Jeff Lumley has shifted gears into a new career. After 18 years as director of operations for Monk Office, the 51-year-old has acquired the 4Refuel franchise for the Victoria-Duncan area from Vancouver-based owners.

The move from behind the desk to behind the wheel of a fuel truck wasn't much of a stretch for Lumley. "I'm really enjoying it, and doing something for yourself is gratifying," he says. "I learned a lot about service and productivity through Monk Office, and that's what 4Refuel is. ... It saves companies time and increases productivity" because machinery and trucks don't have to travel to a card lock for fuel.

Langley-based 4Refuel provides onsite fuel delivery and has more than 200 employees in corporate and franchise operations across Canada and Washington State.

The company says it manages about a billion litres of fuel annually. Lumley and driver Gord Fisher keep two trucks on the road, delivering home heating fuel and diesel to jobs sites and local fleets that include Brinks, Coca-Cola, Gordon Food Service and Wilson's Transportation. Like most wholesale buyers on the Island, Lumley acquires his fuel from the Chevron depot near Mill Bay. You can reach Lumley at 250-893-0810.

KEY HIRES FOR OB BEACH

Michelle Le Sage has been named manager of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel as the $52-million project readies for opening in three months. Le Sage is an industry veteran and familiar face in the Vancouver Island tourism sector. She was most recently GM at the Best Western Westerley in Courtenay and before that held several management roles at the Chateau Victoria and Quality Resort Bayside in Parksville. She will be joined by another familiar face as Sarah Henderson, a past employee of the original Oak Bay Beach Hotel, returns as rooms division manager. Henderson was an ecotour guide for Kevin and Shawna Walker's hotel from 2002 until 2006. She's since worked in the Fairmont chain in Edmonton, Lake Louise and St. Andrew's, Scotland.

NEW NAMES FOR UPTOWN

Uptown has announced some new businesses. Urban Nail Spa, a local company owned by Peter Phan, is opening this month in the Saanich development's first phase with five manicure and pedicure spaces. Eccotique Spa and Zennkai Salon, brands of the Vancouver-based Megahair Family, will open side-by-side this fall when phase 2 of the retail complex is complete. It's the first foray to the Island for Megahair, which operates seven spas and seven salons on the Lower Mainland. Meanwhile, Good Earth Coffeehouse & Bakery, which has 40 locations mostly in Alberta, has committed to space in the Future Shop building but hasn't announced a franchisee. The company opened its first Victoria café recently at Royal Jubilee Hospital and also has plans for a spot in Trounce Alley downtown, according its website.

FTS HIRES CHIEF ENGINEER

Forest Technology Systems, a Langford-based technology company that develops equipment and software for environmental monitoring and has government clients throughout North America, has made some key additions to its staff. Keith Campden is the new director of engineering and joins FTS from commercial sonar specialist Kongsberg Mesotech's Port Coquitlam operation. Campden was also formerly director of product development at Sierra Wireless and vice-president of the wireless division at Burnabybased Cypress Solutions Inc. Two other long-time employees got promotions. Philip Bartlett, who joined FTS in 1994, was named the company's first chief technology officer while Chris Barteaux, a 10-year employee, becomes sales manager.

CASSIS STORE CLOSING

Reitman's Canada continues closing its Cassis brand women's fashion stores, with the only Island location at Mayfair Shopping Centre set to shut on Feb. 24. Last fall, the company cited continuing losses for the casual clothing brand catering to women over 40 and said it would close 25 locations, retreating from B.C., Alberta and the Maritimes. Reitman's also operates stores under the Smart Set, RW&CO, Pennington's, Addition Elle and Thyme Maternity banners.

CHAMBER RETOOLS SITE

The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has remade its website with a fresh look and new tools that integrate social media and push members higher in search rankings through sites like Google. The site also includes a chamber blog, new calendar and a Member of the Week feature. "We think the new site can achieve great things for local firms," says chamber executive director Doug Taylor. He wants to hear feedback on what to tweak, add or take away. Check www.peninsulachamber.ca

HILLSIDE'S NEW MANAGER

Kerry Shular has been appointed general manager of Hillside Centre, replacing Lorna Park, who resigned in September. Shular has spent more than 25 years in the retail sector, including stints with Ivanhoe Cambridge, Bentall Properties and private developers. She was most recently property manager for Millennium Development Corp., the company responsible for the Olympic Village in Vancouver.

Park was brought over from rival Mayfair Shopping Centre last year but left after only a few months for a retail management position in China.

NEW ON LOJO

Shelley Rollick has opened Glow Luxe Beauty Boutique on LoJo, 587 Johnson St. She offers luxury facials, manicures and pedicure treatments and products at affordable prices.

LAW FIRM CHANGES

Victoria native Devlin Farmer, who had been practising law in Boston for the last decade, has joined Oak Bay firm Brown Henderson Melbye. In other moves, former articled student Laura Atkinson, a Toronto native and UVic law grad, was called to the bar. Another articled student from UVic, Kirsten McGhee, also joined the firm. Partners Trudi Brown, QC, and Kate Melbye and associate Aesha Faux practise exclusively in family law. Jane Henderson, QC, is now part-time and limits her time to mediation.

PLUMBER ACQUIRED

Dave Lloyd of Victoria Drain Services Ltd. has purchased Quality Plumbing & Heating from John Durrance. Quality has been operating for 26 years. Durrance will continue as senior plumber with Quality Plumbing.

ON THE MOVE

Tracy Menzies, former sales manager of the Hudson, has now joined Pemberton Holmes Real Estate and is the sales manager behind Trevor Linden's Chinatown condo development, 601 Herald Street. Call 250-384-8124.

dkloster@timescolonist.com