Retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark Douglass has been serving his entire life. From 24 years in the U.S Army, to 16 years as a CSRA Real Estate agent and now founder of his home grown blend of four barbecue sauces.
“During my travels around the world and throughout the U.S., I learned many secrets on barbecue sauces and recipes which I have kept with me for nearly 40 years,” writes Douglass on his www.warriorschoice.us website.
He says he’s always toyed with bringing it to market and the pandemic gave Douglass time to make it happen.
It’s easy to understand where the name “Warrior’s Choice” came from. Douglass is part of a long line of family members who served dating back to the Civil War and continuing today with his son Kristopher, now a CW2, currently serves as a UH-60 Black hawk pilot in the U.S. Army.
There are currently four blends of BBQ sauce with military themes including:
- Patriot’s Pride Original Barbecue sauce
- Defender Mesquite Barbecue Sauce
- All Heroes Hickory Barbecue Sauce
- Spartan Heat Hot & Spicy Barbecue Sauce
“Warrior’s Choice was started to recognize all the sacrifices made by those who have served or who are now serving our country and their supporting family members,” said Douglass.
A portion of all sales is donated to charities that support disabled Veterans, including familiar Augusta non-profits like Forces United and the Wounded Warriors Project.
Douglass enlisted the help of PR and marketing expert Bert Dean, CEO Clarion South LLC to promote the sauces and to help with next steps. “We are in negotiations with foodservice brokers for distribution to large, upscale grocery chains”, said Dean.
Dean was assisted by professionals on the website and photography by Ruskin Yeargin, Ray Mundy and Brent Cline.
Dean said frozen pizza, frozen Italian-style casserole, and sweet treats will be rolling out over the next six months.
In the meantime Dean and Douglass are co-hosting a lunch and ribbon cutting ceremony with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Thursday November 18th at the Jones Creek Country Club.
On the menu— barbecued ribs, mac ‘n cheese, coleslaw, and iced tea or cold soft drinks. The ribs will be served with samples of all four flavors of the Warrior’s Choice brand.
For more information on the sauces and grilling gift sets visit www.warriorschoice.us.
