About us

Juan brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to The White Oak Tavern. He began his career as a busser in a fine-dining restaurant, later spending 13 years serving and bartending before moving on to a high-volume bar environment for another 5 years. Over the years, Juan has worked in nearly every front-of-house role—from fine dining to casual sports-bar settings—giving him a deep understanding of what makes a restaurant run smoothly.

His breadth of experience and hands-on leadership style led him to his current role as General Manager at The White Oak Tavern. Juan's talent and dedication have earned him multiple nominations for Howard County's Best Bartender for three consecutive years, alongside numerous accolades for the Tavern itself.

White Oak is fortunate to have such a seasoned, knowledgeable, and accomplished professional overseeing daily operations. Juan's commitment to exceptional service helps ensure every guest enjoys an outstanding dining experience.

Ed Holloway has been an essential part of The White Oak Tavern team for more than three years. Joining us in 2022 as a line cook, he quickly showcased his talent, leadership, and creativity—rising to his current role as Chef de Cuisine. Ed has played a pivotal role in elevating our kitchen, from shaping an innovative and dynamic menu to building and mentoring a strong, cohesive culinary team.

A proud Maryland native and father of three boys, Ed brings over 26 years of cooking experience to the table. His diverse background—as a former business owner, teacher, massage therapist, and budtender—reflects his drive to excel in everything he pursues. That same dedication fuels his passion for culinary excellence and his commitment to the continued success of The White Oak Tavern.

Tara Hearn is the Manager at The White Oak Tavern, bringing nine years of experience in the hospitality industry and four years of dedicated service to the tavern. Born and raised in Ellicott City—the same community the tavern proudly serves—Tara stepped away to complete her undergraduate degree at Salisbury University before returning to the area after graduation.

As someone who is gluten-free, Tara is deeply committed to understanding food allergies and dietary needs to ensure every guest feels safe, accommodated, and cared for. Her personal experience fuels her dedication to creating a thoughtful and inclusive dining experience.

Whether greeting guests at the host stand, stepping in wherever she's needed, or checking in to ensure every table is enjoying their visit, Tara brings a hands-on, guest-focused approach to her work. Multifaceted and always willing to jump in, she can even be found in the kitchen on occasion, helping execute dishes with precision and care. Her industry expertise, local roots, and passion for hospitality make her an essential part of The White Oak Tavern's continued success.

Sean Rominger serves as Bar Manager at White Oak Tavern, bringing decades of hospitality experience and a genuine passion for creating memorable guest experiences. With deep expertise in mixology and a particular love for whiskey, Sean thoughtfully designs bar programs that balance creativity, consistency, and quality.

You can almost always find him behind the bar crafting our hand-made cocktails, sharing beer and whiskey knowledge with the team, and building lasting relationships with guests. A lifelong restaurant professional and devoted father of two, Sean leads with knowledge, attention to detail, and a commitment to warm, welcoming hospitality.