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.

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 witha 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 thecommunity 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.