Maria Resuta: Co-owner & CEO
Tim Resuta: Co-owner, Cidermaker & Orchard Manager
For many years Maria and Tim Resuta have been interested in sustainable agriculture that creates a unique farm-to-table product. Being avid cider drinkers, they saw the rising popularity of hard cider consumption in the United States.
They both studied at the Cider and Perry Academy in Gloucestershire, England under the direction of Peter Mitchell, a highly-regarded, internationally recognized authority in the production of Cider and Perry. After completing training at the Academy, they obtained their NACM (North American Cider Makers) Certification in Cider and Perry Appreciation - the only formal cider industry specific qualification available in the world. Tim is accredited as Certified Cider Professional with the United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM).
Together they strive to produce ciders that reflect the beauty of the apple, the character of the land where they are grown, and the creative blending techniques that result in the delicate balance of subtle complexities.
Jackie Waice: Co-owner, Cidermaker & Events Coordinator
Jackie embraced the cider business when her sister, Maria and Tim came up with the idea to create Urban Tree. After spending so much time enjoying cider at family gatherings she decided to join the team in bringing the family’s handcrafted cider to the Atlanta market. She is extremely excited to be a part of the new family tradition that has begun as well as a part of Atlanta’s first cidery.
Like Tim and Maria, Jackie received her certification in Cider making during the summer of 2014 in Portland, Oregon. The certification is a recognized course by the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) and taught by Peter Mitchell of the Cider & Perry Academy in Gloucestershire, England. She is also an active and proud member of the United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM) as well as a Certified Beer Server of the Cicerone® Certification Program.
At Urban Tree Jackie wears many hats. She is a cider maker with her brother in law, Tim, and enjoys both the science and art that goes into handcrafting cider. Having a Bachelor of Science degree, she got to tap into her knowledge of chemistry, microbiology and physics. It is her mission to make a product that she is proud of– and also one that the Atlanta community is proud to have represent their city.
Jackie also serves as the event coordinator at Urban Tree. This role is especially important to her because the first “unofficial” event that took place at the Cidery, was a 30th birthday party with her closest friends and family!
Zach Hindes: Cidermaker
Since developing an interest for the beverage industry in 2013 in the Milwaukee area, cider has always been Zach's drink of choice.
When UrbanTree opened in 2016, Zach joined the team and has been working at UTC since Day 1. He has enjoyed working for Urban Tree Cidery in all areas of cidermaking and growing and learning with us along the way!
When he's not putting his hands all over the cider, he's outside hiking with his wife, cooking, reading a good book, growing out his hair, or working on his first fantasy novel.
Zach and his wife live OTP but enjoy all the food and fun the city has to offer. You can find them at Tuza Taco (next door to Urban Tree) or wandering around IKEA.
His favorite cider is Blueberry, and it's not even close.
James Szanyi: Assistant Cidermaker
A Georgia native who was born and raised down the road in Smyrna, James has had a longstanding passion for brewing, craft cocktails and the beverage industry. While he’s pretty much done it all – from landscaping to building custom staircases to home remodeling – the majority of his professional career has been spent honing his skills behind the bar at some of Atlanta’s best restaurants.
While his path has taken him across various industries as he tried to decide what he wanted to be when he grew up, it was a natural step to take his passion for craft beverages in a different direction. James spent many years as a home brewer – and those skills and interests, coupled with a newfound appreciation for ciders, have led him to his dream job with Urban Tree.
When he isn’t helping make Atlanta’s best cider, James can be found at the gym or on the disc golf course.
Ali Resuta: Digital Marketing Manager
Ali grew up in Atlanta, not too far from UrbanTree. After attending the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State, Ali decided to leave the desert to come home and work for the family business.
She is a seasoned professional in the digital marketing landscape, from freelancing to in-house roles at various companies. In addition to all things digital media, Ali spearheads the planning of our various pop-up bars and other special events.
When she’s not working in the tasting room, you can find Ali outside with her corgi, Pierre, or doing anything creative to pass the time! She loves reading, photography, painting, and baking.
Josh Alterman: Sales Manager
Born and raised in Atlanta, Josh attended Riverwood High School and The College of Charleston in South Carolina where he played baseball. Returning to Atlanta after graduation, he started working in the family business at Horseradish Grill in Buckhead. Josh started as a bartender, worked through several positions within the restaurant and eventually oversaw operations alongside his father for over 8 years. During this time, he also studied and earned his Sommelier certification. In 2015, Josh decided to leave the restaurant business and join a local beverage distributor where he spent time as an account manager. Josh is an active member within the Atlanta community and you can still find him on the baseball field coaching!
Derriene Carlin: Tasting Room Manager
Derriene was born in Texas, spending time in both Houston and Austin during her childhood. While not everything is bigger in Texas, Derriene's moxie absolutely was.
Derriene got her start in hospitality over twenty years ago in her father's restaurant - as she blossomed in her career, she cut her teeth at Katz's Deli, Bantam and Biddy, Two Urban Licks, and The General Muir. Finding her home in Atlanta, she had an extended stay of two years in Tampa, Florida where she re-established her love of the beach. Upon returning to Atlanta in 2020, Derriene dove head first into her love and passion for beverage that she developed at TAP, where she first bartended in Atlanta.
When she's not manning the tap room, Derriene likes to spend her time with her close friends and boyfriend, all who are sprinkled through the Atlanta culinary scene - sometimes over beers at the newest brewery or around the coffee table playing uno and discussing the resurgence of the martini. Derriene is excited to continue to craft the beverage program here at Urban Tree Cidery by featuring local products and seasonal ingredients.
Danielle Lesko: Co-owner & Operations Consultant
Danielle always had an affinity for wine and the culinary arts and when Maria and Tim became interested in cider and cider making, her interest was piqued. Danielle received her certification in Cider making in 2016 in Washington state. The certification is a recognized course by the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) and taught by Peter Mitchell of the Cider & Perry Academy in Gloucestershire, England. Danielle’s role in UTC is spend behind the scenes supporting various business administrative needs. When she is not helping at UTC, Danielle is a Managing Director at Deloitte Consulting where she specializes in large-scale technology and people transformations. While Danielle graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Business Administration, she is plays an active role in Georgia Tech recruiting for her company.