Who's behind it
Penny Strategies is led by Cole Youtz, a motivated operations professional who's never met a to-do list he couldn't clear. Soon after arriving in DC, he spent a year in the U.S. House of Representatives, gaining rare insight from two very different congressional offices, then went on to manage strategic operations for organizations and campaigns. A farm kid at heart, he pairs a tireless work ethic with hard-won persistence, and as his colleagues would put it, a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Cole grew up in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and was recruited to compete on the Blinn College Livestock Judging Team. He earned his Level 1 Sommelier certification from the International Wine & Spirits Guild during a Covid-induced gap year, then graduated from Texas A&M (Gig 'em, Ags!) with a degree in Agricultural Economics — Public Policy and Economic Analysis. He's built over seven years of hospitality experience at Christopher's World Grille, The Kenney Store, Bube's Brewery and the Catacombs, and, currently, La Grande Boucherie DC. Now he's combining his professional experience with a love of hosting in one three-part venture.