Pictured are the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce 2022 Board Directors. Front Row (L-R): Ryan Oake, Vivien Symington, Mary Vellani, Ryan Whittle, Jennifer McKinnon, and Kathryn Millar. Back Row (L-R): Belén Welch, Kelso Kennedy, Jenifer Wright, Vineet Verghese, Adel Gamar, and Ryan Jamieson. Not pictured: Ryan Gorder, Daniel Richardson.
(TRI-CITIES) December 2, 2021 — The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce held its Annual General Meeting on December 2, where members cast their votes for new and returning board directors, and approved the incoming executive leadership. The event was the Chamber’s first hybrid AGM, with in-person attendees at The Wild Fig Restaurant & Lounge, Coquitlam, as well as participating online.
Ryan Whittle, CPA, CA, Partner, Areti LLP is the new Chair of the Board, joined by Jenifer Wright, GM of Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club as Vice-Chair. Ryan Gorder, CPA, CA, Partner and Business Advisor, MNP, will continue as Treasurer. Mary Vellani, Senior Manager, Cash Management, TD, will serve as Past Chair on the board’s executive for 2022.
Newly elected directors for two-year terms are: Adel Gamar, Co-founder & CEO, Gamar Leadership Group; Ryan Jamieson, Director of Services & Facilities, Coquitlam Public Library; and, Kathryn Millar, Partner, Indigenous Worx. Both Jennifer McKinnon, Executive Director, Downtown Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association, and Vineet Verghese, Vice President, Commercial Financial Services, RBC, have been re-elected to the board.
The executive and elected directors will join current directors Kelso Kennedy, RedStamp Agency, Ryan Oake, Oake Mortgage — Dominion Lending Centres Producers West, Daniel Richardson, BTM Lawyers, Vivien Symington, Club Aviva, and Belén Welch, BDC.
Randy Webster, COO, Medray, stepped down as past chair, concluding his more than nine years with the board, and now joins the Chamber’s Board of Governors.
The 2022 Board of Directors will work with the Chamber’s CEO Leslie Courchesne, hired in August 2021.
Sponsored by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the event included a celebration of the Chamber’s 50th anniversary, with congratulations from Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart. The three separate chambers merged to form the Tri-Cities Chamber in 1971-72, with the original organizations first forming in the late 1940s.
Chamber Governor Stephanie Booth, VP Commercial and Financial Services, RBC, led a toast to past CEO Michael Hind, in tribute to his 11 years at the helm.
The Tri-Cities Chamber works to strengthen business and community in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, and Belcarra through advocacy, benefits, and connections for its members. Learn more about how the Chamber can support you and your business by visiting tricitieschamber.com/membership.
-30-
Since 1971, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has been the largest business association serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, and Belcarra, now representing 800+ businesses from every sector. The Chamber works to foster economic development, provide connections and benefits, and influence public policy at all levels of government to ensure strong business and strong community. The Tri-Cities Chamber is an active member of the BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce.
For more information, contact:
Leslie Courchesne, Chief Executive Officer
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
ceo@tricitieschamber.com
604.468.6870