The Board of Directors

President

Garry Hollick

Gary Hollick was appointed Publisher of the Surrey Now newspaper in 2002.  The Now Newspaper is recognized as the largest regional newspaper in North America. Gary was previously the Now’s Director of Advertising for five years and, prior to that, was a successful proprietor of numerous businesses in Kimberley, B.C. and a Realtor in Calgary, Alberta.  He began his newspaper career in Calgary and later moved to Kelowna to publish a local weekly. He joined CanWest Publications and moved his family to the Lower Mainland fourteen years ago.

Throughout his entire working life Gary has contributed to the local community.  He is Past-President of the North Delta Rotary Club and sat as District Governor overseeing 53 clubs from Hope to Everett. As Rotary District Governor, he directed the 3000 member clubs to focus fundraising efforts on helping under-developed countries create sources of clean drinking water. Upon completion of his term as District Governor, Gary was appointed to “Rotary International Literacy Coordinator” for Canada, US and Russia. He also offers marketing seminars to retail business once a month, sits on the Business Advisory Council with Surrey School District and is a member of the board of Cornerstone Healthcare as well he acts as an advisor to Simon Fraser University.

In 2002, Gary was the Delta Business Association’s Business Person of the Year. Gary is recognized as a Past President Surrey Board of Trade. In 2009, he received the Community Ambassador Award from the Surrey Foundation where he served as Director.  He has been an adviser on Surrey Mayor’s Crime task force as well as the Surrey Crystal Meth task force.  In 2008, he chaired the Spirit Bear Program in Surrey raising over $350,000 for charity. He is recognized as the creator of the “I Love Surrey” program.

Email: president@sswrchamber.com

Past President

Jay Fettinger

Jay Fettinger is an Investment Advisor that specializes in providing advice for individuals and business owners seeking stable, conservative and knowledgeable management of their investment and retirement assets.

Jay has spent the past 14 years in the South Surrey, White Rock region delivering comprehensive investment solutions for his private and corporate clients. Today Jay offers a wide range of advice, services and programs with BMO Nesbitt Burns – from the development and implementation of detailed Investment and financial planning strategies for individuals to Corporate Investment Strategies for all types and sizes of businesses, all focused on capital protection and asset growth.

To contact Jay visit his website at www.jayfettinger.com or call (604) 535-4331

Cliff Annable - Interim Executive Director

The Chamber works for our business community, visitors and residents. Its objective is to help local businesses thrive by providing strong leadership on business issues, networking events, and marketing opportunities while providing visitors and residents with valuable information and resources.

White Rock and South Surrey are prospering and are currently experiencing huge growth in residential and commercial construction. The Semiahmoo Peninsula has fabulous beaches, parks, golf courses, restaurants, accommodation, plus views of the ocean, islands, and mountains. Each of our several shopping districts is unique. We also have the best climate on the coast. In White Rock and South Surrey you will experience a friendly, safe, and very enjoyable environment to live, work, play and visit.

Whether you are a visitor, resident or business, the Chamber is here to answer your questions and to support the continued success of this vibrant community. Please visit us at the Chamber office and year-round Tourism British Columbia Visitor Information Centre at #100 15261 Russell Avenue, White Rock (Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30) or during peak tourism season (May to October) at our seasonal White Rock beach kiosk.

Phone: 604-536-6844

Email: cliff@sswrchamber.com

We are here to serve you 

Directors

Shell Busey

Based in South Surrey, BC, Shell has national recognition, with more than 50 years of home improvement industry experience under his belt; including over 25 years as a radio program host, and 118 episodes of his Home Check television program, he continues to deliver the how-to, what-to, where-to, why-to, when-to, and who-to of home improvement.

Shell also leads the HouseSmart Home Services Referral Network, a service he created to help homeowners find qualified and reliable tradespeople, suppliers and products for their home improvement projects. Shell Busey’s HouseSmart Referral Network has since grown into one of the most recognized referral programs in the home improvement industry, with over 180 certified professional contractors and building industry suppliers across Canada. In 2009 a professional renovation service under the name Shell Busey’s Home Improvements was added to enable those homeowners not wanting to do their own renovation work to have a qualified and certified renovation company made available to them. For more information visit his website www.AskShell.com

Sharon Hollas

I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and in 1994 myself, my husband and 2 sons decided to take the plunge, and relocate to "Beautiful BC".  We had visited the lower mainland on several occasions through the years, and although our sites were set on White Rock, it was well beyond our means financially. Our first move was to Kamloops, and during our 8 years there, I became active in the new home construction industry.  This is where I received my real estate licence as well.   In 2002, with the failing economy, we decided to make the move to the Lower Mainland. We spent 2 years in Langley, and when finally, a home in White Rock became available, we didn't hesitate. We have now been in White Rock for 6 years, and have loved every minute of it.  I wouldn't consider a move anywhere else. 

I have been an active volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Volunteer Drivers Program, for 5 years, and I find it to be a rewarding experience.  I have the opportunity to meet some very interesting people, and their optimism and positive outlook is amazing.   I am also member of Realty Watch, which is a community based crime prevention program consisting of realtors from across the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack and Greater Vancouver.

My husband and I are very proud of our 2 sons, and their families. Our oldest son and fiancé reside in Kamloops, and our youngest son, who has blessed us with 2 beautiful granddaughters, aged 7 and 5 and 1 grandson aged 5 months, are in process of making the huge move from Japan to Canada, at the end of September. After 7 years, we couldn't be more thrilled to have them close at last.

Ramesh Keshav

I am the Manager of The Co-operators at Morgan Crossing. We are the largest 100% Canadian only insurance company with agencies spread from coast to coast.. Our office offers ICBC, Home, Travel, Business, and Life Insurance. I am also a Past Director of the Rotary Club of New Westminster as well as a Paul Harris Fellow. I am also a Fellow of The Institute of Directors, as well as a Rotary Past President as well as a Past President of the Midlands Chamber of Commerce from my home country of Zimbabwe. I am married to Kamal and we have two sons. The elder one is a third year student at the Sauder School of Business at UBC, and the younger is in the first year of the International Baccalaureate Program at Semiahmoo Secondary.

Erin McDonald

Erin McDonald became a director of the White Rock/ South Surrey Chamber of Commerce in 2010. She is very proud to have lived and worked in the White Rock/ South Surrey area for over 5 years. Erin graduated from Simon Fraser University in 2009, with a major in Political Science and successfully completed a Business Leadership Program offered through Thompson Rivers University the previous year.  Erin has been employed at The Peace Arch News for 5 years and is passionate about her job as an Advertising and Marketing Sales Consultant. In addition, she enjoys volunteering her time at Peace Arch Hospital Foundation fundraiser events and is an active member at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Erin looks forward to working with the business community in her role as a new chamber director.

Morley Myren

As a realtor with RE/MAX where Morley’s commitment towards achieving excellence in the real estate industry continues, and as a Rotarian and as an active member of the SS/WR Chamber of Commerce Morley remains committed to being involved and giving back to the many requirements of our community.


Among Morley’s roles in senior management, He spent 20 years as President and owner of a successful corporation before becoming actively involved as a partner in the development of golf course communities. Subsequently he joined RE/MAX where his commitment towards providing unsurpassed service towards his clients continues.

Maria Mura

Maria Mura ― Branch Manager of Westminster Savings White Rock. Maria has seen Surrey grow and evolve over 30 years, and has gained unique insight into the community and the members she serves.

Staying connected is a consistent theme in Maria Mura’s mandate to build close ties with people in the branch and the surrounding community.  Maria has been on the White Rock/South Surrey Chamber Board for the past 2 years, and currently chairs the Membership Committee. Her philanthropic nature has led her to key positions of leadership, including: Director of International Sound Foundation to help children with hearing issues and a lack of support; committee member of the Douglas College Review Committee for Self-Employment in partnership with the HRDC; and a committee member for the Fraser Real Estate Board.

Maria has gained expertise and respect from her peers during the 15 years she has excelled in the financial services sector.  An Honours graduate of the BCIT Management System program and designated Elder Planning Counsellor, Maria finds time to balance the needs of her growing family with the financial needs of her branch members.

Marilyn Pearson

Marilyn Pearson is an Event Planner specializing in Private and Corporate events.  Marilyn is an executive Chef by trade and owner of local companies, Marilyn Pearson Cuisine and Company and The Garden Wedding Company.

Marilyn has lived and worked in the South Surrey, White Rock area for 26 years and has had the companies for 14 years.  For corporate events, Cuisine And Company will send the message you intend, that you are unlike any other company, attentive to detail and innovative in your approach to doing business.
 
The Garden Wedding Company offers fresh local cuisine, all rentals, wedding planning and all the exceptional staff you need to create the best wedding your guests have ever attended.
Inspired by organics. Created by chefs. Powered by social conscience.

To contact Marilyn visit her website at www.CuisineAndCompany.Ca or www.TheGardenWeddingCompany.Com

Terry Ross

TERRY ROSS is the manager of the Foto Source store located in Central Plaza in White Rock. This award winning store carries a full selection of photographic supplies, accessories, and photofinishing services and can be viewed on its website at www.whiterock.fotosource.com

Terry has been in the photo retail business for over 35 years providing knowledgeable information and quality products to his customers to the White Rock/South Surrey retail community. As well he is involved with Foto Source Canada with head office in Oakville Ontario, and with its 260+ member locations across Canada. He first served on the Marketing & Promotion committee, then on the Board of Directors and for the past 3 years has been the Chairman of the Board for that organization.

Always active in the community he also recently retired from the White Rock Fire & Rescue where he was the senior Auxiliary Firefighter with 32 years of service. He is a graduate of Semiahmoo Secondary School and the Past President of the Semiahmoo Secondary Alumni Association.

Terry can be contacted by calling 604-531-8344 or email to fotosource34@fotosource.com

Collette Semeniuk

Lou Tardif

I have spent the better part of my life in entrepreneurial environments, where I was able to take business concepts from the “idea stage”, to notable levels of success.  This has taken me from theatre manager in my teens, to printer and graphics supply distributor in my early adult years, all the way to CEO of a very successful distribution business – 75 very talented people contributing to its success – while my wife and I were nurturing a young family.

Throughout these years, I worked hard on behalf of my customers, a habit that I have incorporated into my present career as a financial advisor and insurance broker. Because of my business background, I understand what it takes to have both a thriving enterprise, while maintaining the security that a family needs and deserves.

Add to this that I have been able to guide five children into adulthood without losing my sense of humour and you know that you are dealing with someone you would want on your side in a crisis.
 
I am constantly upgrading my knowledge of the services and products available to my clients to achieve their goals, while also assembling a team of like-minded and highly skilled professionals, to assist in the development of business and estate planning strategies.

These include the support team at Global Pacific Financial, who not only supply the many sophisticated products that I represent, but who also add their many years of experience to mine; to create a strong and proven resource for all of your financial needs.
Call me for a confidential assessment of your needs and aspirations and the creation of a plan that will “get you there.”

Marilyn Winship