Connections. Resources. Advocacy.
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Daniel KoomanChair 2017 - 2021Daniel has traveled to more than 25 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America to make films and work with non-profit organizations. Filmmaking has become a unique platform for Daniel and his wife Christy to invest in children, empowering orphans in Tanzania and restoring hope to girls trafficked in Thailand. Daniel founded and operates Unveil Studios alongside his brothers Matthew and Andrew. Unveil Studios produces original stories that impact audiences while creating a real-world impact through international development projects. She Has A Name, their dramatic feature film, helps to end human trafficking by directing 20% of gross sales to anti-trafficking agencies. Daniel has served as the Director of Operations in Canada for Juma's World, a creativity and empowerment-focused NGO in Tanzania which he helped to establish in 2006. Daniel also founded TransTravel in 2012 which leads teams on volunteer missions to Tanzania. He currently works as a director and editor for Unveil Studios producing a wide range of media. Daniel and his wife Christy enjoy the creativity and beauty of the Comox Valley and share a passion to see families and businesses in this community thrive
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Laurie ShambrookVice Chair 2017 - 2022Laurie was born and raised on Vancouver Island and had been in the financial services industry twenty seven years prior to opening the Courtenay Septen Financial office in July 2015.
As a Registered Retirement Consultant, Laurie’s clients can be sure that she provides expert advice in all areas of their finances. She creates strong, trusting relationships each day that positively affect her clients’ financial wellness. Whether it’s saving for their retirement or their children’s grandchildren’s education, structuring tax efficient retirement income solutions, or partnering with her colleagues to provide insurance protection for their families and assisting with their estate plans. As a long term Comox Valley resident, Laurie feels fortunate to have raised her 2 children here, as well as take advantage of the lifestyle the area provides. Laurie leads an active lifestyle which includes yoga, skiing, and hiking. |
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Donna CloutierTreasurer 2011-2021 (Appointed)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 partner at Cloutier Matthews LLP. 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
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Linda ThomasPast Chair 2016 - 2020Linda moved to the Valley in 2007, and has loved every minute of living on Vancouver Island. Linda is the Promotions Director for 97.3 The Eagle, and in this role has the opportunity to work with many businesses and non-profit organizations in the Valley and Campbell River. Prior to working at 97.3 The Eagle, Linda worked with other non-profit groups including the Comox Military Family Resource Centre, Canadian Cancer Society, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island. A mom of four girls, she finds herself very active in the community, whether it be through her kids or through her own volunteer work. Her passion is to do all that she can to make a difference in her community and work with non-profit groups. Linda spends her spare time volunteering as a RCMP Auxiliary Member and sitting on the Comox Valley Crime Stoppers Board. Linda was the Chair for the Board of Directors through 2018-2019.
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Bill AnglinDirector 2018 - 2022Bill is a partner with the Courtney & Anglin Real Estate Team. Prior to taking on his new career, Bill served for 25 yrs. in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Flight Engineer. Since retiring he has been actively involved in both the business, local government and non-profit sectors. After his term as a City Councillor and Regional District Director he has focused his time between his business and supporting community organizations. Currently, he is the Vice President of the Comox Valley Community Healthcare Foundation, Director of the North and Central Vancouver Island United Way, Sid Williams Theatre Society and Chairman of the Comox Valley Destination Marketing Committee. Bill and his wife, Chris, are fortunate to have their children and grand children reside here in the Valley as well. After his hiatus from the Chamber Board, Bill looks forward to bringing his experience to assist the Chamber in its many endeavors.
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Naomi CarmichaelDirector 2018 - 2022Naomi has been played an integral role in the business community as well as a volunteer with the Courtenay Rotary Club, she is a Past President of Courtenay Rotary and lends her hand and time at many projects Rotary undertakes. Naomi has been a partner of OnDeck Systems for over 20 years and possesses a wealth of business experience. With the recent merge of OnDeck and F12.net Naomi is leading the team through transition. Naomi is looking forward to investing in the Chamber and in the role of Director on the board.
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Keith DavidsonDirector 2019 - 2021Keith was born in Belfast, N Ireland and moved to a town just outside Montreal while in Grade 1. His educational background consists of a DEC from John Abbott College (CEGEP) and a BBA (Marketing) from Bishops University (located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec). he and his wife, Tricia, moved to Willow Point in 2008 and plan to stay in the north island area forever. He has been with Scotiabank since 2008, but has been in banking since 1989. Previous to joining Scotiabank, he was an Area Sales Manager for Wells Fargo in sub-prime auto finance for the Southern Alberta region. His Banking career has had him located in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Whistler and Vancouver. He is a former Director for the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce as well as a former Chair of the Awards of Excellence (business awards gala). He currently serves on another not-for-profit as a Director and past-Chair. His hobbies include kayaking, trail and road biking, hiking, as well as spending money at garden stores and nurseries throughout the area. Growing up in a small town has taught him that being involved is important for the community as a whole. His passion is providing good old fashioned customer service and advice over a cup of coffee.
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Lieutenant-Colonel Andrea DaweDirector (Appointed)Born and raised in Newfoundland & Labrador, Lieutenant-Colonel Dawe joined the Air Reserves at 9 Wing Gander in 2005 and, subsequently transferred to the Regular Force in 2007.
LCol Dawe began her career at 8 Wing Trenton, first as the Administration Officer for the Wing Logistics and Engineering Branch; then as a newly promoted Captain, she was the Administration Officer at 424 (T&R) Squadron and had the opportunity to participate in SAR exercises and deploy on a major SAR operation; and in 2011, she was the Administration Officer at Wing Headquarters. The following year, posted to CANOSCOM (now CJOC), she worked in J1 Honours and Awards and Expeditionary Operations. Promoted to Major in 2014, she continued to work as a lead Desk Officer in J1 Exped Ops until moved into Pers Policy where she was responsible for the Deployed Operations Unit Records Section (DOURS) for small missions, training and policy. In 2016, she attended the Joint Command & Staff Program (JCSP) at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto. On completion, she assumed the role of Formation J1 for the Canadian Forces Joint Operations Support Group (CFJOSG) in Kingston, ON. Her operational deployments include: Deputy CJ1 for Commander Kandahar Airfield (COMKAF) in 2011; Logistics Officer at the Third Location Decompression (TLD) Centre in Cyprus in 2013; Technical Assistance Visits (TAVs) to CCTM-A, Op ARTEMIS and, Op REASSURANCE; and, most recently, A1 for Task Force Mali, Op PRESENCE, Roto 0 in 2018-19. She has a Master’s degree in Education Leadership from the University of Calgary, a Masters in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Human Resources Management. LCol Dawe is a proud mom to daughters, Amber and Aimee, and ‘brand new’ grandma to Baby Isabelle. Both Amber & Aimee reside in Ontario to continue post-secondary education. |
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Kelley GiorgianniDirector 2019 - 2021Kelley Giorgianni is a Work Experience/Careers Program Worker with School District 71. Kelley has worked in private Post-Secondary education in Admissions and Career Departments. Professional as a Certified Career Practitioner, Kelley is integral to the Work Experience, Grad Transitions and Career Exploration for students within School District 71. Kelley has created several new programs and initiatives over her career utilizing her skill set from her background in marketing and sales. Kelley has been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce for several years and has made lifetime business connections. Kelley is excited to take on the new challenges and opportunities offered in the role of Chamber of Commerce Board member.
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David RooperDirector 2019 - 2021 David’s diverse and productive career in hotel management has brought him to the UK, across Canada and back to his native Vancouver Island. Previous GM assignments parachuted him into PEI at the Best Western Charlottetown, where he was a founding GM of O’Neill Hotels & Resorts/CHIP REIT. In Alberta, he managed the Ramada Edmonton Hotel & Conference Centre and the Red Deer Lodge, and right here on the Island he has served as GM of Harbour Towers Hotel and Conference Centre, the Coast Bastion Hotel and Conference Center and Courtenay’s Westerly Hotel and Conference Centre. He’s held senior management positions with The Executive House Hotel in Victoria, The Excelsior Hotel in Heathrow, The Wedgewood Hotel in Vancouver, Painter’s Lodge in Campbell River and brands such as Coast Hotels and Fairmont Hotels. Deeply involved in the tourism industry for the last 25 years, David has been Vice President for Tourism North Central Island (TNCI), Ad Hoc Director on the Tourism Association of Vancouver Island Board of Directors and a SICAN Rep for Skål International Victoria. A lover of the outdoors, he is a big advocate of environmental responsibility within the hospitality industry.
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Andre TewinkelDirector 2018 - 2020Andre moved to Canada from the Netherlands in 1981 with his parents and four siblings. His family first settled in Alberta, then discovered the Comox Valley in 1985 and all ended up here to stay. Andre started his first business when he was 19 and hasn’t had a real job since. In 1994, Andre started ACS Computer Solutions as a home-based business. In 2001 his wife Paula wanted her living room back so together they moved ACS into a retail location on 5th street; their son Alex was born the next year and their daughter Alanna soon after. In 2006, having outgrown the 5th street location, ACS purchased a spot of their own on Kilpatrick Ave. (behind the driftwood mall); where Andre has been the strata president for the last 6 years. Over the past 30 years as a business owner, Andre has learned not only what to do, but also what not to do, and of course he is still learning all the time. He is now hoping to pass some of this experience on to others and help out the community. Andre is thankful for the life he and his family are able to have here in the Valley and enjoys spending time camping, boating, telling “dad” jokes and having a coffee with family and friends. Andre believes strongly that solution-oriented, honest, respectful, communication with others is the key to happiness in all aspects of life. “Life is good.”
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Incoming Directors
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Caroline CodyDirector 2020 - 2022Caroline Cody is a professional services consultant with 20+ years’ experience. Caroline’s consulting business focuses on business development and revenue growth strategy, business and strategic planning, client relationship management, market research, corporate communications, proposal writing, public and media relations, community investment/strategic alliances and event planning. Caroline also provides coaching to professionals to improve their profile, practice management, and financial performance.
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Montana PistellDirector 2020 - 2022Montana, was born and raised in the Comox Valley and is the Marketing/Design Specialist and Executive Assistant at Excel Career College. At 18 she started as administrative support, and within 2 years was leading the administrative team. Now 23, Montana has found her ‘happy place’ doing graphic-design, marketing, and executive-level administration.
Montana loves helping others and enjoys being involved in community projects. As a singer, she has a history of volunteering with fundraising groups: most recently the Rotary Dinner Theatre, as a starring cast member of the Beach Street Players. She is also involved with a few local churches as a worship singer, nursery volunteer, and volunteer for charity drives and events. Montana was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 2016 by the Courtenay Rotary Club and received the #YouRock Youth Award at the 2019 Chamber of Commerce Awards. Montana spends free time with loved ones, exploring photography, and painting. |
A volunteer board of officers and directors—comprised of up to 12 business leaders from our community—provides governance for the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. Board members typically serve a two-year term starting in April. Chamber members interested in serving on the board of directors in the future are encouraged to contact the current chairman of the board by email.
