Board of Directors

Nate Andrews

Position: President

Email: gm@brandonchamber.ca

Guild Insurance Brokers

Nate graduated from Elton Collegiate and then from Mayville State University with a degree in Exercise Science. He returned to Brandon in 2000 after a stint playing baseball in Australia and became an independent business owner in the city.

After years in the construction and fitness industries he became a partner in the family business and is currently Sales Manager with Guild Insurance Brokers Inc. He has attained the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) designation and the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation. Nate and his wife Kristin, also a partner at Guild Insurance Brokers, live in Brandon with their two children, son Parker and daughter Taylor.

Nate is strongly involved in the sporting and business community. He is a member of the UCT, manager/player for the Brandon Marlins Baseball Organization and Facility Manager of Andrews Field. Nate was also Project Manager for the $300,000 of capital improvements that were generated from the Andrews Field Fundraising Campaign in honor of his late father. He sees the importance of community involvement and growth in the community and looks forward to his opportunity with the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.

Craig Senchuk

Position: Vice President

Email: csenchuk@AGRI-TREND.com

AGRI-TREND® Business Management

Craig Senchuk’s business experience includes corporate banking and corporate finance and is currently the Vice President at Agri-Trend Business Management. Prior Craig was the Co-Ceo of Atom Jet Group located in Brandon.

Craig has been involved in many community groups including president and board member of the YMCA, United Way board member, ACC business advisory board, YMCA capital campaign, ACC trades campaign, and Capturing Opportunities volunteering.

His interest with the chamber lies with enhancing Brandon’s opportunities with the Centerport venture, solving skilled labor shortages and re-igniting an entrepreneurship mentorship program as well as maintaining and enhancing relationships with key interest groups.

 

Todd Birkhan

Position: Secretary/Treasurer

Email: tbirkhan@bdo.ca

BDO Canada LLP

I am a partner with BDO Canada LLP, where I have served the business community in Brandon since January, 1994. I gained my Chartered Accountant’s designation in 1996 after receiving my degree from Brandon University (with great distinction). In 2006, I received the Early Achievement Award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba for professional achievement and community commitment. I am an active community citizen, most recently spending a 3 year term as president of Brandon Crimestoppers (currently past president) and acting as treasurer and executive committee member of the 2006 Special Olympics Summer Games in Brandon. I specialize in supporting owner managed businesses with their accounting and taxation needs, providing advice to aid business owners achieve success in their businesses.

My roots are in Brandon where I live with my wife Kyla and 2 year old son Adair. I feel it is my time to be involved in the Chamber. I believe the Chamber should promote Brandon, working with the other pillars of our community to make Brandon a place where people want to work and live. The Chamber should support business and work with the business community to minimize the obstacles to success – successful businesses build a strong community and everybody wins. I believe in Brandon and yes, as per the slogan, “I Love Brandon”.

Cam Clark

Position: Past President

Email: clarkc@westmancom.com

CKLQ/Star FM

Cam Clark is a life long resident of Manitoba. He was born and raised in Winnipeg but has many roots in Brandon. His father Bruce was born and raised here in the Wheat City. In addition, Cam’s wife Susan was born in Minnedosa and lived in Brandon for a number of years. He has always enjoyed the quality of life that this province has offer and has made a conscious choice to remain here. With over 31 years in broadcasting he moved to Brandon in 2006 to assume the role of General Manager of CKLQ/STAR FM.

Cam worked for CHUM radio for nearly 20 years in various capacities ranging from on-air, to programming, news, sales and management. He also spent time with CKND television and was a local reporter for TSN for nearly four years.

Cam received his formal education at the University of Manitoba while continuing to work in the broadcast industry. He earned his Certificate in Management and Administration in 2005.

He was first elected to the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2008. He has been active in local organizations including the Variety Club of Manitoba, he was the former Chair of the St. Boniface School Division Foundation, and was a Campaign Team member for the 2007 United Way of Brandon.

Cam along with his family, Susan, Andrew & Laura, enjoy living in Brandon with its friendly atmosphere and vibrant local economy.

Karla Dane

Position: Board Director

Email: kdane@mhlaw.ca

Meighen Haddad LLP

Karla grew up in Brandon and returned to the city in 2007 after attending the University of Manitoba to obtain her Bachelor of Laws Degree.  Karla is currently an associate lawyer at Meighen Haddad LLP and maintains a general practice with focus on family law, real estate, and wills and estates.    Karla has volunteered in various capacities with community organizations and is currently a board member of the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation.   Karla appreciates the numerous opportunities Brandon offers young professionals and entrepreneurs and looks forward to promoting the development and growth of business in the community.

Terry Carlisle

Position: Board Director

Email: terry.carlisle@candoltd.com

Cando Contracting Ltd.

Terry is the CFO with Cando Contracting Ltd. Terry has been with Cando for 12 years beginning as the Assistant Controller progressing to his current position today and has previously served on Cando’s board as the employee elected representative. He obtained his Certified General Accountant designation in 2000 after graduating from Brandon University with a Bachelor of Arts. Having grown up in Souris he has been a part of Brandon and south western Manitoba for his entire career and enjoys the quality of life this area has to offer.
Terry believes in developing a strong community and looks forward to bringing his extensive financial and business skills to serving on the Chamber Board. He has previously served as the co chair of the communications committee for the 2006 Special Olympics Summer Games in Brandon. He is a proud supporter of many local charities including the United Way.
Terry believes the chamber serves as a strong voice for Brandon businesses and promotes the community as a whole making it a better place to work and live. He looks forward to serving with the chamber and participating in the strong voice the Chamber provides.

Chad Wallin

Position: Board Director

Email: whatsup@joebeeverz.com

Joe Beeverz Bar & Grill

Chad is the owner and operator of Joe Beeverz Bar & Grill, with interests in other local business ventures. After graduating from Hotel and Restaurant Administration in Saskatoon choosing a career with Cara Operations provided Chad with a solid foundation from which he launched his business endeavors. Chad and his wife, Michelle moved to Brandon in 2005 from Ontario where they operated their Kelsey’s restaurants. Wanting to expand and move to where their heart lies, Brandon was an ideal spot to call home. Born in Minnedosa and raised in “the gap”, Chad could not be happier to raise his twin boys (Sawyer and Zander) in this beautiful city. Chad has been the recipient of numerous volunteer awards as well as business excellence awards and was instrumental in organizing the Westman Military Appreciation Dinner and co-chairing the Molson Hockey House for Memorial Cup.

Chad believes that as a good corporate citizen, you must give back to the people and community that support you and what better way to do this than to get involved with the Chamber of Commerce.

Daniel Burns

Position: Board Director

Email: d.burns@bmce.ca

Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd.

Daniel was born and raised on a family farm just west of Winnipeg in Starbuck, MB. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree. After graduation he moved to the United States and began his professional career working as a field engineer and division manager for a specialty concrete restoration contractor. During this time he had an opportunity to work on a variety of unique construction projects in both the United States and Canada. In 2002, Daniel decided to return to his Canadian roots when he accepted a Design Engineer position with a Brandon based consulting engineering firm. In 2008, Daniel and his business partner, Michael Maendel, established Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd. Daniel has enjoyed serving the Brandon business community as a Chamber of Commerce Board member over the past four years and is looking forward to continuing on in this role. Daniel has also served as a Campaign Team member for the 2010 United Way of Brandon Campaign. Since making Brandon their home Daniel and his wife Pamela along with their children Everette and Evelyn have discovered why Brandon is truly a great place to live and raise a family.

Bonnie Nay-Draper

Position: Board Director

Email: bonnie.nay-draper@gov.mb.ca

Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade

Bonnie is the Manager of the Small Business Development Branch, Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre, and the Manitoba Business Gateway–Brandon with the Province of Manitoba. She assists entrepreneurs and small businesses start and grow through business counselling, workshops, and accessing financial and business mentoring programs.
Bonnie has 20 years experience in the private and public sectors. Before joining government, Bonnie was as a Senior Consultant/Manager with Meyers Norris Penny. Previously, she was an Account Manager with CIBC, and a Crop Inputs Manager and E,H&S Coordinator with Cargill Ltd. Bonnie received her Bachelor of Science from Brandon University, and has a Masters of Business Administration. This diverse experience allows Bonnie to leverage her knowledge in multi-disciplinary environments to help meet her client’s specific needs.
Originally from Killarney, she is a long-time resident of Brandon. Bonnie, husband Scott, and her two step-sons love living in Brandon where they enjoy participating in various activities and events. Bonnie is a board member with the Manitoba Marketing Network, holds co-responsibility for the Entrepreneur Boot Camp and is on the Brandon Regeneration Strategy Committee. Bonnie has been a board member and vice-chairperson with Child and Family Service Foundation of Western Manitoba, and participated on the Westman Wine Festival committee.
Bonnie actively seeks ways to bring timely programs and events to Brandon that benefit the business community. She enjoys showcasing the incredible range of businesses and entrepreneurs that Brandon has to offer to relevant parties, such as senior government officials.
Bonnie is passionate about shoes and has acquired a taste for exercise. Quoting Gillian Hood-Gabrielson, “Whatever reason you can find to make exercise a priority, just know it will ultimately lead to more time, energy and money, which is healthy for any business!”