Bill Dessel

A Rhode Island native, Bill Dessel was striving to find balance between his demanding professional career and physically-active lifestyle. As many business dealings merged into social occasions, Bill clearly saw the need to develop a premium, light spirit to allow him to be social while staying sharp. Finding a low-calorie/low ABV spirit was a virtual impossibility, and Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in. After recruiting his longtime friend Tom McGowan, the concept of KEEL Vodka was born.

With decades of experience at the intersection of business, hospitality and law, Bill Dessel has founded, invested in, operated and sold several highly-successful and award-winning businesses that span industries of manufacturing and distribution, sports and entertainment, and beverage and hospitality. As a lawyer and business owner, he has resolved the myriad legal issues that impact and govern companies in these industries. He has raised capital for several multi-million dollar business acquisitions, working both in the United States and abroad. In hospitality, Bill serves on the Board of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association.

He founded and owned Billy's, an American-style bistro for seven years, winning "Best of Rhode Island" for five consecutive years, and in 2015 was designated as a top 10 Diners Choice Award winner by Open Table, ranking No. 8 in New England and No. 1 in Rhode Island. Bill sold Billy's in June 2016 to focus on KEEL's expansion. Bill’s legal career at Duffy & Sweeney combines his real-world knowledge with his skilled and sophisticated style to advise privately held companies in general corporate matters and strategic legal transactions. He is known for his collaborative approach to complex deals with an eye toward successful resolution of conflicts for all involved. Bill Dessel started his career as an attorney for The Cookson Group in the position of Corporate Development Manager, coordinating acquisitions in the US and Europe and, ultimately, growing the multi-national conglomerate to over $4B in revenue and into the FTSE 100. He also worked as a lawyer for a global law firm, opening and expanding its first London office.

Bill has led manufacturing and distribution organizations, both as an owner and member of senior management. He was Managing Director of FatHead and as President of Cowan Plastics and American Assembly, he provided products for Titleist, OralB/Gillette, Boston Scientific, and Mosquito Magnet and received the Rhode Island Manufacturer of the Year Award. He resides in Barrington with his wife, Alison, and their three children.