Odyssey Partners Inc.

Leadership

Derek Smith

Most recently, Mr. Smith was the Managing Director of Apple Canada. As the Managing Director, he was responsible for the Sales, Marketing and Distribution of the Apple iPhone, iPad and Mac products for the Canadian market.

Prior to joining Apple, Mr. Smith was the Vice President and General Manager of Hewlett-Packard’s Canadian Personal Systems Group. While in this position, Mr. Smith was responsible for the $1.5 Billion desktop and notebook business for HP Canada. Mr. Smith was also responsible for all SMB sales and the Channels business for all business units for HP Canada.

Other roles that Mr. Smith held at HP included: Vice President of Channels Sales and Marketing, Canadian Consumer Sales Manager, and Consumer Sales Manager for the US-based retailers. These latter roles contributed greatly to Hewlett-Packard’s efforts to expand from the Commercial and Enterprise space into the evolving SMB, Consumer and Home Office markets.

Throughout his career Mr. Smith has successfully developed strong executive relationships with both national & regional retailers and distributors throughout Canada and the United States including Best Buy, Future Shop, Walmart Canada, The Source, Staples, Costco Wholesale, London Drugs, Ingram Micro, Synnex, and Tech Data.

  • Scott Elsey

    After receiving a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from The Haskayne School of Business at The University of Calgary in 1989, Mr. Elsey was invited to become a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the honour society whose membership is the highest national scholastic recognition the school can offer. Beginning in 1989, Mr. Elsey held various sales and marketing positions within differing industries – Oil & Gas (ProGas), Information Technology (Crowntek) and packaged goods (Mattel Toys).

    In 1995, Mr. Elsey joined Derek Smith in the development of the new Consumer Sales organization at Hewlett-Packard Canada.

    In 2005, Mr. Elsey joined Canadian Satellite Radio as Director, Retail Sales & Distribution, where he was instrumental in launching XM Satellite Radio in Canada. In 2007, Mr. Elsey joined TOMTOM Inc. as National Sales Manager, where, in 2008, he was promoted to Country Manager for Canada.

    Throughout his career, Mr. Elsey has successfully developed mutually beneficial relationships at all levels with both national & regional retailers and distributors throughout Canada, including Best Buy Canada, Future Shop, Walmart Canada, Canadian Tire, The Source, Staples, Sears Canada, London Drugs, Toys R Us, Hudson’s Bay Company, Costco Wholesale, D&H Canada, Synnex, Ingram Micro, AutoMobility and GB Micro.

  • Peter Vanderwerff

    Over the past 20 years, Mr. Vanderwerff has held a number of sales and marketing roles in the Canadian Information Technology Industry.

    Mr. Vanderwerff spent most of his career at Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. Peter's experience includes direct sales to enterprise accounts, the development and management of alternate sales channels for the Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEM"), Small & Medium Business and Enterprise markets, and the development and management of both Retail and Distribution accounts within Canada.

    In 2006, Mr. Vanderwerff joined Sirius Satellite Radio where he was actively involved in the launch of Sirius' Canadian operations and, especially its network of Canadian Retail Partners.

    Throughout his career Mr. Vanderwerff developed strong relationships at all levels within both National and regional retailers and distributors within Canada, including Best Buy, Future Shop, London Drugs, Costco, Staples, Synnex, Ericsson and Ingram Micro. Mr. Vanderwerff is located in Vancouver BC.

  • Kevin Luff

    Kevin is a retail executive with over 30 years of experience and leadership in all aspects of retail including store operations, merchandising, global sourcing, private and captive brands, supply chain and eCommerce. Kevin held leadership roles with leading retailers including Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, and, most recently, The Source.

    Kevin is known for his ability to transform businesses by creating a vision that is well communicated and easy to follow, while developing strategies for success. This is evident in the work he did most recently at The Source. Some key accomplishments include:

    - transforming the Private label business,
    - bringing in key brands such as Apple, Samsung, Canon, and Bose to name a few to the merchandise division,
    - implementing several new initiatives in Supply Chain to reduce working capital, while driving in stock levels and turnover, and
    - most importantly, doubling The Source market share during his tenure.

    Kevin’s wide ranging reach and strong vendor relationships will be an integral part of growing the Odyssey Partners portfolio. Additionally, Kevin’s experience rounds out the knowledge base and over 70 years of combined retail experience that Odyssey Partners Inc. shares.