CCCU President & CEO Adrian Legin Announces Retirement
MARK MACDONALD
NANAIMO – After 33 years of ownership, Eric and Sandy McLean have sold their McLean’s Specialty Foods on Fitzwilliam Street to Jamie and Kerry Martini, Dave Pady and Rhea Pearson. The Martinis are founders of Meat Craft Butcheries, and Jamie’s brother Dave owns Cognito Coffee Roasters. The McLeans have been popular downtown business owners and are excited about moving into retirement.
Coastal Community Credit Union President and CEO Adrian Legin has announced he will be retiring in June after 16 years leading the financial institution. Adrian has done an exceptional job leading CCCU, which has grown to where it has a total of $4.5 billion in assets under its administration. The credit union has been named a Great Place To Work six years in a row, and recognized on the Forbes “Canada’s Best Employers List” for 2022 and 2024, as well as earning a spot on the 2024 Best Workplaces in British Columbia roll. He has also been very involved in the community, making significant contributions with his time and talents.
Congratulations to Aspengrove School, which has been ranked number 47 out of 950 secondary schools in the province in the Fraser Institute School Rankings for BC that has just been released.
The Port of Nanaimo welcomes Captain Edward S. Dahlgren back for his second tenure as Harbour Master. He will oversee the Port’s marine operations, ensuring the highest standards of safety and security. He takes over from Captain Satinder Singh, who has accepted a new position with the Senior Leadership team at Ports Toronto after serving the Port of Nanaimo for the past six years. The Port of Nanaimo also announces that Claire Cook, who has been a casual employee for the past five years, is now a full-time receptionist.
Adrian Legin
Kim Key Chinese Vegetarian Cuisine is a new restaurant that has opened in Beban Plaza unit 1 at 2220 Bowen Road. It is in the former location of Da Tang Chinese Seafood Restaurant, next to Affirmation Coffee. Kim Key is Nanaimo’s first Chinese vegetarian restaurant.
Private banker Fraser Stamp-Vincent has joined the BMO Private Wealth Vancouver Island team. Fraser has over two decades of banking experience at BMO, most recently as Director, Corporate Finance – Diversified Industries.
The Canadian Football League’s all-time leading Canadian rusher, Andrew Harris, has been hired as the running backs coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Andrew, a standout running back for three-time national Canadian Junior Football League champion Vancouver Island Raiders prior to his CFL career, has been serving as director of football operations for the Raiders.
Bastion Pizza Company is now open at 16 Victoria Crescent.
Congratulations to Ruby Youngman for winning the Royal Lepage “Rookie of the Year” awards for all of Canada. Royal Lepage has over 21,000 real estate agents across the country.
Therapist Kaitlyn Franklin is now accepting patients at The Therapy Place Counselling Group at 477 Wallace Street. They offer mental health services.
Westcoast Solid Wood Furniture has opened in Country Club Centre.
Array Studios has a new Creative Director, Jason Schultz.
Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank will receive $5 million in funding from the federal government towards its 30,000 square foot warehouse facility that is now under construction on East Wellington Road. Executive Director Peter Sinclair says Loaves and Fishes still needs $2.2 million to complete the project, and that the announced funding will arrive between 2025 and 2027.
Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) has announced a new Chair, Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples. She takes over from former Ladysmith mayor Aaron Stone, who is now the CEO of the South Island Prosperity Partnership. ICET’s mandate is to invest in economic development and partnerships across Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
Primex Investments Ltd. has earned approval for a new plan for its six-storey, 162-unit residential development at 77 Chapel Street from city council. Primex senior planner and development manager Greg Mitchell made the application to council, and says construction is expected to take two to three years. It was the second time Primex has submitted plans for the property.
Mark MacDonald is President of Communication Ink Media & Public Relations Ltd. mark@communicationink.ca