The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown proudly presented its 2026 Vocational Service Award to Jeff and Dorrie Pilot, owners of Little Brick Coffee and Potomac Ridge Brewing, during a gathering at Potomac Ridge Brewing on January 28.
The Vocational Service Award is given annually to recognize professionals and business owners who demonstrate excellence in their work while embodying Rotary’s core value of Service Above Self. Jeff and Dorrie Pilot exemplify that spirit every day.
After purchasing their Sharpsburg-area property in late 2020, the Pilots immediately began renovations with a vision that extended well beyond business success. Little Brick Coffee opened in December 2022, followed by Potomac Ridge Brewing in March 2024. Although officially located in Sharpsburg, both businesses have become deeply woven into the fabric of the Shepherdstown community.
From the beginning, Jeff and Dorrie committed to giving back. Their support has included donating milk to Shepherdstown Shares, hosting annual December gift card sales with 100% of proceeds benefiting community organizations in Shepherdstown and Sharpsburg, sponsoring a Shepherd University basketball player, employing numerous Shepherd University students and local residents, and providing coffee and beer—often at no charge—for community and nonprofit events.
Potomac Ridge Brewing has also become a welcoming hub for local clubs, alumni groups, nonprofits, and even the 167th Air Guard, frequently opening its space to support fundraising and community gatherings.
Equally notable is the Pilots’ commitment to their employees and the welcoming atmosphere they’ve created. Regular patrons describe both the coffee shop and brewery as places where people feel comfortable, connected, and eager to return—often with family and dogs in tow.
“Jeff and Dorrie Pilot exemplify Rotary’s ideal of service above self,” said Lesley Lopez, vocational service chair for the Shepherdstown Rotary Club. “Through their generosity and leadership, they have made a meaningful and lasting impact on our community.”
In honoring Jeff and Dorrie Pilot, Shepherdstown Rotary recognizes not just successful businesses, but two community leaders who have invested their time, talent, and resources to make the region a better place for all.