Connections. Resources. Advocacy.
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Mackenzie GartsidePast ChairMackenzie is the senior mortgage consultant on the Mackenzie Gartside & Associates team. She worked in banking for four years before transitioning to brokering in 2006. With an energetic and determined personality, Mackenzie works diligently to get her clients the absolute best mortgage terms possible.
Volunteering and organizing charity events are one of Mackenzie’s passions. She has volunteered as a director on several boards and actively participates as a member of a multitude of business, community and charity organizations. As with any parent, one of her main drivers is her child. Mackenzie's daughter Payton has been a Type 1 Diabetic since she was two years old. Mackenzie spends many hours organizing and inventing fun and creative ways to fund-raise for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to aid in its quest to find a cure for Diabetes. |
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Linda Thomas
Linda 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.
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Daniel Kooman2018 Vice ChairDaniel 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 produce 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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Donna CloutierTreasurerDonna 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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Keith Pistell2017-2019 DirectorKeith was born and raised on Vancouver Island and has been a resident of the Comox Valley for the past 25 years. He began his career at Canadian Tire Courtenay in August of 1992 as a clerk in the Automotive department and gradually moved through various supervisory and management positions within the business. Keith accepted the role of General Manager in 2002 and has continued to develop and evolve the business in response to the changing needs of the Comox Valley. In 2016, along with business owner Bert Heeringa, Keith relocated and expanded to its new location at the Driftwood Mall as its anchor. Keth brings his 20+ years of leadership experience and a perspective as a retailer to the Chamber Board. As a representative of the retail industry, long-time chamber member and past director Keith is looking forward to developing innovative ways to grow and strengthen the business community and its Chamber members.
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LCol. Paula J. FraserDirectorLieutenant-Colonel Fraser is from Sydney, Nova Scotia. She joined the Canadian Armed Forces to follow in her father’s footsteps in 1990 as a DEO. Following 13 weeks in beautiful Chilliwack BC, she spent the next two years in training to become an Air Traffic Controller with her first posting to Goose Bay LB.
During her second tour as ATC in Shearwater NS, in 1997 she took a Voluntary Occupational Transfer to Personnel Administration. In 1997 she was posted to 15 AMS in Moose Jaw SK, as the Admin Flt Cmdr, then onto the Adjudant of 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School. Leaving for Trenton in 2000, she took on 8 AMS when it was over 600 personnel strong and 56 day deployments commenced against terrorism. In 2005, she was posted back down East as the Wing Admin Officer for 12 Wing Shearwater, NS. In 2007, she was posted to Canadian Forces Base Greenwood as the Wing Personnel Administration Officer. In 2009 she was posted to Director General Compensation and Benefits where she worked in Director of Compensation Benefits and Administration followed by her most recent post in 2012 as the Director Relocation Business Management, CAF Integrated Relocation Program. LCol Fraser has completed two operational tours with ISAF; Op APOLLO in 2003, and in 2009 with NATO under Op ATHENA as CJ1 for Commander Kandahar Airfield (COMKAF). Her interests revolve around her family; her parents, her in-laws and particularly her husband John, daughter Korall, step-daughters Rachel and Raven, her son Chayce and their two dogs Trail and Buffy. |
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Laurie Shambrook2017-2019 DirectorLaurie was born and raised on Vancouver Island and has 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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Bill Anglin2018-2020 DirectorBill 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 endeavours.
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Naomi Carmichael2018-2020 DirectorNaomi 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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Cheryl Stinson2018-2020 DirectorCheryl relocated from Vancouver to Campbell River Feb 2015 with her husband John. She joined Berwick Comox Valley as the Community Relations Manager in March 2016. Supporting family to Age in Place was the catalyst for the move from Vancouver. She feels fortunate every day to call the North Island home. Most of her career has been in client relations in some form or another. She has over 17 years of business leadership experience. This includes experience in the areas of senior living, small business management, market research, communication, client relations, and event coordination. Being engaged in the community is important to her. There is something rewarding about making a difference big or small. Cheryl has been involved with many non-profit organizations over the years in both board and volunteer roles. Her first board role was with the Leo Club at the age of 12.
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Andre Tewinkel2018-2020 DirectorAndre 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 things to do, a lot of 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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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 and are elected by the membership in March. 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.
