Industry Advisory Council

The BCHF Industry Advisory Council supports awareness and revenue generation activities throughout British Columbia. The group consists of individuals from a wide range of hospitality-related industry sectors.

Being an IAC member involves some time commitment and the following responsibilities:

  • Attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May/June.
  • Be cooperative, ethical and courteous with fellow Directors and BCHF staff and volunteers, adhere to the BCHF Code of Conduct, and represent your industry sector effectively.
  • Maintain membership of BCHF in good standing and adhere to BCHF’s Constitution and Bylaws. ($10 yearly membership fee)
  • Provide collaborative leadership to improve and advance the BC Hospitality Foundation in British Columbia.

 

 

What are strengths from an IAC member that benefit the BCHF?

 

For more information, please contact Alana
alana@nullbchospitalityfoundation.com or fill out the form through the link below.

Alan Sacks
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Alan Sacks

Before retiring Alan was the first Executive Director of the BCHF (2009-2016). He has been involved in the Hospitality Industry his entire professional career.  Firstly, in Hotel Management both In the UK and Canada.  In Canada  he managed 3 Hotels for Delta Hotels & Resorts and  ultimately became their Corporate Director of Food and Beverage. Since the early  90’s Alan has operated ABDM Enterprises a company focused on purchasing and procurement for the Hotel industry. He has taught in the Hospitality programme at Vancouver Community College and was involved for many years running the BC Hotels’ Association Charity Golf Tournament. Alan enjoys travel, playing golf and tennis and is the besotted grand father of two gorgeous granddaughters.
Alex J. Crowston
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Alex J. Crowston

I have been in the hospitality industry for 24 years. I’m a graduate of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts as well as the WSET program. I’m fortunate to have done every job in the industry from dish washer to GM, from sales to management. Having worked in multiple roles for Glowbal Group, Freehouse Collective and Blueprint. 8 years ago I moved to the supplier side with Parallel 49 Brewing and am now the Provincial Sales Manager for Southen Glazers Wine and Spirits. Working with industry leaders every day as a supplier, I see the challenges our industry faces day to day. Having had a long career in hospitality has awarded me countless opportunities and I’m thrilled to be able to give back to those who need assistance and to better our professional community.
Ann Brydle
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Ann Brydle

Ann is a dedicated industry professional with over 10 years of experience in liquor retail management, wine buying, and wine education. She is a WSET Diploma graduate and passionate advocate for BC’s private liquor industry. As ABLE BC’s Manager of Membership and Communication, Ann offers daily support and expert advice to industry members while helping to navigate complicated policies.
Arun Subramanian
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Arun Subramanian

A Human Resources Professional with more than 20 years experience, including over 10 years in senior leadership roles, across all functions of HR, Arun holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University, and a Diploma in Hotel Administration from the Sophia Polytechnic in Mumbai, India. He is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and has completed management programs in HR at both BCIT and the Indian Institute of Management. including Strategic Planning, Change Management, Employer Branding, Recruitment & Selection, Health & Safety, Employee Engagement, Compensation & Benefits, and Performance Management. Arun also has a strong understanding of the regulatory framework related to employment and occupational health and safety at the provincial and federal levels. Arun has worked in diverse sectors in the service industry including hotels, airlines and facilities management.
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Caroline Carefoot

Agency Dandurand Group - Director of Sales & Operations, BC
Chris Turyk
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Chris Turyk

Passionate about food and wine, Chris has remained involved in all aspects of the family business since Unsworth’s beginnings in 2009. While studying at The Culinary Institute of America in the Napa Valley, his passion for food and wine matured into a way of life. After deciding to focus on wine, Chris worked as a Sommelier at Hawksworth Restaurant; received a sommelier scholarship from the BCHF; was featured in McLean’s Magazine; and travelled around North America for Sommelier course exams and competitions. Chris has played a significant role in growing Unsworth Vineyards—from installing vineyards and working with the winemaker, to working closely with his father, Tim, on business phases. Chris’s passion for farming has extended to competing in the 2018 UBC Farm Practicum in sustainable agriculture.
Colin MacCrimmon
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Colin MacCrimmon

Colin MacCrimmon is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources with 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He is currently the Human Resources Manager at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria, BC. Originally from Ontario, Colin relocated to British Columbia after graduating from Bishop’s University. Through his career, he has worked with luxury resort properties across the province and internationally with cruise ships. Colin’s background encompasses both front-line and leadership experience in a variety of hotel departments. Ultimately, his passion for training, development, and team building steered him toward his career in HR. He has been with the Oak Bay Beach Hotel since 2017.
Daniel Bibby
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Daniel Bibby

Daniel Bibby is the Executive Director and General Manager of Spirit Ridge, a signature resort that is now part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt.  He is also the current Chair of Destination Osoyoos, and serves on the program advisory committee for Selkirk College.  His career in the hospitality industry started over thirty-five years ago, and Daniel has been highly involved in tourism in the Okanagan for the past fifteen years.
Darcy Murdock
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Darcy Murdock

Singer, entertainer, foodie, ambassador, motivator, and double lung transplant recipient (2015) In 2014, I received a grant from the BCHF while waiting for my transplant.
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

David Tikkanen

Education BCIT - Program Head, Tourism Marketing + Sales
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Flavia Kilger-Aarden

Logistics ContainerWorld - Business Development Manager
Hussain Askari
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Hussain Askari

Hussain Askari grew up in the UAE, studied wine in Australia, and has been in the Vancouver wine trade for the past decade. As the Director of Operations for Wine Vault, he manages a diverse network of private collections, providing niche services for fine wine collectors from purchase recommendations to appraisals to logistics. With an absolute passion for and lifelong devotion to food and wine, he is also closely connected with the hospitality industry and wine trade.
Jarrett Bachman
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Jarrett Bachman

Dr. Jarrett Bachman is an Associate Professor in Hospitality and Tourism Management in the International School of Hospitality, Sports, & Tourism Management (ISHSTM) on the Vancouver campus of FDU. Dr. Bachman is also the Associate Director of ISHSTM and is an elected member of FDU’s Faculty Senate and the Executive Committee of Faculty Senate. As of 2022, Dr. Bachman has been named a Visiting Scholar at Destination British Columbia (DBC) and splits his time between FDU and DBC.
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Jenna Briscoe

Restaurant (independent) Cafe Medina | Top Drop
Jesi Russell
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Jesi Russell

I have worked in Hotel leadership for over 20 years, the last 18 of those in Fairmont Hotels in varying roles including Fairmont Gold Manager, Front Desk Manager, Area Revenue Management and most recently the last 10 years as the Chief Concierge. This is where I have found my true passion in leading a Concierge Team and showcasing our amazing city and Country our guests!
Ken Beattie
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Ken Beattie

Ken’s passion for the beer industry began in British Columbia in 1987 when he was hired as a summer student for a brewery. Ken has now spent nearly 30 years in the beer community in British Columbia in various sales management roles with 2 breweries. Since July 2013, Ken’s role as the Executive Director of BC Craft Brewers Guild, combines his passion and experience in representing over 200 independently owned and operated craft breweries and brewpubs who are currently shaping BC’s beer culture. Ken also works with as the lead administrator for the BC Ale Trail, is a faculty member of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Brewing and Brewing Operations program, a industry representative on the Business Technical Advisory Panel to the provincial government and sits on the board of the Canadian Craft Brewers Association.
Kevin Neilson
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Kevin Neilson

Kevin started working in Vista 18 at Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites when he first moved to Victoria in 2003. After leaving to hone his skills, he returned in 2007 as Food & Beverage Manager and never left. His passion for leadership and supporting his team has led him to his current role of Operations Manager, a positions he has held since 2015. Kevin has provided Victoria based support to the BCHF since 2012.
Kim Osborne
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Kim Osborne

Kim Osborne is the CEO of Chemistry Consulting Group. Over the past 20 years, and previous to becoming CEO, Kim held various Senior Management positions in Operations and Business Development with Chemistry Consulting Group and its former subsidiary, GT Hiring Solutions Inc. Outside of work, Kim is well known for founding the Chefs For Life biennial event in Vancouver which has raised over $1 million dollars to date in support of HIV/AIDS related causes. For this work, she has been a recipient of the Minerva Foundation Philanthropy award as well as the AccolAIDS Philanthropy award, the Friends For Life Society Friend in Deed award and the Debra Van Ginkel award presented by Les Dames d’Escoffier. As a self-confessed gourmand and voyager, Kim’s personal quest in life is to continue tasting her way through all the wine making regions of the world and exploring what we all do every day; eat and drink.
Kurtis Kolt
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis is a Vancouver-based freelance wine consultant, writer, and competition judge. He is certified by London’s Wine & Spirit Education Trust and the Court of Master Sommeliers. His enthusiasm and experience have resulted in many high-profile appearances, from bylines in Maclean’s and Decanter magazines, to appearances at New York’s James Beard House, and beyond.
Leeann Froese
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Leeann Froese

Leeann Froese is a consultant based in Vancouver, BC who does strategic marketing and communications with a specialty in beverage alcohol, food and hospitality via her company, Town Hall Brands. Outside of work and the BCHF Industry Advisory Council, Leeann is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier BC as well as CAPS BC, and BC Food and Beverage. She is into birding, fitness & community. See more on Leeann’s work on townhallbrands.com or follow on social @townhallbrands.
Leslie D’Andrea
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Leslie D’Andrea

Leslie has spent the last 20 years developing Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery with her husband Jim. Noble Ridge has grown from a dream and 3 acres of original vines to a 25-acre Vineyard planted to vinifera grapes, a Winery producing international award-winning wines, a beautiful Tasting Room overlooking Vaseux Lake and a tremendous team focused on excellence. Active engagement in a variety of community and volunteer initiatives is a focus for Leslie and the Noble Ridge family.
Lucas Pavan
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Lucas Pavan

Tourism Destination Vancouver - Manager Membership
Michael Macleod
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Michael Macleod

Mike was born and raised in North Vancouver and from his earliest employment opportunities gravitated to hospitality, accommodation and tourism. This led to a 22 year hotel career focussed around sales & marketing. Mike’s experiences took him from major hotel brands to independent properties and included stops in BC, California and Colorado.  A personable and approachable leader, he enjoys mentoring colleagues to help them reach their potential. Mike joined the BCHA in 2020 and has enjoyed the different challenge that his role has brought in terms of being a voice and advocate for the accommodation sector.
Nazmi Kamal
2023 - Industry Advisory Council

Nazmi Kamal

I am a tourism educator in post-secondary, specializing in food studies, gastronomy, food and culture and food symbolism and identity. My research is community-based and I support industry and community through engagement, volunteering and student mobilization. I also teach tourism sales and convention management within my broader repertoire of courses.