FAST & FRESH LUNCH: MON-THUR • 11AM-2PM • DINE-IN ONLY

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Meet the Team

Meet the players of the Q39 team!

Leadership

KELLY MAGEE

CEO/Co-founder
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 Operating 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Catering & Retail

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.

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.

RYAN BLANN

Assistant General Manager
Ryan joined Q39 as Assistant General Manager in 2026, bringing more than 15 years of hospitality experience and a passion for restaurant leadership. He is dedicated to developing strong teams, creating exceptional guest experiences, and supporting Q39's continued growth through operational excellence and genuine hospitality.

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.

ISAAC MEJIA

Restaurant Chef
Isaac leads the Culinary team of over 35 “Heart of the House” employees at the original location in Midtown with hands on leadership and has been an integral part of the success of the operation since joining Q39 in 2014. Isaac mentors and develops the culinary team and his commitment to excellence ensures that each guest enjoys a top quality consistent pit to plate BBQ 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.

JOSHUA JONES

Restaurant Chef
Joshua has over 15 years of culinary experience in both restaurants and hotels spanning BBQ capitals such as Texas, Kansas City, and the Carolinas. In leading kitchens, Joshua brings an easy-going approach focusing on teamwork and culture. One of Joshua’s strengths is coaching and developing our Heart of House teams, which fits perfectly with Q39’s core value.

Q39 Lawrence

COLLIN BICKNELL

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.

JOSHUA WILLIAMS

Assistant General Manager
For more than 25 years, Joshua has built a career around great food, strong teams, and genuine hospitality. As Assistant General Manager at Q39 Lawrence, he enjoys creating memorable experiences for guests and mentoring team members to reach their full potential. Josh is proud to be part of a team that brings people together over award-winning barbecue and exceptional service.

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.

Q39 Lee's Summit

LAURA DOUCET

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 in 2022 and her career continues to progress as she takes on the leadership role in Lee’s Summit in 2026. Her dedication to excellence and positive team culture is evident as she leads the team with an unbeatable spirit.

SHAWN JOHNSON

Assistant General Manager
Shawn is a dynamic and results driven manager with over 10 years of experience leading teams, managing daily operations, and developing collaborative hospitality. Shawn has a passion for excellence while optimizing guest experiences and is excited to be part of the Q39 team and being engaged in the community.

ANDREW PREWITT

Restaurant Chef
Andrew was born in South Carolina and grew up eating Maurice's BBQ Piggie Park from a young age. Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry ranging from casual to casual fine dining. Starting as a dishwasher and advancing to a sous chef position while attending college, upon graduating Andrew decided the restaurant industry was his passion, so he continued this path. Andrew moved to Kansas City to be closer to family, and after working at several BBQ concepts in the city, Andrew found the perfect match with Q39’s pit to plate, chef-driven focus. “BBQ has been my life and passion for over 8 years, and I love every minute of it.”

SULLIVAN KORONDI

Pitmaster
Sullivan began his culinary career 13 years ago at a small local pizza restaurant where he quickly discovered a natural talent and passion for cooking. What started as a job soon became a career, inspiring him to join the Q39 team. Over the past four years at Q39’s original Midtown location, Sullivan has honed his craft under the mentorship of Senior Pitmaster Chef Alberto, developing the skills and dedication that define Q39's commitment to championship barbecue and culinary excellence.

Careers

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

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