Board of Directors
Role
The property and business of the Comox Valley Airport Commission is governed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the Strategic Direction, for making major decisions for the Commission and for overseeing management of the Commission's business and affairs.
Appointment
The Comox Valley Airport Commission's board of directors is broadly representative of the Comox Valley community and is comprised of nine directors, nominated as follows:
- One member is nominated by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce;
- Three members are appointed by the Board.
- Five members are nominated by local government (City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland and Comox Valley Regional District).
Bill Anglin
Chair
- Chair, Executive Committee
- Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Appointee
- Director Since: 2020
Bill is a partner of the Courtney & Anglin Real Estate Group and retired from a twenty-five-year career serving as a flight engineer for the Canadian Air Force in 2008. He has served the community as a Councillor for the City of Courtenay and as a Director for the Comox Valley Regional District. An active volunteer, Bill is currently the President of the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation and Chairman the Comox Valley Destination Marketing Committee and board member of the Sid William's Theatre Society, Director of the United Way Central & North Vancouver Island and the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Martin Crilly
Vice Chair
- Executive Committee
- Local Governments Nominee
- Director since: 2016
Martin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation and works as a consultant in transport planning and policy. For eight years he served as the first BC Ferries Commissioner, independently overseeing BC Ferries' performance and setting fare caps. In his five year term as Regional Transportation Commissioner he rendered formal, independent opinions on the performance and planning of TransLink, the provider of public transit within Metro Vancouver. A resident of Comox since 1999, Martin has served as a director of the Old Church Theatre Society and as a member of the Advisory Planning Commission for the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona. He coordinated Kye Bay Clean Up, a successful community initiative to join the Town of Comox and obtain municipal sewerage and water services.
Mike Atkins
CEO
- Officer of the Commission since: 2021
- Active member of all committees
- Responsible to Board of Directors through the Chair
Mike joined the Comox Valley Airport Commission as Chief Executive Officer in January, 2021. A former Commander of 19 Wing Comox, he brings significant leadership, team-building, crisis and strategic planning experience developed during a 35-year military career. Mike's love for aviation started flying the venerable Sea King helicopter from Canadian Warships on the East Coast. He then made the jump to Search and Rescue, where he found his passion to rescue those in need, and strengthen the Canadian SAR System for all. Prior to assuming his new role, he was the Canadian Defence Advisor to the United Kingdom. Mike is honoured to join the CVAC team. He and his family have fallen in love with the Comox Valley and are eager to set down roots after a nomadic military career.
Myriam Myers
Secretary
- Chair, Governance Committee
- Executive Committee
- Member at Large
- Director since: 2021
Miriam brought 43 years of management experience, from a diverse array of private, public and non-profit businesses, when she moved to the Comox Valley from Saskatchewan in 2017. She holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management. Her prior roles included Chief Financial Officer, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation; Human Resources Manager, Military Aviation Training, Bombardier Aerospace along with management roles in the property development and banking industries. She was previously the Finance Manager with Comox Valley Community Foundation, and volunteers for other community organizations. Her extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, and change management will be put to good use as the Board sets the course for the post pandemic future.
Wendy Lewis
Treasurer
- Chair, Finance Committee
- Executive Committee
- Local Governments Nominee
- Director Since: 2019
Born and raised in the Comox Valley, Wendy is a Chartered Professional Accountant with nearly 20 years of experience in public practice. As a partner with MNP, she provides accounting, tax and strategic business advice to professionals and business owners and managers of small and medium sized enterprises in many sectors. Prior to achieving her CPA designation, Wendy owned and operated a small business in the Comox Valley. She is an active Rotarian and a Past President of the Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club.
Nancy Arsenault
Director
- Governance Committee
- Member at Large
- Director Since: 2019
Nancy's 30-year career as an entrepreneur, educator, researcher, writer, and senior government employee spans the public, private and not-for profit sectors. Formerly the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management at Royal Roads University, Nancy recently concluded a nine-year term as an industry advisor to five tourism ministers on the Tourism Engagement council. Currently the Managing Partner of the Tourism Cafe Canada, the areas of expertise she brings to Board includes strategic planning, customer experience managing, training and destination development.
She moved to the Comox Valley in 2014 and is keen to serve her new community. Nancy holds a MA and PhD from McGill University and is a Certified Training and Development Professional.
Bruce Bell
Director
- Finance Committees
- Local Governments Nominee
- Director since: 2023
Bruce retired to the Comox Valley in 2008, following a diverse career that saw him admitted to both the BC and Alberta Bar, followed by Solicitor to the Supreme Court of England and Wales. He has a B.Comm and L.L.B from UBC and professional experience in International Banking, Construction, Energy and Shipping. His BC Government appointments include the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, serving terms as President and Chair, and Governor of North Island College (Chair 2014-16). He is currently an active member of the Oyster River Enhancement Society, and has served our community well as a Director of the Comox Valley Community Foundation, Director of the Centre for Aquatic Health Science Society and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
David Nizar Drummond
Director
- Audit and Governance Committees
- Local Governments Nominee
- Director since: 2023
David is a CPA and Director of Finance - BC Operations for Interfor, one of the world's leading lumber producers. Prior to settling in Courtenay, he fulfilled a variety of senior roles for multinational firms in the energy, shipping and accounting sectors honing his financial, negotiating, project and strategic skills during international postings. His extensive and ongoing experience in the resource sector, global perspective and financial acumen provide a comprehensive basis to help guide CVAC's future.
John Madden
Director
- Audit and Finance Committees
- Member at Large
- Director since: 2023
John has a background in Human Resources and Corporate Services gained through the public and private sectors. After obtaining a Commerce Degree from UBC John spent two decades working for Canadian Airlines International holding a variety of Directorships including: Employee Training and Development, Human Resources, Quality Improvement and Corporate Facilities. In early 2000 John served as Project Lead for the People Integration Team when Canadian was acquired by Air Canada, furthering his aviation experience with one of Canada's leading carriers. John rounds out his vast professional experience through volunteer and board appointments supporting skills and accessibility training, including Chair and Director of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation and Mentor UBC School of Business.
Maxine Montgomery
Director
- Governance Committees
- Local Governments Nominee
- Director since: 2023
Maxine retired to the Comox Valley following a twenty-five year career in the aviation industry. She has a strong understanding of airport operations, processes and air service development and excelled in marketing, communications and improving the passenger experience. As Manager, Customer and Terminal Services for the Saskatoon Airport Authority garnered the award for Most Improved Airport in North America, which was supplanted the following year by achieving Best Airport in North America, (small airports category). Max studied Business Administration, and Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan and has served on numerous Boards and Committees in the non-profit sector, with an emphasis on tourism, business development and sport organizations, complimenting her passion for curling and golf.