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
Founder & President
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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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.
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.
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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Jayson Columbus
Vice President, Finance & Administration
Bio
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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George Cziglan
Vice President, Technical Operations
Bio
George has been with Northam since 2005, covering various positions. George has over 20 years experience in Beverage Alcohol and over 30 years experience in product and packaging development, production, supply chain, procurement and production line design and installation. Today, he oversees Technical Operations, including product development, co-packer and supplier relationships, nationally and internationally.
Prior to joining Northam, George worked on numerous beverage brand programs, including packaging development for Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Mission Hill Family Estate wines.
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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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Janet Vouzas
Vice President, Marketing
Bio
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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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
Eric Carlson
CEO, Anthem Properties
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 Carsky
President, Bissett Fasteners
Bio
Martin Carsky is an accomplished executive and director with a broad base of experience spanning the manufacturing, distribution, and service businesses. He has an extensive background in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, business restructuring, capital markets, and corporate governance. He is the President and co-owner of Bissett Fasteners Limited, of the Mycroft Holdings Ltd. group, where he is also Executive Vice President.
Martin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and holds the designation of Chartered Accountant. He is a graduate of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program and has an ICD.D designation. He is a Fellow of the Quantum Shift Program for Entrepreneurs at the Ivey School of Business.
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Bruce Dean
Chairman & Director, Northam Beverages
Bio
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.
Brent studied at both UBC and BCIT, majoring in economics, finance, and computer science, before graduating from BCIT.
He enjoys fishing, boating, and skiing. Brent and his wife live in West Vancouver with their four children.