Raised across Europe through his father's military career, Billy Ray absorbed cultures, cuisines, and craft from an early age. It was in London that he met his mentor, Charlie Hume, who handed him the idea that would define his entire career: "No one ever comes to a bar for a drink — they come for an experience." He became one of the original architects of the American cocktail renaissance — widely regarded as one of the most influential bartenders of his generation.
Billy built his career designing beverage programs for the iconic Patina Restaurant Group, creating cocktails for Hollywood's elite, and producing experiences for the Sundance Film Festival. In 2011, he was tapped as Global Mixologist for Cîroc Vodka — then made history as the first National Brand Ambassador for both Woodford Reserve and Old Forester, spending two years forging relationships with bartenders, distributors, and consumers across the world.
In 2016 Billy launched 13-Stitches, then created Mixwell — a premium mixer line built with bartender-first thinking. The brand's "Please Don't Buy Mixwell" campaign earned both a Clio Award and a Webby Award. He went on to serve as Creative Director for Koskenkorva Vodka and Brand Director for Wilde Irish Gin — where every decision begins with: "What would Oscar Wilde do?"
Black Compass Group is the natural evolution of everything Billy has learned. It's not a traditional consultancy — it's an execution partner. He thinks like a strategist, moves like a creative, and communicates like someone who has actually worked behind the bar — because he has. Every engagement is personal. Every brand gets Billy.
We don't hand you a deck and walk away. We get in the trenches — from day one through national scale.
We build sales programs that move product — pricing architecture, territory planning, field execution, broker management.
We know distribution from the inside — we build relationships, negotiate agreements, and fix the gaps that kill brands before they scale.
We open doors at the chains that matter and manage the relationships that keep you on shelf.
From naming and packaging to voice and story — we help brands own a position that's built to last.
Award-winning campaigns to field sampling — marketing that drives trial and converts awareness into lasting velocity.
Concept through launch — formulation, regulatory, co-man sourcing — with operators who have done it before.
We know hiring an outside partner is a big decision. Here are the questions every founder asks before reaching out — answered honestly.
Still Have Questions?Whether you're launching your first SKU or scaling nationally — start with a conversation. Billy is personally involved in every new engagement.