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Staff Profiles
The success of Liberty Wine Merchants is a direct result of the efforts of the amazing group of people that work for us. While our staff come from a diversity of backgrounds one thing we all share in common is an unyielding interest and passion for wines and spirits.
| Store Managers: Igal Amsallem - Point Grey Tyler Dawson - Park Royal Camille Blanchard - Park & Tilford Aaron Silk - South Point Krystle Falzetta- Granville Island Hao-Yang Wang - Robson |
Corporate Staff: Robert Simpson - General Manager Kristi Clarke - Director of Marketing Marietjie Bower - Comptroller Patti Lim - Administrative Assistant Paul Melis - Company Courier |
Store Managers:
Point Grey - Igal Amsallem
Igal joined the Liberty team in 2006. Born in Versailles, France (close to the Marie-Antoinette Vineyard), Igal grew up in Paris and graduated from University Paris 10 with a Law degree, specializing in intellectual property law and music copyright. He has lived in Spain, Israel and Quebec, where he received his Service Aux Jeunes Entrepreneurs Business Management Diploma (Montreal) and his Wine & Spirits Diploma with Honours from École Hôtelière des Laurentides (Ste-Adèle).
His penchant for wine began when he first tasted wine at the tender age of four. He continues to be active in the wine industry as a wine instructor, wine tour guide, contributing wine columnist and a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.
Igal speaks fluent English, French, Spanish and Hebrew, and practices to improve his German, Italian and Farsi.
Park Royal - Tyler Dawson
As the youngest grandson of George C. Reifel, a pioneer in the local and international beverage markets, Tyler was destined to taste and talk libations. And so he does.
Enter…....experience.
This thirty-something boasts an impressive career in fine dining and beverage management wine retailing. He's been the resident sage at Liberty Park Royal since '92. Such a small place for a big personality, but he manages to fit in easily with his “Fun Source, Serious Supply” motto. He authored two quick reference guides: “Sake Simple” and “What’s Up d'Oc?” Next time you’re talking to him, you’ll likely hear some new wine terminology (aka "Tyler-isms") which could prove very useful at your next social function!
Park & Tilford - Camille Blanchard
Camille is our most senior store Manager, her talents in customer service are well-known in the industry and in the many long-term customer relationships she has: "I enjoy taking the time to get to know my clients, their food preferences and their capacity to try new wines."
Her passions are centered on food, wine and travel, which have led her to most of North America’s and Australia’s wine regions, as well as some of Europe’s wine-stomping grounds. Outside of the wine world, Camille enjoys outdoor recreation and regularly enrolls in cooking classes.
South Point - Aaron Silk
Having devoted his youth first to the study of literature and then to the study of food, Aaron first turned his hand to wine upon his arrival in Vancouver in 1997.
An avid interest quickly developed into something of an obsession and a lifelong odyssey was begun.
Aaron served as Assistant Manager at Liberty Point Grey before assuming manager-ship of South Point Exchange store upon its 2000 inception.
Love of and interest in wine has drawn Aaron to Chile, the Niagara Peninsula and many and varied wine growing areas of BC and the Pacific Northwest.
When not tasting or discussing wine, he can be found riding his long board, experimenting in the kitchen accompanied by wife Jennie and daughter Ella or trying to learn bass guitar.
Granville Island - Krystle Falzetta
Robson - Hao-Yang Wang
Born in Taiwan, Hao-Yang had the privilege of travelling the world through his family’s business. Observing his family wine and dine around the world gave Hao-Yang early exposure to a wide spectrum of international cuisines.
His first job was in a restaurant and he immediately fell in love with the food and beverage industry. He continues to maintain in contact with celebrated mixologist David Wolowidnyk and West Restaurant, where he previously worked.
Working in fine dining sparked his interest in developing a wine career. Hao-Yang went to school at the International Sommelier Guild and is now pursuing a Level 4 Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Robert G. Simpson - General Manager
Robert is an 8th-generation Canadian and native Vancouverite. In 1975 he established The Hawthornes, a fine dining restaurant in Washington State with a world-class wine cellar, and in 1982 he founded Liberty Merchant Company, a retail store situated in a 19th century home, specializing in rare & exclusive wines.
Returning to Vancouver in the late 80s, he opened Liberty Merchant Company Ltd., an import agency serving the needs of the BC’s wine-passionate populace. Robert’s next step was to become General Manager of Liberty Wine Merchants, now Western Canada’s largest privately-owned fine wine retail store chain.
With over 25 years’ experience in the wine trade, an accurate, highly discriminating palate, and an exhaustive wine travel diary, Robert is one of the most sought-after speakers and judges on the North American wine-tasting circuit. Twelve years of speaking at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic is but one example of how he spreads his irreverent and cut-to-the-chase wine wit.
Kristi Clarke - Director of Marketing
Kristi grew up in BC’s interior wine country and discovered a love for wine on her first wine tasting tour of the Naramata Bench. She’s has been a wine enthusiast ever since!
New to the Liberty team in 2009, Kristi brings a strong design component to her position in Marketing. With a degree in fashion design from Frazer Valley University, a digital graphic design degree from Vancouver Community College, and experience as a small business owner, Kristi now looks forward to representing Liberty Wine Merchants with their charitable and community events. She is enthusiastic about shaping her diverse talents towards promoting the wine industry, and expanding her knowledge and enjoyment of fine wine.
Besides wine, Kristi also has a passion for illustration, music, camping, and hiking in the beautiful and remote parts of BC.
Marietjie Bower - Comptroller
Born and raised in South Africa, Marietjie immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became a Canadian Citizen in 2001.For the last 10 years she has successfully managed and lead the administration, finance, information technology, procurement and human resource departments within the transportation and manufacturing industries. The wine industry is a new to Marietjie, but she loves the challenge.
As the comptroller, Marietjie will be responsible for developing financial direction and business strategies for management accounting, training management in applying the best practices, policies and tools across the business.
Marietjie is currently working towards her CMA designation. She recently completed the entrance exam and in September, 2009 begins the CMA leadership component.
Patti Lim - Administrative Assistant
Patti has been committed to the service industry and has balanced it with her love of working with people, the sciences, and health & fitness. With a UBC BSc degree and a WCCMT 3-year diploma in massage therapy, Patti’s diverse career began in UBC administration, then in the fitness industry with The Fitness Group as a group leader and corporate contractor for ICBC, Canadian Airlines, BC Hydro and GVRD. She has also worked in the hair industry where she was Manager of the west side Suki’s salon.
Responsible for the purchase of wine accessories and the administrative needs of Head Office and all stores, this multi-tasker enjoys working out, fine dining and wining, checking out the arts community, long walks, literature and music. Patti also serves on several committees and is actively involved with volunteer community service.
Paul Melis - Company Courier
Born and raised in North Vancouver. Paul & his 3 sisters make a family of 6. His parents emigrated from the Netherlands, so he is lucky enough to be tri-lingual, speaking English, Dutch and French.
Paul is an entrepreneur and was involved in the creation of a Healthy Lifestyle café, a retail sportswear outlet, fitness and nutritional consulting and many other interesting business ventures. He has also competed in Bodybuilding contests at a National Level. Other interests include weight training, playing and watching European style football, landscaping, cars, music, game shows and checkers.