Dee Ford

“The Heartbeat of Bourbon Hospitality”

In the world of Kentucky bourbon tourism, few names evoke as much admiration as Dee Ford. At 60, she stands as one of that field’s most influential figures, having transformed the way people experience the spirit, not just in a glass, but in every welcoming moment that surrounds it. To Dee Ford, hospitality isn’t a buzzword or a job description; it’s a calling. “What is hospitality?” she often asks. “For me, it’s about recognizing the profound impact we have on others and embracing our actions with generosity.” That philosophy, both simple and profound, has shaped her career, built world-class guest experiences, and left an indelible mark on Kentucky’s identity.

Dee’s journey began not in the rickhouses or tasting rooms, but in kitchens and dining rooms. For more than two decades, she worked under some of Kentucky’s most notable chefs, gaining experience in fine dining, catering, and culinary brand development. There, she learned the rhythms of hospitality: how to anticipate needs, how to elevate a simple meal into a memory, and how to build trust through service.

Her pivot to spirits and tourism came at a time when bourbon was beginning its global renaissance. With her natural leadership, eye for detail, and deep respect for tradition, Dee stepped into a brand home management role at a major Kentucky distillery. But it was in 2014, when she joined Angel’s Envy Distillery in downtown Louisville as Brand Home General Manager, that her legacy truly began to take shape.

At Angel’s Envy, Dee found the perfect canvas for her vision. She inherited a growing distillery brand and turned it into one of the crown jewels of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. From the moment guests step into the distillery, there’s a sense of thoughtful design and heartfelt welcome, signatures of Dee’s leadership. Whether it’s the curated tasting experiences, the immersive tours, or the renowned “Bottle Your Own” Single Barrel program (which she helped launch), everything reflects her service attitude. “True hospitality stems from an other-centered mindset,” she often says. “It’s not just about what you’re offering, but how it’s being received.” That guest-first philosophy permeates every decision she makes, from event programming and retail strategy to community relations and team leadership.

Under her guidance, Angel’s Envy now welcomes over 184,000 guests each year—remarkable for a distillery that only opened its doors to the public in 2016. She led a cross-functional team through an ambitious $8.2 million expansion that doubled capacity, added new tasting rooms, a premium bar, expanded retail space, and a 13,000-square-foot event venue. The investment paid off, not just in higher visitor numbers, but in deeper guest engagement, new job creation, and a top-tier ranking among Louisville’s attractions. Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. In 2024, Dee was named Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year by Icons of Whiskey and inducted into the prestigious Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame—the state’s highest honor in the industry. But her influence extends well beyond Angel’s Envy.

Since 2014, Dee has served as Chair of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail Committee. In that role, she’s helped define the standards and best practices that shaped the trail into a global phenomenon. Her leadership elevated Kentucky bourbon tourism from a regional curiosity into an international, bucket-list experience. Industry peers praise her for her generosity in sharing knowledge and mentoring others, often describing her as “the glue” that holds together the trail’s spirit of collaboration.