Greater Victoria Real Estate Board has new president
Karen Dinnie-Smyth of RE/MAX Camosun is the new president of the Greater Victoria Real Estate Board. Dinnie-Smyth has been a licensed Realtor for more than 30 years.
“As a veteran in this industry, longevity teaches you that things continually change and we certainly have seen change in our market through the years,” said Dinnie-Smyth.
“Our most recent and impactful change relates to the inventory of homes for sale, which has dwindled in the face of rapidly increasing demand.
“Record low inventory levels have meant that buyers compete for fewer properties, which pushes pricing up. And while we all hope that the housing market is headed for more balanced times, this change is dependent on our community’s ability to introduce new housing supply. Supply is our biggest housing challenge.”
Dinnie-Smyth said the board will continue to encourage municipal leaders to expedite the approval process to increase the supply of all types of housing.
Joining Dinnie-Smyth on the GVRB are president-elect Graden Sol, treasurer Jackie Ngai, past president David Langlois and directors Sheila Aujla, Bev Berger, Fergus Kyne, Laurie Lidstone and Dirk VanderWal.
New president for Island real estate board
Erica Kavanaugh of Royal LePage Parksville-Qualicum is the new president of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board.
She succeeds Ian Mackay, who stays on the board as past president, while Kelly O’Dwyer of eXp Realty in Nanaimo moves into the president-elect seat.
Returning to the board table as directors are Nanamio’s Deana Baumel, Judy Gray of Ucluelet, Sue Perrey of Nanaimo, David Procter of Comox and Janet Scotland of Nanaimo.
New to the Island board are Joanne Millar of Campbell River and Sue Russell.
The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board represents more than 1,000 realtors in 90 member offices from the Malahat north.
Sooke chamber names Menard new president
Mike Menard, who owns and operates Menard Plumbing and Heating, has been named president of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce.
Menard has more than 30 years of experience in his field with a family heritage in plumbing and heating dating to his grandfather who started his first heating and plumbing company in Ontario in 1937. Menard has served on Sooke’s chamber as vice-president and director.
The new board also includes, Tim Ayres, Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty; Les Haddad, Sooke Delivery Guy; Bev Petow, Sooke News Mirror, Petow Design; Deb Schenk, In Shore Fishing Charters; Tracy Snow, Sooke Optometrist; Brian White, Royal Roads University; and Karen Mason, Mason Financial.
