Our Team

I was assigned the position of Director of Communications  – Nanaimo Port Authority in 2013. My most Interesting occupation to date is my current one. I realize that to be effective in this field one must always be open to learning. What is seen on the surface is supported by considerably more under the surface…Less is often more.

What have I learned over the years about being in business?

• Good Business Models are affected by Politics; Politics are part of Business.
• Many people ask you for information to confirm what they already believe…and are reluctant to change their minds.
• People with autonomy and ownership will perform with more motivation than people who are continually scrutinized, provided that the goals and timelines are clear, accountability is evident and results are acknowledged by someone they respect.
• Respect is earned and seldom achieved by title. A sincere “Thank You” can be a subtle but powerful motivator..
• Information is incomplete without context.
• Emotion produces results but, on occasion, can erode credibility.
• Relationships drive business development.

Regarding advice for business people. First, do not consider yourself as an established business until you operate for 5 years; you must survive various cycles. Secondly, most businesses fail due to under capitalization, inflexibility and misunderstanding their position in the marketplace.

Books worth a read – Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett | The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton.  A foundation of regular consistent habits establishes confidence and leads to achievements that otherwise wouldn’t be considered possible.  Saying “what if” creates possibilities.  Passion is a core ingredient for achieving success and happiness.

I worked in business and in Government at the Provincial level, with a Federal authority (agent of) and for non-profit Organizations as staff and at the Board level, in two provinces.  I am currently the Chair of the BC Ocean Boating Tourism Association and Community Futures Central Island.  My understanding of these agencies along with my expertise in Organizational Development, Management, Marketing & Sales, Training and communication are what I bring to Community Futures. 

I’m an old retired financial guy. I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs.  My father and grandfather were merchants in Nanaimo

I have a Commerce degree from UBC and I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1973. I entered the business world at a time when corporate business was still done face to face. I was fortunate to travel extensively in North America, Europe, Asia and India.My years spent in the coffee and chocolate industry in Zurich and London UK were the most entrepreneurial, challenging and fascinating years of my career.

Business lessons I learned the hard way:

• Don’t ignore the financial numbers—simplify them, understand them and use them.
• Be bold, stay focused, and keep it as simple as possible.
• Develop robust plans but allow for missteps—fail fast to learn fast.
• Celebrate success and recognize those who have done a good job.

In 2008, I retired and returned to Nanaimo.  I believe it is important to give back to your community, and I have been privileged to sit on the Board of Directors of United Way, John Howard Society, Habitat for Humanities, and Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation Inc. and to serve on the City of Nanaimo Grants Advisory Committee, and City of Nanaimo Social Planning Advisory Committee.

My most unique business story—during my first grocery shopping trip in Zurich, I was confused with the labels for canned tuna.  I bought the most expensive label and went home to have a great tuna sandwich.  The next day at work, my colleagues explained the different labels–tuna cat food vs human food.  Quickly after their explanation, I started to learn German.

Mark Fenwick is the General Manager of Woodgrove Centre.  He has 22 years of operations and marketing experience with shopping centre owner and developer Ivanhoe Cambridge, a leading Canadian company in the real estate industry.  He previously worked in the financial services sector for several years after earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC.  As a believer in supporting the local community, he has prior involvement with Community Futures and the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce in volunteer roles.

Mark moved backed to Nanaimo in July 2018 from Delta, BC where he oversaw the successful opening of Tsawwassen Mills, the largest enclosed mall with outlet stores in Metro Vancouver, as the General Manager.  Mark embraces the challenging and dynamic role of leading a management team in the successful operation and marketing of a large destination shopping centre.

When not in the role of shopping centre manager, he enjoys spending time with his son, staying active, reading and traveling.

At present, I help people locating funding for mortgage financing as a Mortgage Expert at DLC Canadian Mortgage Experts. One of my most interesting occupations was as Service Manager at The Keg Steakhouse & Bar Even more surprising is the fact that I’ve been bitten by black widow spiders on two separate occasions.

What I have learned over the years about being in business is to be authentic in what you do. Authenticity goes a long way in today’s business environment.  I would tell business people what I practice every day -remember to take every possible occasion to get to know people and to create relationships with others in the community.

A favourite book is The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami. And my passion at the moment is to plan to continue to stay fit and active. I wouldn’t want a lack of personal fitness to be the reason that holds me back from doing anything and everything.

My years of self-employment mean I have “been there”; I understand what business owners are dealing with today. I feel my involvement with the Young Professionals of Nanaimo allows me to bring to the table the perspective from the young entrepreneurs. As well, I bring to Community Futures a high level of customer service expertise through varying levels.

Related occupations, education, achievements related to “business expertise”: Mortgage Expert at DLC Canadian Mortgage Experts; President of the Young Professionals of Nanaimo (2013); Graduate of VIU with a BBA in Management; Chaired “Connect VI” Conference  (2012); Nominated as “Top 20 Under 40” (2013)

So this is me…my life…born and raised in a small town that could be otherwise referred to as the edge of the earth.  As far west in Canada as you can get before you fall into the ocean.  Born in Tofino on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. 

Raised in rugged Ucluelet, a small town at that time submerged in both forestry and fishing.  Growing up embracing life on the coast, the simplicity of nature and the call of the ocean.  Growing up in a family that embraced the value of community, I learned that it takes a “village”. “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” ~ Helen Keller.  Following in my father’s footsteps, I started a career in forestry…leaving my home on Vancouver Island and going on to own and manage two very successful companies over the next several years. 

After the birth of my three children and later the sale of my business, I relocated back to Vancouver Island, where the ocean still called to me. As a single father for many years during that period of my life, I pursued a career in real estate and made a commitment to my family, my community and the area that my children and I call home a priority. It is here that I found the value of community. 

I have been actively involved in our community in my support of local organizations like the Oceanside Minor Hockey Association, as an active board member with the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce and Parksville Qualicum Tourism Association and have remained an active participant and volunteer in local community functions and committees. I am also a graduate of the Leadership Vancouver Island Program.

I continue to strive to be a dedicated REALTOR® that is passionate about helping people achieve their dreams and goals. I pride myself on always putting the best interests of my clients FIRST and offers specialized and complementary value-added services to my Oceanside and Nanaimo clients. I am one of a small number of accredited Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES®) and Accredited Buyer’s Representatives (ABR®) in our region. I work for Royal LePage Parksville Qualicum Beach Realty in Parksville – Qualicum Beach.

We all choose what we value in life and it is our responsibility to not only find it, but to help others find it as well.  It takes a community. “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples” ~ Mother Teresa

“I come to the Community Futures Central Island Board with an unwavering need to help build small businesses in the central Vancouver Island region, which in turn builds strong rural communities.”