Stefan Lepionka
Main Squeeze (CEO).
A Charlie: since 1999.
Humble Origins: Started a juicing operation out of the family garage when he was 17 that was later bought by Frucor Beverages.
Big OE: Spent trading fruit juice commodities for Dohler Euro Citrus in London (just for a break).
Guru: to leading English fruit smoothie and fresh juice company of the time, Pete & Johnny’s PLC which was bought by Pepsi Cola.
The Great Return: back to New Zealand to team up with ex jock Marc Ellis and Simon Neal to found Charlie’s in 1999.
Loves: spending every free moment away from the squeeze with his family and friends.
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Ron Curteis
Wizard of Juice (Marketing & Export Manager).
A Charlie: since November 2006.
Schooled: at Otago University (BCom - Marketing and Management). Auckland University (Dip Bus – Finance).
Played: at Gillette NZ, DB Breweries and APB Breweries.
Medals: Building famous brands (like Oral-B, Braun, Export Gold, Monteiths, Heineken and Tiger Beer). Representing New Zealand at water polo, running the New York marathon in 3:24:20 and learning to drink beer upside down!
Distractions: Dreaming of surfing through gaping Indo barrels in knee deep water over a razor sharp reef on a 6’4” piece of foam. Oh, and travel and skiing.
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John Evans
Professor of Juice (Operations Manager).
A Charlie: since March 2001.
Schooled: at Massey University (BTech (Hons) – Food Science. MTech (Hons) - Food Science). Auckland University (PGDip Bus Admin).
Toiled: Through early days at Phoenix Organics to integration with Charlie’s.
Medals: Hunting down the ingredients that make up our fantastic unadulterated drinks.
Distractions: House hunting, fish hunting and general hunting really.
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Adrienne Roberts
Colonel Bean (CFO)
A Charlie: since October 2009.
Schooled: at Auckland University (BCom – Accounting).
Medals: Chartered Accountant (NZICA member).
Done the hard yards: at Ernst & Young, McAfee, Priority Telecom, Fosters, Healtheries, Vitaco.
Respect: was an integral part of the leadership team to fully integrate the Healtheries and NutraLife businesses to become the Vitaco Health Group.
Distractions: Reliving childhood through the eyes of my daughter and acquiring as many of the world’s fabulous wines as possible.
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Nigel Uden
Sales Manager - New Zealand
A Charlie: since August 2009.
Schooled: School of hard knocks and life learning experiences across 28 years in the work force.
Medals: Registered Electrical Serviceman.
Done the hard yards: FMCG for 19 years working for high profile companies such as Coke, Nestle, Goodman Fielder and SC Johnson. Starting FMCG career filling and selling vending machines for Coke. Ground root experience as Territory Manager Route and Grocery through to National Roles.
Industry Respect: The everyday fun and excitement this industry brings including the thrills of the challenge and partnerships we forge. “Bring it on” we in the Sales Team at Charlie’s are ready to embrace and succeed in the challenges ahead.
Distractions: Balancing the lifestyle of Cycling/Kayaking and my three lovely children and wife to ensure we all enjoy our leisure time away from the Big Squeeze.
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Grant Perkin
Juice Junkie (Sales Manager - Australia)
A Charlie: since August 2009.
Schooled: Melbourne University (BEd – Secondary Maths /Science)
Medals: Working hard to take a small brand like FIJI Water 4 years ago to a recognisable player in the premium water category – oh and my 2002 Premiership medal for the Hampton Hammers Football Club (Aussie Rules of course!)
Done the hard yards: Started out as a Maths/Science teacher but have now worked in FMCG for 18 years with Unilever, Tabcorp, Smith’s Snackfoods & FIJI Water in a variety of roles
Distractions: Getting away with my family & friends to enjoy the many pleasures of life that our wonderful country offers us – I could bore you with the long list but I don’t want to give away too many secrets!
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