John Vellinga

John Vellinga Email and Phone Number

Founder and Chief Experience Officer (CXO) @ Zirkova Vodka
Toronto, ON, CA
John Vellinga's Location
Greater Toronto Area, Canada, Canada
John Vellinga's Contact Details

John Vellinga personal email

n/a
About John Vellinga

John is someone who marshals resources to a just cause. As an 18-year-old Officer Cadet, he defeated the Military Engineers team who had challenged and terrorized his platoon (and other recruits at CFB Chilliwack) on many exercises. He went on to defeat injustice where he found it. John is assertive, eloquent, funny yet professional. He has used his influence and tactics to overturn IMF decisions and change the foreign policies of some rather large nations. Social justice, LGBTQI and human rights are also his calling.He is a serial entrepreneur. John founded Multiculture Bevco Inc. which wholly owns Zirkova Vodka.Educated as a Systems Design Engineer at the University of Waterloo, he was elected to President of the Engineering Student Society and President of the University Federation of Students. While at UW, Mr. Vellinga co-founded the Waterloo Engineering Endowment Foundation, an innovative and widely imitated student-run endowment which at over $20 million, is one of the largest sources of funding for Engineering education - and the seed money for a $4 million 25,000 square foot student project centre - which is the envy of the world.Vellinga has 35 years of experience in a variety of industry sectors, including marketing, manufacturing, logistics, distribution and retailing. He has worked with such leading companies such as P&G, Canadian Tire Corp and GM. In 1997, he moved to Ukraine and was a founder and Managing Partner of Emergex Business Solutions (EBS), which has grown into one of Ukraine’s largest private management consulting firms, employing over 140 professionals, with many top-tier clients including both Pepsi and Coca-Cola, McCain Foods, IBM, McDonalds, TetraPak, MicroSoft and several investment funds.In 2017, John re-launched Zirkova One+Together vodka - which represents a merging of his own commitments to the world, charity and causes, with his business. Zirkova is now the #4 best selling vodka brand over $30 at the LCBO, the world's second-largest liquor buyer. Zirkova is beating multi-national brands with much larger marketing budgets - with the idea of "experience" - from the ground up.Since starting Zirkova, John has been a sought-after speaker on radio and television, including two appearances on CBC’s Dragons’ Den – for which he won a Viewers’ Choice Award – as the favourite pitch of seasons 4 and 5 – as voted on by the hit show’s TV audience. He has also been featured on practically every major media platform in Canada.

John Vellinga's Current Company Details
Zirkova Vodka

Zirkova Vodka

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Founder and Chief Experience Officer (CXO)
Toronto, ON, CA
Website:
zirkova.com
Employees:
6
John Vellinga Work Experience Details
  • Zirkova Vodka
    Founder And Chief Experience Officer (Cxo)
    Zirkova Vodka
    Toronto, On, Ca
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  • Zirkova Vodka
    Founder & Chief Experience Officer (Cxo)
    Zirkova Vodka Jan 2015 - Present
    Oakville, Ontario, Canada
    John is the co-founder and CXO of Zirkova, a Canadian-owned brand of ultra premium vodka. In the short few years that the Zirkova has been listed on the General List at the LCBO, Zirkova has become the #4 best-selling ultra premium in Ontario, beating several established, global corporate vodkas - a remarkable achievement for an independent brand.As CXO, John leads all aspects of the consumer’s experience and interaction with Zirkova: from the original design of the bottle and the conception of two versions - to how tastings and demonstrations are conducted - to how consumer issues are dealt with - to how the fan base is energized and evangelized.Before Covid, John conducted nearly 200 charity Vodka Experiences, which raised over $400K for charities. He trained and developed a team of demonstrators that delivered over 700 tastings in liquor stores – more than any other product at the LCBO. The team also conducted dozens of events which reached over 50,000 consumers. During Covid, John pivoted to offering on-line versions of the Vodka Experience for charity which continue to add to the total. On-line video demos by John, his co-founder Katherine and their many influencers, fans and friends - have reached over 20 million impressions, easily eclipsing the pre-Covid totals.John has used his skills in data analysis to develop unparalleled insights into the consumer and sales management of Zirkova.John has been a leading force in the industry and has been invited to train hundreds of LCBO Product Consultants, staff and industry professionals. He was nominated for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and won the Viewer’s Choice award for his appearance on Dragons’ Den. He also appeared on CBC’s Fortune Hunters. He has extensive media experience and exposure and is a polished, inspiring and sought-after commentator, panelist and keynote speaker for the media, events and conferences.https://www.facebook.com/ZirkovaVodkahttps://www.instagram.com/zirkovavodka
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  • V3 Consulting Solutions
    Founding Partner
    V3 Consulting Solutions Feb 2022 - Present
    Oakville, Ontario, Canada
    With 35 years of business experience in a wide variety of sectors, John Vellinga offers his unique talents and insights to select clients.
  • Ukrainian World Congress - Свiтовий Конґрес Українців
    Director Of Strategic Advisory Council
    Ukrainian World Congress - Свiтовий Конґрес Українців Mar 2022 - Aug 2022
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    When the war in Ukraine started, John felt the call to contribute in any way he could. John was a key member of the leadership team of the Unite with Ukraine initiative. Specifically, he was in charge of liaison with the Strategic Advisory Council (SAC), a group of distinguished retired Generals from around the world prior to launch.The SAC is chaired by retired Canadian Chief of Defense Staff, General Rick Hillier. Members include former Supreme Commander of NATO in Europe, 4-star General Wesley K. Clark, 4 star General and former Director of the CIA, General David H. Petraeus and former Chief of Defence Staff of the Netherlands, General Dick Berlijn. This impressive international group of former military leaders will be advising the Unite with Ukraine project on strategic matters, while also helping to ensure that the right kit is sourced and provided to the defenders of Ukraine. Efforts will be focused on getting the defenders the protective gear they need to survive, such as helmets, body armour, ballistic goggles and medical kits.The Unite with Ukraine initiative is raising funds through donations to equip the defenders of Ukraine. The primary but not exclusive focus is the Territorial Defence Forces. These are typically reservists and civilian volunteers who have left their peaceful lives behind and answered the call to defend their homeland. The Unite with Ukraine project has already raised $24 million through private donations, with a goal to reach $100 million. The Generals on the Strategic Advisory Council will also be assisting the project in these fundraising efforts.Donations can be made at:www,unitewithukraine.com
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  • Multiculture Bevco Inc.
    President
    Multiculture Bevco Inc. Jan 2002 - Mar 2022
    Founded in late 2001 by John Vellinga, Multiculture Bevco Inc. is a developer and marketer of niche alcoholic beverage brands. Its wholly owned brands include Zirkova Ultra Premium vodkas and Slava Ultra Premium vodka. It also has the exclusive Canadian distribution rights for Lvivske and Slavutich beers and Krimsekt sparkling wines. Zirkova is now the #4 top shelf vodka at the LCBO, outselling several established global corporate brands after only a few years on the market.John launched over a dozen products in 4 provinces (as well as the USA) and later decided to focus on the highly successful Zirkova vodka brand.John was nominated for EY Entrepreneur of the Year and won the Viewers' Choice award for his pitch on Dragons' Den and the hit series did a follow-up episode 3 years later. He is a known and respected force in the industry. He has applied for and received a bottle patent and several trademarks in over 100 countries.
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  • Ebs (Emergex Business Solutions)
    Co-Founder & Managing Partner
    Ebs (Emergex Business Solutions) 1997 - 2001
    Kiev, Ukraine
    John co-founded EBS with Helen Volska, Katherine Vellinga and Lenna Koszarny. EBS is a Management Consulting Firm in Kyiv Ukraine, the first such business in the country. EBS is now the largest private consulting firm in Ukraine. He built the firm from 2 employees to 20 in 4 years and generated billable revenues of over $2,000,000 in the first 3 years of operation.John was elected to the Board of Directors of the AmCham (American Chamber of Commerce) and the CUBI (Canada-Ukraine Business Initiative) Chamber. He was the primary “rain-maker” leading business development for the firm, as well as his own project work, which specialized in Organizational Transformation and Re-engineering.EBS’ client list was - and still is - a who’s-who of international, regional and local businesses. Clients at the time included: Coca-Cola, IBM, Lucent, Microsoft, UMC, TetraPak, PepsiCo, Sandora, Western NIS Enterprise Fund, McDonald’s, Horizon Capital, McCain Foods, Consumers Glass and many others. In 2004, he sold to Helen, one of the original partners, who remains a dear friend to this day and they continue to grow. The Strategy Deployment methodology he developed continues to evolve and be used with EBS clients.Highlights:• Shepherded the transformation of Europe’s largest malt plant for BBH (Carlsberg) Ukraine, resulting in a quantum leap in quality and 10X return for the client when the facility was finally sold to a strategic.• Project-managed the introduction of a pre-paid mobile telephone product and system for UMC (at the time, the largest mobile provider in Ukraine).• Managed the organizational transformation of Sandora, a beverages company, ending up in the sale to PepsiCo, valuing the company at $750 million.• Led the transformation and re-engineering of SBK, a brick manufacturer, resulting in huge returns for the investor client.• Developed the Organizational Transformation and Re-engineering practice for EBS, generating millions in returns for clients.
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  • Canadian Tire Corporation
    Supply Chain Improvement Project Manager
    Canadian Tire Corporation 1995 - 1997
    John was recruited by Canadian Tire to streamline and re-engineer the company's supply chain - from place of manufacture through distribution to point of sale. He worked with E&Y consultants, developed and documented the methodology, then hired and led a team of 10 logistics and engineering professionals to execute over 50 supply chain re-engineering projects. His project generated margin improvements of up to 10% on thousands of products, which led to a huge increase in competitiveness at a critical time for the company, with WalMart and Home Depot's entry depressing stock prices and creating formidable threats to the company's very existence. This legacy can still be felt today. Out of a sense of loyalty and patriotism, he developed a manual for his successor to manage the team and gave the company a highly appreciated 4 months of notice before pursuing his entrepreneurial venture with EBS in Ukraine.Highlights:• Generated cost savings in excess of $5 million annually – exceeding the goal by 2.5X• Achieved the highest employee satisfaction rating for his team in a survey conducted among nearly 30,000 people corporate-wide (which included employees from dealerships)• Selected for “Leading into Tomorrow” – CTC’s development program for promising senior managers
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  • Procter & Gamble
    Logistics Manager
    Procter & Gamble 1993 - 1995
    Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
    John managed the implementation of a new multi-million dollar Warehouse Management System for P&G's Canadian Distribution Centre. He internally sourced a team of top technicians to re-engineer the processes of the DC and prepare the work-force for a totally new technology. He simultaneously managed the step-by-step, phased in physical transition of the distribution centre to familiarize workers with the new systems – bit by bit – and make the entire facility ready for when the “switch was thrown” and the system went 100% live.John spent only a fraction of the significant software change budget, preferring to adapt work processes to the existing system to avoid the costs and bugs that come from changes. This came from an intimate familiarity with the actual job being done.This innovative approach led to a text-book successful and issue-free implementation which became a model and case study for P&G world-wide. Workers enthusiastically embraced what could have been a threatening technology. Managers from DC’s from Korea, Germany, the US and all over the world traveled to Canada to study and re-apply the methods he used at their own facilities.John learned how to drive a lift truck really, really well. He could squirrel away a pallet into a high rack with the best. Other managers were confused as to why he would "waste" his time on this. But there were three benefits: 1) He understood the work processes he was going to change; 2) It gave him "street cred" with the workers who would be affected; 3) When shit hit the fan and the day was busy, he was the only manager who could pitch in and drive. Which helped with points 1 and 2. Probably why it all worked?Highlights:• Completely re-designed work processes for the distribution centre's personnel• Selected a team of technicians and workers to lead and champion the transition• Generated $1.9 million in annual cost and efficiency savings• Underspent the software change budget, saving nearly $200K
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  • Procter & Gamble
    Technical Packaging Team Manager
    Procter & Gamble 1991 - 1993
    Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
    Right out of University, John was hired by P&G and given the daunting task of replacing a seasoned manager who was retiring after years of service and experience. He managed a team of experienced packaging professionals which assured the quality and optimized packaging materials as well as working to support and improve the efficiency of the company's manufacturing plants.Being young and inexperienced compared to his team was a challenge that he overcame by providing new approaches to project management, experiment design and statistical analysis. He developed relationship with his reports, especially one veteran, who had more experience than the rest of the team combined. Once he was on board. they all were. In addition to the day-to-day motivation and operation of the team, John was given another herculean challenge: “improve the company’s manufacturing efficiency – by reducing packaging material down-time by 50%.” That was it. Figure it out!Over the next 6 months, John educated himself on packaging materials, the processes at each plant and supplier facilities and proposed a solution. He developed a system for supplier quality certification and development (ironically named SQUID), which when implemented, indeed reduced packing line down-time by over 50%, saving the company millions. SQUID was adopted as a global standard by P&G. During this time, he also oversaw 30+ packaging material optimization projects, saving the company over $3 million.
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  • Federation Of Students
    President
    Federation Of Students May 1990 - Feb 1991
    Waterloo, Ontario
    John was elected by the student body of University of Waterloo to serve as President of the Federation of Students. John took on the usual responsibilities of “Fed Prez” a position that required a political mind as well as a business sense, as the Feds ran business in the range of $5 million at the time with 2 pubs, several restaurants, clubs, associations, etc.But the real reason he ran was to be the Champion behind the proposed Student Life Centre. He worked tirelessly with architects, planners and the University to develop a plan for a state of the art $22 million athletic and student activity centre. John had been persuaded to run for the position (and put off his career for a year) due to his success in convincing Engineering students to levy a $75 fee upon themselves in a referendum to create the Waterloo Engineering Endowment Foundation. It became his job to develop the plan and then sell it to the student body and win a referendum for a student fee to partially finance it.Ultimately, he failed in that task, lost the referendum and resigned only a few months shy of completing his term. What at the time seemed like a total failure, over time became something more. The process of creating a major development plan with professionals and stakeholders turned out to be a powerful experience. In time, large parts of the plan were borrowed and built. A few years later, a scaled down version of the plan became bricks and mortar on campus.
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  • General Motors
    Simulation And Process Analyst
    General Motors 1988 - 1990
    Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
    John spent three work terms with GM, all of them in the Advanced Manufacturing Think Tank, which was extremely cool, especially given his love for manufacturing and cars in general (motors)!In his first work term, John did an analysis of the RIM (Reaction Injection Moulding) plant in Oshawa, which was making the new bumpers for cars. There was a throughput problem and his simulation helped to solve it.But it was in his second work-term when John earned his stripes. The Oshawa CK pickup truck plant was tacked out. Demand had exceeded supply and every lost job was a lost sale. The culprit was the chassis-trim ”marriage station”, where the frames with motors and transmissions, were joined with cabs and boxes. Something was off.Before even doing a computer simulation, John spent 3 weeks on the floor, earning the trust of the CAW workers and understanding the issues at hand. After all that time on the floor, John observed an occasional traffic issue with AGVs, essentially undetected by systems, that starved the “marriage station” about 1 in 25 times. Fueled with that insight, he computer-simulated a minor change that when implemented, resulted in a 2% improvement in throughput. That might seem small, but it was worth almost $30 million to GM. Needless to say, he got a rather good evaluation on that work-term.John also did some other fun stuff at GM, drawing in his DJ and media experiences, producing a multimedia show called “Feel the Acceleration” that was designed to motivate and inspire employees. He was a part of a task force that reduced the option proliferation on vehicles, saving the corporation almost a hundred million dollars. He created an exceptional analogy for the marketing team that convinced them to be more like HONDA and less like Pontiac.
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  • Canadian Armed Forces
    Officer Cadet
    Canadian Armed Forces Jun 1985 - Sep 1985
    Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
    John was recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces to enter its Officer Training program, en route to studying Aeronautical Engineering at Royal Military College. He started BOTC8507 (Officer Boot Camp) in Chilliwack BC. A little over half-way through the program, John was informed that he would not be getting his choice of serving in the RCAF, like his father. Having also been accepted to the prestigious Waterloo Systems Design Engineering program, John decided to not pursue a career in the military. However, he was loving every minute of Boot Camp and the extraordinary experience, camaraderie and training that it provided. He convinced the senior officers and NCO's to allow him to continue and complete his training with the now-beloved remaining members of his platoon (about 50% drop out during the program). John was a pretty innovative leader and as it turns out, a really good shot with an FNC1. It also helped that he already knew how to make a bed, iron a shirt and shine shoes before he got there.He graduated with a Certificate of Military Achievement and was Honourably Discharged. He still has his uniform. But it doesn't fit anymore! His original combat boots were worn out in 1995, but he now has new ones for the times in Ukraine.
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  • Direct Drive
    Disk Jockey
    Direct Drive 1983 - 1985
    Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
    While it is rare to list "Teenage" jobs on a LinkedIn profile, this is unique and shows that his entrepreneurial spirit started very early - and an ability to train and develop people at a teenage age. Also, this venture would not be insignificant, even if it were part of a full-time portfolio of experience.In 1983, John began his first entrepreneurial adventure by becoming a well-paid and sought-after DJ. For two years, he and a partner headlined a DJ Show called "Direct Drive". Through the Turntable agency, Direct Drive became a feature at high school dances throughout Ontario, commanding fees of $1000 per performance ($2500 in todays dollars). Direct Drive eschewed the "Video Dance" craze of the time, preferring a huge sound and light extravaganza and high energy on stage performances. On occasion, they would also do big weddings or other events.In the summer of 1984, at the tender age of 17, John co-founded "Club 169" pushing the owners of the Bala Bay Inn into making a change, transforming a moribund hotel lounge into one of Muskoka's hottest night spots for two summers. He was not old enough to drink in the club he created. But, it not only gave John an amazing summer (being able to swim, sail and water-ski by day - the best time - and work at night), the new revenue from Club 169 helped keep the entire hotel afloat under challenging conditions. He trained two successors to take over in the summer of 1985, when he went off to Canadian Forces Officer Boot Camp, which prolonged the run for the owners. Ultimately, the hotel failed after the Club was discontinued, but one of John's replacements was the son of the owner, who went on to become a very successful DJ with Turntable.

John Vellinga Skills

Strategic Planning Strategy Management Leadership Management Consulting Marketing Strategy Manufacturing Consumer Products Retail Marketing Entrepreneurship New Business Development Process Improvement Business Strategy Team Leadership Business Planning Product Management Supply Chain Management Negotiation Logistics Food And Beverage Start Ups Alcoholic Beverages Product Development Packaging Sales Management Industrial Engineering Fmcg Cross Functional Team Leadership Business Intelligence Business Development Finance Competitive Analysis Beer Forecasting Liquor Stores Logistics Management P&l Management Mergers And Acquisitions Telecommunications Supply Chain

John Vellinga Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about John Vellinga

What company does John Vellinga work for?

John Vellinga works for Zirkova Vodka

What is John Vellinga's role at the current company?

John Vellinga's current role is Founder and Chief Experience Officer (CXO).

What is John Vellinga's email address?

John Vellinga's email address is jv****@****ing.com

What schools did John Vellinga attend?

John Vellinga attended University Of Waterloo, Queen's University, Queen's University, P&g Management Training, P&g College, Landmark, Waterloo Collegiate Institute.

What are some of John Vellinga's interests?

John Vellinga has interest in Social Services, Children, Economic Empowerment, Politics, Education, Environment, Poverty Alleviation, Science And Technology, Human Rights, Animal Welfare.

What skills is John Vellinga known for?

John Vellinga has skills like Strategic Planning, Strategy, Management, Leadership, Management Consulting, Marketing Strategy, Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Retail, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, New Business Development.

Who are John Vellinga's colleagues?

John Vellinga's colleagues are Liliana Garcia, Derek Anderson.

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