People on the Move
Hospitality/Tourism/Convention
Vineet Saluja has been appointed financial controller at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Saluja has more than 15 years of experience in finance, accounting, hospitality and hotel operations, beginning with the Hyatt Regency in Delhi, India. His experience includes hotels in the U.S. and Canada, having previously worked at the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa in Ontario and the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel. Most recently, Saluja served as senior assistant director of finance and accounting at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas.
Julia Diakow has joined Tacofino’s flagship Taco Bar in Gastown as bar manager. Prior to this appointment, Diakow worked at Reflections at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, The New Oxford and Cuchillo.
Mike Friend and Emma Jupp have been appointed EVP, leisure operations for the Americas, and EVP, product for the Americas, respectively, at Flight Centre, effective January 1. Friend is currently product nation leader in Canada; he joined the company in 1996 as a consultant in Melbourne. Jupp has been product nation leader in both Canada and the U.S. and joined the company almost 20 years ago. Jupp will be based in the company’s Ramsey, New Jersey, headquarters until June 2016, and will then return home to Toronto.
Human Resources
Mark Heinrich and Kelly Lynch have joined Summit Search Group as senior recruitment specialists. Heinrich brings more than 20 years of experience in sales and sales leadership to the firm. After a career in business-to-business sales, Heinrich focused his attention on the development and coaching of sales teams. Lynch has more than 20 years of experience in sales, particularly in the technology sector. Prior to joining Summit, Lynch had recruited, hired and mentored numerous sales teams for many companies across B.C.
Legal
James Moore has joined Dentons as the firm’s senior business adviser. Moore has many years of government experience, most recently as minister of industry from 2013 to 2015, where he oversaw a wide range of Canada’s public policy decisions.
Non-Profit
Jeremy Hunka has been appointed senior public relations specialist at Union Gospel Mission (UGM). He comes to UGM after an award-winning career as a journalist, most recently working as a reporter at Global BC, Global Calgary and CTV Winnipeg while also filing abroad as a foreign journalist in countries like Colombia and Costa Rica.
Public
Kim Grout, a registered professional agrologist and planner, has been appointed CEO of the provincial Agricultural Land Commission, an independent administrative tribunal dedicated to preserving agricultural land and encouraging farming in B.C. She begins her new role on December 14. Prior to this appointment, Grout served the City of Pitt Meadows for 11 years, in roles including chief administrative officer (CAO), deputy CAO and director of operations and development service. Grout also has worked for the cities of Maple Ridge and Abbotsford.
Resources
The directors of CB Gold Inc. have resigned from the company’s board, Fabio Capponi has resigned as CEO and president and Susan Rubin has resigned as CFO. The resignations follow the closing of CB Gold’s private placement of 30 million common shares for proceeds of $1.8 million between the company and its principal shareholders, Red Eagle Mining Corp. and Batero Gold Corp. CB Gold’s board now consists of Ian Slater, Jay Sujir and Tim Petterson, each of whom is a nominee of Red Eagle.
Robin Campbell has been appointed president of the Coal Association of Canada, replacing Ann Marie Hann, who has resigned to pursue other career opportunities. Campbell was a member of the Alberta legislative assembly for the West Yellowhead riding from 2008 to 2015.
Technology
Patrick Sutherland has been appointed director of sales for the Americas at Maximizer Services, a provider of customer relationship management solutions. Sutherland has more than 20 years of experience in software sales, including long-term leadership roles at SAP, Business Objects and Crystal Decisions. A native of Vancouver, Sutherland has also worked in Toronto and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Companies on the move
New in town
Henriquez Partners Architects has moved its office to the new Telus Garden building at 798 West Georgia Street in Vancouver. Telephone numbers remain the same.
Name change
Richard Kennedy of Edmonton, Alberta, has retired from DXI Energy Inc.’s board of directors. DXI Energy recently changed its name; it was previously known as Dejour Energy Inc. (TSX, NYSE MKT:DEJ) and now trades on the TSX and NYSE MKT under the ticker symbol DXI.
The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union Local 378 (COPE 378) has rebranded as MoveUP, the Movement of United Professionals, to reflect its 12,000 members’ pride in their work and their commitment to making positive change in their communities. The relationship with the COPE/SEPB national union will remain unchanged and the legal name will remain Local 378 of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union.
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.
Prospera Credit Union donated $15,000 to the Justice Institute of British Columbia. The funds support the purchase of 15 advanced birthing training simulators.
Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel donated $200,000 to the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business to fund a new investment research lab equipped with Bloomberg terminals.
The Chinese Real Estate Professionals Association of BC donated $2,000 to Richmond Hospital Foundation to help ensure high-quality care for local patients and families.
Hyundai has helped to launch a new interactive exhibit for Science World British Columbia, at Telus World of Science, that gives visitors a chance to experience first-hand the environmental benefits of the first zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell vehicle available to Canadian customers. Based on a classic driving game, the Hyundai-sponsored exhibit challenges drivers to take the hydrogen-powered Tucson fuel cell electric vehicle for a virtual spin, facing a series of true or false questions testing knowledge of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Rexall Foundation donated $10,000 to the BC Family Hearing Resource Society. The funds will support an online educational program.
Clark Wilson LLP donated $18,890 to the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to create learning opportunities that inspire children and help them reach their full potential. This includes developing outdoor learning experiences, school and community gardens, organizing farm visits, as well as school breakfast and compassionate care programs. •
