ABOUT US

Alex Rice

President

Alex Rice is the co-founder and President of Nova Scotia Spirit Co. After attending business school at the University of Prince Edward Island Alex went on to explore the mountains of BC where he held increasing levels of responsibility in the tourism and hospitality industry, completing his tenure as Director of Sales and Marketing at a Ski Resort in Smithers, BC. Subsequently, he pursued his passions for sales and marketing holding increasing levels of responsibility with 2 major BC Breweries. With those incredible experiences under his belt, his entrepreneurial journey began. Alex is credited with co-founding numerous successful businesses including a Marketing Agency and a Software Company before his proudest accomplishment to date; Nova Scotia Spirit Company. 

Kent Williams, CPA, CA

Chief Financial Officer

Kent Williams was born and raised in Pictou County.  He received his early education in Barney’s River Station School (a one room schoolhouse)  for grades P to 6 and East Pictou Rural High School.  He received a BBA degree from St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) University in 1977.  He obtained his CA degree in 1979 while working in Sydney, N.S. with Doane Raymond (now Grant Thornton) and transferred to Vancouver BC in 1980 for two years , returning to New Glasgow, NS in 1982.  In 1985 he left Doane Raymond to work with a local firm in New Glasgow.  He sold the practice to Grant Thornton in 2017 and continued to serve his clients through Grant Thornton until joining Nova Scotia Spirit in 2021.

Kent lives in New Glasgow with his wife Jane.  They have three daughters and two granddaughters.

Joel Pineau

Manager of Making Shit Work and Making
Shit Work Better

Joel Pineau leads Nova Scotia Spirit Co’s maintenance program and finds innovative solutions to manufacturing problems. Joel is trained as a  red-seal machinist and is a passionate hobbyist, tinkerer and jack-of-all trades. After work Joel enjoys kicking back with his dog Bruce, and a cold Blueberry Lemon Vodka Soda.

Evan MacEachern 

Director of Business Development

Evan was the first employee of Nova Scotia Spirit Co. when it was established in 2015. Since then, he has worked his way through many roles and been a driving force behind sales growth for the company. Evan studied at Saint Francis Xavier University where he earned a BA with a focus on Psychology. His passion for the beverage alcohol industry stems from early in his working career where he spent four years developing new restaurants in the UK as well as in Nova Scotia. Evan has also been an active member in his community’s youth development programs from coaching sports programs to volunteering in after school programs for children at-risk to leading company fundraising efforts.

Scott Decoste

Director of Planning, Supply Chain & Procurement

Scott was one of the first employees and he has played an important part in the growth of Nova Scotia Spirit Co during his 5-year tenure. Scott wears many hats and has contributed to company success in many different roles including Spirits Manager, Area Sales Rep, and Operations Manager. Scott brings a wealth of knowledge from his educational background in Engineering as well as his additional beverage industry training. Scott is a talented musician and has performed for many local events and contributes his time to charitable initiatives whenever he can. Scott is looking forward to continued growth, advancement into new markets, and to many more reasons to celebrate NS Spirit Co. in the future.

Kristen Williams 

Director of Finance and Human Resources

Kristen is a Chartered Professional Accountant who first obtained her BBA from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Kristen worked as a staff accountant at public accounting firm FK Williams CA Inc. from 2013 – 2017 while completing her CPA designation. before joining Nova Scotia Spirit Co as its first controller. Kristen is actively involved in the community and has served as the Treasurer for the Pictou County Sexual Health Centre since Spring 2014.

Breanna Rice 

Director of Strategy and Marketing

Breanna completed her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 2012 from the University of Prince Edward Island. Breanna spent several years in the public service including time working in marketing, policy development, and infrastructure communications at several different departments and agencies. In her free time, Breanna enjoys travelling, cycling, and hiking. .

Paul MacLeod

Operations Manager

Paul graduated from StFX University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2005. While attending university, Paul explored his passion for entrepreneurship by operating his own painting franchise. After graduation, Paul started his career with Scotsburn Dairy Group as Operations Supervisor and HACCP Coordinator at their fluid milk processing facility in Stellarton. In 2008, Paul was promoted to Production Manager, he remained in this position until Scotsburn closed this facility in 2014. Several years later when the facility was acquired by Nova Scotia Spirit Co. and repurposed for vodka soda production Paul was recruited as the Operations Manager for his old stomping grounds.

Alex Henderson 

Marketing and Events Manager

Originally from Pictou County, Alex started out pouring Blue Lobster Vodka as a bartender, and joined the Nova Scotia Spirit Co. Team while completing a Public Relations degree from Mount Saint Vincent University. Focused on experiential marketing, brand development and online media management, Alex has been able to help grow the Blue Lobster Vodka Soda brand from the ground up, and is very excited about the continued growth and opportunities to come.

Alex enjoys spending time outdoors, with family, and leading the charge at community events

Her favorite cocktail is a gin smash on tap at Blue Lobster Public House

Shane Beehan 

Brand Ambassador & Bartending Expert

Shane Beehan was born in St. John’s Nfld. and raised in Nova Scotia and his East Coast roots have always been a strong source of inspiration. His first job in the industry was as a dishwasher, which led to moonlighting as a cook while working on his Masters Degree in English focusing on Atlantic Canadian Literature. Curiosity got the best of him and his love for local lore, flavors, hospitality and good conversation came together and he found himself behind the bar. Over the last decade Shane has helped establish Halifax as a beacon for hospitality and great cocktails, with his bar recently being ranked #6 best bar in the Country. He won the Canadian Disaronno Mixing Star competition and is a 7 time National Finalist for some of the most prestigious competitions in the Country. He has represented Nova Scotia and Canada internationally at various bartending events and conferences and loves nothing more than learning about another culture and sharing his own. He is a proud part of the NS Spirit Co. Team.

Michaela Gardner

Halifax & South Shore Sales

Michaela Gardner is the territory manager for Halifax-South at Nova Scotia Spirit Co. She works with the NSLCs in HRM and southern Nova Scotia, as well as licensees to bring our quality products to their bars, restaurants and retail stores.

Her previous work through the years has included stints serving at Halifax restaurants, running start-up competitions for early stage technology companies, and direct sales in health and wellness, as well as volunteer experience in fundraising and serving on non-profit boards. 

Michaela holds an honours degree in international development from Dalhousie University with a minor in business management and an advanced diploma in public relations from Nova Scotia Community College. If you want to strike up a conversation with Michaela, just ask about her goldendoodle.

Daniel Perigo

Dartmouth & North Shore Sales

Daniel was born and raised in Truro, Nova Scotia with a strong passion for athletics. He moved to Ontario and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology while playing on the Men’s Varsity Hockey Team at the University of Waterloo. After three years in university, Daniel pursued a professional hockey career in North America and later finishing in Europe. Daniel has recently moved back to Nova Scotia with his girlfriend and dog, Stanley. When not at work you can find Daniel golfing, biking, or on the trails with Stanley.

Daniel has always had a love and appreciation for the alcohol industry, whether it was exploring vineyards in France, visiting distilleries in Ireland or sampling local craft beers. Daniel tends to engulf himself in the local flavours. Since joining the team at Nova Scotia Spirit Co he has opened his pallet to a new favourite cocktail; gin and tonic.

Nathaniel Rice

Prince Edward Island Sales

James MacDonald

Cape Breton Sales

James MacDonald is territory manager for Cape Breton. James works with licensees on the island from local legions, to everyday pubs, restaurants, seasonal businesses along the cabot trail and everyone in between. When he’s not working, James loves cooking and spending time with his family. Terry Fox is a huge hero of James’ and he once emulated a day in the life, running a marathon 2 miles at a time throughout the whole day to raise money for a local farmers market in trouble during the covid-19 pandemic. 

 James has been a part of Nova Scotia Spirit Company since the early days, and while he loves all the products his favourite is the Blue Lobster Blueberry Lemon vodka soda!