The Delta Chamber’s 111th Annual General Meeting went virtual last week, another in a long-line of community events and activities that have had to shift its format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 22, chamber members and invited guests came together on their computer screens to elect a new board of directors and hear from Mayor George Harvie, Delta MP Carla Qualtrough and the Port of Vancouver’s Duncan Wilson on a variety of business-related issues in Delta.
The new board of directors includes a mixture of old and new blood and a diverse mix of business leaders from across the community.
The executive committee includes: chair Rick Gibbs (Neutron Factory Works), vice-chair Rosanne Horner (BDC) and secretary-treasurer Dr. Joan Hansen (College of Optometrists BC). Directors include: past-chair Yvonne Anderson (Santevia Water Systems), David Payne, (Harbourlink Container Services), Danielle Guichon, (Backroads Family Farm Market), John Mancini (North Delta Business Association), Rob Allan (lawyer, Campbell Froh May & Rice), Nathan Lauer (Seaspan Ferries), Tanya Corbet (Bella Concepts) and Matt Blair (Delta Optimist).
In his opening remarks, chamber executive director Garry Shearer said the pandemic has produced many challenges for Delta’s business community.
“Your contributions during these challenging times due to COVID-19 have been critical to the resiliency of our local economy that supports our community of Delta,” he said. “I would like to thank each of you for your leadership and commitment to our community during these difficult times and for taking part in this gathering today.”
As outgoing board chair, Anderson also expressed her gratitude to the business community, the City of Delta, the Ladner Business Association, Tsawwassen Business Improvement Association, the North Delta Business Association and Tourism Delta.
“I am so proud of our board of directors and the new members who will be joining us,” said Anderson. “Our board is more inclusive with more women and business sectors represented. Diversity and inclusion is an important part of our board strategy and we will continue to look for opportunities to add members who represent the diversity of our community.”
Gibbs said he was excited to take on this new role.
“I joined the board about six years ago. I felt I had a duty to support my business community,” he said. “I felt our chamber was a great place to start. I have been fortunate to build a network of political and community leaders in Delta over the years and I’m inspired to see so many of us with the vision to make Delta an amazing place to live and work. We have an opportunity in front of us to build Delta into the kind of community where our children and their children thrive in; a community where the environment is respected, business is welcome and development is a collaborative effort amongst all stakeholders in our community.
“We have a lot of work to do, so let’s get too it. I look forward to serving the community of Delta as chair of our board.”
