WHAT’S OUR CULTURE?
Relaxed. Open-minded. Fun. Which means we love to collaborate creatively with one another and our partners. Some of our best ideas have come from sitting around on lobby couches, sharing some laughs – with perhaps a charcuterie board on the table and a beverage in hand. We find great new ideas come from this relaxed atmosphere.
We love our traditions, our casual dress and welcoming new people to the Greenbridge family, whether a new employee, a brand partner or a new distributor partner. We’re all about growth and building strong, lasting relationships. Oh, and, by the way, many of us are bilingual.
MEET OUR TEAM
We bring together a committed team, a superior marketing approach and creative services that will help you grow your business and prepare you for the future of foodservice with confidence.
Collectively, we boast more than a century of experience in the foodservice industry – experience that we use to serve our partners. We believe in independent operators because, like us, they are working to build their businesses. We are devoted to changing the way the foodservice industry operates to make it more transparent and streamlined.
Brian J. Hopkins
President & CEO
Brian is a passionate, entrepreneurial leader who has held progressive positions within the foodservice industry for over 30 years. Prior to founding Greenbridge Foodservice, Brian was V.P. Sales & Marketing at Flanagan Foodservice Inc. for 10 years; before that, he held senior positions at William M. Dunne & Associates Limited and Fairlee Fruit Juice Ltd.
Recognizing the need at all levels of the foodservice industry for an alternative national distribution network, Brian brought together a group of 7 strong independent (and progressive) foodservice distributors from coast to coast to create Greenbridge Foodservice in 2014.
Kristen Storer
Vice-President, Marketing & Operations
Kristen began working in the foodservice industry from an early age and has been involved in all capacities from serving to managing a national quick service restaurant, to sales, finance and marketing. When she graduated from Conestoga College at the top of her class in Business Administration, her passion and knowledge for food made her a natural for a career in the foodservice industry. She immediately started working as a Distributor Sales Representative where her dedication and commitment to customer service allowed her to significantly grow her territory by acquiring several of the largest independent customers in her region.
In 2014, she joined Greenbridge Foodservice as the second employee, and has been instrumental in all facets of the business. Kristen’s responsibilities include managing the financial aspects of the Greenbridge Foodservice operation as well as leading the marketing strategies with Greenbridge’s national business partners.
Guy Bourbeau, BSc
Vice-President, Category Management
With over 30 years of foodservice experience, Guy has in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the industry and has gained an excellent reputation with peers and suppliers, both nationally and internationally. With a father who was a teaching master in the culinary arts and owner/operator of a large family catering business, Guy’s early introduction to the industry began with preparing three meals a day for young campers as part of the family business. Prior to joining Greenbridge, Guy was V.P of Merchandising and Marketing for the largest foodservice distribution company in North America. Guy is a graduate from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree and is completely confident communicating in both English and French.
Craig Straus
Category Manager
Craig not only brings 30 years of foodservice knowledge, but a reputation that is second to none within the foodservice industry. Craig began his career in the foodservice industry as a Junior Buyer in 1988, and over the years there isn’t a product or a category that Craig has not been involved in or dealt with. Throughout his career he has worked with several major foodservice distributors ranging from small local distributors to national and even international organizations, while holding progressive roles including Senior Manager of Purchasing.
Craig has an in-depth knowledge in all foodservice categories, and is a great value to our distribution members and our valued supplier partners as a key component of the Greenbridge Foodservice team.
Michelle DaSilva
Marketing Manager
Michelle started working in the foodservice industry as a server for a small family-owned fine dining restaurant many years ago and was passionate about the challenges that independent restauranteurs faced. After completing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Conestoga College and working in administration within different industries, she returned to the foodservice business in a different capacity. Her attention to detail and accuracy help provide valuable analytics to our customers and vendors in order to improve their decision making and grow their business.
Shirley Quehl, CMA, CPA
Controller
Shirley brings over 30 years of diversified finance and accounting experience with her to the position of Controller. Shirley holds a CMA, CPA designation, and utilizes her training and experience to maintain accurate and timely financial records, and provide insightful analysis on many types of business questions.
Brianna Van Rassel
Marketing Associate and Translator
Brianna has held many positions within the foodservice and hospitality industries. She was first introduced to the foodservice business as a young teenager working as a barista in a local coffee shop. With a degree in psychology from the university of Ottawa, Brianna brings a fresh and dynamic perspective to her marketing. She is creative, analytical, and fully bilingual. She is passionate about the foodservice industry and enjoys seeing projects unfold from start to finish.
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Randy Vanderlaan
Greenbridge Marketing Consultant
Randy has amassed over three decades of foodservice industry experience, most notably with Maple Leaf Foods, Gordon Food Service and Newhall Klein. His experience includes Maple Leaf Foodservice Ontario Business Unit Manager as well as senior management positions in every facet of foodservice sales, marketing, merchandising, and procurement. Randy’s role at Greenbridge is focused on development of innovative customer focused marketing solutions.
Jeff Funston
Greenbridge Creative Consultant – Bravada Consumer Communications Inc.
Jeff Funston, Creative Director and owner of Bravada Communications is working with Greenbridge Foodservice, to assist in our creative direction and support. Jeff’s 37+ years of experience in the advertising industry provides Greenbridge with expertise in designing and developing marketing materials that will ensure products and services support sales efforts while making a memorable impression.
Bravada has been delivering their customers – both small independent, and large multi-nationals – with top-shelf creative services for over 20 years. From retail campaigns, product launches, package design, radio and television to industry trade brochures and magazines, Bravada has touched every point of the industry. Along with a stable pool of experienced writers, photographers and food stylists their expertise and professionalism has helped clients achieve their marketing goals with a creative flare.
Ian Mitchell
Greenbridge Fractional C.F.O. – Mitchell Advisory
Ian Mitchell, Founder and Principal of Mitchell Advisory & Financial Services, works with Greenbridge Foodservice as its Chief Financial Officer on a permanent part-time basis. Ian brings 30+ years of diverse experience in operational and corporate finance functions from industries including brand management, franchising, retail, manufacturing and distribution; both domestically and internationally. Most recently, Ian was the Vice President of Finance, I.T. and H.R. for M&M Meat Shops Ltd. prior to the sale of the company in July 2014.
Mitchell Advisory provides senior level strategic and tactical financial support to businesses and delivers customized, confidential and effective solutions by working with Owners, CEO’s and Presidents of medium - large enterprises on a project, interim, or permanent basis. Recent assignments include and have included family office management and investment due diligence, real estate development, biotechnology, and industrial distribution.
Lisa Modesto
Greenbridge HR Consultant – Modesto HR Advisory
Lisa Modesto, Principal and Founder at Modesto HR Advisory, works with Greenbridge Foodservice on its human resources and health and safety needs on a part-time basis. Lisa’s most recent experience includes leading human resources at a large, multi-site manufacturing company, as well as lecturing in HR and employment law at Conestoga College. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Certified Human Resources Leader designation.
Modesto HR Advisory helps small to medium-sized businesses by developing practical HR solutions and providing both strategic and tactical support. Clients represent diverse industries, including technology, financial services, construction, and marketing solutions, on a project or interim basis.