Lee Wagner

Lee Wagner joined the Bruyère Board of Directors in 2017 and is a member of the Audit and Resource Management Committee.

Mr. Wagner is currently the Food & Beverage Director at the Sheraton Ottawa Hotel where he is overseeing the rejuvenation of the hotel’s food and beverage offering through major renovations to Banquets as well as a new Restaurant/Bar project. He has been in the hospitality business for over 30 years with vast experience in food & beverage operations, finance, accounting, marketing, human resources, labour relations and risk management.

After graduating with honours from Georgian College’s Hotel & Resort Management Program, he spent 5 years at the Banff Springs Hotel where he became a Sommelier and worked in a number of restaurants, including the CAA 5 Diamond-awarded Rob Roy (now Banffshire Club).

Mr. Wagner then moved to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier where he was the Outlets Manager. During his time at the Chateau Laurier, he won a number of awards for both Outstanding Service and his Wine Lists while overseeing Wilfrid’s.

In 2001, Mr. Wagner decided to go back to school to pursue a Bachelor of commerce, Accounting at the University of Ottawa where he graduated Magna cum Laude. While acquiring his Certified Management Accountant designation, he was General Manager of Restaurant Eighteen where he again won multiple awards for both Outstanding Service and Wine Lists. While at Eighteen, he also taught the

Advanced Sommelier Program at Algonquin College guiding many students who are now some of Ottawa’s top Sommeliers.

In 2003, Mr. Wagner switched gears to focus more on finance after receiving his CMA designation. He began by working for the Ottawa Convention Centre (now Shaw Centre) where he worked in the Finance department while simultaneously building an extensive wine and cocktail program for OCC clients. Two years later, he became the Operations Manager at Newcap Radio responsible for accounting teams in Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Winnipeg. With Newcap, he was also fortunate to be exposed to the world of marketing and advertising while leading a $7 million local band initiative called LiVE 88.5 Big Money Shot.

Mr. Wagner decided to finally try his hand at his own restaurant with the purchase of steak & sushi, which he owned from 2013-2018. In the past, he has been the Marketing Chair for the ByWard Market BIA, the Entertainment Chair for HOPE Volleyball Summerfest and the Pension Committee Chair for Newcap Radio.