People on the Move
Education
Peter Keller has been appointed vice-president, academic, and provost at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Keller will take over from Jonathan Driver, who is returning to his position as professor of archeology on September 1, 2016. Keller comes to SFU from the University of Victoria (UVic), where he is a professor in the department of geography. He most recently served two terms as dean of UVic’s faculty of social sciences.
Finance
Kyle Green has been appointed managing broker at MA Meridian Mortgage Services Inc. Green started at the firm just under 10 years ago as a part-time assistant while attending college.
Legal
Craig Chiasson has been promoted from counsel to partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. Chiasson practises international commercial arbitration, investment treaty arbitration, domestic commercial arbitration and commercial litigation.
Non-Profit
Randy Smallwood, president and CEO of Silver Wheaton and a member of Special Olympics BC’s board of directors, is supporting Special Olympics Team BC as honorary general manager at the 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Real estate
NAI Commercial has recruited Steven Chen to its hotel investment sales division to work in conjunction with Angus Wilkinson from Tyne Hospitality Services Ltd. Prior to this appointment, Chen worked with Sandman Hotels in its downtown Vancouver hotels, with Best Western Northgate in Nanaimo and, for the last eight years, as general manager of the North Vancouver Hotel.
Sales/Marketing
Jacquie McGregor, a real estate development executive, has opened Enviro-Master’s first franchise unit in Canada, located at 303 – 701 Klahanie Drive in Port Moody. McGregor has signed clients such as McDonald’s, Waves Coffee, Vera’s Burger Shack and Anytime Fitness.
Nicola Lambrechts has joined Longview Communications’ Vancouver office as a partner. Prior to joining Longview, Lambrechts was director of communications and community relations at Best Buy Canada and was previously a vice-president at National Public Relations for 18 years.
Companies on the move
Name change
The Alternative Mortgage Centre, previously a division of Capital West Mortgage Inc. and a co-operation between Capital West and BlueShore Financial, has been renamed and rebranded as BlueShore Pacifica Alternative Mortgage Centre Inc. The company is jointly owned by BlueShore Financial and Capital West Mortgage Inc. The centre was created in response to the growing demand for alternative residential mortgage financing in the Metro Vancouver real estate market.
New in town
Beijing Aikang Group, a Beijing-based conglomerate with interests in medical investment and management, as well as real estate development, securities and mutual funds, hotels and restaurants, has established its North American headquarters in Vancouver as Aikang Capital Inc. HQ Vancouver, a joint initiative among the governments of Canada and British Columbia and the Business Council of British Columbia, has signed a partnership agreement with Aikang Capital Inc., which commits HQ Vancouver to assist the company to identify business opportunities and to integrate it into the local business community. For more information, go to www.hqvancouver.ca.
Hats Off
Business in Vancouver welcomes submissions from local small businesses and large corporations alike that demonstrate examples of corporate philanthropy and community involvement in the Vancouver area. High-resolution images are also welcome.
RBC Foundation donated $50,000 to Junior Achievement British Columbia for its Economics for Success program, which is designed to inspire students in grades 8 to 10 to stay in school and plan for success in their careers and in life.
Face the World Foundation donated $10,000 to Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland in support of its Big Sisters program.
Tapestry Foundation for Health Care donated $845,324 to support the Emergency Care Campaign at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital. Funds were raised at the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune fundraising gala.
The Gary Dorman Memorial Charity Golf Tournament donated $20,000 to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. The funds will go towards the purchase of much-needed new medical equipment at Lions Gate Hospital.
Verico Nova Financial Services Inc., a North Vancouver-based mortgage brokerage firm, donated $17,411.33 and 207 bags of food to Shriners of BC & Yukon Child Services Society and the Harvest Project. The funds and food were raised through visits to the firm, which puts on an annual display of Christmas lights.
WDFG Canada donated $26,185.04 to Touchstone Family Association.
BC Housing and its staff donated $10,295 to Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver Foundation to help provide positive role models to local children.
Holt Renfrew Vancouver donated $30,835 to Educating Girls of Rural China. Funds were raised during the charity shopping night hosted by Holt Renfrew in December 2015; 10% of the evening’s sales were donated.
Imprint Plus donated $8,921.89 to the Richmond Food Bank Society.
Canadian Western Bank donated $23,600 to Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver through its annual Greater Interest GIC campaign to support mentoring programs in the community.
The Golf Fore Kids golf tournament, sponsored by T-Lane Nation, Phoenix Truck and Crane Services and Ocean Trailer, donated $50,000 to Alisa’s Wish Child & Youth Advocacy Centre. The funds will be directed to the Child and Youth Victim Abuse Support program and will help children and youth in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows who have experienced or witnessed abuse.
Scotiabank donated $10,000 to S.U.C.C.E.S.S. The funds will be directed toward the settlement of Syrian refugees in British Columbia.•
