Rob Gillis, Chair
Rob Gillis is the General Manager of Richmond's newest hotel, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Riverport. Opening in March 2008, his involvement with this newest gem in the Marquee Hotels Group portfolio has literally been from the foundation up. With Hilton and Marriott brands in eastern Canada, Marquee Hotels is now focusing their growth primarily on the West Coast. A past Board Member of Tourism Richmond, Rob's hotel management background spans over 10 years. Working with Sandman Hotels as a Regional Director, and managing properties for Wall Financial & Leisure Lodge Hotels, Rob is excited to be back in the Richmond marketplace where his career began.
Roman St. Germain, Immediate Past Chair
Roman St. Germain is the Hotel Manager of the Delta Vancouver Airport. With industry experience in Toronto, Ottawa and Victoria he has spent nine years with Delta Hotels and has also held positions with Marriott and Sheraton Hotels. Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, he is a graduate of Carleton University. While with the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa he served on the Board of Directors of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association as Vice Chair of the Victoria branch and was the Chair of the Victoria branch Membership Committee.
Scott Johnson, 1st Vice Chair
Scott has worked in the hospitality industry for his entire career. He has worked in all areas of the hotel business including cook, waiter, bellhop, night audit, Director of Sales, Director of Operations and General Manager. Scott's hotel career has taken his family around Western Canada with positions in Edmonton, Calgary, Pentiction, Whistler, Richmond and Vancouver. Prior to starting with Sandman Hotels, Inns & Suites in 2002, Scott worked with Delta Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Travelodge and a number of independent hotels and resorts. Currently, Scott is the Executive General Manager at the Sandman Signature Hotel & Resort Vancouver Airport. Scott obtained CHA (Certified Hospitality Administrator) designation in 1996. Previously served on the board of directors with the British Columbia & Yukon Hotel Association Vancouver Hotel Association and Tourism Richmond.
Vince Morlet, Secretary
Vince Morlet is the proud owner of Tapenade Bistro in Steveston Village which opened in 2003. He has been a Richmond resident since 1982 and prior to that, Vince has lived and worked in France, Brazil and the United States. His extended family has lived in the Steveston area since the 1960’s and his strong connection to the village and the city has brought him to the Board of Directors to help in guiding the growth of tourism in both Steveston and Richmond.
Mary Kemmis, 2nd Vice Chair & Chair, V&MS Committee
Mary Kemmis has more than 20 years experience in both the print and broadcast industries. She began her career as a journalist before moving into sales and sales management at community newspapers and Rogers Radio in BC, Ontario and Alberta. Before recently returning to the Richmond Review as publisher, she was the inaugural publisher of Metro Vancouver. Mary has a strong history of community involvement and has served on the boards of a number of community organizations including the Gateway Theatre, Banff Canada Day and First Night organizing boards and Kwantlen University College Board of Governors.
Andy Shimizu, Treasurer & Chair, Finance Committee
Andy Shimizu, CGA, is the Director, Corporate Planning for JTB International (Canada) Ltd. He has the right philosophy about tourism in Richmond and actively participates on a growing list of committees: the Travel Industry Advisory Group (TIAG) with the Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority of BC (BPCPA); Co-Chair, Advocacy Committee, Canadian Inbound Tourism Association - Asia Pacific (CITAP); and representative with COTA for the Japan Canada Tourism Association (JACATA). According to Andy, "Tourism in Richmond stands today on the cusp of tremendous and exciting opportunities that will forever shape its future: 2010, RAV, APTSC, "Golden Village", "Steveston", the Oval, our proximity to YVR and a core of very committed tourism professionals ready to establish more first rate amenities to serve an ever-demanding clientele from all over the world. Bring it on!"
Jason Tse, Chair, Marketing Committee
Jason Tse is the Manager of Marketing Research for the Vancouver International Airport Authority. Jason was a Corporate Financial Analyst when he joined YVR in 2000. Despite holding a strong interest in the aviation field, he began his career after completing his MBA in Commercial Banking at the TD Bank, a position which immediately preceded his employment at the airport. Jason has a BA in Economics, (UBC), an MBA (University of Saskatchewan) and holds both the Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. He is also a board member of the Hong Kong Canada Business Association and claims to be an avid sports fan. A Richmond native, he is proud to be a Director of Tourism Richmond.