Prior to joining the BCRFA, Ian spent most of his career successfully growing Cascadia Brands, which owned, Calona Vineyards, Sandhill Vineyards, Burrowing Owl Vineyards, Granville Island Brewing, Grady Wine Marketing, and Potter Distilling. Ian also serves as Chair of the British Columbia Wine Institute for five years.

Today, his passion is to work overtime to help navigate the restaurant industry through challenges and opportunities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ian harnessed his experience and the power of BCRFA to become the first point of contact for government and media, offering comments and perspective on behalf of British Columbians more than 1000 times. By bringing together industry, the public, and government, BCRFA established itself as a trusted and pragmatic advocate.

The BCRFA pandemic crisis work has been recognized by the Premier of BC, BC’s Lieutenant Governor, and British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer. Recently, Ian was recognized as one BC’s top Power 50 people in BC and one of the top 500 business leaders in BC He was also nominated for Victoria Businessperson of the Year by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and Community Leader by the Vancouver. Ian was recently recognized by BIA Vancouver for their Outstanding Individual Award.

Ian is Chair of HAVE Culinary Training which operates in the DT Eastside of Vancouver. HAVE trains culinary skills to people with significant employment barriers. Students prepare meals each day to the thousands of people in the Downtown Eastside. HAVE then works to place students in restaurant jobs.

Ian is also a member of BC’s Small Business Round Table and a member of BC’s Technical Advisory Panel on Liquor Reform.