Leadership Team
Carla Ladeira
Director of human resources
Carla joined JAK’s in 2018, continuing her career in human resources and management. Carla has been instrumental in recruiting amazing team members and building the culture of JAK’s. Growing up in Canada’s unofficial wine capitol, Oliver, Carla has developed a love for all things wine. Carla and her husband, Mike, live in Vancouver with their two children.
James Franey
Director of Procurement
James joined JAK’s in 2018, from a hospitality management background. James’ passion for wine began during his two years living in Spain. He is a certified sommelier, and has his WSET Diploma. Away from JAK’s, James enjoys spending time with his young sons, playing soccer, and cooking up feasts for family and friends.
Sarah Osborne
director of sales
Sarah joined JAK's in 2018 with a background in retail management, luxury sales, and merchandising with Nordstrom and Nespresso. She is passionate about guest experience, leadership development, and product education. She completed her WSET Diploma in 2020. Outside of JAK's, you might find Sarah at an art gallery, a live comedy show, or Disneyland.
support centre Team
Christina Young
Talent acquisition & Training Manager
Christina worked her way up to an Area Manager role within JAK’s and returned to explore a new aspect of the business in Human Resources. She is passionate about finding amazing new talent for JAK’s. Outside of work, she’s usually cooking up new recipes, cuddling with her pups or on the golf course with friends.
Stephanie Ty
Controller – Accounting
Stephanie joined in 2006 when there were just 3 liquor stores and pubs, and it was not yet officially called JAK's. She’s seen the team grow and has been a part of the group for over 15 years.
Outside of work, she enjoys playing and spending time with my little niece. She is also an avid traveler and a foodie, and enjoys sightseeing and trying out local and foreign cuisines.
duncan maunders
Assistant Category Manager – Procurement
Duncan joined JAK's in 2016, working as a Product Specialist and Assistant Manager at South Granville before transitioning to the buying team. He has a passion for beer, wine, whisky, and cocktails, and is ever in pursuit of the perfect punch recipe.
Outside of JAK's, Duncan enjoys writing music, climbing, and hiking in the forests of North Van.
larissa rodrigues,
Buying Administrator
Larissa joined JAK's in 2016, at our New West location as a Service Champion. In 2017, she became a part of the Buying Department, assisting and supporting the procurement team. She is a Prud'homme Certified Beer Specialist and is a certified Whisky Ambassador.
Away from JAK’s, Larissa enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her corgi dog, Bailey.
evandro popeta
Manager, Data Analytics – Procurement
Evandro joined JAK’s in 2017, working for the Accounting Department and then in early 2018 became a part of the Buying Department.
After working 10 years in the IT industry and Banking industry, his knowledge for IT & data creates opportunities to develop new tools and procedures for the company on a daily basis. He is also a certified Whisky Ambassador.
When away from JAK's, he enjoys visiting new places with his family and really good barbecue.
Leadership development Coaches
Kam Ahmed
Leadership Development Coach
Kam began his journey with JAK's in 2018. He worked seasonally in liquor retail for nearly a decade while pursuing a Master's in Cinema before realizing that beer, whisky, and wine were more interesting. He has WSET Level 3 in both wines and spirits, is a Prud'homme certified Beer Sommelier, and a certified Whisky Ambassador.
Outside of JAK's, find him at the Cinematheque, a local brewery, or a dog trail—Say hello to Charlie!
Bradley Howard
Leadership Development Coach
Bradley joined JAK’s in 2015 with a diverse career in customer service and being a Professional Goaltending Coach for the last 15+ years. Bradley brings a commitment to guest service, hospitality, and team building. He has WSET Level 2, Prud'homme Level 2 and is a certified Whisky Ambassador.
When not at JAK’s, you’ll find him at the ice rink playing or coaching hockey, checking out a brewery or winery, or in the great outdoors.
store managers
Thomas chung
richmond general manager
Thomas was a Senior Immigration Officer in Hong Kong before joining JAK’s in 2018. He has WSET Level 3 in Wines, International Kikisake-shi (Sake Sommelier) certification, Canadian Wine Scholar, and is a Certified Cicerone®.
In his spare time, he spends time with family, runs marathons, and researching beverages.
Alex morrer
new west general manager
Alex joined JAK's in 2017. Originally from Brazil, he has been working in management and leadership for the past 15 years. He’s explored his passions from engineering to food and beverage by working at several retailers, hotels and restaurants.
Outside of JAK’s you can find him enjoying a good beer, preparing a nice meal, or hiking with his wife.
Gina Zaccheo
new west assistant manager
Gina has been with JAK’s since 2021 and has quickly climbed up to Asst Manager at our New Westminster location. Originally from South Florida, where she majored in Art History at Miami Dade College, she made the leap north and moved to Canada in 2019.
When not working, she can be found at the beach with family & friends, trying new places to eat and counts cooking, drawing and painting as some of her passions.
Andrea Ligas
Mission General Manager
Andrea moved to Canada in 2017 and started at JAK’s around the same time. Prior to this role, he worked in hospitality in numerous countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Singapore. He has his WSET Level 3, Prud’homme Level 2, WSET Sake level 1, and is a Whisky Ambassador.
Outside of JAK’s, he enjoys visiting wineries, attending rock concerts, football, and race care events, and trading in the crypto market.
tim Starritt
kingsway general manager
Tim joined JAK's in 2020 at our New Westminster store, then he moved to manage Kingsway in 2021. Before that, he spent many years in hospitality, including tending bar and crafting cocktails for Four Seasons Whistler and Shangri-la Vancouver. He has International Sommelier Guild Level 2, WSET Level 2 Wine, WSET Level 3 Spirits and Prud'homme Level 2.
When not at work, Tim can be found mountain biking, skiing, exploring local breweries with his wife or walking their dog Sophie.
Ashley townsend
Fleetwood General manager
Ashley joins the JAK’s team after years in retail management in 2022. She’s has her Prud’homme Level 1 and 2.
In her spare time, she is an avid boulderer and photographer, a lover of local breweries, and is a proud mom of two pet rats.
Jovica Kuzmanovic
South Granville Assistant Manager
Jovica joined JAK's in 2021. Before moving to Canada he spent more than 6 years traveling around the world while working on a cruise ship as a Sommelier and Beverage Manager. He has WSET Level 2 and Level 3 Wines.
Outside of JAK’s, he likes playing basketball or going to the Whitecaps games.
Leo Reboucas
General Manager Coquitlam central
Leo moved to Canada and joined JAK’s in 2021. He has over 20 years of sales management in various telecom companies in his home country, Brazil. He has WSET Level 2.
He loves to cook for family and friends, hiking in BC, and relaxing at home listening to his vinyl records.
Adriano Maso Coquitlam Central Assistant Manager
Adriano has been with JAK’s for a year. Prior to moving to Canada, he managed his property insurance business for over 5 years. He’s has his WSET 2.
In his spare time, he likes to ride his motorcycle, prepare Brazilian BBQs, and enjoying a good glass of wine.
Partners
John Kettlewell
Chairman
Meet the man behind the name JAK’s, John Andrew Kettlewell! John immigrated to Canada in 1972 from Australia after working with his father in a family plumbing business. He studied business at BCIT and finance and real estate at UBC in the 70’s. John worked in real estate development for five years and purchased his first location in 1981, joining a number of his in-laws in the liquor sector. Over the last ten years, John has built JAK’s to be a family business that shares a passion for people and spirits. John has extensive experience coaching local basketball teams, has been a director on various community and school boards, and enjoys travelling with his wife and friends.
Tim Dumas
Chief Operating Officer
Tim joined JAK’s in 2015 after spending the previous 11 years in sales and hospitality management. Tim studied accounting and marketing at Simon Fraser University, where he completed internships with Frito Lay and Ernst & Young. Tim is also a certified coach, speaker and trainer with the John Maxwell Team. Tim’s role with JAK’s allows him to do what he loves: coach, mentor and train JAK’s Service Champions to create raving fans utilizing the JAK’s leadership principles of: candor, generosity, vulnerability, edge and energy. Away from JAK’s, Tim can be found coaching minor sports with the South Delta United Soccer Association and the South Delta Rams Football Association.
Matt Kettlewell
Chief Administrator & Data Officer
Matt joined JAK’s in 1992, beginning as a bartender and bar manager, then progressing to store and area manager. Matt studied business leadership at BCIT and has been a partner with JAK’s for the past ten years. Away from JAK’s, Matt can be found coaching minor baseball in South Delta and spending time outdoors and at the beach with his family.
Geoff Dear
Director
Geoff joined JAK’s in 2010 after spending the previous 10 years in commercial aviation as an aircraft maintenance engineer; specializing in helicopters. Geoff studied wine in his first two years with JAK’s, obtaining WSET Level 3. Away from JAK’s, Geoff can be found coaching minor hockey for the Vancouver Thunderbirds or on the baseball field with Jericho Little League.
Mike McKee
Chief Financial & Real Estate Officer
Mike joined JAK’s in 2009 after spending the previous fifteen years in the recycling business. Mike received his Bachelors of Commerce from the Sauder School of Business. Away from JAK’s, Mike can be found on a tennis court, coaching field hockey, or enthusiastically cheering on his kids from the sidelines of a sports field.