The Victoria Airport Authority Board of Directors has announced the election of a new board chair and the appointment of new members.
Mel Rinald was elected to replace Lindalee Brougham as board chair, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Rinald has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and worked in Canadian industry for 30 years before his retirement.
Since moving to Sidney in 1999, Rinald has served on the Economic Development Committee, three terms on the Advisory Planning Commission and was chair of the Steering Committee for the Town’s downtown and waterfront.
New board member Rod Dewar is nominated by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Dewar is past president and chief executive officer of Island Savings Credit Union, past vice-president and chief operating officer for the BC Automobile Association and past vice-president of the North American Airports for Canadian Airlines International.
Former Mayor of Saanich Frank Leonard is appointed by the Government of Canada. Leonard is also the past director of the BC Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and a former board member on a number of local tourism and economic development groups.
Former Sidney councillor Marilyn Loveless is also appointed by the Government of Canada. Loveless is past alternate director and member of the Arts and Housing Committee at the Capital Regional District, past chair of the District 63 School Board, and has been inducted into the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.
Sharlene Smith is nominated by the District of Saanich. Smith is the owner and operator of CommPlan Canada, a local communication management consulting firm, and is currently past chair of the Broadmead Care Society and the vice-chair of Lymphoma Canada.
“As chair, I am delighted to have such accomplished members of the community willing to serve on our board,” said Rinald in a statement.
The Victoria International Airport is the 10th busiest airport in Canada with over 1.64 million passengers per year.
For more information, visit victoriaairport.com.