Adrian Bluchut

Zephyr Cafe & 2Chill Gelato
President

Adrian Blachut is a free-thinking business owner. He works under the personal mission statement of creating physical spaces in which community can be created. Following this mission, his career in Squamish started with him moving into the old Chieftain hotel (now Crash hotel) and taking over the Zephyr Cafe in Downtown Squamish. 

Immediately exploring the community he joined the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association. Within the next 5 years, Adrian co-founded Ground Up Climbing with business partner Lauren Watson, expanded Zephyr and opened The 2Chill Gelato Shop in the space Zephyr grew out of. 

Most recently, Adrian became President of the Downtown Squamish BIA and also sits on the board for Tourism Squamish. Adrain hopes to continue to grow in Squamish but feels it needs to become a more sustainable place to live and work. Adrian can still be found cracking jokes at all the downtown businesses and distracting his own staff from their jobs. Please say Hi if you see him!

Chad Hubbs

The Crash Hotel & Goat Pub
Vice President

Chad moved to Squamish in 2018, to work on the revitalization of the Chieftain Hotel and Pub, opening the CRASH Hotel and the Goat Pub, in the role of General Manager and Operating Partner. He enjoys spending time in the community and volunteering his time to support local events and initiative sin Squamish. During his free time, Chad enjoys the outdoors and appreciates the town of Squamish and everything it has to offer.

Cedric Edmund Rolf Carter “Eddie”

Race & Company LLP
Secretary

Eddie grew up in Vancouver, enjoying the surrounding outdoors in Squamish and Whistler. After graduating from Bishop’s University in Quebec, he worked in the tourism industry in Whistler for several years before attending law school at the University of Saskatchewan.

After moving to Squamish in 2010 and articling at a local law firm, he worked at a boutique North Vancouver law firm specializing in solicitors’ practice. Eddie joined Race & Company LLP in January 2020, and was extremely grateful to cut out his commute to spend more time in his adopted hometown. He’s passionate about helping his clients navigate buying their first home, scaling up their business and making important decisions about their estate planning.

When not working, Eddie can be found (laboriously) towing his two small children in a chariot while nordic skiing, backcountry snowboarding, mountain biking, and playing hockey. He is a proud and active member of the Squamish business community, and is a director of the Squamish Food Bank and Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association. He also spent five years as a volunteer firefighter with Squamish Fire Rescue.

David Sweeney

Sweeney Bride Strategic Wealth Advisory
Treasurer

Dave is a long-term local and for many years has volunteered with various organizations. Dave served 35 as a Firefighter (Volunteer) with the Squamish Fire Rescue. He has also served on numerous volunteer boards, including the Sea to Sky Community Services and the Squamish Hospital Foundation, along with coaching a number of junior soccer teams. Professionally, Dave is a Certified Financial Planner and is a principal at Sweeney Bride Strategic Wealth Advisory.

Katie Youwe

Alice & Brohm
Director

Originally from Sun Peaks BC, Katie moved to Squamish in 2014. She graduated from TRU with a degree in Physical Geography and Environmental Studies. Katie has experience working in different levels of government and has also worked in industries like corporate travel and sustainability focused non-profit organizations.

While looking for a bit of a career shift, Katie co-founded Alice + Brohm Ice Cream in 2017 with her partner, Matt. Their mission? To create community and support local producers, one ice cream at a time. Katie loves owning a small business and is grateful for the ability to do so in such a vibrant community. Her hidden talent – probably the limbo.

Robyn Kelly

SWTCH HOUSE VENTURES & Nate Grooming
Director

Robyn Kelly is an award-winning entrepreneur that grew up in Squamish.

She attended BCIT’s Professional Sales & Marketing Management Program and spent nine years in the Vancouver Tech industry as a sales & marketing professional. When that tech company sold back in 2016, she took her shares, experience and knowledge to launch a digital marketing agency with her husband.

As a Co-Founder of SWTCH HOUSE VENTURES, a digital marketing agency, Robyn and her team specialize in helping organizations make noise with their brands.

Melissa DeWolf

The Hive – Home & Gifts & Queen Bee Boudoir
Director

Melissa and her husband decided to escape the city 8 years ago and move to a small town they knew nothing about, and 2 weeks in, they fell in LOVE! After a couple years, an opportunity (that she just couldn’t pass up) came Melissa’s way…and she became the 3rd owner of The Hive – Home & Gifts which has been downtown since 2005. Since then, Melissa has expanded the business to carry lingerie and costuming & putting on events to raise money for local charities. Melissa loves Downtown Squamish, the community and the potential of what the town has to offer. And for this, Melissa is thankful to be on the Board for the BIA and represent downtown businesses.

Jamie Brandon

Sunflower Bakery
Director

Jamie has been in Hospitality in the Sea to Sky for over 15 years. He moved to Whistler in 2005 and started with Whistler Blackcomb in the Bike Park & different ski shops. Worked with Gibbons Hospitality for 11 years where he managed Tapley’s Pub during the 2010 Olympics and recently managed Norman Rudy’s in Squamish. Also spent 2 years commuting to Vancouver to work for the Vancouver Canucks as a Manager in their Hospitality Department.

Most recently Jamie has taken over the historic Sunflower Bakery with Chef Ryan Newton & together they have given the 25 year old Bakery a refreshed menu & makeover. With a simple idea of great coffee & amazing food that you can pick up quickly with great service & atmosphere.

Gena Belanger

Random Clothing & MacDonald Realty
Director

Gena has been on the board of directors for the Downtown Business Association for 10 plus years.

Since joining the Real Estate Profession in 1992, Gena has become recognized as one of Squamish’s number one Realtors. Her extensive knowledge of the market is unsurpassed. Gena is well known as one of the most versatile and “Go To” Realtors in the Sea to Sky Corridor, because of her extensive experience in all aspects of the Real Estate market including new home construction and project marketing.

Gena also is the co-owner of Random & Co, on Cleveland Ave. Having the personal experience of being a local retailer and a ”Realtor” allows Gena to bring to the table a different perspective.

Gena has raised her family in Squamish and has always been an active and enthusiastic member of the community.

Kerry Neil

Executive Director

Kerry moved to Squamish in 2019 to pursue her family’s love of the mountains and the outdoors. Kerry joined the BIA team as the Events Manager, planning the 2019 Santa Claus Parade, and took the Executive Director role in the Summer of 2020. Kerry has several strings to her bow and having owned her own business in the past she can relate to the ebbs and flow of owning a local business.

Kerry is a keen runner and mountain biker and enjoys any time spent in the outdoors. Kerry is a huge advocate of supporting local!