Our Team
Pellie Goolsby
General Manager
I grew up in Wortham, Texas, and once lived across the street from this historic property, always believing it could become something special. When I moved back home in 2014, I felt the timing was right to help breathe new life into the community. In 2021, I met Tim and Dee Rainey, and our shared vision quickly sparked what would become The Old Gin after showing them the property I’d always believed had huge potential. I have one daughter, Rylee, who now works alongside me at The Old Gin. I’m proud of the collaborations we’ve built with local businesses and of introducing dishes like our pulled pork nachos and the Bacon Jala-berry sandwich. More than anything, I’m grateful to help create a place where great food and good conversation come naturally.
Ben Smith
Kitchen Manager
I’m originally from Spokane, Washington, and somehow ended up in Wortham thanks to a crazy twist of fate. I’ve spent over 30 years in the kitchen and have been classically trained in a variety of cooking styles, including Pan-Asian, Italian, and classic American cuisine. At The Old Gin, I’m responsible for creating many of the fun menu items you see each month and bringing new flavors and ideas to the kitchen.
Jessica Huff
Front of House Manager
I’m the Front of House Manager at The Old Gin and have been part of the team since the very beginning. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, I help make sure everything runs smoothly and that every guest has a great experience when they walk through our doors. A couple of my favorite menu items are the crispy chicken sandwich and the pork ribeye. I’m incredibly proud of how far our staff has come since we opened, and I’m excited to see The Old Gin continue to grow.
Rylee Goolsby
Assistant Manager | Social Media & Events Coordinator
I’m an Assistant Manager at The Old Gin, helping with day-to-day operations and managing our social media, marketing, and community events. I enjoy planning events like Pancakes & Pilates and Market Night and creating content to share what’s happening at the Gin. I grew up in Wortham, Texas, and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Agricultural Economics, with a focus on Rural Entrepreneurship. I’m passionate about supporting small towns and helping create a place where people can gather, enjoy great food, and connect with their community.
TIM & DEE RAINEY
OWNERS
Tim and Dee, owners of The Old Gin, have been married for nearly 50 years and have spent their lives building successful businesses together. As the founders of Supreme Roofing, they understand the value of hard work, with Tim leading operations and hands-on projects while Dee manages the legal and financial side of their ventures. Their journey to Wortham, Texas began when Tim finally visited a friend's ranch and realized he and Dee wanted a place of their own. Through a series of fortunate connections, they found land outside Wortham and soon made it their home.
After meeting local leaders and discussing opportunities to contribute to the community, they were introduced to a historic property that would become The Old Gin. What started as a conversation about helping revitalize downtown quickly turned into a vision, and just six weeks later they had purchased the building and begun planning their newest venture. Looking back, Tim says, "You can do nothing and be absolutely fine, or you can take risks and have fun while you do big things."
Today, Tim and Dee enjoy semi-retirement, spending time with their two children, Angela and Craig, their two grandsons, and continuing to improve their ranch. Through The Old Gin, they look forward to sharing great food, drinks, and hospitality with the Wortham community and visitors alike.