CHRIS VEENSTRA, PRESIDENT
Chris Veenstra was born in Vernon, BC and moved to Chilliwack at the early age of 5. Chris graduated from Sardis Secondary School where he was involved in several sports including basketball, volleyball, rugby and track & field. He also spent many summers playing lacrosse for the Chilliwack Mustangs. After high school, he graduated from University of British Columbia with an Engineering degree.
In 2012, Chris co-founded Metric Civil Contractors, a civil construction company serving many areas of British Columbia. In 2020, Chris was honored to be named as one of the Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction by On-Site Magazine. Chris also sits on the Board of Directors of Chilliwack Bowls of Hope. Personally, and through Metric, Chris has had the opportunity to get involved with other local causes such as the Chilliwack Minor Lacrosse Association, Project Warmth, and Sardis Secondary Strongman Competition.
Chris has been married to his “high school sweetheart”, Holli, for 18 years and together they have a daughter, Peyton, and a son, Oakley. Both kids are involved in multiple sports which means he spends a lot of his spare time coaching or just cheering them on from the side lines. When there is snow in the mountains, Chris and his family spend their free time skiing as much as possible.
BRIAN WESTWELL, VICE-PRESIDENT
Brian Westwell moved to Chilliwack from Vernon BC in January of 2020. Brian became a member of the Mt Cheam rotary club and joined the Chilliwack Children’s Foundation board of directors. As a local business owner Brian believes that giving back to the place where we live, work and play helps build a stronger community.
Brian started his career washing cars in Vernon BC for an auto dealership. He is the Managing Partner of the Bannister Auto Group Chilliwack. Brian foresees his business experience helping make him a valuable member of the board.
Brian and his family are excited to call Chilliwack home. Brian has been married to his wonderful wife Nicole for over 20 years and has two amazing children.
LUKE ZACHARIAS, DIRECTOR
Luke was first elected to the Board in 2010.
Luke Zacharias moved to Chilliwack in 1976. He graduated from the University College of the Fraser Valley with a Bachelor of Arts (History) in 1999. He attended law school at the University of British Columbia and graduated with his Juris Doctor in 2002. Luke worked at a large law firm in Vancouver until May 2005. He returned to Chilliwack in May of 2005 and worked at a regional law firm for 14 years until starting his own practice, Zacharias Vickers McCann LLP in 2019. His present practice is focused on personal injury and commercial litigation.
Luke is an active member of the community of Chilliwack. He is a member of the Mt. Cheam Rotary Club and is on the Board of Directors for the Chilliwack Children’s Foundation, the Chilliwack Bowls of Hope and the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation. In his spare time, Luke enjoys spending time with his family, playing hockey, golfing, and weightlifting.
PAUL DONALDSON, DIRECTOR
As a resident of Chilliwack, Paul wants to be an active member of the community in making it a stronger and healthier place to live. Paul feels that this should be a goal of every resident of Chilliwack as we all benefit from a community with a solid foundation. Being a Board member of Chilliwack Community Services provides Paul the opportunity to give back to the community. Paul anticipates being a valued member of the Board by drawing on his education and past experiences. After receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance and accounting, Paul joined one of the big five Canadian chartered banks. During his role of branch manager with the bank, Paul gained experienced in both financial and human management. After careful consideration, Paul decided to put his skills to greater use as an investment adviser at Odlum Brown within the community.
CORINNE MCCABE, DIRECTOR
Corinne McCabe spent 36 years in the education field in Alberta and British Columbia as a teacher and school and district administrator. She and her husband, Ron Anton, moved to Chilliwack from Edmonton, in 2007, when she took on the role of Superintendent of Schools for the Chilliwack School District. Since her retirement in 2011 they have divided their leisure their time between traveling, spending time with to family, cycling, curling and golf. They are fortunate to have lots of company at their Chilliwack All-inclusive and enjoy showing off the lower mainland to their four children and numerous other prairie friends.
Corinne has been active in a number of volunteer roles in the community. She has been involved with The Chilliwack Healthier Community Initiative since its inception and is a member of the City of Chilliwack’s Housing First Task Team. Through her work with the School District she saw the important role that Chilliwack Community Services plays in the community. She joined the Board in 2014 because she wanted to support the excellent work done by staff in supporting each of their clients in reaching their potential. Her time on the Board has been a rewarding learning experience and has given her a greater understanding of the needs of the community and the challenges associated with a growing and changing community.
DAN BIBBY, DIRECTOR
After 37 years of BC government service, Dan Bibby made the decision to retire. The position provided Dan the opportunity to understand the importance of community development and to work with some amazing local community agencies and partner in many collaborative initiatives to address gaps in service. In his last 19 years with MCFD, he was the Director of Operations in various communities including Mission, Fraser Cascade, Coquitlam, and the last 10 years in Chilliwack.
Dan and his family have lived in 1988. He has been married to Debbie for over 35 years and has 2 children Taylor and Stacuia. Dan and Debbie are also proud grandparents to 3 young local children.
JASON LAYNES, DIRECTOR
Jason was born in Vancouver and moved to Chilliwack when he was 13. After graduating from Sardis Secondary School, he became a journeyman heavy duty mechanic with Finning Ltd. In 1992, he became a licensed realtor and added development of residential properties to his duties. Jason is currently a member of the Mt. Cheam Rotary Club, chairing different committees at different times. He has been involved in Chilliwack Minor Hockey as a coach as well as being on the Board of Directors, and volunteers at Ruth and Naomi’s Mission. Jason has been married to Kathy for 23 years and they have a son, Broden. They have made their home in Chilliwack.
JESSIE RAMSAY, DIRECTOR
Jessie Ramsay is Métis and grew up in Chilliwack, BC. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BA in Psychology and a minor in First Nations studies before earning her Juris Doctorate from UBC’s Allard School of Law in 2014. She joined Baker Newby LLP as an associate in 2015 and joined the partnership in 2019. Family is central to Jessie’s life, which is why she returned to Chilliwack after law school.
Jessie is dedicated to her community, serving on the boards of Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation, Chilliwack Community Services, Stó:lō Service Agency, and Tomiyeqw Development Corporation. She contributes to these organizations’ governance and programs. Jessie is also an executive member of the Canadian Bar Association Family Law (Fraser Valley) and an accredited Family Law mediator.
PETER MONTEITH, DIRECTOR
Peter was appointed to the Board in September 2012. Peter was born in Kelowna B.C. He received his BA from the University of Victoria and his Master of City Planning from the University of Manitoba.
Peter has worked in the area of City Planning and City Administration in seven western Canadian cities during his 35 year career. Peter has lived in Chilliwack on and off since 1994. He is married with 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren. Peter is a member of the Chilliwack-Mount Cheam Rotary club and tries to golf in his free time.
CHRIS CSOKA, DIRECTOR
Chris Csoka was born and raised in Chilliwack. He graduated from Sardis Secondary in 2007 and pursued his undergraduate science degree at UFV. Upon graduation, Chris worked as a Key Account Manager at Pepsi for almost 15 years, and recently moved to HUB International Insurance in Employee Benefits.
In addition to his CCS work, Chris serves as the President of Bowls of Hope, a non-profit based in Chilliwack that provides local food security programs and initiatives to children and families in Chilliwack and surrounding areas.
In his spare time, Chris enjoys golfing, hockey and spending time with his family and friends. He and his wife, Leonie, recently moved back to Chilliwack after living in Abbotsford for a few years. They are both happy to be ‘home’ and to continue giving back to the community that raised them.
BROOKE JANZEN, DIRECTOR
Brooke was born and raised in Chilliwack, B.C. where a variety of club and school sports played an integral role in her early years. This path eventually led her to the University of the Fraser Valley where she played on the women’s varsity basketball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology. She then went on to complete her Bachelor of Education and earned a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration. Brooke has been working in the Education field for the past 15 years and is currently a school administrator in her hometown. Brooke is eager to serve and support the community of Chilliwack as a board member for both Chilliwack Community Services and Bowls of Hope.
