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R.E. (Bob) Scales, Chair 2011/2012
Bob was born and raised in Cobble Hill, BC, where his family had operated a family bakeshop and general store since 1925. Bob joined the Bank of Montreal (BMO) in 1965 and, since then, estimates that he has worked with over 2,000 small- and medium-sized business clients throughout the Province of British Columbia. While he has never owned his own business, experience with that many clients has served to educate him as to successful business operations. In 1994, BMO transferred Bob to the Comox Valley. He stayed in the Valley … and with BMO … until his retirement in 2008. Bob is currently a part-time contract instructor with Community Futures Strathcona. He is also active in other community groups including: the Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club, Comox Valley Family History Society, Courtenay Low Income Housing Society and Glacier View Lodge Society.
chair@comoxvalleychamber.com |
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Tracey McGinnis, 1st Vice Chair
Husband and wife team, Tracey and John McGinnis, moved their family to the Comox Valley in 2004 and started a business called Blinds Billiards and Baubles. Tracy has a lifetime of experience in the window coverings industry: her parents owned 12 blind stores across Ontario in the 80s. She started doing bookkeeping for the family business while in high school, eventually managing different locations. After selling these stores, the family turned to billiard distribution and they continue to be one of the largest wholesale distributors in Canada. Today, Blinds Billiards and Baubles has a solid reputation for customer service, product knowledge and fair pricing for a quality product. Having had the opportunity to meet and make friends with so many people in the Valley, Tracey was pleased to discover that many share her values and her love of the Comox Valley.
www.blindsbilliardsandbaubles.com |
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Helen Furgale, 2nd Vice Chair
Helen is a small business development specialist and has been employed with Community Futures Strathcona since 1998. In her current position as program manager, Helen is responsible for business training and managing the Business Futures program, a self-employment program for unemployed individuals. Her accomplishments include: successfully securing and managing multi-million dollar self-employment program funding agreements; launching the Community Futures Video Conferencing technology suite; establishing a partnership with Small Business BC to become an authorized One Stop Business Resource Center; managing the business training conducted through Community Futures Strathcona; and providing program information advice and analysis for the West Coast Community Adjustment Program. Helen holds a Masters degree in Community Development from the University of Alberta. She has served on the board of directors of Creative Employment Access Society and Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society. Helen and her husband Bruce enjoy their active lifestyle in the Comox Valley.
www.cfstrathcona.ca |
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Donna Cloutier, Treasurer
Donna was a meteorological technician for the Canadian Armed Forces and moved to the Comox Valley in 1990. While still in the military, she continued with her education in the accounting field at North Island College, obtaining her chartered accountant designation in 2000. Today, Donna is a manager at Pateman & Company Chartered Accountants and is one of the owners of The Joint Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre. She recently completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountant’s In-depth Tax Course, the most complete and comprehensive tax-training course available in Canada. Being a business owner and advisor, she understands the needs of local businesses and is committed to community building. Donna is currently serving as treasurer for the Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society. In her spare time you will find her enjoying a number of recreation pursuits including: cross-country skiing, yoga, swimming, basketball and dancing with her husband, Edwin Betinol.
www.pateman.ca, www.thejointphysio.com |
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Jeff Lucas, Past President
Jeff Lucas was born and raised in Ontario. After a visiting ‘out West’ in 1992, he moved to BC soon after and has lived in the Comox Valley since 1994. Jeff worked as the North Island and Powell River territory manager for Labatt Breweries for 13 years. In 2010, he purchased The Old House Restaurant and is now the operations manager and co-owner of this local landmark dining establishment. Jeff introduced the Comox Valley to the ‘Grab your Bag Campaign’, advocated for a ‘Bagless BC,’ and actively promotes environmental stewardship within the business community. Jeff was an instrumental part of the Chamber being awarded the 2010 Chamber of the Year award. He considers himself blessed to be living in such a beautiful setting where, he says, “Every day is a postcard”. Jeff is very excited to help the Comox Valley grow in a responsible and sustainable manner for many future generations.
www.oldhouserestaurant.ca |
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Andrew Gower, Director
Andrew was born in Prince George, BC, and grew up in Nelson and Prince Rupert. He joined the military in 1991 and, after graduating from Royal Military College in 1996, transferred to the Army Engineers. He spent six years serving as an engineer officer in several locations across western Canada, obtaining his ‘jump wings’ during that time. In 2002, Andrew retired from the Military. From 2002 – 2007 he held several jobs including: a structural materials engineer on major bridge projects in California; a transportation consultant in Ireland; and a position with Andrew Wedler Engineering in Chilliwack, BC. He transferred to Vancouver Island in 2007, to help to start the Courtenay branch of Wedler Engineering. Recently, Andrew has been pursuing a career as a sports journalist with a focus on the sport of mountain biking. An avid skier and mountain bike enthusiast, Andrew is enjoying living in the Comox Valley and finds life here a “natural fit”.
www.wedler.com |
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Linda Graceffo, Director
Linda grew up in Grand Forks, BC, a small town in the Kootenay’s. She moved to Vancouver Island from the Lower Mainland in1988 with her husband, Joe. In 2003 she started a graphic design business, Sparkling Graphics, currently located in downtown Courtenay where she has been successfully helping business owners create an image that is uniquely their own. An animal lover, Linda publishes a bi-monthly pet publication called The Scoop on Pets, which is distributed throughout the Comox Valley and beyond. Linda has three years of previous executive board experience with the Comox Valley Home Based Business Association. She previously completed a two-year term as Chamber director and was asked to fill a vacant director position. Linda didn’t hesitate in accepting this and is excited to be a part of this dynamic and progressive group. Linda has also served on the Chamber's programming committee for approximately two years.
www.sparklinggraphics.com |
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Kip Keylock, Director
Kip, his wife Catherine and son Chad moved from Calgary to the Comox Valley in 2005. He is the founder of Ocean Estates Developments, a company specializing in building sustainable communities. His experience in land development, condominium projects and home building has been recognized in Alberta, British Columbia and Hawaii. Kip was an active participant in the Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy and is a past director of the Comox Valley Francophone Association. He has also served as a national representative for the International Mountain Bike Association, and president of both the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance and the Alberta BMW Car Club. In addition, Keylock is a high-performance driving instructor with various BMW and Porsche clubs. Kip is passionate about the future of the Comox Valley and enjoys serving the Chamber and its members in any way he can.
www.oceanestates.ca |
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Tom McAllister, Director
Tom was born in Toronto and lived in Ontario and Connecticut before moving to British Columbia as a child. After graduating from college in 1968, Tom pursued a career in advertising. While raising their family in North Vancouver, Tom and his wife, Jen, spent many summers on Vancouver Island. They loved it here so much that they moved from the mainland in 1991, settling in the Comox Valley in 1993. Tom’s extensive experience in television, print and radio advertising provides a strong foundation for understanding the needs of business owners. He believes in building business relationships that last and ensures that his clients receive value for their investments in advertising. Tom currently works as a member of the sales team for the Eagle Radio in Courtenay.
www.973theeagle.com |
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Lieutenant Colonel Deborah McKenzie, Director
Lieutenant Colonel McKenzie is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba where she earned a Bachelor of Physical Education degree and an education certificate. She joined the Military as a direct entry officer in 1986 and has served with the Canadian Air Force as a transportation officer at numerous bases across North America including; Cold Lake and Edmonton, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Trenton, Ontario; and Scott, Illinois. During her Military career she has been deployed on missions to Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Syria. She was appointed as the Air Force’s mission support coordination officer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics Games. She and her staff coordinated all logistical and administrative support for the Air Force during these events. She has just recently been posted to 19 Wing Comox as the administration officer. Her current position involves many organizations within CFB Comox including: the Official languages program; Personnel selection and training; the Air Force Museum; the Military Family Resource Centre; and much more.
www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/19w-19e/index-eng.asp |
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Allen McWilliam, Director
Allen was born, raised and educated in the Victoria area. He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1974 and moved to the Comox Valley soon after, to begin his dream of living a rural lifestyle while dividing his time between farming and accounting. The dream became reality. Allen was a partner in the accounting firm Meyers Norris Penny (and its predecessor Huxham & Co.) for over 30 years until his retirement from the accounting practice in 2007. Allen and his wife, Heather, now focus their efforts on their agri-business, Tannadice Farms. From 1974 until present, their “dream farm” in the Dove Creek area has grown from a 15-acre hobby farm to 105-acre operation with cattle, chickens, pigs and feed crops. At Tannadice Farms their motto is: “Healthful. Ethical. Local.” Allen brings a wealth of local business experience, particularly an agri-business perspective, to the Chamber Board.
www.tannadicefarms.com |
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Shelley Osachuk, Director
Shelley grew up in Kamloops, BC, and relocated to Vancouver in 1985, to start her career with London Drugs. While living in Port Coquitlam, Shelley served on the Strata Council of their self-managed 26-unit complex, including two years as president. After many years of the hustle and bustle of the big city, in 2007, Shelley and her family relocated to Campbell River and she managed the new London Drugs there. She is now the manager of the London Drugs in Driftwood Mall, Courtenay. Through her work with London Drugs, Shelley enjoys supporting a number of community events such as: the Vancouver Island Music Festival, Comox Valley Air Force Museum 'Snowbirds Photo Contest,' Yana, and more. As a Chamber Director, Shelley is excited to be a part of such a dedicated team and is looking forward to the opportunity of furthering her support of the Chamber and her business community.
www.londondrugs.com |
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Margaret Szafron, Director
Margaret is co-owner of Prestige Video Transfer with husband Larrie Szafron which has been in business in the Comox Valley since 2005. Margaret has a background in sales & marketing as well as small business accounting & proprietary computer programs. Margaret worked in the real estate industry for 31 years as broker/manager in property management and then for 17 years as a residential real estate appraiser. Margaret originally trained as a lab technologist and after graduation, worked for the Provincial Veterinary Lab in Regina where she had the opportunity to do research, train staff & assist in the building of a new provincial laboratory for animal services. Margaret has been on the executives of both the Women’s Business Network & Home Based Business Association in the valley, as well as serving on the programming committee for the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. While living in NE Alberta Margaret was instrumental in the start of a WBN and served as a Chamber of Commerce director.
www.prestigevideotransfer.ca |
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