The Board of Directors

Managing Partner, BEC Entertainment Network Inc.

Bill, a longtime resident of the South Surrey - White Rock area, is an accomplished Event Marketer, Promoter and Producer with a proven track record designing, building and executing dynamic, entertaining and profitable events through contracts with clients and industry contacts. Managing the process with stakeholders includes funding procurement, strategic partnerships, government relations, marketing communications and event marketing & management. He is a member of the City of White Rock Public Art and Culture Advisory Committee, a Board Member of the Rotary Club of Semiahmoo and is the Chair of the Youth Service Committee. Bill is also the President of the Penmar Community Arts Society which supports local community arts initiatives. 

Director, White Rock Museum & Archives

Anthony Manning is the White Rock Museum & Archives' representative to the Chamber. He's lived in White Rock since 2014 and served on city council 2018-22. Anthony believes connecting businesses and residents makes a stronger, more vibrant community. He has over three decades of experience in commercial aviation, with Air Canada Express since 2006 as a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and previously in a variety of management positions with United Airlines in San Francisco, where he lived for 20 years. The child of a military family, Anthony grew up in Germany, Washington, DC and Southern California. He earned a Bachelors in Journalism from Humboldt State University and a Masters in History from American Military University.

Lawyer, Cleveland Doan LLP

Kelly Hodder is a lawyer at Cleveland Doan LLP, where she focuses on governance and bylaw interpretation in the context of strata property law. Kelly is passionate about supporting marginalized populations and advocating for children’s rights, and she volunteers her time for these and other causes, and entities such as the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. Each year around Christmas, Kelly organizes a pyjama drive through her friends and community to provide new pyjamas for the women attending the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre. Kelly has lived in both Paris, France and the Gold Coast, Australia which provided her with opportunities to travel and explore many countries. Her most memorable country is Malta.

Kelly spends most of her weekends outside with her family and two dogs. Kelly has a JD from Bond University where she graduated with honours and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Victoria. 

Retired Banker

Bob has lived in South Surrey/White Rock for the past 34 years with plans to continue to make this area his home. For the past 22 years, he has worked in White Rock in a leadership position with TD Bank. His involvement with the local business community goes back to when he first started working in the area leading and co-leading events to attract more tourists such as the Semiahmoo Bay Regatta, Annual Christmas Sail Boat Parade, TD Concerts At The Pier and as a Board Member of the previous White Rock Tourism. More recently, he organized a group of business leaders called Friends of the Pier to raise funds for the rebuild of the pier. He has served on the Economic and Investment Committee for the City of White Rock for 12 years and chaired the committee for 4 years. Community recognitions include being nominated twice as Business Person of the Year by the Chamber, three awards from PAH for supporting their fundraising efforts and by the City of White Rock for contributions to the community. 

Salon Owner & Real Estate Agent, Signature Real Estate Group

Gurjinder K Bhurji started her career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (RT) in 1985. The next part of her life was spent raising her four children before moving on to a new career in 2013 as a Realtor with Royallepage Wolstencroft Realty. She also became a promoter for women in business and held an annual women’s networking event, building a network of over 700 women who inspired each other. In 2020, Gurjinder invested in a Salon business called Stylin’ Confidence Beauty Salon in Surrey. The vision for this business is to build confidence in women from the inside out. The Salon is fully staffed with 5 professionals and hosts students from local schools for work experience. For the past three years, Gurjinder has been following her passion of running, jogging and biking as she is a believer that healthy bodies create healthy minds. She takes great pride in being the Race Director of Run Surrey Run, an in-person professional road race event in our Downtown City of Surrey. This event is in its 3rd year and its vision is to build a healthier Surrey. Aside from her businesses she is also on the Board of Surrey Parks and Recreation Committee, and West Panorama Rate Payers Association. Gurjinder wishes to inspire everyone to focus on our health as we age.

Executive Director, SFU's Surrey Campus

Stephen Dooley became the second Executive Director of the Simon Fraser University Surrey campus in November 2013. Prior to joining the team at SFU, he worked at Kwantlen Polytechnic University for more than 20 years, where he was the founder of the Centre For Interdisciplinary Research: Community Learning and Engagement (CIR:CLE). Steve has a strong commitment to the development of community-campus partnerships, based on the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

CARP B.C. Chief Advocacy & Communications Officer
President, White Rock/Surrey Chapter of CARP
Director, CARP National Board (aka the Canadian Association of Retired Persons)

A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University (Journalism) and the University of Toronto (Education/Political Science), Ramona has worked as a reporter, travel writer, editor, teacher, hotel managing director, government information officer, event planner and fundraiser in Canada, Australia, England, Spain, and Asia.

From 2002 to 2008, Ramona worked in international development to contribute to a more equitable world. Two of her most memorable posts were teaching hotel management and first aid in Vietnam and being an organizational development advisor to four NGOs in Bangladesh where focus was on good governance. In Malaysia, she prepared Grade 12 scholarship students for entry into Canadian universities.

Ramona currently serves on various committees and is recipient of a 2022 Outstanding Canadian on the Peninsula Award as well as two Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medallions.

Travelling is a passion having taken her to many European countries, Great Britain, as well as Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Japan, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the former Soviet Union.

General Manager & Project Manager, Pacific Inn / DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel South Surrey, Fountana Group

Margarett Lange is the hotel General Manager & Project Manager for the Pacific Inn / Doubletree by Hilton Hotel South Surrey conversion project. Margarett joined Fountana Group in 2018 where she is responsible for the management of Fountana Hotels, Beverage and Film divisions. Prior to joining Fountana Group, she worked with Starwood Hotels for over a decade. She is excited to be reviving the Pacific Inn Hotel landmark, which is the Gateway to Canada and will be the spark of South Surrey. Margarett has over 25 years experience in the hospitality, tourism and film industry sectors with the majority of her work in Surrey, BC. She has been an active member of the Surrey community and is passionate about building long lasting relationships and being a trusted advisor to her clients. Margarett’s dedicated attention to quality, tenacious energy and hands on approach ensures visitors will fall in love with our vibrant city and all it has to offer!

President, Comfort Keepers

Heather Martin has many years of professional and general management experience and has used this experience to build her own successful corporation, Comfort Keepers, servicing the whole of the lower mainland and Victoria. Prior to venturing into Comfort Keepers, she worked for 18 years with a US based company assisting with public relations, acquisitions, divestitures and general administration.

Through Comfort Keepers, she is very involved in the South Surrey/White Rock community and helps organize programs and events for seniors. Comfort Keepers was awarded the 2017 Business Excellence Award from the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce. She spends her spare time helping and volunteering with organizations like Luke 15 House and preparing and serving meals at The Door Is Open, Vancouver and Surrey Urban Missions.

Heather is the Chair for the Semiahmoo Seniors Planning Table and Co-Chair on the Burnaby Seniors Resources Society. She is also the Vice President of the Seniors Come Share Board. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Psychology and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She resides with her family in Surrey.

Account Manager, Monarch Floor & Window Coverings

Merv Sandrel’s businesses have been Chamber Members since 1990 with Hallmark Carpets, Ball Park Sports and now Monarch Floors and Window Coverings, as well as serving as a director for 2 terms from 1998-2001. Originally owning and operating the largest floorcovering company on the peninsula, he sold it to the employees in 2008. Fulfilling a promise made to Bill Reid, he opened up a new business in Cloverdale in 2009 (North White Rock as Mr. Reid called it). He ran Ball Park Sports for 10 years before selling it to retire. Both these companies won a combined 4 Business Excellence Awards over the years. 

Today, after failing miserably to retire twice and missing the challenges of business, he is now the account manager for Monarch overseeing the South Surrey, White Rock and Langley market. Merv still will say that it was his company’s involvement with the community and the Chamber that attributed to the success he and his employees had over many years. He is looking forward to help continue the good work that the Directors and the Staff of the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce do for the community.

Executive Director, Brella Community Services Society

Louise Tremblay has over 30 years of experience in leadership roles in the private and non-for-profit sectors. Prior to joining Brella, she was concurrently the Director of Development at UNITI and a Consultant with the BC Association of Community Response Networks. She was also on the Board of Directors of Brella for 7 years, three of which she served as Chair. Louise earned a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University where she conducted a research project on inclusive workplaces. She was the recipient of the 2017 Surrey Board of Trade Woman in Business Award for not-for-profit leadership. Her volunteering activities include working for organizations providing services to older adults and people with disabilities and translating social science books for children with learning disabilities. Louise feels honoured and privileged to be working with collaborative groups who share her passion about developing inclusive and safe communities where diverse people can thrive and experience life to its fullest potential. While Louise was born and raised in Quebec, she lived much of her adult life in Western Canada, including Edmonton and Winnipeg. She has been a resident of South Surrey/White Rock since 1993.

Mortgage Professional, XEVA Mortgage LLP  

Rich Ulvild is an experienced Mortgage Specialist with a passion for helping clients achieve their financial dreams. With over 19 years of industry experience, Rich has successfully guided numerous clients through the mortgage landscape, providing personalized advice and support every step of the way. With a deep understanding of both brokerage and insider perspectives, Rich brings a wealth of knowledge to his clients. Having served as a Vice President of Dominion Lending Centers and as a Business Development Manager at Home Trust and HomeEquity Bank, he possesses unique insights into the industry. Rich's experience at HomeEquity Bank solidified his passion for helping seniors overcome financial challenges, prompting him to refocus his career as a Mortgage Specialist and empower seniors to access the equity in their homes through reverse mortgages. His dedication to assisting families and enhancing their financial stability during retirement has made a significant impact on the lives of many. 

He is a member of the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association - BC and Mortgage Professionals Canada. Additionally, Rich actively contributes to the community as a member of the Semiahmoo Seniors Planning Table and serves as a Director of the White Rock/Surrey Chapter of CARP. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rich is deeply rooted in the community he serves. Proud to have grown up in Surrey, he now calls South Surrey his home. When not assisting clients with their mortgage needs, Rich enjoys spending quality time with his family and close friends. You can often find him exploring the beautiful outdoors, indulging in cycling, camping, and boating. 

Financial Planner, TD Wealth

Summer is an experienced Wealth Financial Planner at TD, dedicated to helping individuals in the South Surrey and White Rock community make informed decisions about their finances to improve their overall financial well-being. With a passion for personal finance, Summer has been assisting clients in identifying their financial goals and objectives, creating tailored strategies, and guiding them through the process of achieving their desired outcomes. Her expertise lies in working with mass affluent clients, understanding their unique needs and aspirations, and developing comprehensive financial plans to help them achieve their goals. Summer takes pride in building long-term relationships based on trust, professionalism, and a deep understanding of her clients' financial situations. 

Summer's journey in the financial industry began when she came to Canada as an international student and pursued her studies in Personal Financial Planning at BCIT. After graduating, she moved to Surrey and joined TD in 2010. Since then, she has been committed to providing exceptional financial planning services to her clients. With her extensive knowledge and experience, Summer is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of financial planning and achieve their financial goals. She is passionate about empowering her clients to make informed financial decisions and supporting them on their journey towards financial success.

In addition to her work at TD, Summer actively contributes to the community. She is also a member of the Asian Business Committee, where she helps bridge the gap for Chinese small business owners, providing them with resources and support to help them succeed and feel more integrated into the local culture. Summer believes in giving back and making a positive impact on the lives of others. 

Director, Surrey White Rock Community Engagement Society

James has been a consultant in shipping and logistics industry offering services for many multi-national companies, such as MSC, Mitsui, Hapag-Lloyd, CP ships, Evergeen, Hutchison Whampoa, etc., helping them enter the Chinese market. Through more than 32 years of work, James has accumulated a wealth of experience in China's affairs, regulatory matters, market intelligence, head hunting, pre-investment analysis and marketing strategies. Being a Director of Surrey White Rock Community Engagement Society, James actively participates in community activities to spread knowledge of Canadian democracy and enhance Chinese Canadians to embrace the Canadian multicultural identity.