Meet the Team

As a faculty member at Vancouver Island University I strive to provide my students with an engaging applied learning experience that is built upon a foundation of experiential learning. It is my goal to help facilitate the development of the future leaders that our world needs!

Chuck is an innovative Senior Executive and Municipal Entrepreneur with proven leadership in sales and marketing, operations, business development, government relations, HR management, and finance. 

Over the past 15 years in venue management, Chuck has excelled on the municipal client side as Deputy/Interim CAO and General Manager of Recreation, Facilities and Culture in Penticton BC and on the contract management side as Regional General Manager of Operations for the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo in Fort McMurray AB. 

As General Manager of the VICC since June 2017, he has led its team successfully in reducing the City’s annual investment in the VICC, while concurrently increasing its return on investment in the form of economic impact. Through his tenure at the Conference Centre, $1.4 million of unused budget funds have been returned to the City, while delivering more than $57 million in economic impact throughout the City.

Over the past 30 years managing and operating large scale venues and businesses in the recreation and tourism industries, Chuck has been an integral member of various travel, tourism and economic development associations and organizations provincially in Canada and internationally with the USA and Europe. 

While in Nanaimo he has been very involved as a Director, Member or Supporter with Tourism Nanaimo, Tourism Vancouver Island, Downtown Nanaimo Business Association, Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and other committees or work groups. With studies in Germany and Ontario, Chuck holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in German Language and Linguistics from Wilfrid Laurier University.

A strategic, dynamic and collaborative Executive/Manager with experience of progressive leadership with both the private and not-for-profit sectors. Recognized as a passionate, inclusive, decisive leader who fosters innovation, organizational effectiveness, operational and customer service excellence to successfully achieve overall business goals and outcomes.

Roberta’s Strengths include; Leadership – Strategic Planning – Internal and External Stakeholder Relations – Operations – Communications – Budgeting – Risk Management – Change Management – Systems and Analytics – Policy Development & Implementation – Working with diverse Boards & Committees

For over two decades Corry Gervais has built her roots as a business leader in Nanaimo.  Through a shared vision and passion for community and results, she has worked with 100’s of businesses, leaders of government, organizations, media, and key business associations locally, regionally, and provincially to improve the business landscape.  Corry is the former President of the Business Improvement Association of British Columbia and currently serves as a Director on the Nanaimo Tourism Board, Governor of the Vancouver Island University Board of Directors, Director of the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation Board and various other committees and Boards related to the economic success of Nanaimo.  Corry has held management and leadership roles in downtown revitalization, economic development, destination marketing, and event planning.  In Corry’s spare time she enjoys boating, travelling, visiting with her children and grandchildren, and spending time at home with her husband.

Social-minded systems thinker, progressive project manager, and outdoor enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. I am passionate about my work and enjoy collaborating with others to create meaningful experiences.

I have had the pleasure of engaging with diverse businesses, various levels of government, educational institutions, industry associations, community groups, and not-for-profit organizations in my roles on Vancouver Island, in the Rockies, and Northern BC.

When creating strategic programs or producing innovative events based on your brands unique DNA, I work to differentiate you from your competitors, all the while building strong connections with your customers, partners and employees.

Key Areas of Expertise: Human Resources, Resort Management, Marketing Strategy, Revenue Management, Community Engagement, Corporate Partnerships, and Sponsorship.

Awards include senior manager in a venue ranked Top Five of it’s class in North America by Venues Today and Pollstar (3 consecutive years).

Management contributor in a hotel that was recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the Top Three Resorts in Canada (3 consecutive years).

Ted is an innovative leader with a passion for community development and a strong background in Tourism Management. As Park Manager at WildPlay Nanaimo, Ted excels at team building, strategic growth, and creating value for others.

Ted’s community involvement includes serving on the Tourism Nanaimo Board, participating in Nanaimo Search and Rescue, and planning events such as WildPlay Pride, Naked Bungy and Toss the Boss. Ted is committed to fostering connections, solving challenges creatively, and making a meaningful impact.

“Welcome aboard! With a passion for revolutionizing the travel industry in British Columbia, Xander France is the Director of Marketing and Sales with Hullo Ferries. Raised in Nanaimo, and a grad of the Tourism Management program at VIU, Xander’s personal connection to the region fuels his drive to give back to the community. After 15+ years in the travel and consumer package goods industries, Xander is delighted to contribute to Tourism Nanaimo and work with this esteemed board”.

Xander has enjoyed an engaging twelve-year career in CPG sales and partnerships working with Telus, MolsonCoors, Aurora and HEXO in progressive leadership roles. Xander has led the provincial wholesale, in-market development, and sales execution functions. Developing a team of 30+ commercial sales professionals driving $360MM in revenue since inception of the industry in 2018, through key retailer focus and consumer-centric strategy. Based in Vancouver and raised on Vancouver Island, with international BD experience, Xander brings a wealth of experience in business developments, sales, partnerships and strategy.