Change in Leadership Personnel, no change in vision

The Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce will install a new leadership group at the end of March, as current President Mike Jackson hands passes on the torch to Wendy Prsytay. But it's not expected that any major changes will be made to the structure of the organization or the path it's on to re-invigorate the business climate in the city.

The changeover is part of the annual movement of officers in and out of positions at the Chamber of Commerce.

A review of the past year and a look ahead to the new board was profiled in the Daily News on Wednesday.

NEW CHAMBER LEADERSHIP SET TO KEEP FORGING AHEAD
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

After two years as the president of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce, Mike Jackson will be handing over the reigns to Wendy Prystay at the end of March.

But the vision and direction of the chamber will remain consistent.

“We do succession planning like you would do for everything else,” said Jackson, manager of accounting for the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We have a series of long-term goals ... I think Wendy will do an incredible job keeping it going the way it is and watching it grow.”

Prystay, managing director of the Career Resource Centre, has been on the chamber board for a number of years, filling the role of second vice-president during 2006.

The new board members for 2007 will officially be appointed at an installation dinner March 31.
Jackson had the unusual responsibility of holding the title of president for two years. Usually, the position turns over to a vice-president after one year. However at the end of 2005, both vice-presidents were leaving the community, so Jackson agreed to stay on for another year.
“I think it has been very rewarding and challenging,” he said.

Jackson has had the opportunity to work with many different types of business, from small businesses to non-government organizations, to major industry, as well as networking on behalf of Prince Rupert businesses at the provincial level by attending B.C. Chamber of Commerce meetings.

Joining Prystay on the 2007 executive will be first vice-president, Deb Stava campus manager of Northwest Community College, second vice-president Bart Carrigan, manager with Farwest Coastal Bus Lines, and treasurer Alan Hooper, chartered accountant. Jackson will remain on the executive as past president.

The chamber also elected three new directors last week. They include Geoff Gould, executive director of the Area“A” Crab Association, Brian Munson, manager of Overwaitea, and Craig Briere, business manager of the new Chances Community Gaming Centre.

These three join directors Bill Myers, human resources coordinator for Ridley Terminals, Dan Lorette, accountant for Prince Rupert Grain, Mark Mastroianni, commercial accounts manager for Northern Savings Credit Union and Dwayne MacNeill, owner of Entire Automotive.

Jackson said the long term goals for the chamber include increasing membership and focusing on the needs of small retail businesses.

To focus on the small business sector, the chamber is bringing back the annual trade show this April as well as holding several workshops a year focused on the retail sector.

“Working for small businesses is one of our big projects,” he said.

In addition, the chamber has applied to host the 2009 B.C. Chamber of Commerce Annual General meeting. At the 2008 AGM in Whistler, the Prince Rupert Chamber will host a Prince Rupert night and make their case to the B.C. Chamber’s Board of directors.

And this fall, once the cranes have arrived for the container terminal, the chamber is also hoping to host a meeting for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and World Trade Centre. The Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce accepted membership in the Edmonton World Trade Centre last year. It provides free access to World Trade Centre facilities in Edmonton for all Prince Rupert chamber members.

“The Edmonton chamber board is very interested in what is going on in Prince Rupert,” said Jackson.

This would give Prince Rupert the opportunity to host a roundtable event and invite all the chambers from the Northwest to attend.