The Founding Board of Trustees

Richard Carras, Vice President Western Canada Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants
Born, raised and educated in Vancouver, Richard Carras is a true Vancouverite. After sciences studies at UBC and Hotel and Restaurant Management at BCIT, in the early 80s he ran western Canada's first Wine Bar in Kitsilano. Richard then moved into wine sales, stressing wine education and quality service. He spent 16 years with Vintage Consultants, all the while achieving his 'Certified Wine Educator' status through the Society of Wine Educators (only 185 people have achieved this certification worldwide). In 1997 he moved to become the first non-US employee for Robert Mondavi, and in 2006 he and a partner started a new wine importing agency, Authentic Wine & Spirits Merchants.

Christine Coletta, President, Coletta Consultants
Christine Coletta has run her successful Coletta Consultants firm since 1986, where she and her team of consultants offer marketing, strategic and special event services to the food, wine and real estate industries. The relationships she and her team have built over the years are invaluable.

Current clients include Vincor Canada, Tourism Whistler and the Washington Wine Commission, where Christine sets the pace and tone for the Coletta Consultants' "can-do" attitude and the willingness by her team to work hard for their clients and to do the job right all the while enjoying what they do.

Jeannie Crane, Executive Assistant IVSA
You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't agree that Jeannie Crane is not only the 'face', but the heart of the Import Vintners and Spirits Association. The personable Crane, a third generation Vancouverite attended SFU studying education and communications, which led to a couple of years as newspaper reporter. Next up stints at Sealand Shipping and Johnson Terminals working with liquor shipments to Vancouver then in 1981 moving to the LDB Customs Department, and in 1984 to Jim Purdy Imports. Purdy was then secretary for IVSA and Crane assumed his position in 1985 signing on for part time work that would allow her to work from home and care for her new baby. Today the 'baby' is full-grown and Crane continues to work part time at a job she 'loves', stick handling IVSA's 83 full members, 17 associates and 5 consular members, and the IVSA board. In addition to organizing IVSA Product Salons and board meetings, Crane disseminates information to members and board, and is the conduit between IVSA and the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch, Liquor Licensing and the Provincial Government.

Geoffrey Howes, Director of Operations, Toseki Entertainment Ltd
Geoffrey has worked in virtually all aspects of the industry, from waiter to chef to owner and manager. Today, as Director of Operations for Toseki Entertainment Ltd., he is responsible for the day-to-day operation of three fine dining restaurants, Salmon House on the Hill in West Vancouver, Aqua Riva in downtown Vancouver and Horizons in Burnaby.

Geoffrey has served two terms as Chair of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA), speaking on behalf of 5,000 member businesses. In this role, he was a driving force in helping to bring about major legislative changes, such as modernized liquor licensing regulations and flexible labour policies to help create a more dynamic restaurant and hospitality industry in our province.

He also serves as the Vice Chairman (Accreditation) of the BC Culinary Tourism Society (BCCTS). The society seeks to enhance British Columbia's appeal as a tourism destination through its mandate to identify, inspect, accredit and profile the diversity of cuisine experiences in our province.

Harry McWatters, Founder, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
Harry McWatters founder of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, just celebrated the winery's 25th anniversary in 2006. McWatters has been a driving force in the development of British Columbia's wine industry since and has acted as founding chair of the Okanagan Wine Festival Society, the British Columbia Wine Institute, Wines of Canada, VQA Canada and the BC Wine Information Centre. McWatters was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degrees from the Okanagan University College in June 2001 and the Order of British Columbia in June 2003. Both awards were in recognition for the pivotal role he played in the development of both British Columbia's and Canada's wine industry.

The Founding Planning Committee

BCHF Board
Download the Current BCHF Board as PDF