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Board of Directors

2012 Board of Directors


Chair	John Espley
Executive Vice-Chair	Darlene Hollstein
Past Chair	Dave Marshall
Treasurer	Frank Bourree
Secretary	Kimberley Hughes
Executive Member at Large	Al Hasham
Director	Rose Arsenault
Director	Capt(N) Craig Baines
Director	Mike Black
Director	Kathleen Burton
Director	Dan Dagg
Director	Janell Karst
Director	Sang-Kiet Ly
Director	David Rand
Director	Jesse Szczepanowski
Director	John Wilson

John Espley - Chair

John is the Business Development Manager for the Accent Inns hotel chain which he has worked for the last 23 years. Designations achieve include: Certified Rooms Division Manager, Certified Sales Professional (CSP with distinction) and Examiner for the Canadian Professional Sales Association. His work with Accent Inns allows John to connect with the public, many charitable/non-profit associations and build relationships with long standing clients. Managing the company’s online reputation and marketing including social media, has been one of his favorite and most challenging tasks. For seven years John also owned and operated a retail Chocolate store with his wife.

John has been on the Chamber Board since 2007, served as Chair of Government affairs and sat on the Policy and Public Affairs and Governance Committees along with the Brand Strategy Task Force. He served two years as a board member with the Coalition to End Homelessness and is Past President of Sales and Marketing Executives of Victoria.

Darlene Hollstein– Executive Vice-Chair

Darlene is the General Manager of The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria where she oversees the strategic direction of the centre. She has been employed in commercial property management for the past 20 years.

Darlene has sat on numerous boards including three years on the Chamber board, the past Chair of the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) 2007/2009 and a Board Member since inception in 2005. She is the Past President of BOMA Victoria (2009/10) and a Board Member since 2006 and is a Board Director of Tourism Victoria for 2011/12. She has sat on numerous committees including the Mayor’s Task Force on Breaking the Cycle of Mental Illness, Addictions and Homelessness and a past Board Member of the Leadership Council for the Greater Victoria Commission to End Homelessness.

At the Chamber, Darlene serves on the Strategic Communications Committee. She also sits on the Greater Victoria Development Agency committee.

Dave Marshall - Past Chair

Dave is the Principal of Strategus Consulting, a management consultancy providing strategic and business management services, primarily in the transportation sector.　 He is a retired Naval Captain and former Base Commander of CFB Esquimalt.

He has served as Treasurer and has a history of involvement on a number of chamber committees, including past chair of the Policy and Public Affairs and Transportation Committees. For 2012, he is serving on the Policy and Government Affairs Committee.

Dave has also served Victoria on the boards of the United Way (Vice-Chair), Garth Homer Society (Chair), the Commissionaires, and Leadership Victoria (Chair). 　

Frank Bourree - Treasurer

Frank Bourree (CMC, FCSI) is the CEO and a Principal with Chemistry Consulting Group Inc. Until June of 2006, Frank was a Partner and National Tourism Consulting Director for Grant Thornton LLP Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants for 12 years. He has over 30 years of personal and professional experience in the tourism and hospitality industry and is widely recognized as an expert advisor to the accommodation and Tourism sectors. Prior to entering the consulting field, Frank spent 14 years with Controlled Foods International and then 10 years as owner/operator of 10 Restaurants.　

As the CEO with Chemistry Consulting Group, Frank provides consulting services to federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as tourism and small to medium sized business clients throughout BC. His areas of specialization include operational and strategic planning, business planning, tourism strategy, human resources development, business valuation, and purchase and sale negotiations.

Frank has sat on the Board of Directors of Tourism BC, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Victoria, The Victoria DMC, Residential Construction Industry Training Organization -RCITO, Victoria Spirit Committee, Chaired Tourism B.C.’s 2010 committee and is the Past President of Community Living Victoria.

For the last 4 years Chemistry Consulting group with 90 staff and 18 offices has won "Best Places to Work’ From BC Business magazine (#1 in B.C. for companies under 100 employees).

Kimberley Hughes – Secretary

Kimberley Hughes manages the gorgeous Delta Ocean Pointe Resort. Kimberley graduated from Queen’s University in 1988 with a BA in Political Science. She moved to Victoria in 2008. Whistler was home for Kimberley for 15 years. In July 1991, Kimberley Hughes started her hospitality career with Powder Resorts. In July 1999, Kimberley joined Delta Hotels. Kimberley was part of the opening teams at the Delta Sun Peaks in October 2002 and the Four Seasons Whistler in 2004. Kimberley’s business acumen and passion for customer service are the driving forces behind her successful career leading her team through difficult economic years.

At the Chamber, Kimberley has served on the 150th Anniversary and Policy and Public Affairs Committees, and currently chairs the Policy and Government Affairs Committee.

Al Hasham – Executive Member at Large

Al Hasham, owner of a family owned and locally operated Courier & Furniture Company doing business as Maximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics and Maximum Furniture Warehouse. Through his involvement with the local business community and his dedicated commitment to the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Al has seen his companies excel and achieve tremendous success. Built on the basic philosophy that all business should aspire to, “provide total satisfaction to the customer and be competitive through customization of services and rates that are catered to the unique needs of the customer” Al has believed success will follow.

In addition to being a small business owner, Al has always made time to support local community efforts such as BC Cancer Foundation, Courtnall Celebrity Classic Society, The Mustard Seed food bank. Al has been a Chamber board member for two years, serves as a liaison for the Prodigy Group and has previously served on the 150th Anniversary Committee and Brand Strategy Task Force.

Rose Arsenault

Throughout her career with Placement Group Victoria, which began in 1997, Rose Arsenault has worked on behalf of both public and private employers, assisting them in their recruiting and Human Resource needs.

Her involvement with the community extends into her private life. Since moving to the Western Communities in 1996, transportation issues have become of great interest to Rose, including the recent discussion on Rapid Transit. Rose has served on the Chamber board of directors since 2008. She is currently serving on the Prodigy Group and Strategic Communications Committees and has served as the Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Membership Committee and on the Branding Task Force. She was Vice Chair of the 150th Anniversary Committee, is Secretary on the Spirit Committee and also served a number of years on the Ambassadors Committee. In the community, Rose has held positions with the Alzheimer Society Advisory Committee and the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Capt (N) Craig Baines

Captain(N) Craig Baines enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1987 and graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. He completed the US Naval War College program and a graduate certificate program in the history of strategy and policy at Old Dominion University. He has also completed his Master of Defence Studies from the Royal Military College.

Captain(N) Baines spent a considerable amount of time at sea in various appointments culminating with his experience in Command of HMCS WINNIPEG between 2007-09. He has held numerous staff appointments and completed an exchange tour with the United States Navy in Norfolk, Virginia. He has spent time in the National Headquarters in Ottawa where he worked in the Directorate of Maritime Training and Education and as the Maritime Staff Director of Strategic Communications.

In 2010, he received the Meritorious Service Cross for his leadership as Commanding Officer of HMCS WINNIPEG during its counter – piracy mission off the Horn of Africa. Captain(N) Baines assumed the position of Base Commander of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in July 2010.

At the Chamber, Captain Baines serves on the Governance Committee and has previously served on the Finance and Audit Committee.

Mike Black

Mike is the past chair of CAFE (Canadian Association of Family Enterprise), and is currently the Chair of the local chapter. Joining the Chamber Board in 2007, Mike has been active on a number of committees. In 2012, he serves as the Chair of the Governance Committee and is a member of the Policy and Government Affairs Committee. He has previously served on the Policy and Public Affairs and Finance and Audit Committees.President/owner of Capital Iron. He just recently finalized the buyout of his two partners. Apart from his ownership duties, Mike is responsible for several departments’ product purchasing, managing the company’s advertising budget and disbursement of the company’s charitable donations.

Kathleen Burton

Kathleen is Director of Development at Victoria Hospice where she oversees the strategic direction of both the Foundation and Thrift Boutique. She enjoys a rewarding career in Marketing, Communications and Fundraising.

Kathleen serves on Tourism Victoria’s Finance & Membership Committee, National Philanthropy Day Committee. Previous board experience includes Tourism Victoria and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is passionate about Victoria’s upcoming leaders, is a Prodigy Group Mentor, and served on AFP’s International Youth-In-Philanthropy and Advancing-Philanthropy Taskforces. She believes that her focus on partnerships and quality of life will greatly benefit the Chamber and business community. Kathleen has two sons, aged eleven and fifteen. You’ll find her performing on stage or competitive racing the Gorging Dragons’ outriggers and dragon boats.

At the Chamber, Kathleen serves on the Policy and Government Affairs as well as Governance Committees.

Dan Dagg

Dan is the president of Hot House Marketing, a Victoria based marketing-communications firm with a staff of ten. Dan is the former Executive Vice-President of Copeland Communications. At Copeland he acted as the lead planner for clients such as Thrifty Foods, Island Farms Dairy and Pacific Coast Savings Credit Union. Prior to joining Copeland in 1994, Dan spent six years at Palmer Jarvis Advertising's Vancouver office working on the Canada Safeway, Woodward’s and McDonald’s accounts.

At the Chamber, Dan chairs the Strategic Communications Committee and serves on the Greater Victoria Development Agency committee. Previously, Dan chaired the Brand Strategy Task Force and also served on the Policy and Public Affairs Committee. He is also the on the Council of Partners of Success by 6 South Vancouver Island and the former President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and has held board positions with Pacific Opera Victoria and the Downtown Business Improvement Association.

Janelle Karst

Janell is a Strategic Marketing, Communications & Events Specialist with CGI Information Technology & Management Consultants Inc. where she works with the Global Communications team and is responsible for Western Canada. In this new role, Janell is excited to work on a wide variety of initiatives including internal communications, external communications, developing & executing world-class client and member events, and in elevating and marketing our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts across the West. Janell is thrilled to take on this new role, and to ultimately bring more brand awareness of CGI to the West.

Janell completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Royal Roads University and a Business Administration degree in finance & marketing at Camosun College.

Janell is the Past Chair of the Prodigy Group and serves on the Strategic Communications Committee. When not networking, volunteering or building a solid career – she can be found outdoors enjoying all that Vancouver Island has to offer.

Sang-Kiet Ly

Sang is a partner and Enterprise practice leader in the Victoria office of KPMG LLP. He has over 14 years experience providing audit and tax services to a range of private and public companies along with not-for-profit and government-funded organizations. His clients include a number of companies involved in real estate development, technology and financial services.

Sang’s community involvement includes his role as treasurer on the board of Pacifica Housing Advisory Society, the second largest provider of non-profit housing on Vancouver Island. He is also treasurer of the Victoria Chartered Accountants Association. In 2007, Sang was presented with the Early Achievement Award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia.

Sang serves on the Chamber’s Finance and Audit as well as the Greater Victoria Development Agency committees.

David Rand

As a former Membership Services Manager, Board Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee of the Chamber I know that we are more than a downtown business group. I won’t forget that. At the same time, for the last three years, as the Chamber’s representative to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, I know the issues.

With the Chamber’s ongoing support for the Coalition to End Homelessness and my role as President of the Cridge Centre, we all continue to contribute to the search for solutions.

As the Chairman of the “Victoria International Buskers Festival” (the largest family oriented event in the City) and former owner of the English Sweet Shop, he knows how to enjoy the great city we have.

David serves on the Strategic Communications and Governance Committees.

Jesse Szczepanowski

Jesse Szczepanowski is the Director of Marketing for Marv Holland Apparel – one of Western Canada’s largest corporate and industrial apparel manufacturing and distribution companies. In addition, Jesse helps manage his family business enterprise which includes several real estate and investment holdings, including Salmon Beach Recreational Village on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management (with distinction) from Royal Roads University and remains actively involved with the University including his appointment to the Eric C. Douglass Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Council. Jesse is an advocate for family business and is a member of Vancouver Island Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE).

Chair of the Prodigy Group, a committee of the Chamber, Jesse leads a team of dedicated committee members who are focused on creating networking and development opportunities for the emerging leaders of Victoria.

John Wilson

John is the Vice President of Operations & Business Development for Wilson’s Transportation Ltd. Founded in Victoria over thirty years ago; this family-owned charter bus company has grown to be the largest carrier on Vancouver Island, serving communities from Victoria to Campbell River.

Born and raised in Victoria, John has developed a passion for the community and a keen interest in the tourism business and sport communities. He is a current serving director on SportHost, a not for profit society dedicated to the promotion of sport related events in Victoria; and an executive member of SKAL International, a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world and is the co owner of the Peninsula Panthers Junior Hockey Club.

John serves on the Finance and Audit and Policy and Government Affairs committees and previously served on the Membership and 150th Anniversary Committees. He also serves on the Transportation Committee of Tourism Victoria.