PRESIDENT: Rick jess
I am married to Carol and we have two children, eight grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. I spend 40 years in the auto and defence industries as a Director of HR in Ontario. When I retired in 2011 we moved to Victoria where I enjoy reading, golf, hiking and motorcycling this glorious island.
If you any questions or need more info contact me.
VICE PRESIDENT: Doug Philp
Doug semi-retired from the energy industry and moved with his wife from Calgary to Sidney in 2019. He immediately joined VRMNC and enjoys attending social gatherings such as the VRMNC Pub Lunches, University Lunches, and Appie Gang evenings. Doug is also an avid golfer and woodcarver, and is on the Board with Heritage Acres. In his spare time he volunteers with Diabetes Canada, and the annual Victoria Open golf tournamentdoug ph.
SECRETARY: Trevor Shortt
Trevor moved to Victoria in 2019 with his wife Marg after spending almost 8 years in Perth Australia as an Exploration Manager in the petroleum industry. Prior to that they lived in Calgary, after both growing up in Toronto.
Trevor enjoys pickleball, kayaking, hiking, sailing, history (especially medieval), photography, animals (especially dogs), wine, and meeting interesting people.
He volunteers with Emergency Management and the BC SPCA.
TREASURER: Thomas Glenn
Thomas (Tom) Glenn, married to Kim Lee, born in Montreal and moved to Victoria in 2014 from London UK after 3 year assignment there.
I enjoy an active lifestyle, with cycling, tennis, badminton and the rich social life and entertainment that Victoria offers.
In addition to being the Treasurer of the Victoria Region and Men’s Newcomers Club (VRMNC) , I am the president of the VRMNC Real Money Investment Club, which I joined in 2015. Also, I am secretary of the Cordova Bay Community Club, a sports and recreation centre focused on badminton and pickleball.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Dennis Aitken
Dennis moved to Victoria in 2021 with his partner Laura after retiring from a real estate finance career in Vancouver and Calgary. He grew up in Sidney from age 12. Prior to that across the Prairies.
He enjoys cars, golfing, VRMNC lunches, Appie Gang nights and having coffee with the coffee group. He is also volunteers for a Vancouver Island car club.
ACTIVITY COORDINATOR DIRECTOR: Bruce Shore
Bruce retired from a business career and moved to the island 2018.
He enjoys being physically active, the outdoors, walking his Labrador retriever and the occasional game of golf.
WEBMASTER: John Pierce
John moved to Victoria from Qatar in January 2017 and joined VRMNC in May 2017. Worked primarily in the upstream area of the Oil & Gas Business for small and super-majors starting in Alberta with the last 21 years overseas for Shell International all overseas.
ASSISTANT WEBMASTER: Gord Begg
Gord Begg, married to Cathy, was born in Edmonton and started moving to Victoria in 2021 and semi-retired from a career in Engineering in 2022.
I enjoy an active lifestyle of sports, including hiking, cycling, pickleball and yoga and other social activities. Since moving to Victoria, I have taken up oil painting, trying to capture some of the natural beauty of the island.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: David Buffet
David Buffett moved to Victoria via a circuitous route from Calgary to London, England to Salt Spring Island to Victoria. His career was in high tech. Since ‘taking down the shingle” and retiring in 2021 he’s been able to pursue his interests in kayaking, golf, road cycling, hiking, photography and of course travel. Always enjoying tasting different and new brews – you’ll likely see him at the Pub Lunches.
FIELD TRIP DIRECTOR: Jim Waters
Jim Waters was born in Sault Ste. Marie and grew up in southern Ontario. After attending college in Toronto and starting work as a journalist, he headed West in 1975.
I worked for newspapers in Kelowna and Edmonton then managed the public affairs department of Canada Safeway in Calgary. I also served on the Organizing Committee of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games and later ran my own government relations consulting firm.
In 2021, we moved from Kelowna to Victoria where we now enjoy golfing, biking and spending quality time with our two grandkids.
SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR: Gary Shaw
I was born in Chilliwack, BC. and am married to Lorrie. After graduating from high school I worked in the plumbing wholesale industry fo 26 years, The next 20 years I was in the Rep business representing manufactures supplying the same industry. I sold my share of the business in 2009 and retired to Parksville. In 2018 we moved to Victoria. I enjoy golf, biking, curling, skiing, fishing and travel.
LUNCHEON SPEAKER DIRECTOR: Hugh Stephens
Hugh was a Foreign Service Officer with External Affairs/International Trade with 6 postings in Asia. After leaving government he worked as a media executive in Hong Kong, from where he moved to Victoria in 2010. He writes a weekly copyright blog to keep his mind active, and enjoys the Monday Ramble, hiking and monthly lunches. He is currently vice president of the Willis Point Community Association, the community near Brentwood Bay where he and spouse Catherine live. Two daughters; three grandchildren. No dog.