Founding Board of the BC Hospitality Foundation

Richard Carras

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.

Richard Carras, Vice President Western Canada Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

Christine Coletta

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.

Christine Coletta, President, Coletta Consultants

Jeannie Crane

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.

Jeannie Crane, Executive Assistant IVSA

Geoffrey Howes

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.

Geoffrey Howes, Director of Operations, Toseki Entertainment Ltd

Harry McWatters

Harry McWatters is a leader in the thriving British Columbia wine industry of which he has been involved for the past 40 years. He was founder of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Founder of See Ya Later Ranch Estate Winery. Harry “retired” as President of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery effective April 30, 2008. On May 1, 2008, Harry established Vintage Consulting Group Inc. and the Okanagan Wine Academy.

McWatters has been a driving force in the development of British Columbia’s wine industry. In 1980, he led a group of wineries and local businesses to establish the Okanagan Wine Festival Society and acted as founding president. The society completed its 27th annual fall wine festival in 2007 and is listed as one of the “Top 100 Events in North America.”

McWatters is the founding chair of the British Columbia Wine Institute. In addition, he is the founding chair of the British Columbia Wine Information Society. He is also a Director of the Canadian Vintners Association, and is the founding Chairman of the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation. Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, started by McWatters in 1979, was British Columbia’s first estate winery. In 1990, he was appointed by the province of British Columbia to chair the newly formed British Columbia Wine Institute, a position which he held for five years and served as a Director for 17 years. An industry association that represents winery operators and grape growers, the institute was formed to help guide industry through the trade challenges presented by the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).

McWatters was also instrumental in founding VQA Canada, a trade association that spearheaded the development of national wine standards for Canadian vintners and served as the first Chairman.

In June 2001, McWatters was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Okanagan University College in recognition for the pivotal role he played in the development of both British Columbia’s and Canada’s wine industry.

McWatters started on at Casabello Wines in 1968, and he transferred through Casabello Wines to the Okanagan in 1978 and he has lived there with his family in the town of Summerland.

Harry McWatters, Founder, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery