President
Robert Simpson
Robert is an 8th-generation Canadian and native Vancouverite. In 1975 he established The Hawthornes, a fine dining restaurant in Washington state (USA) 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 1986, he opened Liberty Merchant Company Ltd., an import agency serving the needs of BC’s wine-passionate populace. Robert’s next step was to become General Manager of Liberty Wine Merchants, Western Canada’s largest privately-owned fine wine retail store chain.
Long-known for supporting the Oak Tree Clinic (BC Children’s Hospital) and amateur sports activities at the Vancouver Rowing Club, Robert organizes several fundraisers disguised as wine tastings: Taste BC (the largest local wine and food tasting) and the Tastings-in-the-Park series of four events.
Email:buy@libertywinemerchants.com
Director of Administration / Logistics
Nancy Hamm
Nancy has ten years experience with Liberty merchant company and currently handles administration & logistics.
Email:nancy@libertymerchantcompany.com
Administrative Assistant
Patti Lim
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.
Email:patti@libertywinemerchants.com
Director of Sales/ Buyer
Jason Magnusson
Jason brings over 10 years of food and beverage experience and a strong background in sales to Liberty. Prior to joining Liberty, his career and passion for wine have taken him to various countries around the world and cities across Canada.
Jason has his Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma.
Email:jason@libertymerchantcompany.com
Cell: 604.218.6673 Fax: 604.739.7801
Portfolio Manager
Andrew Topham
Originally from the Yukon, Andrew spent his childhood in Liberia before returning to Canada and eventually settling in the Okanagan. Andrew first joined Liberty in 1996 at its Point Grey location while a student at UBC. In addition to being our Portfolio Manager he is also a talented photographer. His portraits of local personalities have appeared in Ion, Exclaim, The Georgia Straight, The Toronto Star, Elm Street and West World Magazine.
Email: andrew@libertymerchantcompany.com
Cell: 604.839.9463 Fax: 604.739.7801
Marketing Manager
Christine Woolley
Experienced as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Christine brings resourceful creativity and enthusiasm to the team. With a Bachelor of Arts degree from UBC, Marketing Management from BCIT and a graphic design certificate from Emily Carr University, Christine is enthusiastic about expanding her knowledge of the wine industry. Christine is a creative soul with a love of music, the arts, photography and traveling.
Email:marketing@libertywinemerchants.com
Licensee and Retail Sales
Shelley Preston
Shelley Preston started with Liberty in the fall of 2005, and hasn't looked back. She has always had a love of wine, and decided to follow her passion with courses first with ISG, then through WSET. Completing her advanced certificate in Wine and Spirits.
When she is not pursuing her love of wine, she is pursuing her other passion, music. Shelley is currently putting the finishing touches on her and her partners original CD, and playing with her cover band.
Email:shelley@libertymerchantcompany.com
Cell: 604.839.9463 Fax: 604.739.7801
Licensee and Retail Sales
Jonathan Mergui
Jonathan comes to us from Toulon, France where he was raised. A graduate from the University of Haute-Savoie with a degree in Business and Communications, Jonathan first arrived in Vancouver in 2005 for a 6-month internship at the French Consulate. After completing his internship, he went back to France where he worked as a wine representative selling Banyuls and Collioure wines.
Returning to Vancouver in the summer of 2006, Jonathan and joined the retail team at the Liberty Granville Island location. Within one year, Jonathan moved to the Licensee and Retail Sales side of the business, excited to continue his work in wine sales.
Email:jon@libertymerchantcompany.com
Cell: 778.668.2617 Fax: 604.739.7800.
Licensee and Retail Sales
Mark Fiendell
Mark Fiendell comes from a diverse background of sales and marketing and discovered a love of wine and wine culture in his early twenties. Upon discovery of this new interest, Mark threw himself full-force into self wine education. After completing his level one and two of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, he knew that he was destined to channel this passion into a career, joining Liberty Merchant Company as a Sales Representative. Here, he has been able to combine a love of wine and wine education, and a talent for building long-lasting sales relationships with his numerous customers. Mark continues to expand his wine knowledge by keeping up with multiple publications and continuing with WSET education.
When not sipping wine, Mark has an equally engaging passion for music, and is always on the lookout for the next great band.
Email:mark@libertymerchantcompany.com
Cell: 604.839.1142 Fax: 604.739.7800.
Licensee Sales/ Asian Accounts
Christina Cheung
Since graduating from the Financial Management program at BCIT in 1988, Christina has been working as an accountant in retail, wholesale, restaurant, and manufacturing sectors in Metro Vancouver. She is well versed in the daily accounting and financial operations of a mid-sized company. She is also well connected to the local Chinese restaurant businesses through her many years of working and dealing in that specialized field.
如需廣東話服務, 可於星期一至五, 早上九時至下午五時致電:
604-739-7801 (Christina Cheung) 與張小姐聯絡
Email:christina@libertywinemerchants.com
Cell: 604.813.6862 Fax: 604.739.7800.