BIG ROCK CEO DELIGHTED TO BE BACK IN BEER BIZ
Arsenault calls it a true craft brewery, using a spirit of care and detail
To enjoy the aroma when arriving at work must be a good start to the day, and Wayne Arsenault loves the smell of the Big Rock Brewery where he recently took the helm as president and CEO.
Arsenault, who grew up in New Brunswick and got his business administration degree there, started his career in the softdrink business. After a spell with McCain Foods, he joined CocaCola, where he progressed to the position of plant manager.
His success in keeping costs down and running a clean plant saw him recruited by Molson.
He was immediately converted to the beer industry and was moved to Vancouver to execute a turnaround there, before he was offered the general manager’s position at Molson’s Toronto plant overseeing 1,000 employees.
After a merger created Molson Coors Brewing Co., Arsenault was responsible for global organization design and travelled often throughout Canada, the United States and to the U.K.
The travel schedule and a lack of family time at home in Oakville, Ont., led Arsenault and his wife, Claudette, to rethink his career.
He applied for a position at Moosehead Breweries in St. John, N.B., and was hired as a vice-president responsible for operations, human resources, communications and modernization.
He later made the switch to the pet food industry, becoming CEO at Corey Nutrition.
He’s now back in the beer business, running one of the country’s largest craft brewers founded by Ed McNally in 1986.
The Calgary brewery, on 76th Avenue S.E., has a local staff of 150 and others at its breweries in Ontario and B.C.
Big Rock Urban Brewery and Eatery is in the heart of the Brewery Creek/Mount Pleasant district of Vancouver. The Toronto operation is called Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brew Pub in the Etobicoke area.
Much of the Big Rock enjoyed in B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario still travels from the Calgary brewery. Arsenault describes it as a true craft brewery using a spirit of care and detail to brew its smaller full flavour batches. The barley used is locally grown and even the cans are made in Alberta.
Hops can be seen growing outside Arsenault’s office window; the plants tended by employees on their own time, who are allowed to take them home to brew their own beer.
Arsenault says he will not change favourite Big Rock labels such as Traditional and Grasshopper, but may simplify some of its other brands.
NEWS AND NOTES
Organizers of the Oct. 20 Victories Gala at the Telus Convention Centre are hoping to send 12 cadets on a 10-day battlefield tour in 2018, and also provide funding for local and reserve schools that do not have a budget for busing students to tour the Military Museum.