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Cannabis
Ese Roberts and Clint Pyatt have been appointed director of operations and director of revenue generation, respectively, at Weekend Unlimited Inc. Roberts’ experience in the cannabis and hemp industry includes working as CEO of 333 Custom Spectrum Inc., a Los Angeles hemp extractor/manufacturer; secretary/general manager for High Desert Group Inc., a California cannabis extractor/manufacturer; and president of Canna Candys, a THC/CBD-infused edible candy brand in the Weekend family of brands. Pyatt has more than eight years of experience in the cannabis and hemp markets, including in the design, development and implementation of manufacturing, extraction and proprietary delivery methods for cannabis in eight states. Pyatt is also a United States Marine Corps veteran who has served in Iraq, Somalia and throughout the Middle East, and has also spent a decade in the financial sector with a focus on mortgage-backed securities. Pyatt has launched multiple cannabis brands in California, with extensive knowledge and experience in licensed distribution channels and revenue centres within cannabis vertical markets.
Finance
Subash Chand and Sally Lau have been appointed senior managers at Smythe LLP, while Helen Lam has been appointed manager. Chand has joined Smythe’s Langley team after working at another mid-sized firm for the past 10 years, and focuses on providing assurance, accounting, advisory and taxation services to private companies, owner-managed businesses and not-for-profit organizations operating across a variety of sectors. Lau has more than seven years of accounting and tax experience from national and Big Four accounting firms and works closely with privately owned businesses on their tax compliance and tax planning matters. Lam has more than eight years of human resources experience in professional services and the private sector. As HR manager, Lam works with staff across all levels and provides HR support that aligns with the firm’s strategic goals, vision and values.
Hospitality/Tourism/Convention
Franco Boni has been appointed artistic and executive director of the PuSh international Performing Arts Festival as of June 1. Boni has served as artistic director of The Theatre Centre in Toronto since 2003, and has more than 20 years of experience in Canada’s arts and festival scenes. Boni steps into the role following the resignation of founder and artistic and executive director Norman Armour in April 2018. PuSh has since been led by interim executive director Roxanne Duncan and interim artistic director Joyce Rosario. The 16th edition of the PuSh festival will take place January 21 to February 9, 2020.
Legal
Mark Gustafson and Jeffrey Langlois have been appointed principals at JFK Law Corp. They began at the firm as associates in 2010 and 2013, respectively. Gustafson regularly advises First Nations clients on natural resources projects, including Crown consultation processes, regulatory hearings and environmental assessments, and practises civil litigation. He also provides support to administrative boards and tribunals. Langlois acts for First Nations, modern treaty groups and other Indigenous organizations throughout Canada, particularly in B.C., Alberta and northern Canada, and also represents non-Indigenous clients in civil litigation matters, with a focus on public, administrative and property law.
James Hsu has joined MEP Business Counsel as an associate with the firm’s business law group, with a particular focus on employment and labour law matters. Hsu advises clients both strategically and practically on workplace issues, and also employment-related matters in the context of business transactions. Prior to joining the firm, Hsu practised with a leading national law firm in downtown Vancouver.
Andrew Nicholl has joined Roper Greyell LLP. Prior to joining the firm, Nicholl practised at a large international firm in Vancouver.
Non-profit
The Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) has appointed its new board: David Bennett, director of communications and external relations, FortisBC, is the board’s chair, while Lesley Douglas, general manager of environment, City of Port Moody, is vice-chair. Nadia Chan, manager of trees and landscapes, City of Surrey, will serve as board secretary, while Bill Grutzmacher from TimberWest will serve as treasurer. The ISCBC board is composed of 20 representatives across B.C., with specific representation from local, Indigenous and provincial governments, community and business and industry. A full list of directors is available at bcinvasives.ca.
Companies on the move
Address change
Goodman Commercial Inc. has moved to a new location at 560 – 2608 Granville Street in Vancouver.
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.
Take a Hike Foundation’s 13th annual Moonlight Snowshoe raised more than $76,000. The Take a Hike program is a full-time alternative high school program for at-risk youth in grades 10 to 12 that uses a combination of adventure-based learning, academics, therapy and community involvement. There are currently five classrooms, operating in Vancouver, Burnaby, Delta and the West Kootenays. A sixth classroom is planned for Surrey this year, in partnership with the Surrey school district. The Take a Hike Foundation is also in active discussion with three school districts on Vancouver Island.
Shoppers Drug Mart donated $63,000 to BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Foundation. The funds were raised through Shoppers’ Growing Women’s Health campaign, in which 28 local stores collected donations in support of BC Women’s Hospital.
The Justice Institute of British Columbia has been awarded a grant of more than $127,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to support the development and validation of a mental health screening tool for public safety personnel. This is one of 22 projects funded by a $2.95 million investment by the Government of Canada to support research on how to identify, treat and prevent post-traumatic stress injuries among public safety workers. •
