Executive and Board of Directors

Kim brings a strong business background to the Chamber. He spent 30 years owning and operating a variety of businesses. He has been a member of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce since 2002 and had seven years experience with the Chamber Board before moving over to the Executive Director’s position. Kim is very involved with the Oceanside Community and has served as a Board member with several local groups including The Oceanside Development & Construction Association, The Parksville & District Historical Society, Pacific Sport Vancouver Island, Canadian Sport Centre Pacific, The Parksville Garden and Parkland Society, The Oceanside Generals, The Parksville Beachfest Society and The Rotary Club of Parksville. A passion for rugby sees him on the field Sundays with the Nanaimo Hornets Rugby Club over forty side – The Yoos-to-Bees.

Gary Child, his wife Renate and their two children came to Parksville in 2005 and are the owners of the Pacific Brimm Coffee & Tea Co. Before returning to Canada, Gary held executive positions for 2 US companies from 1995 to 2005, with roles including VP of Information Technology, VP of Research and Development and VP of Outsource Management. In addition to operating the Brimm, Gary continues to pursue his professional career in a consulting capacity, with a focus on establishing development organizations for small technology firms.

Doug Reiderer is a 26 year employee with Thrifty Foods working in various stores and Head Office. Doug has been the Store Manager of the Parksville location for the last 2 years. Born in Vancouver, Doug has lived in B.C. all his life with most of his years in Victoria. He spent 4 years as an Auxiliary Police officer with the Saanich Police Department in Victoria. Doug presently lives in Nanaimo with his wife Kim, also a 24 year employee of Thrifty Foods, and 3 teen-age children, but hopes to eventually relocate to the Oceanside area. Doug enjoys hockey, golf and water-skiing and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Parksville.

Rudi Widdershoven and his wife, Trish, have called Oceanside home since 1983. His experience as an RCMP officer for 14 years, 10 years with the City of Parksville, and now as a Realtor, gives Rudi diverse insights into the community. Due to his desire to be active and give back to the community, Rudi became a director of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce in 2002, has served one term as the Chamber’s Secretary/Treasurer, one term as 1st Vice President, one term as 2nd Vice President, and has chaired the Summer by the Sea Street Market Committee.

Shawna Broekhuizen is the General Manager of The Beach Club Resort, Parksville’s newest luxury hotel.  Shawna has been in the Hospitality Industry for over 20 years, having apprenticed at the Rimrock Hotel in Banff, Alberta. Following graduation from VIU in the Hospitality Management Program, Shawna was hired in the Food and Beverage Department at the Delta Whistler Resort. During that time, she began running the banquet department at the Delta and the Telus Conference Centre. After a stint of four years and a re-brand to Hilton Hotels, she found her way to the Tigh-Na-Mara. In April of 2008 Shawna was hired by The Beach Club Resort. Shawna has two children, RJ, age 18, and Ella, age 3. Shawna also serves on the Board of Directors for the Oceanside Tourism Association and is currently attending Royal Roads University, completing her Masters Degree in Tourism.

Bruce Cownden first came to Parksville in 1997 as the operator of Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park and Campground. Bruce is currently the owner/operator of Oceanside Site Services. In addition to his business duties, Bruce is a School Trustee and President of the Oceanside Development and Construction Association. Bruce has recently taken on the role of Chair of the Chamber Policy Committee.

Lisa Leger is a Natural Health Consultant at Pharmasave Health Centre in Parksville. She also has a private practice as a Fertility Awareness Educator. Lisa is currently the Chair of the Mid Island Chapter, Osteoporosis Canada - 2004-present, Vice President, Board of Directors of the Forward House Community Society and a member of the Steering Committee for Family Health and Wellness Fair as well as a member of Oceanside Community Partners and Volunteer Leader, Chronic Disease Self Management Program.

Arlene Sandeman-Allen is employed as the Board Secretary in the Administration Department at the Head Office of the Coastal Community Credit Union. Arlene spent 10 years in the BC Resort and Tourism Industry, including four years as the Youth Work Experience Director. She holds a BA in Public Relations from UBC studying Socio-Political Economic Development, Policy Analysis, and Public Administration. Arlene is an enthusiastic advocate for the local businesses in her community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Parksville Chamber of Commerce for the past two years in the positions of 2nd Vice-President, Policy and Positions Committee Chair, Executive Committee member, Marketing Committee member and Fantasy Auction Decorating Committee Chair. Arlene has also been a Delegate and an Accredited Voting Official at the past two BC Chamber Annual General Meetings, and a representative for Parksville and District at the quarterly BC Chamber Policy Sessions.

Robynne Shaw is the Guest Services Manager at Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort. She has been in the hospitality business in management positions since 1986, most of which has been in the Oceanside area. She has seen great growth in our business community. Robynne appreciates the strength of the Chamber and is interested in taking on a role that will enhance her knowledge of the business community and assist to keep it strong.

Rhiannon Whitney has been a business owner here in Parksville since 2008. She opened Natural Synergy Day Spa in November of 2008, and is very involved in the community, serving on the Parksville Downtown Business Association and the German Ju Jutsu Foundation helping troubled youth in the area. She is proud to have been the 2009 Entrepreneur of the year Glassie Award recipient. She looks forward to contributing more to this beautiful Oceanside community.

Terry moved to Parksville with his wife Heather and two daughters from Calgary, Alberta in February 2010.Terry leaves behind a successful career as an Operations Manager and Human Relations Manager for one of Southern Alberta's largest glass and shelving supply companies. Terry brings with him a strong knowledge of the construction industry, and a very strong management background, which is complemented by his education in Business Administration and Marketing from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. He has most recently become a licensed Strata Manager in the province of BC and is now working towards his Brokers license.

Terry is currently one of the owners of The Kerr Group Management Corp. which is one of Oceanside’s premier property management companies. Currently, The Kerr Group looks after a number of Oceanside’s Strata Corporations; The Kerr Group also owns and operates Vancouver Island Vacation Homes – VIVacations.

Donna Andres, her husband Tim, and three children moved to the Island in 1997 and then to Parksville in 2008.  Donna and Tim both have been involved with youth in their communities for the past twenty years.  Donna as been employed in the medical field for the past twenty five years and now opened her own retail accessory boutique, Lady's Mantle in Parksville in November of 2009.  She loves the outdoors, gardening, her grand children and being involved in the community.  Donna enjoys and appreciates the support of the chamber and is interested in taking on a role to assist others in business.

Jason Granger is the owner of Encompass Computer Services, a locally based business offering affordable Information Technology solutions to Parksville and surrounding communities since 2006. With 16 years’ experience, Jason is a hands on tech professional with a technology background that spans industrial control systems, manufacturing, education and law enforcement. Over the years he has developed a reputation as the “go-to” guy when it comes to everything related to computers. Using his tech-savvy ways and industry experience, Jason empowers small business and home computer users by offering them the knowledge necessary to save money and make the most of the technology they use every day.
Jason is the past president of the Oceanside chapter of Business Network International co-founder of Central Island Business Builders and proud member of the Parksville Chamber of Commerce.

Al McLean has lived in Parksville for nine years, moving here from Burnaby in 2002.  While in Burnaby, Al worked in the telecommunications field.  For almost half of his twenty eight years there, he worked as a business consultant coaching clients in the areas of sales and customer service.  Al graduated from B.C.I.T with a diploma in Marketing Management.
Following his short retirement in 2002, Al went into real estate here in Oceanside and joined the Chamber.   He has been active in the Chamber for four years serving on the Membership Committee and attending most General Meetings and continues his active role since retiring again last summer.
While living on the Mainland, Al was active in a number of community-based organizations including Junior Achievement, The Vancouver Crisis Center, Charlford House Society For Women (President of the Board for six years), and the Rotary Club of Burnaby Hastings (President  1988-89).
Al continues to have a keen interest in the business life of Parksville and its role in our evolving community.  He believes that our business leaders will play a major role in setting the course for future growth of our city.