Anthony Everett, who has a long track record of working in the tourism industry on the Island, has been named as the successor to Dave Petryk at Tourism Vancouver Island. Petryk, who has been chief executive of the regional tourism association for 17 years, will retire in January.
Everett will take the reins at the Tourism Vancouver Island office in Nanaimo on Jan. 3. Everett has spent most of his career in tourism, starting at Butchart Gardens in visitor services before establishing that company’s media relations department. He also worked at Tourism Victoria. Between 2006 and 2015, he was in charge of the Northern British Columbia Tourism Association. “I am thrilled to return to Vancouver Island where I began my career and collaborate with communities, businesses, and residents to bring world-wide recognition to our unique travel destination,” said Everett.
Oughtred named top roaster
Oughtred Coffee & Tea has been named Roaster of the Year by Roast Magazine, marking the first time a western Canadian company has taken the award in its 14-year history. The magazine says it looks at great coffee when it considers award winners, but also recognizes a commitment to sustainable practices, commitment to employee wellness and educational practices, involvement in industry roasting innovations, marketing and business practices. Oughtred, founded in 1973 by John Oughtred Sr., is now owned by John and Michael Oughtred and serves Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan.
Harbour Air delivers scholarship
The B.C. Aviation Council and Harbour Air Seaplanes have awarded Natasha Shoebridge with the Harbour Air Advanced Float Plane Endorsement Scholarship. The award, valued at $30,000, offers about 50 hours of advanced seaplane training leading to the endorsement and qualifications required to become a commercial seaplane pilot. The Whistler resident recently completed her commercial fixed-wing pilot’s licence training, and she intends to be a float plane pilot on the B.C. coast. “We are beyond thrilled to present this scholarship to Natasha. She has
proven her dedication to the aviation industry in B.C. and her passion to become a commercial float plane pilot,” said Eric Scott, vice president of flight operations for Harbour Air.
Maple Leaf donating $100,000
Maple Leaf Adventures, which has been providing conservation-focused adventures aboard small ships since 1986, has committed to donating $100,000 over the next 10 years to the Raincoast Conservation Foundation. The funding is designed to support long-term research and community stewardship in the Great Bear Rainforest by covering wages for a local Indigenous field crew member and a scientist on a multi-year grizzly bear research project.
