on acquisitions, recapitalizations, licensing agreements, and retail expansion.
- **2009-2016** — Founded and owned Billy's, an American-style bistro in Barrington, Rhode Island; sold it in June 2016.
- **2011** — Co-founded KEEL Vodka with Tom McGowan and Matt Light.
- **2013** — Launched KEEL in Rhode Island and Massachusetts after a two-year development and federal approval process.
- **2016-2017** — Served as Of Counsel at Duffy & Sweeney while continuing his work with KEEL.
- **2019** — KEEL reported distribution in 11 states and was preparing a canned vodka soda extension.
- **2020** — Started the Lift Your Spirits campaign in support of hospitality workers and businesses.
- **2024** — Newport Craft Distilling acquired KEEL, enabling production to return to Rhode Island.

## Achievements

- Co-created KEEL Vodka, a 23.8% ABV product positioned as a premium light spirit.
- Navigated a two-year federal permit and label approval process for KEEL.
- Put a nutrition panel on KEEL bottles at a time when doing so was unusual for spirits.
- Expanded KEEL into 11 states by 2019, according to the company.
- Received the 2004 Rhode Island Manufacturer of the Year award while leading Cowan Plastics and American Assembly.
- Built Billy's into a restaurant that won Best of Rhode Island for five consecutive years and ranked No. 1 in Rhode Island in OpenTable's 2015 Diners' Choice results cited by ACG.
- Raised capital for several multimillion-dollar business acquisitions in the United States and abroad.
- Started the Lift Your Spirits campaign supporting the hospitality community in 2020.

## Latest updates

- **2024-06** — Newport Craft Distilling acquired KEEL Vodka. Dessel said the partnership would bring production of the Rhode Island-conceived brand back to its home state and help it reach new consumers.

## Links

- Website: https://keelvodka.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-dessel-473624124
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/KEELVodka
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keelvodka/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KEELVodka

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/bill-dessel
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26