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On the Street: Our Place adds execs; business program launched in Sidney

Our Place adds executives, Evans now has CEO title Our Place has strengthened its organization with the appointment of two new executives and elevating Don Evans to chief executive officer.
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Don Evans has been named chief executive officer of Our Place. He was previously the organization's executive director.

Our Place adds executives, Evans now has CEO title

Our Place has strengthened its organization with the appointment of two new executives and elevating Don Evans to chief executive officer.

Linda McLean has been appointed chief operating officer and Marg Rose has joined the organization as director of philanthropy. Evans was previously executive director.

McLean comes to Our Place from Calgary, where she has worked in leadership positions within a broad range of organizations including Calgary Drop In & Rehab Centre, the Calgary Homeless Foundation and Inn from the Cold.

Rose was most recently director of philanthropy with the United Way of Greater Victoria.

“Our Place has come such a long way in the last 50 years when we first offered a place of respite, hot coffee and day-old doughnuts for people struggling with homelessness,” said Evans. “Today, Our Place provides transitional housing and shelter for over 150 people, plus serves almost one million snacks and nutritious meals every year to those living in poverty. Alongside food and shelter, we are running 60 programs and services in five locations, which meant it was time to reorganize our executive team to be as efficient as possible without losing our heart.”

Sidney program to attract business

The Sidney Business Improvement Area Society has launched Start Up in Sidney, a program designed to attract new and established businesses.

“We want to continue to attract investment and steady growth in Sidney,” said Donna Petrie, executive director of the Sidney BIA. “There are so many opportunities here.”

The program intends to help prospective businesses find the ideal location and put them in touch with real estate agents, commercial property owners and town officials. It features an online job bank for Peninsula employers to meet potential employees.

“We have one of the highest levels of employment in Canada. We want to give local employers an opportunity to profile their businesses, list employment opportunities and attract talented people,” said Petrie.

The job bank can be found at sidneybia.ca/jobs.

Petrie said the town has a lot going for it, and plenty of reason for companies to set up shop on its streets including proximity to the airport and ferries, safe and clean streets and a local government that is business friendly.

Dwyer among best

Dwyer Tax Law was named to the top-10 list of Canadian tax law boutique offices by Canadian Lawyer magazine. The principal lawyer is Blair Dwyer.

Dwyer Tax Law concentrates its practice on tax and estate planning matters, including business structuring and reorganizations, using family and other types of trusts, intergenerational asset transfers, and succession and legacy planning.