A volunteer board of officers and directors—comprised of up to 11 business leaders from our community—provides governance for the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. Board members typically serve a two-year term starting in April.
Chamber members interested in serving on the board of directors in the future are encouraged to contact the Executive Director by email.
Board Nominations Package 2025-2026.pdf
Ramon is a Partner and Business Intermediary at Chinook Business Advisory, a Mergers and Acquisitions consulting firm out of Victoria. He is also Mortgage Broker with Invis West Coast Mortgages in Courtenay.
Prior to his current roles, Ramon has been in banking for 22 years, working in Paraguay, Vancouver, Bermuda, Southern Alberta, and Vancouver Island, in several areas of banking including Operations, Payments and Cash Management, e-Commerce, and Commercial Banking. He worked for BDC, HSBC, Costal Community Credit Union, and Citibank.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Capilano University. Most recently, he achieved the designation of Certified Business Intermediary with the International Business Brokers Association.
Outside work, he is a fully certified firefighter with Comox Fire Rescue, Treasurer of the Comox Firefighter’s Association, a member of the Rotary Club of Courtenay, Chair of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, Vice-Chair of Community Futures Strathcona, and a Director of the Vancouver Island Hispanic Network Society. He enjoys cycling and running when he can, and lives in Comox with his wife, Amy, and two children, Lane (now at uVic) and Sebastian.
Lisa moved to BC from England almost 20 years ago and has been in the Comox Valley for the past 6 years. Lisa is a Chartered Professional Accountant currently working as a Financial Controller for a local company, and was previously a Business Advisor with MNP. Lisa’s entrepreneurial spirit is prominent throughout her professional work and most recently as the Treasurer of the Board for the Comox Valley Arts. Lisa has worked with a wide range of businesses which allows her to showcase her diverse skillset in meaningful ways and helps them succeed in different paths. Lisa’s passion for local businesses and strong communities makes her a welcomed addition to the Chamber.
A longtime resident of the Comox Valley, Robyn has been working in media, marketing, and management roles in the valley for the past 15 years. She’s managed a local small business with a staff of 10 - which has given her an in-depth understanding of what local businesses face in the Comox Valley. She’s managed the marketing campaigns of an automotive dealership, and primarily as an on air personality and sales and marketing representative with Jet FM. Working in Radio has been especially personally rewarding for Robyn, as it has given her a passion for seeing local businesses thrive and succeed, and being one of the key voices of her community. Robyn has developed lifelong relationships with local business owners, she appreciates their challenges and successes, and helps many of them on their paths to growing and maintaining their businesses. Robyn and her husband Mike and their daughter Sofija love living in the Valley, spending their free time camping and exploring the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island.
Jason is a born and raised Comox Valley resident. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from North Island College in 2014 and his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2018. He has been in finance and administrative roles for many years and has been at Cloutier Matthews LLP since 2014, where he currently works as an Accounting Manager. He’s made many enjoyable, professional connections over the years and is thrilled to continue doing so in his role at the Chamber of Commerce. He has past served as a treasurer to a local chapter of Scouts Canada. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and newest little one, snowboarding on the ski hill in winter and hiking the local peaks during the summer.
As a dedicated business owner and operator of the local McDonald’s restaurants in the Comox Valley for the past 12 years, I have profound gratitude for being part of our community. Through our business, I am deeply committed to fostering strong relationships with businesses, government, and community organizations. I am proud to be a local employer and to actively support not-for-profit organizations in the work they do for the Comox Valley.
For over 25 years, I have been involved professionally in the charitable sector. Serving in leadership roles for post-secondary and healthcare foundations. I co-chaired a coalition of public library sector organizations in their advocacy to the provincial government.
Initially through my undergraduate degree in urban studies from the University of Toronto, then built upon through a master’s in public administration from the University of Victoria, I am passionate about the role of businesses, government and community organizations in creating economically vibrant, caring communities.
I believe in the power of collaboration and am excited to put my name forward for consideration in joining the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Board. I would welcome the opportunity to be part of an amazing organization dedicated to working with its membership in fostering growth, community, and best business practices.
Mike joined the Comox Valley Airport Commission as Chief Executive Officer in January 2021. A former Commander of 19 Wing Comox, he brings significant leadership, team-building, crisis management, and strategic planning experience developed during a 35-year military career. Mike's love for aviation started with flying the venerable Sea King helicopter from Canadian Warships on the East Coast. He then transitioned to Search and Rescue, where he discovered his passion for rescuing those in need and strengthening the Canadian SAR System for all. Prior to assuming his new role, he served as the Canadian Defence Advisor to the United Kingdom. Mike is a graduate of RMC (Mech Eng), Saint Mary’s (MBA), King’s College London (MDS), and the Canadian Forces College (NSP). He and his family have fallen in love with the Comox Valley and are eager to establish roots after a nomadic military career.
Lara is a Senior Portfolio Manager & Wealth Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities and a long-time resident of the Comox Valley. She moved to the Comox Valley in 2002 when she was ready to establish her practice and was a ‘little’ analytical about where she would plant her roots! Her mission has always been to provide security, stability, and an appreciation for the outdoors for her family, as well as security and stability for her clients.
Having relocated from Guelph, Ontario, with few ties to the Valley, Lara set out to make connections. In addition to regularly attending Chamber of Commerce network events, she became President of the Comox Valley Newcomers Club in her second year. She also joined the Comox Valley Women’s Business Network and eventually became a part of the board, holding multiple positions. She was eventually nominated for their Minerva Award, which is a recognition by WBN peers of commitment to the organization and the success of professional women.
Now that her children are 'launched', Lara has more time to renew her interest in helping the community navigate the changes ahead.
Dan completed an Undergraduate degree at the University of Victoria, majoring in Political Science, before working in the financial services and wealth management industry for 10 years primarily in the administration of estate and trusts. Following the birth of his son, he and his family relocated to the Comox Valley, working first for Ecofish Research Ltd., a Comox Valley based leading national environmental consultancy as a project controller, before joining Coastal Community Credit Union in 2018. He is presently Senior Business Lending Advisory for First Credit Union. Dan brings with him over 15 years of experience working in finance with a background in project management and politics. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking and spending time with his son and daughter.
Bill Parkinson is a long-time member of the CV Chamber through his Faculty and Administrative career in the public sector at North Island College (since 2005). More recently, he has also branched out into the private sector through his retirement coaching work (Bill Parkinson Retirement Coaching) where he works with individuals, couples, executives, and employees to help them make successful lifestyle transitions into retirement. He also delivers presentations and webinars to businesses and community organizations to help educate groups on key retirement considerations beyond money. Bill is a former director of the CV Boys and Girls club, YANA, and NIC Foundation. He is also a former minor hockey and minor curling coach. He is passionate about adding value to people in learning environments. Bill has resided in the Comox Valley since 1995.
From Montreal, QC, LCol Claude Rivard completed a flying college degree and worked as a floatplane pilot prior to joining the RCAF in 1999. He received his pilot wings on the C90 King Air at 3 Canadian Forces Flight Training School (CFFTS) in Portage la Prairie, MB in May 2002 before being assigned to 436 Sqn in Trenton, ON, where he flew the CC130 Hercules. In 2004, LCol Rivard volunteered to return to Moose Jaw, SK, as an instructor on the CT156 Harvard. In 2007, after a successful try-out, LCol Rivard was selected to become an Air Demonstration pilot with the Snowbirds. From 2008 to 2010, as an Inner Left and Right Wing pilot, he flew the CT114 Tutor in multiple airshows across North America and served as an ambassador for the Smartrisk and CHILD foundation.
In 2011, LCol Rivard undertook rigorous Fighter Lead-In Training in Cold Lake, AB, on the CT155 Hawk and the CF18 Hornet. He graduated from FPC50 in 2012. Following graduation, he was posted to 425 SQN in Bagotville, QC, as a line Fighter Pilot. In 2015, LCol Rivard deployed to Kuwait on OP Impact, where he served as a Senior Duty Officer for the Air Task Force Iraq. In 2016, after completing a Bachelor of Military Arts and Science Degree at RMC, LCol Rivard returned to Portage la Prairie and completed basic helicopter training on both the B206 Jet Ranger and B412 Outlaw. He was posted to 103 Sqn in Gander, NL, in 2017, where he served as a full-time line SAR Aircraft Commander on the CH149 Cormorant and as the Commanding Officer (CO) in 2021/22. Following his tour in Gander, LCol Rivard was posted to CFB Comox as the Officer Commanding the Search & Rescue Standards Evaluation Team (SARSET). LCol Rivard was then selected to attend the Joint Command and Staff Program in Toronto, where he recently completed a Master's of Defense Studies. He is now employed as the Deputy Wing Commander at 19 Wing Comox.
