BACKGROUNDER 2005SBR0016-001021 Nov. 7, 2005

Ministry of Small Business and Revenue

SMALL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE MEMBERS Christina Anthony Portfolio manager, Odlum Brown Limited and president/founder of Forum for Women Entrepreneurs of B.C. Christina is a portfolio manager and investment advisor at Odlum Brown in Vancouver, managing money for private clients. Prior to joining Odlum Brown in her native Vancouver in 2001, she was with Goldman Sachs in Seattle and New York. Christina founded the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs of B.C. in 2002, after becoming involved with FWE in Seattle. FWE BC now has over 200 members and runs four programs per year, working with entrepreneurs to help grow their businesses. Christina has a bachelor of commerce from UBC and earned her charter as a chartered financial analyst in October 2000. Kathy Barnett President & publisher, Pique Publishing Inc. Kathy is the co-founder and president/publisher of Pique Newsmagazine, a weekly newspaper in Whistler. In 1994, Kathy and her husband saw an opportunity for an independent weekly paper to reflect the mountain’s culture, and the paper has been thriving since. Kathy’s education and career experiences span accounting, finance, business administration, corporate securities and small business management consulting. Kathy is active in a number of community and business initiatives including a board member and audit chair of Tourism Whistler, president of Community Foundation of Whistler, board member of Women’s Enterprise Society of B.C., Chamber representative of One Whistler and past chair of Whistler Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, Kathy was awarded Whistler Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year. Manse Binkley General manager & owner, Harmony Honda Manse is the general manager and owner of Harmony Honda in Kelowna, an auto dealership he purchased in 1999. Manse has a bachelor of commerce from the University of Saskatchewan and is a chartered accountant. After completing his CA, he returned to his home town of Brandon, Manitoba and succeeded his father in the ownership of Binkley Motors Ltd. In 1991, Manse sold the dealership and moved to Lake Country, B.C. where he was with the Don Folk Group in Kelowna until 1999 before purchasing his dealership. Manse is chair of the New Car Dealers of BC Association, and a volunteer for the United Way, Kelowna Ski Club and Big White racers. He is the former president of the Manitoba Motor Dealers Association, and former board member of many significant organizations in Manitoba. Manse is married to Anna and has three sons.

-2John Cameron President and founder, Momentum Energy Inc. John is the president and founder of Momentum Energy, a small business coaching company based in Langley that helps people build successful small businesses. He was the founder and president of J.C. Gas Fireplaces Ltd., which was sold to Union Energy Inc., where John acted as the district general manager. Previously, John was a partner in Westpro Energy Inc. and a B.C. marketing officer for Energy, Mines and Resources Canada in conservation and renewable energy. John led the development of the North Langley Diamond Sports Indoor Training Centre, is founder and chair of the Langley Active Business Club, and past president of the BC Gas Fireplace Association. John has a bachelor of business administration from Simon Fraser University. Barrie Carter President, Carters Jewellers Ltd. Barrie is the president of Carters Jewellers, and the owner of seven successful retail stores from Terrace to Quesnel. Barrie is also the president of a property holding company that owns and manages a number of rental properties from Prince George to Kitimat. In 2003, Barrie was the recipient of the Jeweller of the Year Gold Nugget Achievement Award sponsored by the BC Jewelry Travellers Association, and Carters Jewellers Quesnel received the Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award. Barrie is a former alderman for the Town of Smithers and a past president of the Smithers Kinsmen Club. Barrie and his wife Bonnie have resided in Smithers for the past 32 years and have three sons and two grandchildren. Jackie Chaytor President, Tim Hortons Franchises, Kamloops Jackie is the owner of two very successful Tim Hortons franchises in Kamloops. Prior to owning Tim Hortons franchises, she was a legal assistant with the Legal Aid Society of B.C., and with other private companies. Jackie is an active supporter of community and charitable causes. In 2003, her company was awarded the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Corporate Citizen Award. Jackie is a long-time resident of British Columbia and has resided in Kamloops since 1992. She comes from a family of 13 siblings, has one daughter and three grandchildren. Neal Davies Vice president and general manager, Cantex Group of Companies Neal is the vice president and general manager of the Cantex Group of Companies based in Penticton. He is also a shareholder in Cantex-Okanagan Construction Ltd., a municipal construction, paving and aggregate processing company serving the southern Okanagan Valley. Neal is a member of the BC Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association and chair of the Environmental Committee. He has been a member of the Rotary Club for 25 years and is a past director for the Okanagan Summer School of the Arts, 1978 B.C. Summer Games, 1990 B.C. Winter Games, and O.U.C. Foundation. He is past chair for the B.C. Winter Games Legacy Fund and Southern Interior Development Corporation. Neal is married and has one son and three grandchildren. Garnet Etsell President, Coligny Hill Farms Ltd., Spring Meadow Farms Ltd. and chief financial officer, Friesen Group of Companies Garnet Etsell is the president and owner of Coligny Hill Farms Ltd, and Spring Meadow Farms Ltd., commercial turkey farms in Abbotsford. He is a chartered accountant and chief financial officer of the Friesen Group of Companies. Garnet is president of the BC Turkey Producers Association and a director of Canadian Federation of Agriculture, BC Agriculture Research Development Corporation, BC Poultry Association and the B.C. industry representative on the Agricultural Policy Review Panel. He previously ran a sheep farm in Chilliwack, and enjoys skiing and wine tasting. Garntett is married to Debbie and has two sons.

-3Kevin Evans Vice President, Western Canada, Retail Council of Canada Kevin Evans is vice president, Western Canada for the Retail Council of Canada – a national association representing small, medium and large-sized retailers. In his capacity with the Retail Council of Canada, he is chair of the Coalition of BC Businesses and a board member of the Minister’s Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities. In the community, Kevin is on the Coast Mental Health Foundation Board of Governors, vice-chair of the Simon Fraser University Centre for Dialogue Council, and a member of the North Vancouver Rotary Club, Vancouver Board of Trade, and the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the Retail Council of Canada, Kevin spent 23 years in journalism in roles such as chief journalist for CBC British Columbia and co-anchor for the CBC evening news. Through his company Evans Endeavours Inc., Kevin is often called upon as a facilitator, speaker and MC at conferences and community events. Kevin and his wife reside in North Vancouver and have two children. Bruce A. Hryciuk Senior partner, Hryciuk Gallinger & Co., Inc. Bruce Hryciuk is a senior partner with Hryciuk Gallinger & Co., Inc., Certified General Accountants in Cranbrook. The firm provides audit, accounting, tax and consulting services to a broad range of small and medium sized enterprises. Bruce has served in executive positions with CGA BC and CGA Canada for 25 years. For his outstanding service, he has received a life membership with CGA BC and a Fellowship Award from CGA Canada, the highest honours bestowed by the organizations. Bruce has also served as a technical advisor for the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants. Laura Jones Vice President, BC & Yukon Canadian Federation of Independent Business Laura is the vice president for BC & Yukon Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) where she works with all levels of government to represent the interests of CFIB’s approximately 10,000 small business members in this region. Prior to joining CFIB, Laura worked for The Fraser Institute as the director of environment and regulatory studies. She has authored or co-authored a number of public policy studies, edited five books, published news articles, testified before Parliamentary and Congressional committees on proposed legislation and co-ordinated the Fraser Institute’s annual survey of mining companies. Laura received her BA in Economics from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and her MA in Economics from SFU. She has taught economics at Coquitlam College and BCIT. Linda Larson Mayor, Town of Oliver Linda Larson was elected mayor of Oliver in a bi-election May 1997 and re-elected in 1999 and 2002. She was involved in the retail sector of Oliver and is a past owner and operator of Ruffled Edges Wool Store, Steadmans Store and East Side Grocery Store. Linda was born in Comox, lived in many towns across the province and moved to Oliver, the Wine Capital of Canada, in 1989. Linda is a member and past-president of Sunnybank Ladies Auxiliary and a member of W.O.W., a local women’s organization. She has three daughters, two grandchildren and is married to Larry, her husband of 35 years.

-4David Littlejohn Professional Campground Operator, Living Forest Ocean Campground David Littlejohn is operator of the Living Forest Ocean Campground in Nanaimo. He has received national certification as a Professional Campground Operator, one of the few in British Columbia to do so. While David’s main business interests are in the accommodation sector, he also operates Bastion City Wildlife Tourism, which he started with his father in 1978. He has a special interest in marine tourism, is a licensed marine captain and keeps up to date on marine access issues. David is a vice-president on the board of the Council of Tourism Associations of B.C. and is responsible for the board’s marine transportation portfolio. He also sits on the board of Tourism Nanaimo. Previously, David was president of BC Lodgings and Campgrounds Association and represented BCLCA nationally on Campgrounds Campings Canada. David believes that tourism is the future of British Columbia and promotes sustainable tourism both here and abroad. Robert Louie Chairman, First Nations Lands Advisory Board and chief, Westbank First Nation Robert Louie, LLB, of Kelowna, was recently re-elected chief of the Westbank First Nation where he served as chief from 1986-1996. He is also the chair of the first Nations Lands Advisory Board, where he has served for 16 years. Robert is a former practicing lawyer and was the first Okanagan native person from British Columbia to receive a law degree and practice law. Robert recently became a member of the President’s Advisory Council, UBC Okanagan. Previously he was member of a task group of the First Nations Summit and was involved in B.C. treaty negotiations representing the Chiefs in British Columbia. He has served on many boards including the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, First Nations Finance Authority Inc., All Nations Trust Company, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, United Native Friendship Society, Premier’s Advisory Council of Aboriginal Affairs and is currently a Director on the Peace Hills Trust board. Robert owns several successful businesses in the Kelowna area. He is a recipient of the Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada. Mark Nairn Owner, Bar M7 Ranch and President, BC Cattlemen’s Association Mark Nairn is the owner of Bar M7 Ranch located 50 km west of Williams Lake at Riske Creek. He was first elected to the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association board in 1998 and served in several executive positions before being elected president in 2004. In addition to his work with BCCA, Mark serves on the executive and is the finance chair of the B.C. Agriculture Council and currently participates on the Revenue Canada Small Business Advisory Council. He is a long time member of Riske Creek Livestock Association and vice-president of the Cariboo Cattlemen’s Association. Mark and his wife Sally have three children whom they have raised on the Bar M7 Ranch. Cindy Poulin Accountant and IT Support, Field & Company, Chartered Accountants Cindy Poulin is a certified general accountant and provides accounting and information technology support with Field & Company, Chartered Accountants. Previously, she was VP Bucks & Bytes with Pacific Rim Communications Ltd. and an entrepreneur with Poulin Preferred Services. Cindy is a board member of the Southern Vancouver Island Chapter for CGA and received an award for outstanding service in 2001. She is a current board member of the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria and past Treasurer for non-profit organizations including the Greater Victoria Community Economic Development Corporation and Canadian Housing Research Foundation. She was a conference committee member for CGA-BC in 1997, 2000 and 2004. She is also a website designer and administrator for smiles4u.ca.

-5Lita Powell President, Li-Carr Management Group Lita Powell of Fort St. John is president of Li-Carr Management Group and provides property and strata management services in communities throughout British Columbia. She manages or consults to over 18 strata corporations and has been a Supreme Court receiver-manager on a number of multi-residential properties. Lita currently teaches several courses at the Northern Lights Colleges and provides strata council training to a number of strata corporations located in northern British Columbia. She is a senior member of the Real Estate Institute of B.C., an associate member of CHOA and BCAOMA and a member of the Strata Property Agent’s association. She was recently appointed to both the Property Management and Strata Management Advisory Boards for the Real Estate Council of BC and is also a government appointee to the Northern Development Initiative. J. Murray Presley Managing Partner, Presley & Partners Chartered Accountants and Councillor, City of Courtenay J. Murray Presley has been a CA in public practice since 1971. In 1991, he became managing partner of Presley & Partners Chartered Accountants located in Courtenay. He is a three-term City of Courtenay councillor, the executive director/treasurer of the Comox Valley Economic Development Society, and the managing director of an assisted living facility that has gone through a large expansion. He has been a director of several organizations including the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona, Community Futures Development Corporation of Strathcona, Mount Washington Community Futures, Opportunity Ventures Inc, Strathcona Employment & Economic Development Society, Comox Rotary Club and Comox Valley United Way. In addition to his professional practice, Murray and his wife Ann operate a thoroughbred horse-breeding farm in Dove Creek where they reside. Mr. Presley was awarded Fellowship by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C. in 2005 and Vancouver Island Professional Business of the Year in 2002. Murray is very passionate about economic development and creating an investment climate that provides job creation for Comox Valley. Tony Singh President, Fruiticana Tony is the president of Fruiticana, an innovative produce chain and wholesale business supplying Fruiticana stores as well as produce and grocery clients around the world. Tony is a member of the Surrey Chamber of Commerce, Founding Member of SPARK Educational Foundation and recipient of the Consumer Choice Award for Excellence in Business in 2003, 2004 and 2005. He is the Surrey Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year 2005. Bruce Sutherland Co-owner/Vice President Sales & Marketing Wolftek Industries, formerly PG Mill Supplies Bruce Sutherland is the co-owner of Wolftek Industries, formerly PG Mill Supplies, in Prince George. His background in mill management allowed him to drastically expand operations from a small machine shop to include parts and equipment sales, on-site service and training. Wolftek Industries currently have over 50 employees working primarily with the forestry and mining sectors. Bruce became actively involved with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce in 2000, and served as president from 2002 until early 2005. He serves on the Trades Advisory Committee for CNC, and is the chair of the Northern Development Initiatives Trust Board.

-6Ian Tostenson President/CEO, British Columbia Restaurant Association Ian Tostenson is the newly appointed president and CEO of the BC Restaurant Association. He is an accomplished business leader in the wine, beer and spirits industry in British Columbia. Prior to joining the BC Restaurant Association, he was the proprietor of 1 Four Management, president and CEO of Cascadia Brands, and held several senior positions with Calona Wines. He was chair of the BC Wine Institute from 1995-2000, and has been a vice-chair of the David Foster Foundation since 1994. He was a 1998 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Finalist and a winner of the Business in Vancouver under 40 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is a commerce graduate from UBC and lives in North Vancouver. M.J. Whitemarsh CEO, Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC M.J. Whitemarsh is the chief executive officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC). The CHBA BC is the voice of the residential construction industry in British Columbia, and the owner of the Georgie Awards, one of North America’s top home building and sales and marketing awards shows. It has 10 local associations throughout the Province with over 1,200 member companies, comprised of both small and large businesses. During M.J.’s 25-year affiliation with the CHBA she has chaired and participated in many industry boards, tasks forces and committees. Recently, she was instrumental in the formation of the Residential Construction Industry Framing Organization and spearheaded the drive for industry led training in the Residential Construction Industry. M.J. is a graduate of the executive marketing program at UBC and lives in Vancouver with her husband Bill. They have three children and four grandchildren. Naomi Yamamoto Owner/Operator, Tora Design Group and Lasercolour Business Graphics and Props Naomi Yamamoto is the owner/operator of a successful graphic design and digital printing company, Tora Design Group. She is chair of the North Shore Credit Union, president of the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation, and was previously board chair of Capilano College and chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce. She sits on the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Board, is a member of the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation Marketing and Communications committee, and has been involved in several other boards, summits and task forces. Naomi has a BA from UBC. -30-

Media contact:

Kirk Smith Communications Director Ministry of Small Business and Revenue 250 387-4193

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