John Vani
Partner, President
John opened his first tile business in Duncan, BC in 1974 after a stint in Calgary & Red Deer, Alberta. John came back to the Lower Mainland and founded Bridgewater Tile Ltd. in 1979 (incorporated 1987). He built the business from two men working out of a truck, to 40+ employees working from a 5,000 square foot warehouse and office facility in Burnaby. John was an executive member of the Terrazzo Tile and Marble Association (TTMAC) of BC for fifteen years, four of which as President. John has a partnership interest in Euro-Can Marble and Granite; a slab fabrication shop supplying for both Residential and Commercial projects. Along with his life and business partner Liz, he has run Bridgewater as a family company for over 40 years while making their home on the north shore of Vancouver with their children and grandchildren.
Spencer Lawton
Partner
Spencer started his career as an estimator with a local tile company, working mainly in the lower mainland and with a focus on commercial projects. Spencer moved to Regina for several years and worked for a tile supplier as a sales representative of tile, setting material and all related equipment. This served to broaden his knowledge of the industry. After moving back to Vancouver and joining Bridgewater in 2013, Spencer began working in the high-end, single-family home division, working with John to expand this important segment of Bridgewater's business. Spencer is married and has recently celebrated their son's first birthday.
Aileen Cuevas
Estimator
Aileen joined Bridgewater Tile in August of 2019 as an estimator. Aileen has a post degree diploma in Project Management in Canada, together with her Master’s Degree in Architecture from Chile, she brings to the company two years of experience in the architectural field and a year as an estimator specializing in flooring. Aileen works in a variety of projects from high-end residential, commercial and multi-family projects. Outside of works, Aileen enjoys spending time with her husband and cat, and loves making crafts, jewelry and clothing.
Marketa Goller
Senior Accountant
Marketa joined Bridgewater Tile in November of 2020 and brings over twenty years of accounting experience to Bridgewater Tile. After graduating from McGill University, she moved to Vancouver and began her accounting career. She worked with a CPA for ten years and then focused on working with Not-For-Profit organizations. Outside of work, Marketa enjoys spending time at her cabin, walking the dogs and being with family and friends.
Leandro Valente
Project Coordinator
Leandro joined Bridgewater Tile at the beginning of 2020 as a laborer and quickly climbed the corporate ladder. He comes with over ten years of leadership and management experience that he shares with the team. In Brazil, Leandro received a Bachelor's in Business Administration and recently achieved his MBA in Strategic Management in Canada. Leandro is a go-getter, a team builder, and a people person. When not working, Leandro likes to explore; whether it be long hikes to far out wildernesses, camping in BC's forests, or developing his photography and videography skills, you can bet to find Leandro somewhere in the outback.
Andrew Carniel
Partner, Chief Operating Officer
Andrew joined Bridgewater Tile in 2020 and brings over fifteen years of construction experience and over twenty years of senior management experience to the team. Andrew has excelled at building strong, long-lasting relationships with stakeholders at all levels of industry and government. Outside of the office, Andrew is a dedicated family man who spends his time with his wife and two children.
Liz Vani
Customer Service
Liz's contribution to the business is multi-faceted from human resources, safety & customer service support to assisting customers with tile selection. Prior to Liz's time at Bridgewater, she was director of customer service and sales for a telecommunications company. As an “adult student`` and while rasing three children, she successfully completed her MBA at SFU. Along with a team of dedicated and skilled individuals, Liz & John take pride in the successful business and the solid reputation that Bridgewater has. Though Liz & John's children chose careers outside of the tile business, they feel that the Bridgewater team are ``family`` and after twenty-five years of marriage, deeply value the legacy they have built.
Mario Bulawit
Estimator
Mario joined Bridgewater Tile as an estimator in May of 2018 after moving from Winnipeg to BC. He has a degree in Science in Civil Engineering from Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines. Mario held various positions in the Philippines from Project Engineer to Project Manager until he immigrated to Winnipeg in 2007. He worked as project manager and estimator for various home builders and general contractors in Winnipeg from 2007 to 2018. At Bridgewater, Mario’s work now includes estimating on commercial, multi-family projects as well some high-end residential projects. Outside of work Mario is a dedicated family man and enjoys singing with the Novalis Choir.
Fernando Hillon
Estimator & Project Coordinator, Commercial
Fernando joined the Bridgwater team in September of 2022 as an Estimator and Project Coordinator in the Commercial Division. He is a civil engineer with a post-graduate degree in infrastructure and construction project management from Columbia. Fernando has over twelve years of experience primarily in commercial and industrial use. Outside of work, Fernando enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and playing sports such as golf and soccer.
Stefano Papa
Project Coordinator
Stefano has been with the Bridgewater team since the summer of 2021. He possesses a diversified work history ranging from being a youth therapeutic worker at a mental health and additions alternate high school program to a construction management background in general contracting and multifamily renovations. Stefano has a double Bachelor's in Sociology and Philosophy. When he isn’t busy working at the office, Stefano is busy developing his many hobbies; consisting of mixed martial arts, off roading, hunting, hiking, camping, snowboarding, cooking, and golfing.
Derick Pang
Partner
Derick joined Bridgewater Tile in 2001 after earning his diploma in Architectural and Building Technology from BCIT. His role has since expanded from estimator to project manager. Derick primarily works on the multi-family side of the business and with his nineteen years in the field, has built strong relationships with major developers, suppliers, and contractors alike. Derick is known for his easy-going personality and his can-do attitude. Outside of work, Derick enjoys watching and playing hockey. He is a dedicated family man and if he’s not watching or playing hockey himself, he can be found around the rink with his kids.
Leo Pedersen
Director, Commercial
Leo started his tile apprenticeship in 1976, later completing with Red Seal equivalent in 1979 from Hjorring Technical Institute in Denmark. After moving to Calgary and working as a tile setter and crew forman, Leo moved to Vancouver in 1989, working as an estimator. Leo continued to work as an estimator until 1997, when he started his own tile contracting business and continued until his employment as a project manager at Bridgewater Tile. Leo also worked alongside startup tile contractors on a contract basis. Leo is now a senior project manager at Brigdgewater Tile, returning in May of 2021. Leo has generated knowledge of all types of tile and stone, and constantly keeps up with new methods, giving his clients the best possible product. His motto is, “nothing is impossible”. Outside of work, Leo enjoys golf, and spending his time with his wife and two daughters.
Dave Griffith
Project Manager, Commercial
Dave joined Bridgewater in 2020, bringing with him more than twenty-five years of construction and flooring experience. He started out in the early 90’s as an apprentice for a family-owned flooring business in Northern Ontario. For the last fifteen years Dave has been primarily focused on managing commercial tiling projects of all sizes throughout the lower mainland and western Canada. When not at the office or spending time with his family, Dave enjoys working on his hobby farm and coaching hockey.
Lucas Skriko
Project Manager
Lucas joined Bridgewater in the summer of 2022, and brings expertise in all types of flooring. With his prior experience as a project manager, Lucas brings vast knowledge of management skills, problem solving expertise and an understanding of everyday construction ins and outs. Lucas's focus is on building long lasting, strong relationships with clients; offering a seamless process from pre-construction to completion. When not in the office, you can find Lucas coaching hockey during the winter and on the golf course during the summer.
Solmaz Arab
Office Administrator
Solmaz joined Bridgewater tile in September of 2022. She received a masters degree in Analytical Chemistry in Iran, and her interest in Business and Management motivated her to achieve her MBA degree in Canada. Solmaz brings over seven years of experience in administration, coordination, and leadership to the company. She is always open to learning new experiences and enjoys hiking, camping, cycling, watching movies, and reading books.