Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas, Rich Coleman, appointed three new members to the BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) board, including Peter Fassbender as the new chair as well as members David Guscott and Frank Palmer. The appointments are effective immediately.

Following the expansion of the Vancouver Convention Centre and the revitalization of BC Place, the PavCo board will focus on strategic marketing and business development initiatives for both properties.

Previously appointed PavCo board members are:

• Suzanne Anton

• Michael J. Ballingall

• Theresa Breining

• Robert J. Bryant

• John A. Horning

• Alan Lowe

• Terrence A. Lyons

• Stuart O. McLaughlin

• Don R. Zurowski

PavCo's board oversees the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place. Events hosted at these venues generate millions of dollars in economic activity that benefits local hotels, restaurants and many other businesses. They also provide a valuable source of tax revenue for both the community and the Province.

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas
250 952-0617

BACKGROUNDER

H. Peter Fassbender - Langley

Peter Fassbender was elected as a councillor to Langley City Council in 2002 and then became mayor in November 2005. Mr. Fassbender is the president of Fassbender Consulting Ltd., which provides communications and strategic planning services.

Previously, Mr. Fassbender served for 28 years as an executive with DDB Canada (formerly Palmer Jarvis Group of Companies), as president of First Event, Sports and Sponsorship Event Management Group, president of the Canadian Public Relations group and as executive vice president of DDB Canada. While with DDB Canada, Fassbender developed communications programs for many public, private and not for profit organizations, including the Canada Games and Pan Am Games.

Active in his community, Mr. Fassbender is a member of the board of directors for PRIME-BC (Police Records Information Management Environment-BC) and World Vision Canada. Mr. Fassbender holds a business management diploma from University of British Columbia.

David W. Guscott - West Vancouver/Capilano

David Guscott is the president and CEO of Emergency Communications for Southwest BC (E-Comm). Previously, he was the executive vice president, Celebrations and Partnerships for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

Before moving to British Columbia, Mr. Guscott was the deputy minister of communications and associate secretary of cabinet with the government of Ontario. Prior to that, he was deputy minister of transportation and deputy minister of labour.

Active in the community, he is a board member with Police Records Information Management Environment Incorporated (PRIME-BC) and a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Safety Committee. Mr. Guscott also served as a board member with Infrastructure Ontario, Ontario Realty Corporation, Ontario Financing Authority and GO Transit. He holds his bachelor of environmental studies, urban and regional planning from the University of Waterloo and his master of public administration from Queen's University.

Frank W. Palmer - Vancouver/False Creek

Frank Palmer is the chair and CEO of DDB Canada, an acclaimed marketing communications agency. The chief engineer of the merger between Palmer Jarvis and the DDB network in 1998, Mr. Palmer successfully created Palmer Jarvis DDB and built a thriving national network recognized for producing the country's most talked about and award-winning ad campaigns. DDB Canada has won Strategy Magazine's Agency of the Year more times than any other Canadian advertising agency.

In addition, Mr. Palmer is the co-owner of Palmer Rogers Encore, a new venture company that invests in emerging software, emerging technologies, new media, and any unique business venture that creates a business difference and opportunity. In recognition of his contributions to the advertising industry, Mr. Palmer was inducted into the Canadian Marketing Hall of Legends and received the Association of Canadian Advertiser's Gold Medal Award. He is a founder of the National Advertising Benevolent Society in Canada, and, through DDB Canada, he donates marketing and advertising services to a wide variety of charities and not for profit groups. Mr. Palmer graduated from the Vancouver School of Art.

Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas
250 952-0617