LANGLEY PROFILES OF
FALL 2014 EDITION
LANGLEY PROFILES OF “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” — Confucius
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elcome to the second annual edition of “Profiles of excellence” a special publication of the Langley advance. The people and businesses profiled in this magazine are what make Langley an excellent place to live and work, they come from a variety of educational backgrounds, have taken different paths to success and can all be looked upon as industry leaders in their own right. what they all share is the desire to excel in their chosen profession, an attribute that is not born – but bred through years of training and dedication
in their pursuit of excellence. the awards that many of these community leaders have received are proof positive of their commitment to this publication’s focus … exceLLence. Join me in congratulating these leaders as they are what make Langley an excellent community to call home, and because of these people we can look forward to a bright future in our community. ryan Mcadams Publisher, Langley advance
“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” — Vince Lombardi
FALL 2014 EDITION
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LANGLEY PROFILES OF PROFILES
Lewis MacLean PLuMbing and Heating. . . . . . 5 LangLey Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 VaLLey grouP of coMPanies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Harrison Landing/Harrison Pointe. . . . . . . . 11 LangLey ortHodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 deLoitte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 LangLey HosPice society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Mayor Jack froese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 cLoVer towing Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
PUBLISHER Ryan McAdams
townsHiP counciLLor, cHarLie fox . . . . . . . . 23
SALES MANAGER Peggy O’Brien
cefa wiLLowbrook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
WRITER Ronda Payne
g&f financiaL grouP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
PHOTOGRAPHY Nancy Teichgraf
c&d Logistics Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
For inquiries regarding the next edition of Profiles of Excellence, please contact the Langley Advance at pobrien@langleyadvance.com or by phone at 604-994-1035.
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“Simplifying Your Life” with the Human Touch
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ou’ve heard the cliché that your home is one of your largest investments? it’s true. but your home is also your sanctuary: a place to start and end each day; a special place to relax with family and friends. so when plumbing, heating or air conditioning concerns arise, you want trades people with the caring and understanding of what your home means to you. you want an experience where the job is done right, the first time. And most of all, you want to be treated with respect. george Lewis, President and Lynn MacLean, ceo of Lewis MacLean Plumbing and Heating understand. they know what it means to have trades people you can trust to do a great job, people who work with honesty and integrity, and who leave you feeling positive about the transaction. “i’ve been there,” said Lynn. “i’ve had trades people treat me badly and take advantage. i don’t want those kinds of people in my home, or in the homes of our clients. that’s why we do things differently at Lewis MacLean.” Lewis MacLean is the only plumbing, heating & air conditioning service company to offer a guarantee on leaving your home spotless, in addition to the 100% satisfaction guarantees on the work they do. they can offer this kind of service because they are picky, very picky, about hiring the right people and teaching them the Lewis MacLean way of doing business.
PHOTO: George Lewis and Lynn MacLean
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“we’ve developed this way of doing things because the service experience can be about you – not about a trades person rushing off to another job,” george noted. “it’s how we’re changing the face of in-home service. we take our time to do things right and treat people right.” contact Lewis MacLean at any hour, any day and you’ll speak with a live person. the quote you get is the price you pay and because they are trained in understanding plumbing, heating & air conditioning from the inside out, technicians will assess the problem, provide options for solutions, plus inspect the systems of your home to identify possible future concerns. “our technicians are trained to listen.” Lynn noted. “they are supremely helpful, plus they look and act like professionals because that’s the kind of person i’d want in my home.”
“We take our time to do things right and treat people right.”
according to Lynn, it’s about “simplifying your Life” so you never have to worry about the toilet running, the faucet leaking or the furnace stopping – ever again. “we only use parts that are proven to work,” added george. “the same things we use in our own home. we don’t want to waste your time or your money. when you call us it will be hassle free and worry free.” Look to Lewis MacLean for all your residential plumbing, heating & air conditioning needs, and experience service as it should be. LEWIS MACLEAN PLUMBING AND HEATING LANGLEY, BC TEL 604-532-9625 WEB lewismaclean.com
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Forty Years of Caring
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uring 40 years of serving seniors, one thing remains constant at Langley Lodge – the genuine compassion from the Lodge’s staff and community of supporters. in the early 70’s there were no longterm care facilities in the community and according to debra Hauptman, ceo of Langley Lodge, it was a collaboration between Langley Memorial Hospital and the local rotary that started the Lodge that now houses 139 residents. originally designed to provide personal and intermediate care, Langley Lodge now provides complex care. the staff has been recognized for the care they provide through the facility’s 2012 achievement of exemplary accreditation. this means Langley Lodge exceeds national standards of excellence.
“we are very proud to be fully, canadian accredited,” debra said. “Less than 20 per cent of facilities have accreditation. it’s very rare to achieve exemplary standing.” Langley Lodge provides 24 hour nursing care to 112 residents under the fraser Health authority and 27 private pay residents. “our residents represent the history of Langley. they raised their families, worked and lived here,” said debra. “we really enjoy working with the elderly population.” it isn’t just the exemplary care residents receive that makes Langley Lodge such a wonderful facility, it’s the fact that everyone who spends time there is dedicated to making senior’s lives better. PHOTO: Debra Hauptman
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the Langley Lodge team, including 125 volunteers, also ensures meaningful activities on a daily basis. “we have an amazing group of volunteers who offer many options for our residents,” debra said. “from pet therapy to gardening, music and more, they bring wonderful activities. our volunteers really make the difference.” others who take part in making senior’s lives better are those on the volunteer board. Langley Lodge is the only non-profit senior’s care facility in Langley, so is governed by a board made up of a diverse crosssection of the community. in 1999 the Langley care foundation was formed. according to debra, it’s a small charity with a broad base of support including individuals, groups, businesses, government and other foundations. the funds raised by the foundation provide the things not covered by the health authority for the Lodge such as music therapy, mattresses, kitchen equipment, horticulture programs, ceiling lifts, and more.
“We need more corporations to sponsor organizations like ours.”
“we need more corporations to sponsor organizations like ours,” debra noted. “to be major sponsors of our gala or other events. we also need business people and retired health professionals to take an interest in joining our board of directors.” debra noted it’s the intangibles that make the lives of residents better. “it’s the things that bring more quality of life. fundraising gives our residents things to look forward to and people to share it with,” debra said.
LANGLEY LODGE 5451 – 204TH STREET LANGLEY TEL 604-530-2305 WEB langleylodge.org
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Eight Companies Under one Langley Roof
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oming into Langley via the golden ears bridge you may spot an unassuming site on about six acres. Home to Valley Traffic Systems and a number of other businesses, owner and President, Phil Jackman’s organization is a large employer in the community. He’s thankful to his team for ensuring all of the businesses under the Valley group of companies run smoothly. what began as making signs for road closures soon flourished into a full-service, operation to provide solutions to contractors, government agencies, utility companies and others with road traffic control needs. “i’d been in the sign business previously and i missed it,” Phil said. “I started Valley Traffic in 1997 with five employees. I realized what contractors were looking for.” now with 275 employees, Valley Traffic has traffic control operations that run from Hope to whistler plus remote offices on Vancouver Island, in Quesnel and Prince george and branch offices in Albert and saskatchewan. employee training is key to Phil who encourages the hiring of people-oriented individuals who are safety conscious. “We’re the first traffic control company to be COR certified by worksafe bc,” he said. “we’ve got the most professional people in the industry and we’re the most experienced.” when you’ve sat in road construction, driven under highway road signs or looked for the street a friend lived on, you were likely looking at products made by Valley Traffic Systems. PHOTO: Phil Jackman
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“We’re a one-stop shop for traffic management,” noted Phil. “from the engineers’ traffic drawings through to the signs and cones, even first aid kits, we can provide it all.” the 75,000 square foot facility of the Valley group of companies is impressive with its vehicle service bays, design facilities and on site sign shop complete with the first digital traffic sign printer in Canada. “we can create any kind of sign,” commented Phil. “Large road signs, sandwich boards, banners, labels. it isn’t just about road work. we do signs for businesses as well.” In addition to Valley Traffic systems, the Valley group of companies also oversees dinamac Holdings Ltd. Traffic Management, grove Hydrovac service, roadsmart training institute, Power Earth/Traffic Management, knight safety, object outdoors and california immobilizer. these companies are managed from the main site in Langley and what many don’t know is that the training institute provides training to private, government and corporate entities in road safety. being a long-term member of the community includes giving back. one of the biggest recipients of that generosity is the Langley Memorial Hospital foundation. other support from the Valley group of companies goes to cops for cancer, cruise-in and numerous kids’ sports teams. “it’s important to us to help the groups that make our community great,” said Phil. “we’re proud to be a part of Langley and want to make it a great place for others to live and work too.”
“From the engineers’ traffic drawings through to the signs and cones, even first aid kits, we can provide it all.”
VALLEY GROUP OF COMPANIES 9770-199A STREET LANGLEY TEL 604-513-0210 WEB valleytraffic.ca
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A Living, Laughing, Comfortable Home
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t’s often stressful when the time comes to find an independent or assisted living retirement home for a family member. what if they don’t like it? will visiting be a hassle? what if it’s boring? at Harrison Pointe, the guesswork is removed. the care and management team meet on a daily basis and address all details with a “resident-first” approach. the success of this strategy shows in the strong relationships formed between residents and staff as well as the number of residents who encourage their friends to check out Harrison Pointe. this formula of putting residents first and finding staff who care deeply for others is one owners glenn bell and ralph giuriato saw work with their first building, Harrison Landing. “we recognized the need for residents to be treated like family, with respect and caring,” glenn noted. “with a wait list at Harrison Landing not long after we opened, we needed to build another, larger residence.” Harrison Pointe was created with the attention to detail normally reserved for custom homes. open spaces, wood trim and cozy activity kitchens, work together to create a warm, inviting environment. “this is a residence, not a facility. we hate that word,” glenn laughed. “our residents enjoy themselves, they are encouraged to be active and while they love their suites, they also love spending time with their friends. Most of them come to live here because they’ve spoken to friends who already do.” emergency pendants and 24-hour in-house nursing care ensure the
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medical attention needed without the intrusion or loss of independence sometimes seen in a retirement home. Plus, because the staff know all the residents by name and get to know their family and friends, the secure building remains comfortable while ensuring safety. “the whole building is open to our residents. this is their home.” glenn said. From the fun-filled party social nights to making delicious jams and jellies in the country kitchen, to hopping on a bus to go on an adventurous bus outing or luncheon, Harrison Pointe’s activity coordinator, Paola welti, keeps the residents active and fulfilled. “We have an excellent Osteofit Program here”, Paola says with pride. “there is something for everyone. People need to be involved and it is my job to make that happen”. but Paola is quick to add that “i couldn’t do my job without the support from our incredible staff! our team is amazing. it helps that we all love our jobs here!”.
“We recognized the need for residents to be treated like family, with respect and caring.”
the condo-style suites include an in-suite kitchen, balcony, fireplace and sit down shower. Monthly rental includes utilities, two chef-created meals a day, breakfast toast bar, weekly housekeeping, linen services, telephone and basic cablevision. “the Harrisons are independent and assisted Living. we expand our services to suit the residents’ individual needs”, glenn noted. ”we encourage everyone to come for a tour, stay for a meal, chat with some of our residents and see why we truly feel that we offer people “a better way of Life”.
PHOTO: Glenn Bell and Ralph Giuriato, Owners of The Harrisons
HARRISON LANDING 20899 DOUGLAS CRESCENT LANGLEY TEL 604-530-7075 HARRISON POINTE 21616 - 52ND AVENUE LANGLEY TEL 604-530-1101 WEB harrisonpointe.ca
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A Beautiful Smile Speaks for Itself
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here’s more to orthodontics than the aesthetics of straight teeth. Dr. Kanani, Certified specialist in orthodontics with Langley orthodontics notes that correcting the position of someone’s teeth can improve self-esteem as well as oral health, often changing their life. “orthodontics is the modern twist on traditional dental care,” dr. kanani said. “we use state-of-the-art techniques to correct the position of a patient’s teeth. it’s a huge responsibility and my team and i feel honoured every time a new patient entrusts us to care for their smile.” one member of the Langley orthodontics team, dr. kanani has been practicing for close to 10 years, but noted some of his team members have been working in the field even longer. “As orthodontists and certified orthodontics dental assistants, we focus on one aspect of dentistry and become experts in that area,” he noted. “it allows us to serve a greater number of people, give more to our community and achieve great fulfillment in our careers.” Perhaps one of the greatest achievements dr. kanani achieves is in transforming a severely misaligned smile. because the process can take slightly longer than a standard orthodontic patient, the rewards are greater in seeing that patient change in how they look, how they feel and how others see them. “we see some patients for as little as six months,” dr. kanani said. “that
PHOTO: Dr. Kanani
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can be really fun because they are energized and engaged by what has happened so quickly. there really isn’t anything more rewarding than helping change a person’s life.” Langley orthodontics works with both children and adults and has a history with a wide range of alignment issues and options. the team prides itself on delivering the best customer service and the best results in the shortest time possible. technology plays a role here with the use of intraoral scanning technology to take virtual impressions of a mouth instead of traditional impressions. “Many adult patients come to us for invisalign or tooth-coloured braces,” noted dr. kanani. “if they want it, we can do it.” Many orthodontic practices will have just one orthodontist, and while Langley orthodontics started out smaller, the continued support of the community saw the practice grow to a team of people with many years of training. this allows for superb patient care, experience with all types of alignment issues – from the simple or common to the extraordinary – and a fun office environment for the team and for patients.
“There really isn’t anything more rewarding than helping change a person’s life.”
“it’s been a true pleasure to have a team that gets along well both in and out of the office,” Dr. Kanani said. “we also have a community program called ‘dr. kanani gives back’ where our team and members of the community recognize local youth for outstanding morals and leadership.” LANGLEY ORTHODONTICS 201-19978 72ND AVENUE LANGLEY TEL 604-533-6696 WEB langleyorthodontics.com
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Accounting with the Human Element
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eloitte Langley doesn’t look like what you’d expect from an accounting firm. the sleek lines, open concept and advanced technology may have you thinking software or design firm, but this space, known as “the office of the future”, is efficient, productive and an environment clients love. rick bublitz, Managing Partner of deloitte Langley noted the new office (in a LEEDS Silver building), opened in october 2013 and is the first of its kind for Deloitte Canada. Office space blends seamlessly with meeting rooms and small “touch down points” for quick sharing – all completely wired for connectivity and communication. “it’s about delivering the best answer to the client,” rick said. “we make the client part of the answer. they know their business; we ask and invite questions until we know the answers we provide align to their business. an answer is not complete unless it fits the client and their industry.” this problem solving approach isn’t new for the firm which has been part of Langley since 1972. with a staff of more than 70, teams are created based on client need and who is best for the job. “i work in teams,” noted rick. “and it’s a different team every day. we work with different people at different times. This enforces finding the best information possible. it gets staff talking about the best ideas. our people are empowered to do that.” empowerment and sharing are made possible through the use of
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electronic white boards, instant connectivity to flexible display monitors and docking stations that switch between computers with the touch of a button. it allows simplified sharing of documents, data and information. “our clients love coming here,” rick said. “it’s just effortless and incredibly functional.” clients also turn to deloitte Langley because they can form a relationship with their business team. “you have to connect to the people you rely on,” rick said. “it has to be an active relationship that says we can work together, give the best answers, have the latest information and build all of that on trust.” those relationships are built by people and when looking for the next candidates to join deloitte’s Langley office, the first quality is the ability to interact with others. “You can find out pretty early on if someone can talk to people,” noted rick. “we need to be able to solve problems and understand people.” The new office structure and layout supports the ability for the team at deloitte to do the best job possible wherever they are most comfortable – a cubicle, open table area even outside on one of the patios. “we have the best of the deloitte world,” rick said. “we are a group of 70 people in Langley working together but we also have the larger global network of deloitte at our disposal. our team works together on anything from bookkeeping to international taxes-we can do it all!”
PHOTO: left to right: Dave Keyworth, Randy Munro, Rick Bublitz, Bob Reich, Peggy Aulenbach
“It has to be an active relationship that says we can work together, give the best answers, have the latest information and build all of that on trust.”
DELOITTE 600 - 8621 201ST STREET LANGLEY TEL 604-534-7477 WEB deloitte.ca
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A Helping Hand During Challenging Times
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aying goodbye to a loved one, is not an easy task. the end of life journey is an incredibly personal one, but that doesn’t mean it must be done alone. the Langley Hospice society is a communitybased charitable organization that is committed to providing support to those living with a terminal illness, their family and friends throughout the last stage of illness, at the time of death and bereavement. “the Langley Hospice society offers a wide range of programs and services free of charge to the community we serve,” according to acting executive director, shannon todd booth. “in addition to palliative care and support, we provide individual and group grief support programs, summer and day camps for grieving children and teens, volunteer training programs, and a resource library,” shannon said. “Hospice is more than just a building or residence,” shannon noted. “it’s a philosophy of care.” Langley Hospice volunteers provide support in-home, in-hospital or incare-facilities, non-medical respite for caregivers, and more. support and programs are accessed by individuals of all ages and stages, including children, teens and adults and families. at their supportive Programs centre centrally located in Langley, it’s easy for those in need to access support, visit the resource library, attend group sessions or simply find out more information. More than 5,000 people accessed the Langley Hospice supportive Programs centre in 2013 alone. PHOTO: Shannon Todd Booth
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“our volunteers logged more than 27,000 hours last year,” shannon added. “Volunteers touch everything we do.” As a non-profit charitable organization, Langley Hospice society has a diverse funding base; they receive financial support from their second story treasures thrift store, memorial donations and bequests, fraser Health , bc gaming and the united way, and support from the community through special events, sponsorship and donations. “our goal is to increase community engagement through outreach and education so that people know who we are and what we do.” shannon noted. “ increased awareness and fundraising will allow us to provide important palliative care and bereavement support programs for our growing community.”
“Hospice is a philosophy of care.”
in addition to providing quality client-centred programs and services to the community, the goal of the hospice society is to see a new long term hospice residence. the current 10 bed residence is housed in an interim building on the grounds of Langley Memorial Hospital. operated by fraser Health, the hospice society provides volunteers and financial support beyond Fraser Health’s role. “People think hospice is all about death, but it’s about life,” shannon said. “it’s about honoring the journey every step of the way. for more than 30 years, the Langley Hospice society has been providing compassionate support to help people to live with dignity and hope, while coping with grief and the end of life”.
LANGLEY HOSPICE SOCIETY 20660 48TH AVENUE LANGLEY TEL 604-530-1115 WEB langleyhospice.com
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Working Together for the Township of Langley
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n egg farm brought Jack froese to Langley and back then, he had no dream of becoming mayor of his community. in fact, it wasn’t until less than a year before the 2011 township election that he was asked to run. “a friend asked if i’d run for mayor,” Jack said. “at the time, the atmosphere of our community’s council wasn’t something i liked seeing. i hoped i could change that.” it was 1979 when Jack bought an egg farm in aldergrove where he and his wife debbie would raise their three children. yet, in 1983, Jack had a different calling. the family stayed on the farm, the egg business was sold and Jack pursued a career with the Vancouver Police department. “i enjoyed policing,” Jack noted. “i learned a lot, had many great experiences and saw the importance of relationships.” along that journey, the family got into turkeys. The first JD Farms specialty turkey store took form in 1993, with the new store and bistro coming about in 2008. “we have a staff of over 20 people. some have been with us over 20 years and they are great,” he said. “we certainly couldn’t be in business without them.” Jack also embraced the importance of togetherness in the community. He coached girls’ soccer and he and debbie were active in aldergrove soccer registration as well as the central fraser Valley soccer association. “i was also a cub scout leader,” he recalled. “i did these things because i could spend time with my kids and
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get involved with the community.” Learning more about the people in Langley also came from serving as the head of the security committee for the 2010 Langley summer games. “the amount of work people will do free is amazing,” Jack said of the summer games experience. “but Langley does that.” when running for mayor, Jack surrounded himself with capable people of diverse opinions. He noted how proud he was of the teamwork that helped him get elected. teamwork is still just as important to Jack. He acknowledged that the voice of each Township Councilor reflects the people who voted them in. “it’s important to me that each councilor has a voice,” he noted. “i will always support council’s decision. it doesn’t mean we don’t have differences of opinion, but i will always support it.”
“It’s our community and our future and we’ll get there together.”
Jack pointed to a number of positives that came from much debate: the east Langley water Pipeline, the intermunicipal business licensing, preserving lands in glen Valley. “these are great accomplishments that came from discussion and a lot of push-back,” Jack noted. “that’s what makes it worthwhile, everyone wants what’s best for the community.” for Jack froese, it all boils down to people working together, no matter what the issue is at hand. “People are passionate about their communities,” he said. “it’s our community and our future and we’ll get there together.”
PHOTO: Jack Froese
RE-ELECT MAYOR JACK FROESE TOWNSHIP OF LANGLEY EMAIL JACK@JACKFROESE.COM TEL 604-308-4917
Authorized by Kate Amangoulova - Financial Agent for Jack Froese (604) 510-5500
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Taking a Different Look at Towing
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sk kit Møller about the towing industry and he’ll tell you it doesn’t have to be the way Hollywood portrays it (the surly, rough looking guy with the beat up tow truck). As general Manager of clover towing, kit knows people have a certain impression of the industry, but it’s one he and the crew at clover work hard to change. Maybe it’s his danish roots that give him a different take on things, but according to kit, in western europe, tow truck drivers are held in high regard. “they keep the roads moving, they come to the aide of others,” he said of those european tow truck drivers. “it’s an honorable job and that’s the image we strive to portray every single day.” all of the drivers at clover towing are uniformed, the front line staff are courteous and the storage yard is paved and marked. the drivers receive their calls by a digital interactive system in real time. “we know people who come in are under stress. we want to make that experience easier to go through. it’s a welcoming environment, we even give out clover towing branded water when customers need a little pick-me-up.” and some customers do. whether it’s an accident, keys locked in a car or a stall, professional staff willing to take the time to be compassionate goes a long way. “i want people to think differently about tow truck drivers,” noted kit.
PHOTO: Kit Møller
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“it’s different here.” kit treats his team of about 45 staff members differently too. He takes the time to educate drivers and help them move up to a class 1 driver’s licence, offers an employee rrsP matching program, provides the option to lease-to-own a tow truck for long-term drivers and other benefits not common in the industry. clover towing also takes a strong role in the community with yearly participation in the nicomekl river clean up, moving the community stages around for the city and township and donating abandoned cars to local fire crews for training. kit wants others to see clover towing as a valuable part of the community. clover began when kit’s dad purchased a tow truck as part of an auto-service station. what began with a handful of trucks decades ago has grown to 30 trucks including flat beds, tandem tow-trucks, low-bed trailers and more.
“We’re here for people 365 days a year – always open and always available.”
Kit has also diversified the business adding equipment hauling, moving the Ministry of forestry’s mobile camps around the province and taking on the municipal contract for towing for Langley and the rcMP in addition to the towing and service work for bcaa and its members that his dad started with 31 years ago. “we’re clearing the roads and helping people,” kit summarized. “we’re here for people 365 days a year – always open and always available.” CLOVER TOWING LTD. 20291 102ND AVENUE LANGLEY TEL 604-513-1900 WEB clovertowing.com
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A Growing Community and a Better Place to Live
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aving lived in Langley for more than four decades, charlie fox has seen his share of growth in the community. with problem solving skills honed in the Langley school district, and more recently as a councillor for the township of Langley, charlie is willing to help guide that growth and see Langley become the best it can be. “i enjoy working with people, and for people, to improve our community and make it a better place to live,” charlie said. charlie moved to Langley in the early 70s and brought with him an attitude of “giving back to the community” that he came by naturally from his parents. “both of my parents were very involved in their community,” he said. “not politically, but in giving back through groups, events and activities.”
He says that tradition parlayed into his own, and his wife diane’s, philosophy of giving back. over the years, charlie has been an active member of the community through groups like the rotary club of Langley central, the aldergrove rotary club, the Langley township Parks and recreation committee, the transplant research foundation, aldergrove Minor hockey, and many other organizations. this involvement culminated into his being awarded the Hilda reddick award for volunteer of the year for the community of aldergrove and as a two-time nominee of the eric flowerdew award recognizing volunteers. PHOTO: Charlie Fox
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In 2005 he was elected to his first term as councillor to the township. when asked what he would like to achieve in a fourth term, charlie noted, “the most important thing is the completion of the recreation complex in aldergrove. aldergrove needs a focal point downtown and a place where families can go swim and play.” obviously it’s a big project, but one that charlie believes is doable in the next municipal term. He envisions the residents of aldergrove being proud of a new facility that meets their needs for many years to come. “the biggest challenge is trying to meet everyone’s needs,” he noted. “Langley is a very diverse community that is growing so rapidly. it’s a challenge blending new residents with older, rural farming roots. Making all of that come together is a challenge.” it may well be charlie’s origins as a teacher, then principal, in the local school system that encourage him to face new challenges. “there are plans and decisions that need to be made for our growing future,” he said. “but, that’s the exciting part. i want to be a part of that challenge.”
“I enjoy working with people, and for people, to improve our community and make it a better place to live.”
charlie noted his approach is to base decisions on the overall community’s best interests. “i have good problem solving, listening and communication skills from my background,” he commented. “if someone wants to talk, i like to meet them over a cup of coffee and listen.”
RE-ELECT TOWNSHIP COUNCILLOR, CHARLIE FOX 1225 235TH STREET LANGLEY TEL 604-340-9421 WEB www.reelectcharliefox.ca
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Inspiring a Life-Long Love of Learning
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pened in the spring of 2014, CEFA Willowbrook (Core Education & Fine Arts) is one of 14 Lower Mainland cefa early learning private schools for children ages one to five.
games with specific learning objectives, and many opportunities for creative and discovery play.
cefa willowbrook owner, brenda ip, came to the cefa program by a less-likely route. she was formerly a high-school teacher.
“the core subjects of the curriculum are reading, writing, math and science combined with languages, yoga, music, cultural immersion, dramatic and visual arts,” brenda said. “we do all of that because children are capable of so much.”
“i taught biology and math to grade 10 students,” brenda said. “i realized when students were presented with the same problem, they solved it very differently. i wanted to know what drove them to different problem solving approaches.” in her research she learned how pivotal the first five years of life are to fostering problem solving skills, positive habits and love of learning. through friends she learned about the enriched curriculum of cefa. “i knew we could make a difference in children through this world-class curriculum,” noted brenda. “i feel it’s our obligation to inspire them in healthy habits: learning, eating, working with others and more. i became very passionate about educating children in their most important formative learning years.” The CEFA curriculum was first developed by Ms. natacha V. beim in 1998 to inspire children to learn and be knowledgeable, seek self-betterment and contribute as individuals. it is continuously updated by examining best practices all around the world. ideal as a complimentary childcare program for Langley-based businesses, cefa willowbrook’s program highly develops a child’s intellect through interactive cefaPHOTO: Brenda Ip
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children are also served healthy snacks and hot lunches prepared on site.
all teachers at cefa willowbrook are certified early childhood educators, and also take the four month intensive cefa methodology training to achieve cefa certification. unlike other childcare centers, cefa children are enrolled by their birth year, and teachers’ strengths complement one another. “we have a high expectation of our teachers to educate and not just babysit,” brenda commented. “i’ve seen a difference in the maturity, independence and intellectual abilities in children who have gone through the cefa curriculum compared to their peers.”
“We have a high expectation of our teachers to educate and not just babysit”
yet, the program is designed in such a way that children enjoy it and develop a life-long love of school and learning. “when children accomplish something they didn’t think they could, they feel proud,” said brenda. “it creates good self-image and empowerment, which form the foundation for rising to their full potential.”
CEFA WILLOWBROOK 20510 LANGLEY BYPASS LANGLEY TEL 604-533-2287 WEB cefa.ca
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The Best Blend of Tech and the Human Touch
i
s this the g&f branch?” People often ask when they walk into the new g&f financial group location in willoughby. it’s a fair question. absent of a teller counter and other typical banking fixtures, the branch is a welcome, inviting space. Money advisors greet you from an open desk and can help with the majority of member needs from account opening to mortgages. branch Manager, kam Mokha said it’s one of the ways the credit union makes the lives of members easier. by investing in the education and advanced knowledge of everyone in the branch, the team becomes more helpful to members regardless of their needs.
“we want to offer our Members easy to use tech-driven tools, but without people there is no relationship and most significant transactions need that relationship to provide personalized financial advice and custom solutions,” kam said. “we’re striking the best balance between technology and relationships.” technology is at the core of g&f’s latest advancements, like interac Flash. G&F is the first credit union in b.c. to launch the “tap and go” style debit card. financial services Manager, Julie Powell said it’s about streamlining busy lives. “it’s a convenient way to do quick transactions like buying a coffee or lunch,” Julie noted.
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fee-free accounts for others who maintain a minimum monthly balance. it’s rewarding members for being with us.” then, there’s deposit anywhere, the g&f app for phones that allows for instant depositing of cheques. “i think g&f is the perfect size to be nimble and responsive to our members’ needs,” said Julie. “by giving members control over the little transactions we have greater flexibility for the bigger needs.” those bigger needs also include the work of Langley-native tyler MacLean, Personal account Manager, wealth Management. tyler helps with investments and getting financial plans headed in the right direction. Plus, g&f Mobile Mortgage relationship Manager meet members wherever it’s convenient. branch staff are also technology based. With three offices, a board room and flexible seating arrangements, team members use their laptops wherever it makes the most sense to deliver services to members. but those spaces aren’t reserved for branch staff alone.
“We want to be seen as a resource to the community and as part of the community.”
“We have free wifi and want people to use the spaces we have here,” kam said. “we even offer really good free coffee. we want to be seen as a resource to the community and as part of the community.”
accounts have been restructured to ensure they meet the needs of members, like the new no-fee young adult plan.
a sizable donation to the Langley Memorial Hospital was another way for g&f to show their involvement in the community along with involvement in canada day festivities and the bc senior games.
“it’s fee-free for members age 19 to 24,” kam said. “Plus we have
check out the new face of g&f at the willoughby branch.
PHOTO: Junhi Cho, Julie Powell, Kam Mokha, Aziza Subramanian, and Jordan Scott
G&F FINANCIAL GROUP 120 – 20780 WILLOUGHBY TOWN CENTRE DRIVE LANGLEY TEL 604-419-8888 WEB gffg.com
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Experts with Your Freight no Matter What or Where
M
ost people are at a loss when it comes to the best way to ship freight. who to call, what to ask and understanding the finer points of shipping isn’t part of their day-today job. dana Matheson, President of c&d Logistics believes everyone should focus on what they do best – that’s why he and his team focus on getting freight shipped on time and for the best price – so you can keep doing what you enjoy, not worry about shipments.
“if you work in the clothing business, you know clothing,” dana said. “you don’t know which freight company to call to get your latest clothing line across the country.” as a freight broker, c&d Logistics works as the middleman, to find the best rates with shippers and the best options to meet your needs. “we ship freight all around the world,” explained dana. “trains, flat-deck, air, we know the best ways to make it happen and our team monitors it the whole way.” dana and his dad got into their company full time in 2004, implementing online tracking tools to know where freight is at all times no matter who the carrier is. “it’s kind of like babysitting freight,” dana joked. “for international shipments, we also work with your custom broker to ensure everything is in place.” “whether it’s a trade show, job site, warehouse or residential move, reviewing all of the finer details are just part of the process c&d undergoes to make sure everyone knows exactly how and when goods will arrive.” PHOTO: Dana Matheson
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“it doesn’t matter what someone is shipping, we can do it,” dana said. “once we know all the details, if your freight is time sensitive, fragile or oddly-sized, we’ll start working on finding the most economical way to ship.” Dana confirmed that most people simply don’t know what shipping companies to use, or maybe they are paying too much because they are using the wrong company for their needs. that’s why c&d Logistics is the best option. with years of experience, relationships with a wide range of companies, knowledge and options, they can get freight to its destination easily and economically. c&d Logistics started as a small family run business but has since evolved to an 11 staff member team.
“It doesn’t matter what someone is shipping, we can do it.”
“we’re a great team and we all believe in doing things within our community,” “the company is involved in a variety of local charities and have sponsored events such as the Langley Memorial Hospital golf tournament, the boys of fall golf tournament, sunshine dreams for kids golf tournament to name a few. c&d is also involved in the sponsorship of minor sports, investing in children is something they believe to be very important. dana estimates they support approximately 25 charitable groups each year.” one of the most important organizations to c&d is the Life ready foundation, an organization that ensures youth at risk have tools and opportunities to succeed in life.
C&D LOGISTICS LTD. PO BOX 344 LANGLEY TEL 604-881-4440 WEB cdlogistics.ca
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Contributors Ronda Payne
a
writer
writer since she could hold a pen, ronda Payne is passionate about her craft. in 2007, she kissed ‘real jobs’ goodbye and began her true occupation as a full time copywriter, freelancer and creative writer. a regular contributor to a variety of publications, ronda continues to grow in her career by helping businesses find the right words and helping publishers deliver meaningful content. ronda joyfully lives in Maple ridge in yet another renovation project with her husband and their pets.
Nancy Teichgraf
c
PHotograPHer
reating interest and capturing ambience through the viewer’s eye is nancy’s continuous desire to present her subjects in the best light possible. Visual energy has caught her attention through the lens as a photographer, graphic designer and creative director since the 1980’s. Her scope has covered national events, corporate clients, advertising agencies, media and international licensed products from print, magazine and television to outdoor adventure winning numerous awards. Pursuing upward imaging for her clients compels her visionary passion.
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Lewis MacLean Plumbing and Heating
Langley Lodge
Valley Group of Companies
Harrison Landing/ Harrison Pointe
Langley Orthodontics
Deloitte
Langley Hospice Society
Mayor Jack Froese
Clover Towing Ltd.
Township Councillor, Charlie Fox
CEFA
G&F Financial Group
C&D Logistics Ltd.
PROFILES OF EXCELLENCE – Fall 2014 Edition For inquiries regarding the next edition of Profiles of Excellence, please contact the Langley Advance at pobrien@langleyadvance.com or by phone at 604-994-1035.
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faLL 2014 edition