Beer Store top execs have Sudbury roots

Yes, beer can be a career. Meet two homegrown boys at the top of their game. Ted Moroz is president of The Beer Store. His high school friend, Don Chamberland, is vice-president of logistics.

Moroz actually plays twin roles. In 2009, he became president of Brewers' Distributors Limited, which services all provinces west of Ontario. Warehousing and distribution of product requires 7,000 employees, more than 300 trucks, feeding 12,000 licensees, the LCBO and 440 retail outlets in Ontario, plus half a million square feet of storage and trans-shipment.
 

Ted Moroz (left) and Don Chamberland don't just know their beers. These Nickel City natives know Greater Sudbury, too. Supplied

Though Beer HQ is down by Pearson International, it is clear Moroz and Chamberland consider Sudbury home. The Sudbury blood still runs in the veins of these good friends and workmates.

Moroz, who graduated from Laurentian University with a BA in political science, fondly recalls the closeness of community and its friendliness. “I miss that so much! As a kid, I spent a ton of time at Ramsey Lake...such great memories. I miss my Sudbury Wolves! My dad always took me to Wolves games and I still try to go when they play in Barrie or Brampton.”

Sudbury Secondary features big in this story, too. Not only did these two attend this iconic high school but Moroz reports... I met my wife, Luisa, there.”

Moroz, who returned home to live in Hanmer for several years in the early 1990s, fondly recalls years of coaching Valley East Minor soccer and hockey; Chamberland's remembrances of football under Sid Forester, and growing up with his brothers on Frood Rd. are strong.

Sudbury's strong social justice and union hall belief has an impact on anyone who lives here.

“My No. 1 asset is people,” says Moroz. He too is very proud of the company's environmental track record, including a 2011 designation from the GLOBE Foundation for Environmental Excellence.

“I work for my employees,” says Chamberland. And there clearly is a respect back.

These two were not parachuted into top jobs; they rose through the ranks.

In 1986, while stubbies were still de rigueur, Moroz started on the trucks and moved to direct contact with consumers. It was no surprise that he convinced his friend to come on board as another part-timer. Chamberland was then in his third year at Laurentian and thought sociology might lead to a job as a police officer. However by 1988, he had gone from bottle sorting at the Lorne St. store to across town and region, and an offer of full-time work.

The two friends have often worked together in different roles. “Kapuskasing, Toronto, district... management, problem-solving, service, and growing responsibilities and vision; a pathway upwards,” says Chamberland.

“I miss access to all the lakes,” he says about living in the south. “My grandparents had a place on Nepewassi.” There is genuine pride in his voice as we finish the interview. “Growing up here, and seeing the changes in the landscape. Sudbury is a great city.”

This article is reprinted from the Summer issue of Sudbury Living magazine. If you are not getting yours, contact the subscription department at 705.673.5667, ext. 364.

For more Sudbury Living articles, visit sudburylivingmagazine.com.

This article was written by Hugh Kruzel for Sudbury Living magazine.