Trustees & Committee

Harry McWatters, Chair

The Okanagan Wine Academy

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.

Geoffrey Howes, Vice Chair

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.

Christine Coletta, Treasure

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.

Bing Smith

Started in the Hospitality Industry as a summer relief driver at C.S. Ruby Distributors Ltd in April 1970; from driver to service tech to sale rep to Sales Manager after completing a Sales & Marketing degree from U.B.C.; Created and held Canada’s 1st distributor buying show in 1977; In 1982 took Vitality Foodservices out of Ruby Foods and created Total Beverage Systems Inc.( TBS); 1985 TBS added Boyd Coffee and was the 1st person in western Canada to sell airpot and thermo brewing systems which now become the preferred method of brewing coffee today, 1999 Total Beverage Systems was purchased by Vitality Foodservice Canada; 1996 became a director of the Vancouver branch of BCRFA, 2004 created the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame with the support of Don Monsour (this is the 1st and only Restaurant Hall of Fame in Canada). 2006 retired from the Board of the BCRFA, was inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame in 2007, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

James Chase

CEO, BC Hotel Association

Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, James attended McMaster University in Hamilton, graduating with a B. Comm. with a Major in Accounting and a Minor in Anthropology.

James’ career started in the hotel business with Delta Hotels in 1984 where he moved to a variety of locations including Ottawa Ontario, Saint John New Brunswick and eventually to Whistler British Columbia as Executive Assistant Manager at the then Delta Mountain Inn.

With his expertise and knowledge in hotels, James came to settle in Vancouver in 1991 taking on the role of Chief Executive Officer of the British Columbia Hotel Association. In this position James actively participates on many National and Provincial Committees and Associations representing hoteliers to ensure effective economic results and services to constantly enhance the social fabric of the Association and Industry.

Nationally, James has been a Board of Director of the Hotel Association of Canada since 1992 to present and currently is on their Executive Committee as Treasurer. Add to this portfolio, Founding Board of Director of The Association of Tourism Professionals, Coalition of BC Business, Safe Streets Coalition, go2 Tourism Human Resources and the Alliance of Beverage Licensees.

James continues to be a Member of the Canadian Society of Association Executives, the International Society of Hotel Association Executive and the Certified Management Accountants of British Columbia

When not overseeing the British Columbia Hotel Association, James, his wife and two children reside in North Vancouver but may often be found spending many weekends enjoying biking, golfing, skiing and hiking in Whistler.

Lisa Lipinski

Proprietor, John B Pub

Rob Fussey

A&W Food Services of Canada Inc

Rob started his career working in the front lines of the restaurant business over 28 years ago in an A&W Drive Inn restaurant in Winnipeg. Over this time Rob has taken on many operations roles as he has advanced his career with A&W. Prior to his current role he was the Director of Operations for Western Canada where he was responsible for over 360 A&W restaurants. Rob is the currently the Vice-Chair on the board of the BCRFA and is a Director on the BCHF. Rob is the current Chair for go2 and has been a member of go2’s Board since 2006. Rob brings forward a perspective that not only a represents the larger chain restaurants but a perspective that represents the independent restaurateurs.

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.

Contact Jeannie Crane via e-mail or at (604) 582-8975