Who We Are

The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association's mission over the next five years is to champion a vibrant, healthy and diverse downtown so that by 2012 Vancouver will be recognized as having North America’s #1 business-friendly downtown core and be a premier destination for Lower Mainland residents for business, shopping and entertainment.

The DVBIA is a non-profit society governed by a volunteer board of directors who equally represent both property and business owners from within our 90-block area. Issues are reviewed and programs are developed by volunteer committees that represent a broad range of members and community stakeholders. DVBIA staff take care of day-to-day management of the organization and are responsible for implementing programs as directed by the board of directors.

DVBIA Board of Directors

PRESIDENT
Darcy Brabbins
Bentall Capital LP

VICE PRESIDENT
Ultan Kampff
The Cadillac Fairview Corporation/Pacific Centre

SECRETARY-TREASURER
Ronald Mon-Kau
Best Western Downtown Vancouver

PAST PRESIDENT
William V. Rempel
Manulife Financial

Ann Cowan
SFU

Peter Jackman
Vancouver Community Foundation

Ruth Steverlynck
PricewaterhouseCoopers

Ed Furlan
Deloitte

Lizette Parsons Bell
Concert Properties

Stephen Peters
Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver

Linda Sinclair
RBC Royal Bank

Michael Yeates
Vancity Business Banking

2008-09 Board of Directors

(L to R) Front: Charles Gauthier, DVBIA Executive Director; Lizette Parsons Bell, Concert Properties; William V. Rempel, Manulife Financial (Past President); Michael Yeates, Vancity Business Banking; Linda Sinclair, RBC Royal Bank; Ruth Steverlynck, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Back: Stephen Peters, Pan Pacific Hotel; Peter Jackman, Vancouver Community Foundation; Ronald Mon-Kau, Best Western Downtown Vancouver (Secretary-Treasurer); Ultan Kampff, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation/Pacific Centre (Vice President)

Missing: Ann Cowan, SFU; Vancouver; Darcy Brabbins, Bentall Capital LP (President); Ed Furlan, Deloitte

Staff

Charles Gauthier Executive Director Since 1992, Charles has been steering the DVBIA with an impressive foray of vision and a commitment to the future of Downtown Vancouver. He has achieved an outstanding roster of accomplishments for the association, including being cited as a recipient of Business In Vancouver's prestigious "40 Under 40 Achievement Award" in 1996, as well as multiple other awards. He is a member of various local associations and sits on the executive of the International Downtown Association. Charles is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the association. He also oversees all annual budgets, operating plans and three committees established to further the mandate and mission of the DVBIA. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Studies) and a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Manitoba.

Dave Jones Security Consultant, JSI Security and Investigations Inc. Before consulting for the DVBIA, Dave had been an important part of DVBIA activity for more than eight years in his capacity as the officer commanding District One (downtown and the west end) for the Vancouver Police Department. One of Vancouver's most respected senior police officers with a career spanning almost 30 years, he has had advanced police training with London Metropolitan Police, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and in this country. Dave is an accomplished authority on public order and major event management. He has a degree in physics as well as economics courses from the University of British Columbia.

Maureen Healey, ABC Director, Marketing & Communications Maureen joined the DVBIA in Fall 2006. She wasn’t unfamiliar with downtown issues as she held a similar role with the Calgary Downtown Association. An award-winning and accredited communicator, she is responsible for the overall marketing and communications functions for the association. This includes everything from developing and implementing advertising, brand development, external communications, media relations, sponsorships and issues management. Maureen is past president of the International Association of Business Communicators/BC chapter.

Ivy Fong Member Services & Projects Officer Ivy became part of the DVBIA team in April 2006. She is increasingly becoming the best-known contact for many member businesses. Ivy is responsible for the website, member registration, e-newsletter, general information, events and responding to member concerns, whatever they may be, and coordinating whatever follow up is deemed appropriate. Ivy is also the blogger of Shopgranville.ca, promoting events, shopping and businesses on Granville Street downtown.

Barbara Fairbrother Administration Barbara joined the team after working as a Volunteer and Event Coordinator with one of the DVBIA’s sponsored events, CelticFest Vancouver. With a dynamic background of administration and event planning, she is well suited to facilitating our various projects in her role as Administrative Assistant. Barbara is responsible for all administrative matters in the office, and assisting staff in ongoing projects. She is the first point of contact for incoming communication and ensures our office is well organized and up-to-date.