|
Senior Management
Ted Latimer
President
Ted started in the wine business in 1984, working at one of Canada’s first private wine retailers, The Wine Shop. Soon Ted was motivated to go into business for himself, creating Britannia Wine Merchants in 1990. Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and in partnership with Don Bryant, he went on to found Free House in 1994, eventually expanding the business and relocating to British Columbia. Ted’s passion for good food, great music and wine helped form the foundation of the Free House family.
Don Bryant
Vice-President
Don stumbled on the wine business while working towards a post-graduate business degree. Initially starting out with J Webb Wine Merchants, he eventually decided to strike out for California to work harvest. At crush, he learned the business from top to bottom, before returning to Canada to co-found Free House Wine + Spirits. His Bachelor of Commerce (with honors, no less), provided the business foundation for Free House.
Richard Somerset
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Trained in Wine Business at the prestigious University of Adelaide, Richard has developed a global specialization in strategic wine marketing and brand management. Having spent 14 years in the wine industry, he was most recently responsible for directing the marketing efforts of two global brands,
Penfolds and Wynns. Richard has a well rounded resume with experience in all facets of the wine business from managing operations for wineries and retailers to winery production and viticulture. He brings a unique and rare approach to wine marketing due to his extensive knowledge of the competitive retail and on premise environment, winery operations, global strategic brand management, brand promotions and fine wines which together allow him to truly understand the essence of a brand and quickly develop a strategy to ensure success.
Christina Masciangelo
Praire Sales Manager
Christina comes with over 14 years of experience in sales and marketing within the wine business. She has worked in all facets of the trade from retail sales to regional management.
Christina comes to Free House with extensive sales management experience from her time at Mark Anthony, Vintage/Maxxium and Empson. Over the last 4 years Christina has been the Regional Sales manager for Empson for N Alberta, Sask and Manitoba and has been teaching the WSET program in her spare time.
Sujinder Juneja
BC Sales Supervisor
Sujinder comes to Free House via the Toronto Music Industry, where he ran the Canadian office of a world-renowned independent Record Company. After deciding to expand his range within the field of "sensual arts", he worked for over a year-and-a-half as a journalist at a Canadian Food and Wine magazine, as well as part-time at a private fine wine retailer in Vancouver. Sujinder holds his advanced certification from both the WSET and ISG, and when he's not tending to his family and garden, he spends his spare time listening to new music and exploring fine wines and whiskys.
British Columbia Sales Division
Alfons Obererlacher
Sales Representative, Vancouver Island
A restaurant industry veteran, Alfons has concentrated his professional attention on wine for over two decades. His colorful career experience spans two continents and incorporates many different hats; Sommelier, wine consultant and educator, and sales representative, in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Canada.
Abigail Pyett
Sales Representative, Whistler, Fraser Valley, Delta
Abigail Pyett joined Free House in May of 2005 after serving an apprenticeship in the restaurant trade, focusing on staff training with particular emphasis on wine’s place on the menu, on the table and in the business plan. One of Abby’s discoveries was that some restaurants tended to be too casual about the returns available to them from an improved list and more knowledgable service. At Free House Abby serves the Lower Mainland’s suburban accounts, where her advice is welcomed.
Ashlyn Walsh
Sales Representative, Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, & New Westminster
Ashlyn joined Free House in December 2007 after beginning her career at various wineries in the Okangan Valley. Growing up amongst the vineyards fueled her passion for wine - she holds her advanced certification from WSET and is a self-confessed "cork dork". Ashlyn also has a B.Com in Marketing from UBC Vacnouver allowing her to grasp a thourough understanding of the business side of the industry. Derrick Cousins
Sales Representative, Vancouver Downtown, North Shore, Sunshine Coast
The food and beverage industry has been a passion of Derrick’s for almost twenty years, beginning with his first job as a busboy back in his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Since then he has enjoyed many hospitality experiences that have contributed to his love of wine and great whisk(e)y. Derrick’s lengthy background in the retail and hospitality sector, his earning of the level 3 WSET certificate, and a genuine appreciation for customer service have allowed him to build strong relationships with his clients and peers in the beverage industry. He takes immense pleasure in spending time with his three girls-his lovely wife and two beautiful teenage daughters. Weekends are often spent quaffing a ripe, juicy Shiraz or sipping a fine Bruichladdich while living a quiet island life in the company of family and great friends.
Julie Clark
Logistics Coordinator
Julie joins our team as the shipping and purchasing coordinator, bringing years of experience from many industries, food and beverage, garment, and the Federal Government. Though she is new to the wine industry, she is not new to wine, completing the intermediate WSET program. Julie spends her free time enjoying her greatest passion, FOOD, which could entail cooking up a new recipe or enjoying a night out with her friends trying the hottest new restaurants.
Anne Woodruff
Office Administrator- BC & Sales Coordinator
Anne is a recent import to British Columbia, coming to Free House from Ontario where she worked for one of Canada's largest wine producers in their Customer Service department. It was a great way for Anne to transition into the world of wine (from many years of restaurant experience), after earning her Honours E Business diploma. Anne's passion for the world of wine began with a family trip to the Loire Valley when she was just nine, and she has been able to cultivate that passion personally and professionally.
Alberta Sales Division
Jessica L. MacLeod
Sales Representative, Southern Alberta including. Lethbridge, Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise
Jessica has worked in the industry for 10 years, in 2 provinces. Her growth from merchandising into fine wine and spirit sales was a natural progression that stemmed from her love of wine. Jessica manages both the primary volume and fine wine accounts in her territory.
Reed White
Sales Representative,Southern Alberta including Medicine Hat & Drumheller
IReed White joined Free House Wine + Spirits in March of 2008. During the past 15 years Reed has been working in the Food & Beverage industry. Reed got his start working in Calgary's restaurant scene for nine years before being hired byt he Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa in Grand Cayman and leaving for the Carribean. He worked in events for two years before moving into the 'AAA' four diamond restaurant Casa Havana; a Wine Spectator award winner for the past nine years. He soon tooke the position as Maitre D' and managed that restaurant and helped direct the wine program withthe food and beverage team for two and a half years. After five years in Grand Cayman, Reed moved Kelowna BC and started working the 2007 crush under award winning wine maker, Eric von Krosigk. We look forward to Reed bringing his was experience in the food and beverage industry, both locally and internationally, to Free House and our clients.
Kyle Moodie
Sales Representative, Southern Alberta including Red Deer
Kyle Moodie joined Free House in May 2007. During the past 10 years, Kyle has broadened his knowledge of the industry by working in some of Calgary's finest restaurants. This has given him the ability to see the industry from all sides while maintaining high levels of professionalism in both knowledge and service. Although quite new to the sales side of the business, his eagerness and knowledge of fine wine will constantly evolve and will be apparent in every venture he encounters.
Candice Meyers
Office Assistant, Alberta
Candice joined Free House as the Office Assistant in our Calgary office on November 2007. Candice has brought with her 8 years of Customer Service, Sales Support and Publishing Experience, and is looking forward to expanding her Wine knowledge.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba Sales Division
Melanie Eldridge
Sales Representative
For the last 12 years, Melanie has been working in the Hospitality industry. She started as a server in bistro style restaurants, working her way up to managing fine dining establishments, where she was exposed to many a fine wine. Melanie’s career took her to managing a private wine boutique which nourished her love and knowledge of wine. Wanting to see a different aspect of the wine business she joined the sales team at Free House Wine + Spirits Ltd. in August 2006.
Ontario Sales Division
Rita Zlicic
Toronto
Rita brings to Free House her legendary people skills and a solid marketing background. After negotiating the hectic world of fashion for over 10 years, she has found her true passion in the wine business. With an enthusiasm for wine and a thirst for knowledge, Rita is set to effectively promote and manage wine in the Ontario market to ensure market presence.
Quebec Sales Partner
Les Vins - Alain Belanger
Quebec
|
