George Soleas

George Soleas is President & Chief Executive Officer of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the largest liquor jurisdiction in Canada with 680 stores and sales of over $7.3 billion. He joined the LCBO in 1997 after serving more than 11 years with the Canadian wine industry, taking on progressively senior leadership positions until he was named President & Chief Executive Officer in 2016. George’s diverse education includes a BSc from McMaster University, a diploma in Oenology from U.C. Davis, as well as a MSc and PhD from the University of Toronto. He remains committed to higher education through professional affiliations with several higher institutions. George completed executive training through the New CEO Workshop at Harvard Business School, the Breakthrough Program for Senior Executives at
IMD in Switzerland. He received the ICD.D designation in 2019 at the Rotman Institute of Corporate Directors program. His oenological and biochemical research has led to eight book chapters, 51 peer reviewed publications and several national and international industry and scientific presentations devoted to beverage alcohol. His widely published research focuses primarily on the biochemical aspects of beverage alcohol constituents and their effects on humans. He is also the recipient of such awards as the Ontario Imported Wine-Spirits-Beer Association’s Industry Partnership Award, the Greek Wine Industry Award, the McMaster Alumni Gallery Award, and appointed to the Jurade de Saint Emilion and Chevaliers du Tastevin wine organizations as well as the Keepers of the Quaich. Board memberships include the Retail Council of Canada.