Board of Directors

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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!

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Chad Hubbs

The Crash Hotel
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.

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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.

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Kevin Young

XOCO Chocolate
Treasurer

A true Squamish native, Kevin’s roots are deeply intertwined with the Lower Mainland, where he spent his formative years. In 2015, driven by a passion for his beloved community, he returned to his hometown to fulfill a heartfelt mission – opening Xoco Westcoast Chocolate. With unwavering dedication, Kevin aspires to bring the finest quality chocolate within reach of everyone in Squamish.

The Xoco team is continuously expanding their knowledge and expertise to introduce fresh, one-of-a-kind products to the town. Their pride in serving the community knows no bounds.

Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Kevin enjoys reading and writing, cherishing precious moments with his partner, Claire, and sharing affectionate times with their quirky feline companion, Patricia.

Having witnessed Squamish evolve significantly over the past decade, Kevin eagerly embraces the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing growth and prosperity of his cherished community. His excitement for the future is palpable, as he remains a dedicated steward of the town he holds dear.

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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.

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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.

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Melissa DeWolf

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.

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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.

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Catherine Royle

Random Clothing
Director

Hailing from the United Kingdom, Catherine ventured to Squamish, BC, seeking an exhilarating adventure unlike any other.

Brimming with a diverse array of talents and expertise, Catherine’s background in performance arts and childhood education infuses her management approach with a unique blend of creativity and teaching prowess. Recently, her journey led her to assume the role of Operations Manager at Random & Co, a prominent business nestled on Cleveland Avenue.

With an infectious enthusiasm, Catherine wholeheartedly embraces Squamish as her new home and eagerly anticipates immersing herself in the vibrant business community.

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Boyd Folkard

Cliffside Cidery
Director

Boyd has called our picturesque town of Squamish, his home for the past seven years. Before settling in Squamish, he had spent three and a half decades in Vancouver.

A graduate of Carleton University in Ottawa, Boyd’s journey has been marked by remarkable achievements. Currently serving as the President and Co-founder of Cliffside Cider, he has left an indelible mark in the industry.

Boyd’s professional trajectory showcases his exceptional leadership skills, evident during his tenure as President and Co-founder of Renovation One Construction and his role as Co-founder of Raincity Marketing. With over 24 years of experience, Boyd’s expertise lies in the food and beverage sector, specializing in marketing, branding, and the global positioning of these products.

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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 Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association (DSBIA) team as the Events Manager, planning the 2019 Santa Claus Parade, and became the Executive Director in the Summer of 2020. Kerry has several strings to her bow but having owned her own business in the past she can relate to the ebbs and flow of owning a small business.

As Executive Director of the DSBIA Kerry has led the Association through a recent strategic plan, has created many collaborations with community partners, and sits on many boards and committees in the community. (In her own words) Kerry is a keen runner, an average skier, and a tentative mountain biker, and enjoys any time spent outdoors. Kerry is a huge advocate of supporting local!