2022 Chamber Business Hall of Fame

The best way to support a community is to be a part of it.

At the heart of every community, you’ll find organizations fueled by committed people who are passionate about building a better future for us all. Congratulations to all the 2022 Chamber Business Hall of Fame Inductees. We are inspired by your leadership and commitment to make a difference in the region’s economic growth and prosperity.

Welcome from The Chamber

Bruce Williams, CEO John Wilson, Chair

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome our foundational and inaugural inductees into The Chamber Business Hall of Fame presented by RBC.

We take this evening to highlight leaders from diverse backgrounds who broke barriers, built communities and created opportunities for the future. Here, tonight, you’ll see 50 years worth of change, fortitude and sheer grit that has shaped our community.

Tonight’s inductees are people whose stories illuminate diverse perspectives of our region’s history. They are all individuals who helped build our economy and paved the way for entrepreneurs and organizations such as yourself to thrive in Greater Victoria. Thank you for joining us to share in this historic moment together.

Bruce Williams, CEO, and John Wilson, Chair, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

Introducing our Inaugural Inductees

Chamber Business Hall of Fame,

by RBC,

played

community

the legacy of innovators, barrier-breakers

role

Meet the Judges

John Chew CHEW EXCAVATING Groundbreaking entrepreneur and generous philanthropist

John Chew was an innovator and — quite literally — a ground breaker. Chew brought the first backhoe to the Island in 1951, when excavating was still done by hand.

At the time, the idea was greeted with skepticism but Chew grew the business into one of the Island’s largest excavating and civil construction firms.

Chew, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 87, is remembered fondly as a natural entrepreneur as well as a generous philanthropist. He was part of the successful 1994 Commonwealth Games and was a strong supporter of the David Foster Foundation.

A firm believer that a strong community was key for business and quality of life, Chew was a founding member of the Island Equipment Owner’s Association, Western Pacific Bank and the Victoria Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Chew grew more than just businesses. His staff developed into family, with many long-term and multi-generational team members.

Having dropped out of school at 15 due to financial hardships, Chew understood the value of hard work. Building a business with a $5,000 investment in 1955, and nearly losing it in the turmoil of the ’70s, Chew was known as someone who turned setbacks into opportunities.

John Chew was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

Celebrating 50 years in business (2005)

Photo: Times Colonist

John Chew, right, on a jobsite.

Bob Wright OAK BAY MARINE GROUP

From ‘gumboot fisherman’ to sport fishing industry titan

Bob Wright would say he was a simple “gumboot fisherman,” but the former President and CEO of the Oak Bay Marine Group built a sport fishing empire.

In 1962, Wright built a small marina for pleasure boats in Oak Bay. Over the years, he grew the business to more than 1,000 employees in Canada, the U.S. and the Bahamas.

Wright died in 2013 at the age of 82.

Beyond the sea, he supported the Victoria Symphony, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and was part of the creation of the Gates of Harmonious Interest in Chinatown.

Bob was also a catalyst for the Island’s nascent film industry, personally touring a Hollywood producer along the Island’s

waterways to scout locations for the 1970 Jack Nicholson film Five Easy Pieces — a production that led to the creation of the Greater Victoria Film Commission.

As his business success grew, Bob devoted himself to serving Greater Victoria as well as the province and country. He was a commissioner with the Canada-Pacific Salmon Treaty, and a lifetime member of the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine and the Explorer’s Club. In 2007, Bob donated $11 million to the University of Victoria School of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.

He was inducted into the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame in 2011.

Bob Wright was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

Bob Wright with the Western Spray.

The Bob Wright Centre at UVic.

Alex Campbell THRIFTY FOODS

Growing Island communities with good jobs and good food

Alex Campbell spent five decades in the grocery industry, leaving behind a lasting legacy on Vancouver Island. Alex was a young student in 1956 when he started his first job at a grocery store in Vancouver. After making his way up to District Manager, Alex chose to move to Ladysmith in 1973 to open 49th Parallel Grocery.

In 1977, he partnered with Ernie Skinner to acquire a space in Fairfield that had been a Safeway, before it closed down. The location became the first Thrifty Foods store. The business partners opened a second store on Quadra Street in 1980. It flourished, leading to more stores and an idea for growing the business. In 1983, the first franchise store opened in Mill Bay and, for four years, the company continued to grow. Alex’s keen sense of community helped him envision the best locations for new stores.

When Ernie retired from the business in 1991, Alex continued as President, expanding operations to 20 locations and becoming the largest employer on Vancouver Island before selling to national grocery chain Sobeys in 2007.

Alex died in 2011, but, even today, many Island communities continue to grow around their local Thrifty Foods store. During his life, Alex received countless honours for

his entrepreneurial efforts and his community building. He received the Order of BC in 1999, and, in 2000, Royal Roads University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Alex also earned the Award of Distinction for best Arts and Entrepreneur Partnership, served as Honorary Chair of the Better Together Campaign for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (where he raised $12.3 million) and was Honorary Chair for the Hospice Fundraising Campaign among many other accomplishments.

Alex Campbell was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.

Alex Campbell — outstanding in his field.

Gordon Denford BERWICK RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

Building the foundations of entrepreneurship and care

Gordon Denford grew up in England until the age of 13, when he was evacuated to Canada during the Second World War. He landed in Winnipeg, eventually studying at the University of Manitoba before taking a job with a heating equipment manufacturer where he quickly rose to senior management.

By 1953, his parents were living on Vancouver Island and Gordon joined them to start his own heating equipment company. That enterprise expanded into Denford Electric, an electrical contracting company.

The entrepreneurial Gordon went on to form Berwick Investments, Goward Developments and Capital City Construction, which built apartment buildings and constructed Victoria’s first condominium building in 1966. Gordon also started a structural steel operation and a paving company before acquiring another construction company.

In 1988, Gordon decided to create the first of a community of senior’s retirement and care residences — Berwick House on Shelbourne Street. This was followed by locations in Nanaimo, Comox Valley, and Royal Oak. The residences have earned a reputation as being among the best retirement and care providers in the country.

As a volunteer and philanthropist, Gordon has been a strong supporter of the region, especially of organizations in the tourism, healthcare and education sectors.

Gordon Denford was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.

The early days of Denford Electric. A knack for calling the right shot.

Cedric Steele CEDRIC STEELE & ASSOCIATES

Integrating the community with the business of the base

Born in 1944, Cedric grew up learning the skills of a trader by operating his family’s farm store in South Africa. He went on to study accounting, and found work at a large firm before moving to Canada in 1966. He arrived in Vancouver, where he was astonished by the low cost of housing at the time. Sensing an opportunity, Steele went into the real estate business and quickly found success. Within a few years, he was managing a commercial real estate division and decided to invest his earnings in a building in Vancouver’s West End.

In 1972, Cedric Steele Realty was founded, and, in 1974, Cedric and his family took over operations of Prospect Lake Golf Course. By 1976, Greater Victoria had become home base. Through connections with the Chamber of Commerce and many other organizations, Steele became a mainstay in the community.

He has helped the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island (formerly Queen Alexandra Centre), the Faculty of Business at UVic, The Salvation Army, Variety the Children’s Charity, Royal Roads University and Glenlyon Norfolk School, among others. Steele has been passionate about his work with the Navy, having been appointed an Honorary Captain in 1997. He continues to champion a strong connection between CFB Esquimalt and the business community.

Cedric Steele was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Honorary Captain Steele, right.

Cedric Steele Realty founded in 1972. Steele’s legacy Homecoming Statue.

Terry Farmer ACCENT INNS

Creating a foundation of fun for the Island’s visitor economy

Terry Farmer knows the power of helping people. After all, if he hadn’t offered to help his father build Chateau Victoria, he might never have known how much fun the tourism sector can be.

Being open has been a staple of Farmer’s career. In 2007, he told graduating students at Royal Roads University to embrace the inevitability of change. “Do not hesitate to change your area of work should opportunities arise. When they do you should do your due diligence and then strike out quickly,” he said, explaining how he’d had a fulfilling life as an

entrepreneur. Farmer joined the chamber movement at the age of 22, and served as President in 1972 before moving across the country to pursue his career. He worked for Royal Trust in Montreal and Toronto before deciding there really is no place like home. Back on the Island, Farmer surveyed the tourism industry and saw an opportunity as an accommodation provider. He opened a motor inn in Victoria and went on to found Accent Inns and Hotel Zed, which are now run by his daughter Mandy Farmer.

He is a founding member of Destination Greater Victoria (formerly Tourism Victoria), founding Chair of the Pacific Sport National Training Centre, and the recipient of numerous accolades.

Terry Farmer was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

Terry and Mandy Farmer pillow fight!

Terry Farmer, top left, with his family.

Keith Dagg

KEITH DAGG CONSULTING INC.

Connecting and communicating to help Greater Victoria business

Keith Dagg credits his involvement with the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce for setting the stage for his future business success. In the early 1960s, Dagg and Clare Copeland took over a struggling local radio station and, by working closely with The Chamber, developed business relationships that helped turn CFAX Radio into the local media institution it is today.

“The biggest thing that happened at CFAX to put Clare and I where we were was the Chamber of Commerce. No question about it,” Dagg told The Chamber in 2013. “It turned our station around ... we were out there working in the community, people saw us and they liked us ... gave us a chance, and we slowly got better announcers, better news (reporters), and better advertising.”

After Dagg and Copeland sold CFAX to Mel Cooper, the partners turned Copeland Communications into the Island’s largest agency at the time.

Dagg was born in Saskatchewan but, when he was six, his family moved to BC. Dagg’s working life began at age 15 in the mail room with Imperial Oil, where he rose through the ranks to Area Sales Manager. After a term working in Greater Victoria, he decided to make this area home.

His passion for our region is evident in his work to attract major events here. He helped bring the PGA Golf Tournament, the FIFA under-20 World Soccer Tournament, the 1994 Commonwealth Games and the Ford World Men’s Curling Championship. For those efforts and others, he was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

As a speaker, Dagg encourages people to pursue their aspirations and find success by setting goals and using common sense.

Keith Dagg was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

Dagg and wife Deborah.

Dagg at Men’s World Championships.

Bob Skene ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY

Pioneer of high-tech industry working tirelessly for region

Bob Skene’s struggle to finally retire has been Greater Victoria’s gain.

Skene’s working life began with a paper route at age 12 and he quickly became a supervisor overseeing 12 other carriers. After getting his driver’s license, he went to work at his father’s trucking company. In the mid-1960s, Skene became a Chartered Accountant and worked extensively in the tech sector, serving as VP of Finance for BC Systems Corporation. Eventually, Skene organized 125 fellow employees to privatize a portion of BCSC and called it High Tech Systems. HTS managed the data centre for the provincial government and continued growing as a company.

Still busy working, Bob beat a cancer diagnosis, and then retired for the first time. He remained productive during retirement, building a

Chamber committee into what is now VIATEC.

After that, Bob retired again until he was called to establish West Coast Group, a company that helped people on social assistance gain sustainable employment. After retiring yet again, he continued to volunteer with The Chamber as well as the Airport Authority and the Hospital Authority. Still passionate about giving back, he then served on the Board of Royal Roads University, and as Chancellor and acting President for one year.

Bob Skene was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

Skene earned an Honorary Doctorate.

Outside Royal Roads University.

Dr. Naz Rayani HEART PHARMACY GROUP

Smart business key to healthy spiritual and physical life

Naz Rayani has gone from working as a pharmacist to owning five pharmacies in Greater Victoria. However, he might be best known for his efforts to fight global poverty, and his deeply personal mission to encourage an open dialogue about the Islamic faith.

Since 2001, Rayani has taken thousands of people on tours of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Burnaby. Rayani also brought the World Partnership Walk to Victoria. The event raises funds to fight global poverty on behalf of the Aga Khan Foundation.

The child of a business family, Rayani was born in Kenya in 1943, and studied at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, He opened his first pharmacy in Nairobi in 1972. But, two years later, Rayani moved to Canada in search of a more stable political climate.

He settled on Vancouver Island and purchased the Western Drug Mart at Colwood Corners. After selling the store and working for a national chain for a few years, Rayani bought a small, independent pharmacy in Cadboro Bay in 1991. In 2003, he opened a second store at UVic.

In 2010, he suffered a serious health setback but recovered and, with his family, expanded the business again by purchasing three pharmacies — one at Shelbourne Plaza and two in Fairfield. After a rebranding, the stores are now part of the Heart Pharmacy Group.

Rayani’s community work has resulted in numerous honours, including the Order of Canada and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Victoria.

Naz Rayani was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

Naz and his wife Yasmine in 2013.

Naz Rayani at Heart Pharmacy.

Lynda & Murray Farmer

CAMOSUN COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

Greater Victoria’s most noteworthy power couple

Lynda (Johnston) Farmer was born in New Westminster. A graduate of UBC and SFU, she worked for the Canadian Red Cross Society and the Arthritis Society, which led to a 35 year commitment to volunteer work.

Murray Farmer graduated from UVic in 1968 and joined Farmer Construction before specializing in crane rentals through his company Commercial Crane Ltd.

Over the past three decades, Lynda and Murray have devoted themselves to philanthropy, specifically around education.

Lynda joined the Camosun College Foundation, and served on the college’s Board of Governors. Murray joined UVic’s Board of Governors in 2002, serving two years as Chair before being elected as Chancellor in 2009, eventually presiding over 79 convocation ceremonies.

As co-chairs of Camosun’s Trademark of Excellence campaign, the Farmers played a key role in helping raise $5 million towards the new trades education complex and the refurbishment of eight existing facilities on campus. The Farmers also worked together as campaign co-chairs to help raise $5 million towards the establishment of the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney.

Lynda and Murray Farmer were awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

Receiving the Order of BC in 2019. Photo: Don Craig, Government of B.C.

The Farmers at Camosun College.

Mel Cooper TELUS COMMUNITY BOARD

‘People person’ who made communication an art form

Born in 1932, Mel Cooper grew up in Newfoundland near historic Signal Hill, where Marconi received the first radio transmission in 1901. That start in life stayed with Cooper after his family moved to BC. While going to school at UBC, he took a summer job at Port Alberni radio station CJAV. It was the beginning of a 53-year career that led to Cooper earning the nickname “Mr. Radio.”

After that summer, Cooper started his first full-time radio job at CKMO (now CFUN). The 19-year-old’s talent caught the ear of CKNW’s owner, who hired Cooper for his station.

In 1974, Cooper bought CFAX from Clare Copeland and switched the Victoria station’s format from allmusic to talk radio with personalities and public-affairs programs. The station was known for involving the audience through a focus on local politics and news.

Soon after relocating to Victoria, Cooper joined The Chamber, eventually serving as President in 1979.

Cooper was instrumental in bringing the 1994 Commonwealth Games — which brought 3,200 athletes from 63 nations — to the region.

His dedication to community — including his position as Chair of the TELUS Community Board — has led to countless awards and accomplishments. Among the honours are the Order of British Columbia in 1992 and the Order of Canada in 1999. He was also instrumental in fundraising for Jeneece Place, a home for families to stay while their children receive hospital treatment in Victoria. Mel Cooper was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

As Chair of the TELUS Community Board.

Mel Cooper aka “Mr. Radio”

Eric Charman

CHARMAN PACIFIC REALTY LTD.

A champion of performing arts in Greater Victoria

Before emigrating to Canada in 1952, Eric Charman’s youth was spent in a series of orphanages in England.

Growing up, he saw posters promising a new life in North America — exactly what he was looking for — so when he could, he left for the blue skies of BC. He tried his hand at agriculture in the Cowichan Valley before deciding real estate was his calling. Soon, he was working on big developments and financing agreements.

Charman rose to a high echelon of influence among business leaders in Greater Victoria and beyond, serving as President of both the BC and Canadian Real Estate Councils.

As a boy, he developed a love for the arts. This led him to lend his considerable talents to raise millions of dollars through his role as auctioneer at more than 500 charity fundraisers.

In addition to arts groups such as the Victoria Conservatory of Music, the Art Gallery, Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria, Eric worked hard on behalf of Victoria Hospice, Our Place Society and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

Charman received an Honorary Law degree from UVic in 1998, the Order of BC in 1999, the Order of Canada in 2000, the Governor General’s Award for Leadership in Arts and Culture, and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal among many others.

Charman died in 2020, at the age of 88.

Eric Charman was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

The acclaimed auctioneer in action.

A young Eric Charman with his dog.

Gordy Dodd

DODD’S FURNITURE AND MATTRESS

Legendary TV pitchman making the world a better place

When Gordy Dodd was a child growing up in a farming community in northern India, he recalls the schoolhouse he went to had a sign above the exit that read “Go out and serve mankind.”

In 1977, he and his wife, Ravinder, opened their first furniture store in Victoria. “I had to do everything myself,” he says, recalling long days of delivering in the evening what he had sold at the store during the day.

In time, the company grew and, today, Dodd’s Furniture and Mattress occupies a 35,000 square-foot store across from Mayfair Shopping Centre. The company also has stores in Nanaimo and Campbell River, and a distribution centre in Victoria. As he established his furniture business, Dodd tried different approaches to advertising.

The idea to have Dodd portray famous characters began after he returned from a vacation with a handful of novelty photos that showed him dressed as John

Gordy dressed as Elvis.

Wayne, Superman and Elvis. He used the idea to create a new advertising campaign and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

“These ads, they never get old,” Dodd says, singling out the Incredible Bulk, and spoofs of Star Trek and the Price is Right as a few favourites.

The success has enabled Dodd to embrace the message he recalls from his youth. His business hosts festive dinners that feed thousands, and he helps people in need throughout the year. “Do the right thing. Don’t hurt anybody, and, if you have extra, please share.”

Gordy Dodd was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Gordy Dodd, right, with his family.

Bill McCreadie MCCREADIE & TAIT

Paying kindness forward is key to living a satisfying life

You could call Bill McCreadie an international man of mystery. His name might not be the most wellknown in Greater Victoria, but his efforts have been key to our region’s amazing sister city relationship with Morioka, Japan.

McCreadie began serving as president of the Victoria-Morioka Friendship Society in 1986. One of his most memorable connections with the Japanese city came after an earthquake devastated that region in 2011. McCreadie travelled to Morioka and presented a cheque to the community to show they had friends across the sea.

The act, as with so much of what McCreadie does, was about offering support and kindness to those who need it. It’s a lesson McCreadie learned as a youth when he was helped by others and one he applied when building a career as an accountant focused on helping many small businesses be successful.

“I enjoyed playing sports and coaches recognized that I didn’t have some of the advantages other kids had, and they would swing by in their cars and drive me to and from practices and games,” McCreadie says. “If others are inspired by my efforts to repay kindness, then they will receive the same satisfaction I have received by my involvement in the community.”

Bill McCreadie was awarded the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

McCreadie during a visit to Morioka.

Bill McCreadie and his wife Rita.

Thank you to our sponsors

Meet the judges

Encompassing a medley of sectors, experiences and views, our judges were chosen for their deep knowledge and longstanding community connections.

Their job was to evaluate an impressive group of individuals who led change, broke barriers and invested in their community with the same tireless zeal that they invested in building their own businesses.

We thank the judges for their insights in selecting five inspiring inductees!

John Wilson

Wilson’s Group of Companies

Chamber Chair

Dan Dagg

H2 Accelerator

Past-Chamber Chair, Chamber Governor (Chair)

Frank Leonard

Past Mayor Saanich Chamber Governor, Coast Capital Savings (Dir.), Victoria Airport Authority (Dir.)

Darlene Hollstein

Bay Centre Chamber Governor

Terry Farmer

Accent Inns Chamber Governor,

Past Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Kimberly Hughes

Delta Victoria Ocean

Pointe Resort

Destination Greater Victoria Representative Christina Clarke Indigenous Prosperity Centre South Island Prosperity Partnership Representative

Jack Leung

RBC Financial GroupCommercial Financial Services, V. I. South

Presenting Sponsor Representative

Rasool Rayani

Heart Pharmacy Group

VIATEC Representative

Helen Beirnes brought a worldview to Greater Victoria that resonates to this day. Born in Saskatchewan in 1928, Beirnes took on New York as a teenager in pursuit of a career in modelling. The adventure took her to fashion capitals such as Paris and Rome before she eventually returned to Canada and settled in Victoria. Beirnes, who died in 2013 at the age of 85, was a savvy entrepreneur who ran a popular restaurant and founded an organization for women in tourism and hospitality.

“Helen would host what you would call the ‘old boys’ club’ at her restaurant, Captain’s Palace,” says Frank Leonard, who met Helen shortly after joining the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. By inviting local power brokers to her shop, Beirnes deftly inserted her views into the conversation.

Helen Beirnes

The fine art of bending rules to break barriers

“ “

“I admired her as someone who broke through and made a path for a lot of women, not just at The Chamber but in business and in politics.”

Leonard recalls Beirnes standing up for herself to make sure she was heard. “At that time, it was a tough thing to do in the business community.”

Beirnes also established the National Charm and Modelling School, which served as a self-development program for young women.

The school offered courses through department stores across the Island, extending its reach and helping countless women develop confidence and skills to pursue their own careers.

She is remembered as an intellectual who loved conversation, and believed in the potential of women.

In 1971, Beirnes began a two-year term as President of The Chamber. She was the first woman to hold the position, though she was careful to make it clear that her election was about her skillset and not her gender.

“She was the best candidate,” recalls Terry Farmer, who met Beirnes when he joined the Junior Chamber after university. “She had the skills, confidence and determination to rise above and she opened a lot of eyes. She brought a little compassion to the executive but she was very strong and always got her point across.”

Beirnes embraced change, and was driven to make Greater Victoria a better place. She saw the potential of the region as an international destination, and was a tireless advocate for preserving and promoting the historic character of the city. In 1976, she was elected to Victoria City Council by championing heritage buildings that she said made the city “exciting.”

During her time with The Chamber, Beirnes would travel across the continent to promote tourism. During a trip to a national convention in Quebec City, Beirnes made a splash dressed in traditional Victorianera clothing to capture the attention of delegates.

Beirnes wrote a weekly newspaper column and hosted local TV shows. She was active in charities and community projects, including the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Advisory Board for the Princess Marguerite, the BC Cancer Society, Crystal Garden Investigative Committee for Restoration, Chair of Victoria Day Festival committee and President of the Oak Bay Rotary Club.

Helen Beirnes is an inaugural 2022 inductee of The Chamber Business Hall of Fame presented by RBC.Helen with Victoria City Council in 1977.

Canada’s Bloomin Luverly City 1980.

“He was a great Chief who was interested in The Chamber and the business community,” says Terry Farmer, founder of Accent Inns and former President of The Chamber. “Robert’s priority was to not only raise the status of Indigenous people but to create economic opportunities.”

Chief Robert Sam

Creating opportunities for an inclusive economy

“ “

Property Tax.

He was a founding member of the First Nations Finance Authority, a board member of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and a member of the Association of First Nations Chiefs Committee on Treaties.

“The strength and wisdom of our past leaders have served to get us to where we are today. The vision and commitment of our people will help us achieve our goals for tomorrow.”

- Chief Robert Sam

Cwhere he met his wife Barbara. In 1963, Clare realized his dream of living in Greater Victoria when he became majority owner of a struggling radio station. That station — CFAX — would become an institution in Greater Victoria. Copeland was instrumental in turning CFAX into a regional presence by boosting its transmission power

Clare Copeland

“ “

Copeland understood the value of a good team

British Columbia for more than three decades. Even after retiring from the firm, Copeland was a presence. “We kept an office for him, and he was always an inspiration to the staff wandering the halls with kind words and sage advice,” recalls Chamber Governor Dan Dagg, who was an executive at Copeland

Communications after its founder had stepped aside.

Copeland was also co-owner of car dealership Honda City.

He is remembered as a willing mentor to business, political and community leaders and for actively serving with many organizations, including as president of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce from 19681970.

“The Chamber was in a bit of a slump, and Clare was determined to raise its profile, which he did,” recalls former Chamber President Terry Farmer, noting that Copeland was able to convince top business leaders to join The Chamber’s Board.

Copeland also volunteered with St. Michael’s University School, the Business School at the University of Victoria, the Executive Resource Group and Probus.

A gifted fundraiser, Copeland often helped with the political campaigns of municipal, provincial and federal politicians.

Clare Copeland is an inaugural 2022 inductee of The Chamber Business Hall of Fame presented by RBC.

Clare photographed with his children in front of a CFAX car in 1960.

Ian Maxwell, owner of Ralmax Group of Companies, is known as a hardhat visionary who champions the protection and preservation of industrial lands and the jobs they provide in Greater Victoria.

“He knows what it’s like to have a blue-collar job,” says Frank Leonard, who has known Maxwell since his early days as an entrepreneur. “He knows what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet.”

Leonard recalls that it is Maxwell’s integrity as a business person that has led to his successful ventures.

“They invested in his vision because they knew he could be successful in business, and he was determined to give people good jobs that provided for their families,” Leonard says, noting that Maxwell has proven his backers right by moving from one successful venture to the next.

Ian Maxwell

The heart of industry in a working harbour

“ “

“He knows all his workers and he’s loyal to them and they’re loyal to him,” Leonard says. “He’s loyal to industrial, blue collar, lunch bucket jobs. He’s rescued industries that others would say are sunset industries. But he gets his hands on them, recreates them and enhances their vitality.”

Over the years, Maxwell’s efforts have helped Ralmax evolve into a diversified group of businesses focused in and around Victoria’s working harbour. In a 2017 interview with The Chamber, Maxwell described Ralmax as a “job-creating company.”

“We are responsible for keeping a large number of jobs on the harbour,” Maxwell said. “We assembled a number of businesses that no one wanted (if it made sense for Ralmax’s unique vision).”

In 2003, Maxwell led the rescue of Point Hope Shipyard from bankruptcy. It marked the first major investment in a shipbuilding facility in Victoria’s harbour in 50 years.

It’s paid off. In 2020, Ralmax was integral in building the 30 metre Stacker-Reclaimer — one of the largest fabrication projects completed on Vancouver Island requiring more than 100,000 staff hours by highly-skilled employees.

At Point Hope, derelict buildings were removed and new practices were put in place to minimize contaminants from flowing into the ocean.

Nearly a decade ago, Maxwell began a partnership with the Songhees Nation and the Esquimalt Nation to create Salish Sea Industrial Services, a company that has been integral in the harbour clean-up and derelict boat removals.

Maxwell continues to give back to the community by donating to school lunch programs, making sure that hungry kids can focus on learning and having fun, and by investing in education and capacity development in the trades.

Maxwell has a wholistic approach to business. He sees the co-existence of residential, industrial and recreational activity on the harbour as an asset. As such, Point Hope supports more than 650 companies and the jobs that they provide.

Ian Maxwell is an inaugural 2022 inductee of The Chamber Business Hall of Fame presented by RBC.

Ian Maxwell at Point Hope Shipyard in Victoria (2017).

Ron Lou-Poy had a distinguished law career, receiving the legal distinction of Queen’s Counsel. A graduate of Victoria College — which became the University of Victoria — Lou-Poy was a senior partner in the Victoria law firm of Crease Harman and Company. Ron passed away on February 9, 2022 after a life dedicated to education and community.

Lou-Poy was deeply involved in the reconstruction of the Gate of Harmonious Interest in Victoria’s Chinatown — the symbolic entrance to Canada’s oldest Chinatown. He was an avid promoter of education and culture through the Chinese Heritage Foundation, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the McPherson Foundation.

“Most people outside of the Chinese community don’t realize

Ron Lou-Poy Community connector and university advocate

“ “

how much he did within the Chinese community,” says Frank Leonard, whose family owned a tire shop in Chinatown and got to know Lou-Poy well.

Leonard says Lou-Poy was tireless in his support of every association within the Chinese community.

He would attend every event that was held, act as lawyer and serve as a conduit between Chinese businesses and the wider business community.

Lou-Poy was also heavily involved with UVic, serving two terms on the Board of Governors (1972-74 and 1992-95) and as an original director of the UVic Innovation and Development Corporation. Members of the university’s convocation — including alumni and faculty — elected Ron as the university’s ninth chancellor in 2003.

With future generations in mind, The Ronald Lou-Poy Scholarship

was created as an entrance to UVic, as well as the Alicia Lou-Poy Graduate Scholarship — in honour of his mother — for students studying dementia.

The Lou-Poy family supported construction of the Harry Lou-Poy Infant and Toddler Child Care Centre at UVic, named for Ronald LouPoy’s father. The family also created the May and Ron Lou-Poy Fund of Excellence in the Faculty of Law.

Lou-Poy was active with a number of non-profits, including Kiwanis Club, United Way and Crime Stoppers. He was a past board member of the BC Achievement Foundation, which recognizes the accomplishments of BC’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth and volunteers.

Lou-Poy also received numerous awards, including:

• The Order of Canada

• Queen’s Gold Jubilee Medal

• Honorary Doctorate of Laws from UVic

• Honorary Citizen of Victoria

• Freemason of Saanich

• Leadership Victoria Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ron Lou-Poy is an inaugural 2022 inductee of The Chamber Business Hall of Fame presented by RBC.

Lou-Poy in front of his portrait as the 9th Chancellor of the University of Victoria.