ROB’S REUBEN IS BACK IN MARCH! GET YOURS TODAY
q39 design element - yellow ribbon
Order Online
Reserve a Table
q39 kc bbq logo
q39 kc bbq logo
Locations

Order

Reserve
Catering

Meet the Team

Meet the players of the Q39 team!

Leadership

KELLY MAGEE

Owner
Kelly is Q39's CEO and founding partner. With more than three decades of experience leading business development in both start-ups and established corporate environments, she brings entrepreneurial energy and a visionary mindset to brand growth and expansion. Under Kelly’s guidance, Q39 has evolved into Kansas City’s highest-rated BBQ destination, with continued momentum and new locations opening in 2026.

An industry leader, Kelly was named 2024 Restaurateur of the Year and received the 2023 KCBS Carolyn Wells Ambassador Award. She’s also a Kansas City Women of Influence honoree, a 20-year KCBS member, and former Hallmarker. She is passionate about developing inclusive teams, building long-term partnerships, and creating meaningful connections between business and community.

SHAWN CRAFT

Chief Operations Officer
Shawn is a deeply experienced, results-driven operations executive with over 28 years of hospitality industry experience. He has spent the majority of his career helping mature restaurant brands scale while preserving their unique identity and guest experience. He believes passionately in the power of people and holds true to the philosophy that the guest experience will never exceed that of the team. His leadership focuses on building a strong culture where excellence is the standard and every detail matters. Outside the restaurant, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife Natalie and his three children. You’ll often find him on the golf course with friends when he’s not at Q39. His go-to meal? The Pit Master Brisket Sandwich with a side of Potato Salad — though he insists every dish is outstanding.

PATRICK PELUSO

Executive Chef/Director of Culinary
When it comes to smoke, flame and flavor, Chef Patrick Peluso brings the heat—and a whole lot of heart. An East Coast native with global taste, he first fell in love with food in his grandmother’s kitchen, where Sunday sauce and stories simmered side by side. Since then, his journey has taken him from classical training in French and Italian cuisine to national BBQ competitions and executive leadership roles in kitchens across the country.

At Q39, Chef Peluso blends bold, chef-driven ingenuity with Midwestern soul, overseeing culinary operations and inspiring teams to bring their best to the table every day. He’s cooked for celebrities, mentored young chefs, and forged strong ties with local ranchers—because to Chef Peluso, great BBQ always starts with great people.

ANDREW KNEESSY

Chief Brand Officer
Andrew brings a dynamic blend of culinary excellence and strategic brand leadership to Q39. With a career that began at the Culinary Institute of America, his experience spans top-tier kitchens from Washington, D.C. to Europe—cooking for U.S. Presidents and leading prestigious culinary programs for over 25 years.

Since joining Q39, Andrew has shifted his focus toward driving brand growth, enhancing community engagement, and fostering meaningful partnerships across Kansas City. His leadership has been instrumental in developing initiatives that not only elevate the Q39 experience but also deepen its roots in the local community. By combining hospitality expertise with a forward-thinking approach to brand strategy, Andrew continues to shape Q39 as both a beloved local institution and a nationally recognized name.

XAVIER ECHEVERRIA

Director of Operations
Xavier joined Q39 in August 2024, with 26 years of restaurant and hospitality industry experience. He started as a dishwasher in 1998, working his way up through various leadership roles, including managing partner and area director of operations. Known for his servant leadership, Xavier is passionate about training and developing team members, ensuring they excel both personally and professionally. At Q39, he oversees day-to-day operations, maintaining that the highest standards for food quality, hospitality and cleanliness are met. Outside of work, Xavier enjoys spending time with his wife Tami and their two children, Gabbi and Alex. He’s also a certified BBQ judge through the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

CARRIE POWELL

Director of Human Resources
Carrie is a Kansas City native with many years of HR experience in the local hospitality industry prior to joining the Q39 team in 2021. Her personal hobby as a robotics coach fuels her passion for mentoring and supporting her team, which is highly reflected in her role as Director of Human Resources.

Carrie has supported the Q39 team through incredible growth, noting this as a dream come true for someone that loves to create, build and nurture. She’s a proud foodie and lover of Q39 BBQ!

Catering & Retail

SCOTT KAUTZI

Director of Sales
A Kansas City native, Scott brings over 25 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry to Q39. As Director of Sales, he leads with a passion for authentic connections, strategic growth, and unforgettable guest experiences. Over the past decade, Scott has specialized in business development, building strong relationships, and delivering high-profile events that leave a lasting impression. Scott is involved in many boards and committees and will be taking on the role of President of MPI Kansas City in 2026. Joining the Q39 team is a natural fit—pairing deep roots in the community with a proven track record of driving results in the dynamic world of food and hospitality.

CASSIDY GALBRAITH

Catering Manager
With over a decade of experience in the service industry, Cassidy joined Q39 at the height of COVID, starting in carry-out and quickly rising into a leadership role. Now serving as Catering Manager, she combines her passion for hospitality and organization to deliver seamless, memorable events. With a background in psychology, Cassidy excels at building strong teams and cultivating meaningful client relationships- all while proudly representing a brand rooted in quality and community.

CAITLYN JOHNSON

Catering Manager
Caitlyn began her journey at Q39 in 2018 as a server and bartender, where she developed a strong understanding of the restaurant’s food, service, and guests. Caitlyn is passionate about creating seamless, memorable experiences for events of all sizes and loves being part of a team that delivers top-quality barbecue with genuine hospitality. When she's not at work, Caitlyn enjoys exploring new restaurants around the Kansas City area, gardening, and spending time outdoors.

SCOTT BROWN

Retail Sales Manager
Since 2022, Scott has used his 20+ years of sales experience as Q39's Retail Sales Manager. He started at Q39 in 2015 and has held various roles including Server and Front of House Manager, showing his commitment to Q39's growth. Scott is responsible for managing Q39's retail products across their restaurants, third-party retailers and website. Known as "The Q39 Sauce Boss," he thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys expanding the Q39 brand. Off the clock, Scott loves outdoor activities like gardening, golfing and smoking meats. He shares these passions with his wife, Aimee, by cooking for their family and friends.

Q39 Midtown

MARK ADAMS

General Manager
Mark joined the Q39 team in early 2022 as Midtown’s General Manager. He is a hospitality pro with more than 15 years in restaurant management across Chicago and St. Louis. His experience managing multiple BBQ restaurants throughout his career and time as an Executive Chef aligns him with Q39’s mission to serve the best chef-driven BBQ in KC.

The charisma, professionalism and positivity he brings to the restaurant every day is felt across his team and every guest served.

LAURA DOCET

Assistant General Manager
Laura is a California native with over two decades of experience working up the ladder in the restaurant industry. Her passion for exploring new places led her to relocate to Kansas City in 2020, where she fell in love with Q39’s Kansas City-style BBQ.

Laura joined the Q39 team as Assistant General Manager in 2022. She embodies our fans-first culture by going above and beyond to serve each guest and leads the team with an unbeatable spirit.

ALBERTO MARTINEZ

Lead Pitmaster
Alberto has been with Q39 since its opening in 2014 and is the longest-tenured team member. With over 20 years of barbeque experience, he trains new Pitmasters and ensures consistency across all locations. Alberto worked alongside Q39 founder Chef Rob Magee at the Hilton Hotel and learned competition-level BBQ techniques with the Munchin Hogs team before helping launch Q39. His expertise and passion continue to shape Q39’s authentic barbeque experience.

Q39 Overland Park

DARIO LARA

General Manager
Dario joined Q39 in August 2024, bringing with him 16 years of experience from Buffalo Wild Wings, where he rapidly climbed the ranks. At Q39, Dario leads by example, fostering a positive and motivating work environment. He’s passionate about coaching his team and watching them grow into confident, happy members of the Q39 family. Outside of work, Dario enjoys spending time with his wife of 16 years and their two children, Dario Jr. and Thalia. As a family, they love exploring nature, going for walks and watching movies together. A devoted cook, Dario takes pride in discovering new recipes and techniques in the kitchen.

WALTER LANGLEY

Assistant General Manager
Walter rejoined Q39 in 2025 as Assistant General Manager at the Midtown location, returning after a previous tenure at Q39 South. With years of hospitality experience and a deep understanding of Q39’s culture, Walter brings fresh perspective and reliable leadership to the team. Known for his calm demeanor and dedication to excellence, he’s a valuable asset across the company. Off the clock, Walter enjoys golf, Diet Dr. Pepper and dining at his favorite Kansas City restaurant—Lidia’s. He’s also a fan of Breaking Bad and never passes up a trip to Golf Galaxy.

MASON STILLWELL

Restaurant Chef
Mason began his career at Alamo Drafthouse, where he played a key role in opening three new locations as a corporate trainer. Known for building strong teams and implementing consistent processes, Mason now brings his expertise to Q39’s Overland Park location. Away from work, he enjoys snowboarding during the winter months and cooking Italian dishes at home, always looking for new flavors and techniques to explore.

Q39 Lawrence

BRYAN MERRILL

General Manager
Bryan brings over a decade of restaurant leadership experience to Q39, focusing on daily operations, team development, and delivering exceptional hospitality. A proud Lawrence native and University of Kansas graduate, Bryan values strong community connections and strives to create memorable guest experiences. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, and supporting the local community he has always called home.

COLLIN BICKNELL

Assistant General Manager
Collin has more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, with management roles at Culinary Virtue Restaurant Collective, The Cheesecake Factory, and PB&J Restaurants. Known for his ability to lead teams and streamline operations, Collin excels at training programs and building strong relationships with staff and vendors. His dedication to quality and consistency ensures every guest enjoys the outstanding service Q39 is known for.

DEREK LOSSON

Restaurant Chef
Derek graduated from the Johnson County Community College Chef Apprenticeship Program and brings 16 years of culinary experience from kitchens including Marriott Hotels, Strang Hall, Gordon Ramsay Steak, and Lawrence’s Oread Hotel. Growing up on a farm, Derek developed a passion for supporting local growers and sourcing fresh ingredients. When he’s not at Q39, he enjoys spending time with his daughter and experimenting with new recipes.

JACKSON ROTH-EVANS

Pitmaster
Jackson’s passion for cooking began early, inspiring him to pursue formal training at the Culinary Institute of America, where he earned degrees in Culinary Arts and Food Business Management. His love for barbeque started after dining at Q39 as a kid, and today he proudly serves as a Pitmaster. When he’s not in the kitchen, Jackson enjoys cooking at home, playing baseball, and relaxing with board games.

Careers

Interested in joining the Q39 team? Check out our open positions and apply today!

Learn More