Russell Tabata is a Senior Advisor, Technical Services at First Key. He is a seasoned executive with 30+ years experience in the brewing and beverage industry. He focuses on operations strategy, leadership and management. Russell works with clients to assess their operations from the top down through evaluations of people, processes, and equipment, which leads to the development of plans to deliver both short term and long term strategic and sustainable gains. He is an operations “turn-around” specialist who can help guide struggling organizations forward.

Prior to joining First Key, Russell was the Chief Technical Officer at Lakeport Brewing LP where he led the company’s operational transformation out of bankruptcy protection, through an IPO, and culminating in the acquisition by Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) in 2007. In a subsequent role, as Chief Operating Officer at Waterloo Brewing LTD., Russell was instrumental in the organization’s transformation and growth which resulted in it’s acquisition by Carlsberg Breweries A/S in 2023. Prior to these roles, Russell held various roles at Molson Coors Beverage Company, including Director Operations, Director Quality, Reliability and Process Improvement, and Brewery Manager.

Russell was also an active member of the Brewers Association of Canada’s Technical Committee and Product Quality Committee. Russell holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer.