Tuesday, February 09, 2016 — Nine individuals with business expertise from across the south Vancouver Island region have been selected by the Founding Members of the YYJ Prosperity Association (YYJ Prosperity) to become Directors of the new economic development organization that is uniting the region behind a new model of collaboration to strengthen and diversify local economies for the greater good of everyone. Dozens of citizens from across the region came forward to volunteer their time and expertise to help guide the YYJ Prosperity initiative as a Director.
“We are very humbled and inspired by the tremendous interest received from across the region,” said Dan Dagg, who has served as the interim Chair of a group of dedicated volunteer champions overseeing the critical start-up phase of this new organization. “Choosing Directors was difficult as the caliber of candidates was extremely strong. Our goal was to ensure that we could amass skill sets appropriate to sector development strategies, and expertise that touched on the entire south island region. We are extremely grateful and excited to welcome these business leaders as Directors, and we are hopeful that those who were not selected will join us on the strategy development teams and consider serving going forward.” The YYJ Prosperity Board will have staggered terms that will allow for new people to serve as Directors in the coming years.
Accepting their nominations to lead YYJ Prosperity include:
· Ms. Jayne Bradbury: Owner and operator of Fort Properties Ltd.;
· Mr. Bill Bergen: recently retired after 33 years in the technology sector;
· Ms. Jill Doucette: Founder and owner of Synergy (green economy specialization)
· Dr. Pedro G. Márquez: Professor of Strategic Management and International Business and Vice President, Global, Marketing and Business Development at Royal Roads University;
· Ms. Christina Clarke: Executive Director for Songhees Nation;
· Mr. Craig Norris: Business consultant with expertise in Community Development, Marine Development, Resort Development, Oil and Gas, and Mining;
· Mr. Paul Nursey: President and CEO of Tourism Victoria and national tourism leader;
· Mr. Bob Skene: Chartered accountant and distinguished business leader;
· Mr. Ken Taylor: Owner and Operator of six McDonald’s Restaurants on South Vancouver Island.
The announcement of the new volunteer Board of Directors coincided with the welcoming of the Songhees Nation as a Founding Member of YYJ Prosperity. The Songhees Nation is the first Aboriginal community to join YYJ Prosperity as equal partners aligning themselves with a group of twenty four determined leaders from business, municipal governments and post-secondary institutions from across the region who are the Founding Members and funders of the organization.
Working together, under the guidance of the new Board of Directors, YYJ Prosperity will identify opportunities, and pursue federal and provincial funding and international investment in key economic sectors for projects that reflect local values and deliver family sustaining jobs. YYJ Prosperity’s focus is on collaboration combining resources, energy and talents for the benefit of the region.
