Greater Victoria Harbour Authority welcomes Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation Chief Jerome Thomas, Bruce Hallsor and Gail Stephens to its board of directors
VICTORIA, BC — The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) welcomes three new members to its board of directors for 2024.
Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation Chief Jerome Thomas assumes the seat of former Chief Rob Thomas. Also new to the board are independent directors Bruce Hallsor and Gail Stephens, who fill vacancies left by departing directors Doug Crowder and Margaret Lucas.
Songhees Nation re-appointed Florence Dick to remain on the board as the Songhees Nation director.
“GVHA is excited to welcome our new and returning board members whose extensive experience will strengthen GVHA’s strategic planning that continues to focus on sustainability, reconciliation and our business and community partners while supporting a vibrant (ḰʷamḰʷəm) and harmonious (Xʷčičtəs) harbour,” said Christine Willow, chair of the board of directors.
The board of directors represent eight member agencies: Xwsepsum Nation, Songhees Nation, Capital Regional District, City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt, Destination Greater Victoria, The Chamber and the Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society. The board also includes four independent directors appointed from the community.
The 2024 board of directors:
- Chair, Christine Willow (The Chamber)
- Vice Chair, Mark Mawhinney (Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society)
- Treasurer, Don Krusel (Independent Director)
- Chief Jerome Thomas (Xwsepsum Nation)
- Florence Dick (Songhees Nation)
- Councillor Susan Brice (Capital Regional District)
- Councillor Susan Kim (City of Victoria)
- Mayor Barb Desjardins (Township of Esquimalt)
- Geoff Dickson (Destination Greater Victoria)
- Ryan Burles (Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society)
- Gail Stephens (Independent Director)
- Bruce Hallsor (Independent Director)
- Mark Collins (Independent Director)
- Dave Cowen, Past Chair
Board of directors biographies can be viewed at gvha.ca
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About the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that is committed to the stewardship and sustainable growth of Victoria’s dynamic working harbour. GVHA owns and operates several high-profile community amenities, including the Ogden Point Breakwater, Inner Harbour lower causeway, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ship Point Pier.
GVHA is certified as a Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Silver Member. Silver Members recognize the value of working with Indigenous communities and showing outcomes that have made a difference, including investment in communities, people, employment programs and business partnerships.
For more information, visit www.gvha.ca.
Media Contact:
Stella F. Garcia
Manager, Communications & Marketing
c. 250.920.9057 or e. sgarcia@gvha.ca
