Role
The Board of Directors is the legal representative of the Chamber. Its role is to plan, make decisions and policies and set objectives for the Chamber on behalf of the membership.
Nature of the Board of Directors
Chamber of Commerce Board Directors are chosen because of their interest in the Chamber of Commerce, their standing in the community and their experience and ability in civic affairs. Each one brings special skills or knowledge to add to the community; his/her constituents are all the people. While this is true each Director should bring to the decision making process the fact that he/she represents a particular sector of the business or professional community the interests of which must be considered.
Board of Directors
PJ Crane, President
PJ has lived in Brandon his entire life, and he is currently employed with the family business, Crane Steel Structures Ltd, a design/build general contractor company. For the past 10 years PJ has been on the board of directors for the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba and currently sits as past president. When he's not devoting time to his own family, he enjoys all sports and dedicates time to coaching, volunteering and community involvement. PJ hopes to bring to the board his continued enthusiasm and drive to grow with the Chamber of Commerce.
Crane Steel Structures Ltd. 934A Douglas Street, Brandon, MB R7A 7B2
Tanya Knight, VICE-President
Tanya is a chartered accountant and partner with Meyers Norris Penny and has been with the firm since 1997, where she focuses primarily on small to mid-sized business accounting and advising. Tanya is an active member of the community through her involvement on various boards and community groups including the Brandon Family YMCA, where she just completed a two-year term as President, Treasurer of the Brandon Senior Women's Volleyball League, and Official Agent for Merv Tweed Election Campaigns in 2004 and 2006. Tanya has been involved in the Chamber's Business Development committee from 2004-2005 and looks forward to contributing to the continued successes of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Tanya and her husband Marlow and two boys enjoy the city of Brandon and want to see the community continue to grow and be a great place to live, raise a family and do business.
Meyers Norris Penny LLP, 1401 Princess Avenue, Brandon, MB R7A 7L7
Cam Clark, Secretary/Treasurer
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Cam 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 and raised in Minnedosa and lived in Brandon for a number of years. With over 26 years in broadcasting he moved to Brandon in 2006 to assume the role of General Manager of CKLQ/STAR FM/Westman Advertising. 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 in 2005.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.
CKLQ/ Star FM, 624 14th Street East, Brandon, MB R7A 7E1
Chris Griffin, Past-President
Chris was born and raised in Brandon. He spent several years learning and working in other provinces, and then returned to open his first landscaping business. Two years later, Chris joined his father in operating a family-owned business; the Brandon Rec Center Restaurant and Lounge. In 1998 Chris and his wife Karin decided to open a full-scale landscape company. Alternative Landscaping Ltd. is now in its 12th year of operation. Alternative Landscaping Ltd. started with just two part-time employees, and has grown to be an operation that employs 10 full-time and 30-35 seasonal employees. Chris believes that Brandon is an ever-changing business environment. Brandon is a truly great community that has huge potential for family and business. Chris feels that through progressive, unique and innovative planning, we as the business community have the capability of making Brandon a truly dynamic place to work and live.
Alternative Landscaping Ltd., 2210 Maryland Avenue, Brandon,MB R7B 3Y2
Nate Andrews, Board Director
Nate graduated from Elton Collegiate and then from Mayville State University with a degree in Exercise Science. After being an independent business owner in the city, he joined the family business and is now an Account Executive in the Commercial Lines Department of Guild Insurance Brokers Inc. He has attained his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation and is currently working towards his Canadian Risk Management Designation. Nate and his wife Kristin, who is also involved in Guild Insurance, live in Brandon with their two children, 4 year old son Parker, and 1 year old daughter Taylor. Nate is strongly involved in the sporting and business community. As a member of the UCT, manager/player for the Brandon Marlins Baseball Organization and facility manager of Andrews Field, he sees the importance of community involvement and growth in the community.
Guild Insurance Brokers Inc., 2830 Victoria Avenue, Brandon, MB R7B 3X1
Darren Blazeiko, Board Director
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Darren is the Director of the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts with Assiniboine Community College which is located at the historical BMHC Nurses Residence at the college's new First Street campus. Darren was born and raised in Yorkton Saskatchewan and moved to Brandon in 1991 where he started his hospitality career. He spent the next 16 years with various management positions with Genesis Hospitality and the last 5 of those years as General Manager of the Royal Oak Inn & Suites.Darren is currently seeking re-election to the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Board which he has been a part of for the past two years. Darren is active in the community and is a currently a Director of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba (5 years),is the Chair/Co-Founder (12 years) of the Christmas Tree Auction for Kids and the entertainment chair of the 24 hour Radioathon both with the United Way. Darren is married to wife Lorraine, and they have two children, Brooke and Jake. Darren is committed to Brandon and is dedicated to supporting the present and future growth of our Brandon business community.
Assiniboine Community College, 1 Street North Campus, 1430 Victoria Avenue East, Brandon, MB R7A 2A9
Jim Brannan, Board Director
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Jim Brannan is V.P. of Contract Services for Cando Contracting LTD. He joined Cando in June of 2002 and is a member of Cando's Board of Directors. His responsibilities include railway contract services, material procurement and sales in Canada and across the United States. He is a member of the Manitoba Marketing Network Board (Westman Chapter), past Chair and current member for the Brandon Community Development Corporation and serves on the Traveller's Day Parade Committee. Prior to his career with Cando, Jim was President and co-owner of Practical Concepts Inc. He was a founder, V.P. of Manufacturing, and Director for Inventronics Limited, and a past board member of the Westman Recycling Council and COR Enterprises. He also served as chair for the Business Committee of the Brandon Economic Development Board. Jim has volunteered for events such as the Special Olympics and the World Curling Championships. Jim was born and raised in Brandon. He graduated from Assiniboine Community College. Being a well travelled employee of two very successful local companies, Jim has long been a promoter and ambassador for Brandon where he and his wife Merna raised a daughter Tricia and son Robert. Jim looks forward to becoming a team member on the Chamber Board for 2009-2010.
Cando Contracting Ltd. 4th Floor, 740 Rosser Avenue, BRANDON, MB R7A 0K9
Daniel A. Burns, Board Director
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Daniel is a Civil Engineer with experience in both the construction and consulting engineering industries. 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 Engineering (Civil) degree. After graduation he moved to the United States and began his career working in the construction industry where he quickly became the division manager for an international construction company. In 2002, Daniel decided to return to his Canadian roots; he accepted a Design Engineer position with a local consulting engineering firm. In April 2008 Daniel and his business partner Michael Maendel established Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd. As an owner of a new business, Daniel is excited to be a part of the Brandon Business Community and is looking forward to serving on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce. Since relocating to Brandon in 2002, Daniel and his wife Pamela have discovered why Brandon is ranked in the top 10 places to live in Canada.
Burns Maenel Consulting Engineers Ltd. 1331 Princess Ave, Brandon,MB R7A 0R4
Don Cataford, Board Director
Don is presently employed with Westoba Credit Union as the Manager of the 10th and Princess Branch. He has been with Westoba for 7 years and in the banking business for over 27 years. As a Brandon resident, Don is very positive about the future of the city. As a member of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Board, Don hopes to be able to make a difference in the continued development of Brandon.
Westoba Credit Union, 1st & McTavish Avenue, Brandon, MB R7A 0P8
Karla Dane, Board Director
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. She completed her articles with the law firm of Meighen Haddad LLP and joined the firm as an associate lawyer in 2008. Karla has always been an active volunteer in the community and is currently a board member of the Brandon Food for Thought program, the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation and is the president of the Western Manitoba Bar Association. 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.
Meighen Haddad LLP 110 11th Street, Box 22105 Brandon, MB R7A 6Y9
Kent Forman, Board Director
Kent is the owner and General Manager of Forman Honda. Born in Rivers MB, Kent first pursued an education in music which culminated in an eight-year career as a professional symphonic musician. But the lure of the automotive business, in and around which he had been raised, became too great, and so Kent came to Brandon in 1998 to become a founding partner in Forman Honda. His challenge these days is balancing time between the dealership, and his family life, which includes wife Naomi and daughters Ava and Annie. Kent has previously served a term as Board Member of the Chamber, and looks forward to again representing the interests of the business community.
Forman Honda, 2080 Currie Blvd., Brandon, MB R7B 4E7
Chad Wallin, Board Director
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Chad is the franchisee of Montana's Cookhouse and part owner fo the BulkBarn franchise inBrandon. Choosing a career with Cara after graduating from Hotel and Restaurant Administration 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 thier Kelsey's Restaurant. Born in Minnedosa and raised in the "the gap" he is estatic to be back homeon the prairies and happy that they have chosen Brandon to run thier business and raise thier 18 month old twin boys. Since moving to Brandon he has been very involved in the the community and together with his Montana's teammates, managed to raise over $100,000 for local charities and groups, and was awarded with the Mayor's Volunteer Award. Chad was instrumental in organizing and hosting the Westman Military Appreciation Dinner and most recently was the Co-Chair of the Molson Hockey House at the Memorial Cup. Chad believes that as a good corporate citizen, you must give back to those that support you and what better way than to volunteer on the Chamber of Commerce and help make Brandon an even better city that it already is!
Chad Wallin, 823 - 18th Street N., Brandon, MB R7A 7S1
Scott Hildebrand, Board Director
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Scott is the Vice President and General Manager of McKenzie Seed a division of Jiffy International. McKenzie has just recently moved their operation from their historic location in downtown Brandon to their new facility on Parker Blvd. Scott was born, raised and went to school in Regina, Saskatchewan and has lived in both Calgary and Winnipeg prior to moving to Brandon 18 months ago. Scott started his career in Regina with Frito Lay Canada (Pepsico) and over 15 years held a variety of positions in sales, National Accounts and finished his career as Zone Sales Leader looking after the Manitoba, Saskatchewan and NW Ontario operations. Over his 15 year career Scott has experienced a vast variety of leadership, teamwork, diversity and inclusion, coaching and mentoring and corporate values courses. The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors nomination would be a new experience in community business and is something that Scott feels he could positively contribute to. Scott is married to wife Lori, and they have two children, Carter and Camryn. Scott has enjoyed his short time in Brandon and it's starting to feel like home. Brandon has provided a great work-life balance, lifestyle and business community that is very unique along with some great people.
McKenzie Seeds a Division of Jiffy, Brandon, MB
Sharon Shepherd, Board Director
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Sharon is a proud graduate of Crocus Plains where she was on the Honor Roll and Awarded numerous awards including the Governor General's Award. She started West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports injury Clinic in 1990 and was involved in the establishment of Portage Physiotherapy as well as Turtle Mountain Physiotherapy in Boissevain. She has extensively volunteered in Brandon's amateur sporting world in the role of sports injury management as well as in the World Junior Hockey Championships, Pan Am Games, and Special Olympics. She chaired the medical committees for the Scott Tournament of Hearts as well as the Olympic Curling Trials.She has also volunteered in various capacities with the Brandon General Hospital Dinner Committee, YMCA Board of Directors and various committees along with the Westman Parklands Physiotherapy District Board. Her continuous financial support of many non-profit organization throughout Westman shows her commitment to community.Her philosophy is being hurt doesn't mean you can't laugh and as such she tries to bring a fun atmosphere within her clinic. She very much enjoys her profession but her most important job she has is being wife and mom to Dan and boys, Blake and Kirk.
West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, 20 - 1015 - 26th Street, Brandon, MB R7B 2B9
