Nanaimo Chamber Looking For Replacement For Ex-President & CEO Smythe
MARK MACDONALD
NANAIMO – Mark Marcil is the new manager of the Nanaimo branch for Canadian Western Bank, and his official title is now Senior Assistant Vice President & Market Lead Vancouver Island. He takes over from Kevin Wilson, who has joined the team at Ashdown Capital, which focuses on commercial lending and mortgages, after 20 years of commercial banking. Most recently, Kevin was manager of Canadian Western Bank in Nanaimo, as well as Senior Assistant Vice-President & Market Lead for Vancouver Island. Kevin also formerly was with CIBC, and he can also play a great game of golf.
Nanaimo wasn’t without a long-distance bus service for long, as Wilson Transportation announced in January it was ceasing its route to Tofino. Islandlink has jumped in and will start offering bus service between the Departure Bay ferry terminal and the west coast, as well as making stops in Port Alberni and Ucluelet. Phillip Morgan, Islandlink’s owner, announced the change January 12, adding they will use 15 passenger vehicles to service the route, which will become a daily service May 18. Islandlink currently has five trips to Victoria from Nanaimo daily.
Mark Marcil
Kim Smythe is out as President and CEO of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Board of Directors is tasked with finding a replacement for Smythe. The Chamber website states that its office is still at 2133 Bowen Road, although the building, built by committed and generous Chamber members that ensured the structure was paid off just 10 years after completion, was surprisingly sold in 2021.
The Salvation Army in downtown Nanaimo will reportedly be on the move, temporarily.
With renovations required at the existing New Hope Centre at 19 Nicol Street, the Salvation Army will be relocating at the former Caprice Theatre, called the OV Arts Centre, in the near future while work continues on their regular home.
Congratulations to Executive Coach and consultant Carolyn Phillips-Cusson upon obtaining Associate Certified Coach certification from International Coaching.
Daniella Novak is starting a new position as Manager, Investment & Retirement Planning at RBC.
Morgan Carey
Congratulations to Morgan Carey, CEO of Real Estate Webmasters, upon being listed in the 2023 Swanepoel Power 200 (SP 200), which ranks the most powerful executives in the real estate brokerage industry.
Jeff Smith has joined Seamor Marine as its Director of Sales & Marketing. Jeff brings 25 years of marine technology experience to the Northfield Road company which builds Remotely Operated (ROV) units for underwater use.
The 62-unit Sunfeld Manor at 1125 Seafield Crescent is being built for low and moderate income seniors, thanks to $2.7 million from the federal government’s national housing co-investment fund. $6.6 million was previously announced through Building BC, a provincial government community housing fund. Woodgrove Senior Citizens Housing Society also contributed, with $1.2 million in land equity.
Island Crisis Care Society is holding its “Coldest Night of the Year” fundraiser February 25, a family-friendly fundraising walk taking place that evening to support programming for people experiencing homelessness. For information, contact Elspeth Erickson at eerickson@iccare.ca
A tip of the hat to Margaret Merrett and her team at Fine Balance Nanaimo upon celebrating its 20th year of offering Pilates classes in Nanaimo. They will be holding an event at Cavalotti Lodge on East Wellington Road from 6:30-11:30 p.m. on February 3. Tickets must be purchased ahead. For information email Margaret at margaret@finebalancenanaimo.com
Late fees at the library? Worry no more, as the Vancouver Island Regional Library has permanently removed late fees on all adult materials, after previously waiving young adult and children’s fines.
Mosaic Forest Management has renewed its access agreement with Mount Washington Alpine Resort, allowing the Comox Valley ski hill’s patrons access to roads, Nordic trails and outback areas on Mosaic’s private forest lands.
Mark MacDonald is President of Communication Ink Media & Public Relations Ltd. and Author of the book “It Worked For Them, It Will Work For Me: The 8 Secrets of Small Business I Learned From Successful Friends”, which can be obtained by reaching him through: mark@communicationink.ca