With just about a year’s time under his belt at the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director Chris Fudge is moving on.
“Making the choice to leave the Chamber was a tough decision and one I struggled with,” explained Fudge, whose last day at the Chamber was Friday, Nov. 22.
“Sometimes opportunities present themselves and this was one that was too good to pass up.”
Fudge joined the Chamber in January of 2012 after serving as the Senior Manager of Member and Visitor Services for Tourism Whistler, a member-based marketing and sales organization, where he was responsible for all member communications and engagement.
Prior to Tourism Whistler, he spent three years as Regional Manager of Accommodation with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and was directly involved in the strategic planning, detailed operational planning and Games readiness phases of the Games.
From 1998 to 2004, Fudge was the International Sales Manager representing Whistler Blackcomb and was instrumental in cultivating relationships with key travel partners around the world and in developing new international markets for the resort. In 2004, he was selected to join the parent company, Intrawest, to support an integrated sales and marketing effort for the company’s network of resorts throughout North America and Europe.
“I will definitely miss the Chamber and the interaction with the community members that I had through the job,” said Fudge.
“Working with the wonderful people in this community, that’s been a highlight for me. Along the way I met some great individuals and I learned what tremendous assets there are here in the community from a business standpoint. I see so much potential in this area,” he said.
Fudge is moving on to a position with B.C. Transit working with their regional transit team.
“It’s a group that works collaboratively with municipalities in B.C. and their transit programs. It involves being out in communities and engaging with stakeholders. There will definitely be some similarities compared to what I was doing in this community,” Fudge said.
As of this Monday (Nov. 25) the day to day management of the Chamber office operations are continuing under the direction and guidance of Linda Duivenvoorden, the Chamber’s Office Administrator, until the board can meet and discuss the next steps on filling Fudge’s position with the organization.
“We wish Chris the best in his new role with B.C. Transit,” said Wendy Everson, the president of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
“He has brought leadership and strong management to the Chamber and we are pleased to know that with similar skilled staff members like Linda, we have the management leadership to easily transition the day to day management. Linda joined the Chamber last summer and she has led the management team on several marketing initiatives. We look forward to Linda continuing this momentum with membership and all business alliances alike.”
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com