GEORGE GATES, President George R. Gates developed and leads NuTech IT Solutions. George is a graduate of BCIT's Diploma of Technology Program. His commitment to professionalism and his unwavering success at mastering these concepts was recognized upon graduation when he received the very distinct honor of 1999 IT Student of the Year. George went on to work in upper level project management positions with companies such as Burntsand Inc., Fincentric Corp., and Electronic Arts (EA) Canada. Desiring the best surroundings to raise his family and noting the growing demand for qualified IT professionals on Vancouver Island, George moved to the Cowichan Valley and brought with him NuTech IT Solutions.
NuTech IT has made a difference in how many Vancouver Island companies do business. By delivering solutions that reduce cost and improve the management and security of data and networks, the companies that NuTech IT Solutions have contracted to are able to focus on their productivity, services and the people they serve - not the maintenance of their technology. |
 JULIE SCURR, Vice President
Julie is a CMA and the Director of Finance at Queen Margaret’s School. She oversees the business and operational aspects of the school including finances, facilities, capital projects, food services and the school shop. Previous to this position, she worked with First Nation local governments with responsibilities for financial management and economic development ventures. Julie has served as the Vice President and Director of the United Way of Nanaimo & District as well as several other committees. Julie Chairs the Project Committee, New Visitor Centre for the Chamber. |
 JANET ROWE, Secretary-Treasurer
Janet Rowe is a principal at Hayes Stewart Little & Co., and has been in public practice since 1998. Janet's work has included assurance and business advisory services, corporate and personal tax planning and complex financial analysis in various industry sectors including retail businesses, investment companies and professional corporations, and not-for-profit organizations. she grew-up on the Island, but left after graduation to travel and work abroad. After settling in Vancouver and becoming a CA, Janet returned to Vancouver Island in 2004 in order to raise her family in a smaller community and be closer to her family and friends. As well as volunteering as Secretary-Treasurer for the Chamber, Janet is very involved in the accounting profession, where she volunteers for various CA Boards and has provided tax services for seniors and low-income individuals. She also volunteers with Junior Achievement, hoping to inspire and prepare our youth to succeed. Janet is a member of the Chamber's Interior Committee for the New Visitor Centre. |
 ANNE BROADLEY, Director.
Anne Broadley is the owner of Oilcheck, a warranty approved, drive thru oil change business, operating in multiple locations since 1999. Anne opened the first independent location in Duncan in 2005. Oilcheck has received five Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics and Integrity and two Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards for Automotive Business of the Year. Anne was a Director for the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island. She organized the new member welcome program for the Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce; new members receive a package of information and incentives with a personal visit. Anne encourages members to promote their business through the new member package. |
 BRENDA BURCH DUMONT, Social Media is Simple, Director
Brenda owns and operates Social Media is Simple, the Cowichan Valley’s first Social Media consultancy. Additionally she keeps her hands into the Retail Job Board industry in Canada as Retail and Social Media Director for Retail.ca. Brenda was a founding member of the Cowichan Valley Social Media Club, serves on the organizing committee for Cowichan Wines (formerly Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival) and serves on the Human Resources and Marketing committees for the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. Brenda is a passionate gardener and enjoys the food and wine bounties of the Cowichan Valley. You’ll often see Brenda with her dogs walking the Trans Canada trail. |
 LEHANNA GREEN, Second Vice-President
Sales, marketing and public relations are a constant in Lehanna’s career. She has a proven track record of meeting and exceeding clients’ requirements. Lehanna has experience in all types of industries including single-owner businesses, international corporations, and individuals requiring coaching and promotion. A native of the Cowichan Valley, Lehanna has a wide network of colleagues from her work as a Career Development Practitioner, Job Placement Coordinator, Real Estate Sales Agent and now as Festival Coordinator at The Cowichan Festival Society. She has a genuine interest in her community - its human resources and economy - and applies her no-limits approach and extraordinary networking abilities, event coordination/fund raising skills for successful outcomes for any project she takes on. |
 BILL MACADAM , Director
Bill has served on Chamber Boards in Port Mc Neil and Victoria before arriving in the Cowichan Valley in the spring of 2007. Bill is Publisher of the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial (honored as best in Canada 2007). Bill sits on the Chamber's Communication and Marketing Committee. |
JANET MARTINEZ, Director Janet is a partner in Excellent Frameworks in downtown Duncan, and Chamber member since 2005. Janet has been active in the arts, and contributed to the business community as a Director of the Downtown Business Improvement Association. Janet’s interests are in Tourism, Retail and Community Development. Janet is a member of the Chamber's Membership Committee. |
CAROL MESSIER, Director Carol is the Customer Support Executive at Maple Bay Marina – Chamber members since 1992. As part of the management team at Maple Bay Marina, Carol is involved in moorage sales and management, marketing, promotion, special events, and policy development. Her work with tourism related and boating groups has won many positive comments. Carol participates on the Chamber's Communication and Marketing Committee. |
 JASON PRICE, Director
Jason grew up in the Cowichan Valley, and is the General Manager of Glen Naylor Financial Group – Chamber members since 2001. Jason is interested in region’s economic development, expanding the membership base, and promoting the Chamber. He has served as the Treasurer for the Duncan Daybreak Rotary Club and is an avid hiker and diver. Jason and his family live in Crofton. Jason Chairs the Membership Committee for the Chamber. |
 CORRINE THOMPSON, Director
Corrine has 30 years in the banking industry. Starting as a teller, and worked part time for many years while raising 4 children. She then moved to full time starting in Customer Service Management and the follow years saw Corrine progress through lending and investing roles, completing her Financial Planning designation in 2005. Corrine has been in Branch Management since 2002, including 2 years with RBC Small Business. She has been active in Chambers since 2003, serving on the South Cowichan, WestShore and Duncan Cowichan Chambers. Corrine joined RBC Duncan Branch in August 2010. Corrin chairs the Human Resources Committee for the Chamber. |
 MARSHA TODD, Director
Marsha has had a varied career from modeling, to public relations, to banking. Marsha was involved in the negotiations with Bank of Canada to approve Wardley Canada becoming Hongkong Bank of Canada, Canada’s first foreign owned bank. She volunteered for many years and in many capacities for the BC SPCA here and in the Lower Mainland. In two years, Marsha raised the funds to acquire the property and build the current Cowichan SPCA on Bell McKinnon Road, and was the President of the organization. She organized a "Wheelchair-Walk-a-thon" with Rick Hanson to raise funds for the Cowichan Theatre. Marsha wrote the Cowichan Valley Citizen’s Talk of the Valley column supporting local organizations and businesses. In 2000, Marsha founded Unique Home Health Care that provides nursing and support services, a successful business which she continues to own and operate. |
 DR. MARTIN BARKER, Appointed Director, City of Duncan
Dr. Martin Barker is a councillor for the city of Duncan and as such, is the appointed director on the Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Barker's day job is as a Chiropractor in downtown Duncan. He is also involved in several different fund raising groups/charities/sports in the region. Dr. Barker loves living in the Valley and believes there is much potential for success for the businesses and people of the region if all levels of the political structure and business can operate on the 'same page'. Dr. Barker is soon to experience the 'empty nest' and is looking forward to even greater community involvements and perhaps more outdoor leisure activities. |
 KEITH CHICQUEN, Appointed Director Vancouver Island University
Keith Chicquen moved to the Cowichan Valley in 2001 from Montreal. He has spent his career in education, administrating and instructing in three provinces and two countries over the past 20 years. Keith is currently the Instructional Director for Vancouver Island University, Cowichan Campus. He has two young sons, McLean and Jack, whom he coaches in ice hockey. Keith and his wife Aimee, an educational consultant, reside in Shawnigan Lake. Keith holds the Education Portfolio for the Chamber. |
 RUTH HARTMAN, Appointed Director, District of North Cowichan
Ruth has been a community member since 1963 and graduated from Cowichan Senior Secondary School 1972. She and her husband own and operate Hartmann Electrical and Hartmann Interior Design. Very involved in community support, Ruth coached soccer, field hockey and baseball, was president to Mother's Morning out and Brownie leader. Elected as a North Cowichan Councillor in 2002, Ruth was appointed by the Mayor, to the Chamber Board in 2003. Ruth's personal passions are family, travel and yoga. Ruth Chairs the Interior Committee for the New Visitor Centre. |
 CATHY ROBERTSON, Appointed Director, Community Futures
Cathy is the General Manager of Community Futures Cowichan where she oversees a range of community-based business development projects and the Small Business lending program. She was also an associate in a Cowichan Region marketing firm managing a variety of marketing programs for a number of diverse clients. She was Operations and Marketing Manager for both Cherry Point Vineyards and the Quw’utsun Cultural and Conference Centre.
Cathy has volunteered with the Cowichan Hospital Foundation, and contributed to projects of Social Planning Cowichan, the Seniors Foundation and United Way. Cathy sits on the Interior Committee for the New Visitors' Centre, and participates on the Human Resources Committee. |
