Our People
Built on innovation, we are a leading Canadian producer and marketer of award-winning, globally-recognized craft beer and refreshment beverages.
Executive Team & General Managers
Bruce Dean
Executive Chairman
Bio
Jayson Columbus
President and Chief Operating Officer
Bio
Janet Vouzas
Senior Vice President; Marketing, Sales & Product Development
Bio
Bruce founded Northam Beverages in 2005 and as President oversees the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of Western Canada’s most innovative craft beverage company.
Originally from Australia, Bruce spent nearly 20 years working for a global consumer products giant in a variety of roles – including as Director of International Business Strategy and CEO for Austral-Asia.
In 2001, Bruce immigrated to BC to fill the role of President for Mark Anthony, then BC’s largest beverage alcohol distributor. In 2005 he formed Northam Beverages and, with support of a group of local investors, he acquired the BC brewing and brand assets from the Big Rock Brewery of Alberta.
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Jayson joined Northam in 2010 and oversees the Finance, Supply Chain and IT departments. He is an operationally focused finance executive with 25 years experience of accounting and financing experience with industry leading companies.
Jayson is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with previous experience, primarily in manufacturing and R&D, including progressive roles at Kal Tire, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Conair Aviation and Thompson Rivers University.
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Janet joined Northam in 2012 bringing with her national Beverage Alcohol experience, with a focus on Western Canada. Her prior experience was with Mark Anthony Brands, gaining experience in all liquor categories and finishing her tenure as the BC Trade Marketing Manager for Wine. Her strength is in data analysis and identifying market trends, while her passion is for branding & new product innovation.
Janet holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia (UBC).
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JP Auger
Vice President, Manufacturing Operations
Bio
JP joined Northam in 2019, taking over executive responsibility for the Company’s three manufacturing locations.
JP brings a 30-year career of beverage manufacturing and quality experience to Northam, having been the executive head of brewing and quality processes for Labatt breweries at various locations as well as Moosehead’s brewery in Saint John, NB and most recently with Big Rock in Alberta.
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Mike Carpenter
Vice President of Sales
Bio
Mike brings over 20 years of beverage alcohol experience in a wide range of local craft and internationally recognizable brands.
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He joined Northam in 2006 and over thirteen years assumed increasingly senior roles in Sales and Management. Mike was welcomed back to the Northam team in 2023 as Vice President of Sales after a three-year stint as Sales Director for other Beverage Companies.
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He is a graduate of the University of BC with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a minor in commerce and also holds two associates degrees from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.
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Georgina Boyne
Director, Human Resources
Bio
Georgina joined Northam in 2018, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in the hospitality sector, including 5 years as Human Resources Manager for JOEY Restaurant Group.
Georgina holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from Capilano University.
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Jennie Kwasnecha
General Manager, Whistler Brewing Company
Bio
Jennie is the General Manager for the Whistler Brewing Company and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of all brewery functions including production & distribution, and the Whistler Taphouse hospitality operations.
Jennie plays a part in the Key Account sales role in the Whistler area. Jennie joined Northam in 2015 with many years of experience in Hospitality Management. She originally worked as a Territory Manager for the Sea to Sky, West Vancouver & Sunshine Coast and she took over as General Manager of the Whistler Brewing Company in 2017.
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Board of Directors
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Eric Carlson
CEO, Anthem Properties
Bio
Martin Carsky
Partner, Mycroft Holdings Ltd.
Bio
Bruce Dean
Executive Chairman, Northam Beverages
Bio
Eric Carlson is the core founder and CEO of Anthem Properties Group, a real estate investment, development and management company founded in 1991, comprised of over 400 individuals, pursuing a diversified portfolio of residential and retail income property, suburban and urban residential projects and mixed-use communities in B.C., Alberta and Northern California. In addition to real estate, Eric is an investor, founder and/or director in various mining exploration and development, technology and manufacturing businesses. Eric is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.
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Martin is an ethical and values-based people leader with a broad business background and extensive transactional experience in building, financing, and restructuring companies. He is skilled at defining corporate objectives and team building to create improved financial and operational performance through a culture of alignment and accountability.
In addition to his various roles at Mycroft, Martin is also a Director, shareholder, and serves on the Advisory Board of NorthAm Beverages, a privately held Western Canadian based beverage alcohol Company. He is also a volunteer Board Member of the Vancouver Chapter of Hockey Helps the Homeless.
Martin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia and holds the designation Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). He is a graduate of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program and has received his ICD.D designation. As well he is a Fellow of the Quantum Shift Program for Entrepreneurs at the Ivey School of Business.
Martin is married with four grown children and lives in North Vancouver. He enjoys an active lifestyle with his family and friends spending his time hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and playing hockey.
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Bruce is a self-described serial strategist. He has developed brand and business development strategies which, over 15 years, have led Northam Beverages to become one of the foremost beverage alcohol companies in Western Canada while also deftly avoiding competitive challenges of some of the worlds largest companies in that space. Bruce has led or participated as a Director strategist for consumer products, technology and bio technology companies in Canada and the United States and has spearheaded corporate strategies for both private financings and corporate IPO's in both Canada and Europe. In a 20-year career with the Gillette company, Bruce was formerly a Director of International Business Strategy and Area Managing Director for Austral-Asia.
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Stuart McLaughlin
President, Higher Ground Holdings
Bio
Mr. McLaughlin’s diverse business interests include Enchant Christmas, Warranty Life, Northam Beverages, Yervana and real estate developments in Edmonton and Vernon. Previous investments include Whistler and Polaris Water, World Choice Bottling and Grouse Mountain and Kicking Horse Resorts.
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Brent Wolverton
CEO, Pacific Investment Corp.
Bio
Brent is a third-generation Vancouverite who is carrying on his family’s long-standing tradition of entrepreneurship in western Canada. Brent, along with his two siblings, manages the family's interests in restaurants, breweries, residential, commercial, and industrial real estate.
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Brent studied at both UBC and BCIT, majoring in economics, finance, and computer science, before graduating from BCIT.
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He enjoys fishing, boating, and skiing. Brent and his wife live in West Vancouver with their four children.