About the Five Brothers

John “Johann” Koehler

Johann is the Bergermeister (mayor) of Oktoberfest, which began in his front yard in 1996. He is the publisher at Koehler Books, is an award-winning graphics designer, and the author of 12 books. He attended VCU and GWU, and was awarded the lifetime achievement Silver Medal by the Advertising Federation of Hampton Roads in 2016. He was director of Younglife Capernaum, a ministry dedicated to helping children with disabilities. John is the 1991 Boomerang World Champ. He lives in Virginia Beach, VA and is married to Patty, with daughters Danielle and Kimmi and 4 grandkids.

Tom “Tuborg” Wagner

Tuborg is the Kunst Meister (Art Master) for Oktoberfest which is ironic as he has no formal art training.He joined the Burpenfartzen Brothers for the second Virginia Brach Oktoberfest in 1997, and was in charge of decorating.He is a Board certified and Emergency Medicine physician and retired in 2022 after 31 yrs of practice in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach area. He is married to his wife Joan and they have 2 children Tyler and Casey. When not attending or hosting Oktoberfest, Tom enjoys the Beach, playing guitar with his friends, surfing, boating, and attending live music events.

Gregg “Greggor” Christoffersen

Greggor is the Spielmeister or Game Master for all events during the day of Oktoberfest.Greggor is an alumni of VCU and American University.Heis a high-producing industrial/logistics real estate agent for JLL, helping to bring economic development and capital investment throughout the Hampton Roads region, and is also a professional beach bum.You can always find him on his bicycle and on the boardwalk, or watching the sun come up. He lives at the beach with his wife Toni and his 3 kids, Anders, Emma & Hans are scattered across the World.

Bill “Wilhelm” Ressler

Cofounded Oktoberfest with Johann and is the LieberMeister (Master of Love). He resides in Virginia Beach and St Maarten, Dutch West Indies. He has a degree in Outdoor Education from Prescott College. His early career was spent as a wilderness instructor for various programs, including Southwest Outward Bound. He directed a wilderness therapy program for Arizona Department of Corrections. He then performed with a touring dance band for three years. Wilhelm also served as a staff member with The Breakthrough Foundation’s “Youth at Risk” program. Now widowed, he was married to Dr. Dawn Manjoney for 30 years and has no children. He still plays bluegrass and country music.

Michael “Manfred” Charles

Manfred is der Biermeister. He loves all things beer and is most noted for drinking 8 L of beer within 12 hours at the Oktoberfest in Munich. He grew up in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, attended Grove City College, and went to medical school at MCV in Richmond. He is currently a family practice Physician who has practiced for over 40 years in the Virginia Beach area. He is the published author of the book “Bob and the Afterland.” Manfred has played the trombone for most of his life. He also is a certified scuba diver, former rugby player, and has skydived, survived class 5 rapids, and spelunked. He is married to Kelly, has three children, Ryan, Caroline, and Jack, and one granddaughter Mia. Prost!