The Shorty’s Team
Managing Director: David Short
David leads the team with 14 years of corporate and fine wine retail experience, which has served him well in developing Shorty’s Liquor CBD to be the leading corporate beverage supplier in Sydney. David’s past experience includes acting as the wine buyer for the Keystone Group, which owns and operates some of Sydney’s most prestigious venues including Gazebo Wine Bar, Manly Wine, and The Winery (winner of Australia’s Wine Bar of the Year four out of the last five years). David has leveraged his years of creating award-winning wine lists, close industry contacts and extensive buying power to offer Shorty’s corporate clients an unprecedented selection of premium quality wines at extremely competitive prices.
Favourite Wine: Grosset Springvale Riesling
Favourite Beer: Nevada Pale Ale
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Enjoying a day out at the Sydney cricket test.
Best Wine Experience: "My wife Liz and I enjoyed a private, seven-course degustation matched with 12 of the world’s best 2001 Bordeaux blends at Terrazas de los Andes in Mendoza, Argentina. Epic!"
Chairman: John Vamos
The founder and managing director of Business Coaching Systems, John’s twenty-five year career as a business coach has allowed him the privilege of working with iconic companies such as Telstra, ANZ and KPMG. An expert at is helping companies close the gap between performance and potential, John brings his skills in business strategy, organisational design, operational effectiveness and business development to assist Shorty’s Liquor in realising our ambitions to deliver total customer satisfaction and a strong bottom line. John also holds additional chairmanships with a number of notable privately-owned Australian businesses.
Favourite Wine: Any Torbreck Shiraz
Favourite Beer: Millers
Favourite Hobby or Sport: American Football
Best Wine Experience: "My most recent wine experience will always be the best!"
Chief Financial Controller: Tim Crowe
Tim has over 20 years of experience in some of Sydney’s best hospitality venues in both General Manager and Licensee roles. Deciding on a career change, Tim completed a degree in Accounting. His prior years in the hospitality industry gave Tim an immediate and in-depth understanding of our business model when he joined Shorty’s Liquor as our financial controller. Tim’s keen and analytical eye ensures that the spreadsheets and account books are kept accurate and up to date, and are equipped to handle the increasing level of customer demand.
Favourite Wine: Italian Pinot Grigio
Favourite Beer: Asahi
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Rugby
Best Wine Experience: "Visiting Italy and drinking local wines recommended by the local waiters."
Senior Sales Manager: Matthew Anderson
Matthew has been in corporate beverage sales for the past nine years, three of which have been in a business development and key account role here at Shorty’s Liquor. Managing many of Shorty’s top corporate accounts in Sydney, Matthew has also been the driving force in securing our largest national clients. With his impeccable account management skills and exceptional knowledge of the corporate domain, Matthew provides the platform for sales and exemplifies the superior customer service that has become the Shorty’s benchmark.
Favourite Wine: Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir and Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
Favourite Beer: Erdinger
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Cricket
Best Wine Experience: "Lunch with close friends and the guys from Thousand Candles at their incredible Yarra Valley homestead."
Sales and Purchasing Manager: Matt Whitaker
Matt has been in corporate beverage supply for over six years, managing a range of large Sydney-based accounts. His knowledge of the corporate market, passion for wine and commitment to high standards of personalised service make him a brilliant fit for the Shorty’s team. Matt also has charge of selecting the extensive wine offers available exclusively to Shorty’s Liquor clients.
Favourite Wine: Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz 2001
Favourite Beer: James Squires 150 Lashes Pale Ale
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Golf (handicap of 2)
Best Wine Experience: “For my 40th birthday I had forty of my closest friends for a dinner party at home all catered for with wines matched to each course: Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne in Magnums on arrival, Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2007, Pierro LTC Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Kaesler The Bogan 2005 Shiraz, Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 and De Bortoli Noble One Semillon with dessert.”
Business Development Manager: David Miller
David is the newest member to join the Shorty’s Liquor team and comes on board with over seven years of business development and account management experience. His understanding of the corporate market and demonstrated knack for over-delivering on client expectations make him an asset to the Shorty’s team. David’s role involves maintaining and growing our existing client base along with opening up opportunities for new business.
Favourite Wine: Ten Minutes by Tractor
Favourite Beer: Asahi
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Cricket and English Premier League
Best Wine Experience: "Long lunch at Bistro Molines in the Hunter Valley (hands-down the best restaurant in the Hunter!)"
Marketing Manager: Vicki Brownrigg
Vicki has over 20 years of liquor industry experience in Australia and the UK. Upon returning from London to Sydney in 2003, she became involved in corporate beverage supply, and more recently acted as trading manager for one of the largest national wine clubs in Australia, before joining the Shorty’s team. Driven by her commitment to delivering fabulous wine experiences, Vicki oversees Shorty’s management of the Diners Club and Citibank Wine Clubs. She also has charge of executing Shorty’s digital and online strategy.
Favourite Wine: Ruinart Blanc De Blancs NV
Favourite Beer: Peroni
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Football
Best Wine Experience: "Drinking 1990 magnums of Louis Roederer Cristal while eating canapés cooked by a Michelin Star chef in Reims, France."
Operations: Andrew O’Brien
Andrew has been with Shorty’s for over seven years and is a true wine industry professional. With over 12 years liquor retailing experience, Andrew is responsible for all stock movements in the business and makes sure every delivery arrives promptly. He is also our in-house beer specialist, with an extensive knowledge of the characteristics of a large range of craft and imported ales, lagers, pilseners, porters and stouts.
Favourite Wine: Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay
Favourite Beer: Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
Favourite Hobby or sport: Cricket
Best Wine Experience: "Visiting Grant Burge in the Barossa Valley."
Logistics: Blake Mitford
A passion for wine and 8 years of experience in the liquor retail space make Blake the perfect fit for his operations role at Shorty’s Liquor. He enjoys the versatile and fast-paced environment that alternates between managing warehouse logistics and creating tailored customer service solutions. Wine and delivering great customer experiences aren’t Blake’s only talents, however – he is also adept in the art of home brewing beer.
Favourite Wine: Thomas Braemore Semillon or Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling
Favourite Beer: Little Creatures Pale Ale
Favourite Hobby or sport: Beermaking and cheesemaking.
Best Wine Experience: “At a recent weekend away with my partner, we had a private tasting at Grant Burge Cellar Door, followed by a gourmet lunch platter and a glass of wine in the gardens overlooking the Barossa Valley.”
Delivery Driver: Hamish Walker
Hamish has over 13 years’ experience in the hospitality game and is our veteran driver. He knows Sydney city like the back of his hand and is invariably asked to train any new driver joining the Shorty’s team. Expect a smile and helping hand with every delivery.
Favourite Wine: Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon
Favourite Beer: Little Creatures Pale Ale
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Surfing
Best Wine Experience: “Sculling a bottle of 96 Penfolds Grange.”
Delivery Driver: Mitch Teudt
Mitch is a conscientious driver who gets your orders delivered on time, every time. His keen interest in learning about the practicalities of business operations has lead him to join the team at Shorty’s while he works toward completing a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Favourite Wine: Penfolds St Henri Shiraz
Favourite Beer: VB
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Rugby
Best Wine Experience: “Travelling through Europe and having a few bottles of red for my birthday dinner with all my mates.”
Delivery Driver: Rene Arancibia
Rene has been working as a professional delivery driver for over 4 years now, 3 of those as a dedicated member of the Shorty’s team. He knows the city and our customers to a T, always delivering on time and with a smile.
Favourite Wine: Loves a Chilean wine from his dad’s cellar or a good red blend.
Favourite Beer: Peroni Leggara
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the motorbike, his second love after daughter Ariella.
Best Wine Experience: "Degustation menu with matching wines at the Observatory Hotel."
Delivery Driver: Brett Herford
Brett is one of our most dedicated drivers and works with professionalism and enthusiasm. Most Shorty's clients on the north side of Sydney will know him well as this is the regular stomping ground and delivery area.
Favourite Wine: A big Aussie Red.
Favourite Beer: Anything goes.
Favourite Hobby or Sport: Restoring old cars and boats, watching and playing rugby.
Best Wine Experience: "Sipping Pinot Grigio at the Monaco Grand Prix."
