REIBC Member news

Michael Heeney, RI

Michael Heeney, AIBC, FRAIC, RI was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC) effective September 11, 2017. 

Michael joins SCDC with many years of city building experience throughout North America. For the past 28 years, Michael has been the Managing Principal of Bing Thom Architects where he was instrumental in the growth and success of that organization and led many complex and transformative projects including the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC, the Central City project in Surrey, BC, Arena Stage in Washington DC and Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas.

With a long-term and deep commitment to Surrey, Michael has been instrumental in bringing together a myriad of public and private stakeholders to create and execute Surrey Central City. Subsequent projects in Surrey include the Surrey City Centre Plan update, the City Centre Library, the Guildford Aquatic Centre, the SFU Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering (SE3P) and various feasibility studies.

Congratulations!

Robert Laing, RI

On September 8th, 2017 a retirement party was held for Robert Laing, RI at the Vancouver Club in Downtown Vancouver.  Robert has been a member of REIBC since 1990.  From 2002, Robert has served as BCREA’s CEO, where he helped guide the Association to its highest ever membership and education participation numbers, and an influential role nationally for programs such as the community building “Quality of Life” initiative and the Western Connection conferences. 

Many who attended Robert's retirement party wore a sweater vest in his honor! 

Damian Stathonikos has been named BCREA's Interim CEO. Robert Laing will act as an advisor to the Interim CEO over the coming weeks. 

All the best in your retirement!

G.W. Wayne Braid, RI

The Society of Notaries Public of BC held their Annual conference on the weekend of September 22-23 in Victoria.  On Saturday, September 23rd the Society held a formal retirement party for out-going CEO G.W. Wayne Braid, RI. The James Bond theme event saw those in attendance in their finest attire. Everyone had a phenomenal time dancing into the early hours of the morning.

G.W. Wayne Braid, who has held the position of CEO and Secretary with the Society of Notaries Public of BC since 2001, retires from the CEO role on September 29th. He will lead the Notaries' new insurance program and will continue working with The Notary Foundation of British Columbia, which provides grants to other BC organizations for legal education, research and law libraries.

Congratulations, Wayne!

Lita Powell, RI

Member Lita Powell, RI is part of the Emergency Safety Services (ESS) in Fort St. John & Taylor, BC.   In early July, Lita, along with 5 others, was called to go to Prince George to assist with the evacuation.  Lita is trained to deal with evacuations, floods, fires, etc. and was a member of the team that was training people in Prince George to deal with the emergency of the fires and the 15,000 evacuees in Prince George.  She spent 5 days in Prince George training and assisting the evacuees.    Thanks Lita!

John Bridal, RI, Jeremy Bramwell, RI & Dan Wilson, RI

Members John Bridal, Jeremy Bramwell and Dan Wilson in collaboration with several other real estate professionals completed work on a new publication to be used for a UBC-Real Estate Division professional development course. 

The Course, CPD 145: Protecting Condominium Investments: Reserve Funds & Depreciation Reports will focus on the correct use and interpretation of the information in a depreciation report.  The book emphasizes the market impact of various reserve funding scenarios, exploring how both condo buyers and owners may be affected and how to rely on this information to make better ownership decisions.

For more information about this course click here.

Cal Ross , Retired

Retired member Cal Ross is a Grandpa! Little Caleb came into this world on August 6th. He is  7.7lbs! All is well with mom, dad and baby!

Congratulations!

 

Ellen Hsu, RI

Member Ellen Hsu,RI (pictured,third from right) participated as one of the speakers for the Global Real Estate Market Outlook and Investment Opportunities in Korea on August 17. We received the following update from her:

I was honored to be invited by the President of CCIM Korea Chapter, Dr. Yong-Nam Kim to participate as one of the speakers for the Global Real Estate Market Outlook and Investment Opportunities on August 17. An overall privilege to share and learn about market outlook and investment opportunities for US, Japan, Taiwan and Australia. Numerous case studies provided a lot of insight on the how Korean investment and asset management companies are continuing to look for oversea joint venture investment opportunities. I went on property tours to view some of the newest trends and mixed use developments in Korea. One of the many highlights of the tour was visiting the Lotte World Tower which stood 555 meters tall and is presently the fifth tallest skyscraper in the world and tallest skyscraper in Korea. Extremely insightful was a presentation on how Lotte World Tower is the result of advanced science and art that literally expanded urban life into the sky. This is a city, designed with a new concept, equipped with high-end infrastructure for residences, businesses, shopping, leisure, and entertainment all in one place. This trip has been a great learning experience and truly one I am grateful for.

Cityscape Korea is East Asia’s premier international real estate investment and development event. It acts as a platform for developers, private and institutional investors, real estate professionals and government entities to meet and do business. Cityscape Korea 2017 is the second edition of East Asia Real Estate Summit, hosted at COEX in Seoul Korea from August 17-19. This year hundreds of developments from Korea and overseas were showcased with a focus on examining the main areas for growth and development in the region’s real estate market and showcasing the latest project trends and development

Upcoming Events 

REIBC Thompson-Okanagan Chapter Golf Networking Event
October 7, 2017 11:30am
The Pinnacle at Gallaghers Canyon
4680 Gallaghers Dr., East Kelowna, BC
More info

REIBC Meet the Pros-Residential
October 11, 2017 5:30pm
BCIT Burnaby Campus 
SE2, Room 324-Council Chambers (3rd floor)
3700 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby
More info

REIBC, AIC-BC & PIBC Thompson-Okanagan Chapter Joint Panel Event
October 18, 2017 5:30pm - 7:45 pm
Kelowna Golf and Country Club
1297 Glenmore Drive, Kelowna
More info

REIBC & AIC-BC Victoria Chapter Lunch & Learn: Environmental Impact Assessment
October 23, 2017 11:30am-1:30pm
BC Assessment Head Office, Conference room, 3rd Floor
Uptown Shopping Centre (above Best Buy)
3450 Uptown Blvd., Victoria
More info

2017 Presidents Luncheon
Masters of Real Estate. Where are we? Where are we going?
December 14, 2017 11:30am-2:00pm
Four Seasons Hotel (Grand Ballroom)
791 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver
Confirmed panel: Avtar Bains, Neil Chrystal, and moderator David Podmore, RI
Interested to know who's coming, click here

Register here

REIBC Chapter Events

Victoria Chapter - REIBC Inner Harbour Dinner Cruise

On Wednesday, September 20, REIBC members had the opportunity to network and learn interesting information about real estate in Victoria from Andrea Hudson, the City of Victoria’s Assistant Director of Community Planning aboard a chartered vessel.  The weather was cooperative as it was clear and perfectly smooth and calm, and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet and talk in a picturesque setting.  It was a great evening. 

Thompson-Okanagan Chapter - AIC-BC & REIBC Fall joint meeting & AIC-BC Chapter Elections

What’s the new vision for Kamloops?  That was the question answered on September 21^st when Jason Locke from the City of Kamloops unveiled a draft of their newest KamPlan to members of the REIBC and AIC-BC.  Topics such as growth in the city, walkability and transportation were presented and discussed.   The meeting was held at Romeo’s restaurant in the Coast Hotel where a delicious dinner was also served.

Career Opportunities

Property Agent - BC Housing

TL Acquisitions and Leasing Agent (20170513) - TransLink

Property Manager - Vancouver Native Housing Society

Senior Real Estate Manager - OPE01636-17 - TELUS Communications Inc.

Members Seeking Employment

We recently launched a new page on the REIBC website for members looking for employment. If you are an Associate, Professional or Nominee member looking for a career - tell us a little about yourself here.

Meet A Member

Would you like to be profiled in next months' newsletter? Let us know!

Meet Jeremy Berger, RI 

Jeremy Berger is a Commercial Property Manager at Porte communities and has been working in the real estate industry for the past 5 years. Jeremy was introduced to the Real Estate Institute of BC by former president Mandy Hansen and has enjoyed the many networking opportunities and initiatives offered by the Institute. In his past experience, Jeremy has also worked with Project Management Volunteers helping grass roots community organizations with various project management needs. An aspiring developer, Jeremy hopes to continue to gain valuable experience in the real estate industry working alongside other RI members.

Originally born in France, Jeremy moved to Canada with his family at the age of eight and over the years of growing up in Vancouver, became drawn to the booming real estate industry. He followed up his UBC B.Comm degree with a Diploma for Urban Land Economics. In his spare time, Jeremy is passionate about sports and the outdoors and feels fortunate to have so many stunning hikes right in Vancouver’s back yard. 

Meet Dan McElheron, RI

I was attracted to a career in real estate because of the opportunity to be self-employed and work with such an exciting product.  I started my career in real estate in 1986 as a Realtor in North Van and in 1990 decided to move out to Maple Ridge and sell real estate there and get involved with the rapid growth in new construction that the area offered.

In 1994 I completed my Real Estate Agents course and was licenced as an Agent (Senior licence under Real Estate Act). Shortly after that I was promoted to Nominee in my real estate office (Sutton Group Ford Realty). Also in 1994 I started working towards my Urban Land Economics Diploma with the Appraisal option. I completed my diploma in 1998 and was accepted into the REIBC. In 2000 I was accepted into the Real Estate Institute of Canada: FRI.

I became a Director in the REIBC North Fraser Chapter and made a point to take the time and network and connect with other RI’s. I met a number of RI’s that were working for BC Assessment. This ultimately led to a career with BC Assessment as an Appraiser.

In 2001 I was offered a position with BC Assessment as an Appraiser in the Terrace office. And in 2017 was promoted to the position of Senior Appraiser at BC Assessment in the North Region, remaining in the Terrace Office. I am currently a Supervisor for a team in the North Region known as the Project Support Team. And am temporarily supervising the Servicing Team (this team is responsible for inventory collection of new construction for the entire north from 100 Mile House to the Yukon Border.)

My real estate career is now in its 32^nd year. I have remained actively involved as an RI. Being designated as an RI has been very beneficial in my career!

In my spare time I enjoy fishing, bike riding and cross country skiing.

Meet Cindy Nesselbeck, RI

My career in real estate began in Victoria in 1982 when I had the opportunity to join the head office of British Columbia Buildings Corporation. Considered the province’s largest landlord, BCBC provided me with exposure to many aspects of real estate matters including property acquisitions and disposals, leasing, appraisal, property management, portfolio management, strategic planning and negotiations.

In 1997, I moved with my family to Nanaimo where I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work for the City of Nanaimo, first as a Property Agent and later as Manager of the City’s Real Estate Department. These positions provided valuable experience in the various regulations that govern municipal real estate dealings and the provision of public infrastructure. I am currently enjoying self-employment as a Land Consultant in the central Vancouver Island area, where I specialize in real estate transactions for local governments.

I have been a professional member of the Real Estate Institute of BC since receiving my Urban Land Economics Diploma from UBC in 1990. I have been honored to serve on both the Victoria and Nanaimo Chapters of the Institute and look forward to contributing to the organization further in my new role as Governor.

I live on a small hobby farm with my husband; we have three grown children. I enjoy spending time outdoors with our horses and dogs. I also enjoy cooking, woodworking, gardening, reading and travelling.

BCSLA Call for Papers

The BC Society of Landscape  Architects has reached out for a Call for Papers for the BCSLA Annual Conference, Showcase & AGM. 

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: PAPERS AND POSTERS AND NOVEL FORMATS

This Call for Abstracts is open to all BCSLA Members and allies, including university students in studies related to the conference theme of ENERGY. We invite submissions from any area or discipline of landscape architecture, from wide points of view (and especially from interdisciplinary perspectives and practices), responding to the conference theme.

> Download the Call For Papers outline here

REIBC Charity Golf Tournament 

The REIBC continues to receive updates on the great wishes that are being granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC & Yukon as a result of many charitable donations, including dollars from REIBCs Charity Golf Tournament. 

Click here to read about Spencers wish. Spencer suffers from Osteosarcoma. His wish was for a professional photography kit. 

We are nearly ready to announce the final dollar amount raised at this years' tournament. As soon as we know we will share the amount we will be donating to the Make-A-Wish Foundation! Stay tuned.