Our Team

Paúl Mena, Partner

While working in technology sales in Ecuador, Paúl soon realized tech sales were not his calling. He made the decision to move to Chicago to follow his dreams of working in the restaurant industry.

After graduating from culinary school and spending a short time in the kitchen, he realized his passion was in the front of the house, building incredible dining experiences for his guests.

Paúl has been a part of the opening teams of two of the largest launches of the last decade in the West Loop — one as a member of Momotaro, and the other as a member of Proxi.

During the pandemic, Paúl and his wife, Naureen, decided to move closer to their family on the East Coast. He worked for two James Beard nominated restaurants and with the largest restaurant group in Rhode Island, NRG, during his New England tenure.

His phone rang one more time. After knowing The Press Room team for years, he saw an exciting opportunity to partner with Jeff Williams and be part of the restaurant’s future.

Adam Diaz, Manager

Born in the city and raised just outside its limits, Adam has cultivated a strong connection to the Chicago area. With over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry, he has developed a keen understanding of what makes a dining experience exceptional.

Adam began his career at smaller establishments in the suburbs, but it was not until his time at Proxi where he truly found a love for hospitality. His impressive resume also includes roles at Apolonia, Alla Vita, and Lyra, further solidifying his expertise in the industry.

Shortly after Paul became partner, Adam was the first person he reached out to, to see if he would be interested in joining him in transforming The Press Room to what it is now. Without hesitation, Adam said yes. A little less than a year later, he found himself at the helm of Chicago’s favorite wine bar.

Passionate about wine, Adam continually seeks to expand his knowledge and appreciation of it. In his downtime, he enjoys exploring the city looking for a new favorite bite or drink, attending concerts, and spending time with his pup, Barley.

Derek Wians, Bar Manager

Derek stepped into the restaurant game in 2014 with his initiation at County BBQ. It was during this encounter that he began his passion for the art of food and beverage. With the guidance of great mentors, the doors to the realm of beverage design had been opened, igniting a love affair with crafting menus that seamlessly intertwine content, concept, and history.

He found homes all over the Chicago bar scene over the last decade (MARZ Taproom, Harbee Liquors, Wishbone Chicago), at an apothecary Percy’s & Co. in Seattle, WA for a year, but most recently has stepped into the role of Bar Manager at The Press Room in Sept 2023.

An herbal alchemist at heart, he is poised to redefine the art of bartending, inviting new friends to journey through past, present and future with each and every sip. Always learning and always sharing, with a team he loves and a vibe that resonates, he is set to etch his mark on Press Room’s legacy one true craft cocktail at a time. He loves good music, good people and does not like the word mixologist.