Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
Annual General Meeting
Friday, April 26, 2024
Grand Hotel, Nanaimo, BC
Nominees for the 2024 Board of Director’s
The following Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce members have been nominated by their peers for the 2024 Board of Directors. Each nominee has met the required criteria set out by the nominations committee and are as follows:
Arlene Rolston, Executive Secretary, Nanaimo Port Authority
Arlene Rolston has been the Corporate Secretary at the Nanaimo Port Authority for the past 10 years. Her previous work experience includes 8 years working in the financial sector at the Coastal Community Credit Union and 10 years working in the tourism sector at Cypress Mountain Resort.
Arlene first became involved with the Chamber network in 2005 when she moved to Vancouver Island. Since then she has held various leadership positions in the network as a Director on the Board of the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce (2007 – 2012), Member of the BC Chamber Policy Review Committee (2011 – present), Director on the Board of the BC Chamber of Commerce (2019-2023), Past Chair of the BC Chamber Policy Review Committee (2019 – 2024), and Chair of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce External Policy Development Committee (2013 -present).
Outside of the network Arlene also currently volunteers as the Past Chair of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities Law and Governance Committee and as a Director on the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society Board of Directors.
Arlene has demonstrated her dedication to representing the voices of BC businesses with tenacity and integrity throughout her 25+ year career. Her areas of expertise include business administration, regulatory affairs, board governance, policy development, organizational change event planning, member service and public relations. She lives downtown in Nanaimo and looks forward to her time serving the local businesses in our region.
Jason Yochim, CEO, Vancouver Island Real Estate Board
Jason Yochim and his partner Lynn came to Vancouver Island from Saskatchewan in January of 2022, bringing over 30 years’ experience in various levels of the real estate and housing sectors. Jason is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. Prior to this, Jason was hired to launch the Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association in 2019. The SRA was a successful amalgamation of the remaining REALTOR® Associations in the province of Saskatchewan. Jason has also served as CEP of the Saskatoon Region Association of REALTORS® and the Saskatoon and Region Home Builders. His background in housing includes experience in construction and development of residential and commercial property. An avid reader and firm believer in ongoing personal development, Jason has earned the designation of Certified Association Executive and Canadian REALTOR® Association Executive. Board governance experience includes serving as a Director of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, including a term as Chair in 2016-17.
Mike Hrabowych, Insurance Advisor, Integral Wealth Securities Ltd.
Mike’s professional career started while working at Integral Wealth Securities Limited as a summer student during university. After short stint in investment banking in Toronto after graduation, he came back to his hometown Nanaimo and Integral Wealth Securities Limited.
Mike attends almost all Chamber events, is a regular sponsor of Chamber initiatives, and believes strongly in the power and benefit of the Nanaimo Chamber. Mike has strong community ties, and a diverse background working with businesses of all sizes from all sectors.
Mike grew up in Nanaimo and has always been called to help out when and where he can with monetary donations and his time by volunteering for various efforts through the YPN, coaching the VIU golf team, assisting with junior golf camps at the Nanaimo Golf Course, or coaching Nanaimo Minor hockey.
