Ian Tostenson, President and CEO
As the dynamic, passionate and forward thinking President & CEO of the BCRFA, Ian Tostenson combines energy and integrity with proven achievement in all areas of business. Ian spent most of his career as (CEO/President) successfully growing Cascadia Brands, which owned, Calona Vineyards, Sandhill Vineyards, Burrowing Owl Vineyards, Granville Island Brewing, Grady Wine Marketing and Potter Distilling. He is an appointed director to the Premier’s Permanent Small Business Roundtable and took on the challenge as an appointed member of BC’s Climate Team to chart out BC’s carbon future. Ian was BC’s second chairman for the BC Wine Institute, a finalist in the Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
and a recipient of the Business in Vancouver Under 40 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He served on the Board as a Director and President of the David Foster Foundation for over 22 years, which continues to create a lasting legacy for the benefit of families with children requiring life threatening organ transplants. He speaks to this cause regularly as well to the cause of H.A.V.E. CAFÉ, which he co-founded, sharing a passion to change lives in the downtown Vancouver eastside. Above all else, Ian is a coach and mentor to not only those in the business and his community service, but to those in his life. He is a sought after media contact and speaker that can be booked for select events locally and internationally.
Board of Directors
The BCRFA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that is comprised of industry leaders representing various segments of BC’s restaurant and food service industry.
Peter DeBruyn
Provincial Chair DeBruyn Consulting
Deanna Whissell
Bargreen Ellingson
Peter Teasdale
Treasurer
John Pigeon
Provincial Director A & W Food Services
Bob Parrotta
Past Chair Butchart Gardens
Jim Romer
Provincial Director Romers
Fabio Pizzolato Provincial Director Gordon Food Service
Eric Griffith Provincial Director Alta Bistro
Brent Durec
Provincial Director Sysco Kelowna
Amanda Nicoletti Secretary Foglifter Coffee