NANAIMO CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE - Key Persons
Blake McGuffie was born and raised in Nanaimo, and has enjoyed a lovely west coast life with his wife, Lois. Blake's many years of contributions to the community span across the political, educational, financial, and real estate sectors. He joined the NCDC in 1976. As a Nanaimo City Councillor and Regional Director from 1990-1993 and 1996-1999, Blake has also served on and chaired various City committees since 1998. Blake is the founder of two tax services, Esplanade Tax and Budget Tax Service, and has been the owner of Esplanade Properties Inc. since 1980, which owns a mixed Commercial/Residential building in downtown Nanaimo. He also instructed tax courses for Vancouver Island University and is a Founding Director and Treasurer of the E-File Association of Canada. Blake's ongoing community service includes serving as a Director and Treasurer for the Harbour City Theatre Society (2014 to Date), the Vancouver Island Symphony Society (2014 to Date), as a Director for the South End Community Association (2000 to Date), and the Nanaimo Foodshare Society (1996 to Date). Blake sits on the Governance Committee and the Finance Committee.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board of Directors
- Independent Business Owner
Bob Colclough is an independent business owner specializing in land development and construction. Bob's family moved to Nanaimo in 1965. After graduating from the BC Institute of Technology in 1977 Bob went to work at a local engineering company, then in 1982 moved over into the public sector, first as Superintendent of Public Works in Lantzville, then on the Regional District of Nanaimo eventually working his way up to General Manager of Environmental Services. Bob started his consulting company, WR Colclough & Associates, in 1998, and AFX Construction in 2008. Bob has a long history of community service; as a founding member of the Rotary Club of Lantzville, Mid Island Science and Technology Innovation Council and Lantzville Business Association. Bob is currently the President of the Seaside Community Society, Treasurer of the Lantzville Historical Society, and sits on the Children's Heath Foundation of Vancouver Island planning committee for Nanaimo's proposed "Home Away from Home" at NRGH. Bob joined the Board in 2021.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Brandon was raised in the Comox Valley. After graduating from Highland Secondary School, Brandon moved to Nanaimo where he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Accounting Concentration. Following graduation, he moved to Vancouver to continue his career where he went on to complete his Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation. Brandon and his wife Marni moved back to Nanaimo in 2016. He is a partner at Robbins 7 Company, CPA's in Nanaimo. An active member of the Rotary Club of Nanaimo Oceanside, he believes in giving back to the community as much as possible. Brandon currently sits on the Finance Committee, Social Enterprise Committee and likes to remain active with Golf, Hockey, and Fishing.
Job Titles:
- Department Leader Physiotherapy
Job Titles:
- Information Technology Administration Supervisor
Dr. Mitchell Zelman is a Community Paediatrician at the Wesley Street Clinic, Nanaimo, BC. He is a Clinical Instructor at UBC and UVic, regularly involved in education of Medical students, as well as Paediatric and Family Medicine residents.
He practiced in Charlottetown, PEI, for 25 years before accepting a part time position on Vancouver Island. On PEI, Dr. Zelman was a General Community Paediatrician as well as Deputy-Chief Health Officer for over 20 years and Medical Director Patrick A. Gill Asthma Education Centre. He was Paediatric Department Head for many years, Chief of Staff for Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and MSPEI Board Member. Doctor Zelman served as Board member for Canadian Pediatric Society, and served on its Executive Committee for several years. He also served as Board member for CHANCES, Charlottetown. He has co-authored a number of asthma and vaccine related papers. He was named the Canadian Distinguished Community Pediatrician of the year for 2020. He enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, camping and hiking. It is quite common to see him paddling the Nanaimo Harbour.
Job Titles:
- Department Leader Supported Child Development
Ken Hammer is an academic practitioner who has studied, taught, learned and practiced in a variety of areas related to teaching and learning, leadership and business and real estate. His main roles at present include teaching and practicing real estate with RE/MAX Nanaimo and facilitating leadership and management development through his business Ken Hammer & Associates. Ken currently sits on the Executive Committee and the Facilities Committee. He is honoured to be working with the NCDC board of directors to help maximize the potential of our youth and community.
Job Titles:
- Department Leader - Resource Development
Job Titles:
- Department Leader Infant Development
Job Titles:
- Partner
- President of the Board of Directors
- Independent Business Owner
Michael Robinson is an independent business owner and a partner at BBMR Communications. He has a long history of supporting NCDC, beginning in 2000, when he joined the volunteer team responsible for implementing the very popular annual Silly Boat Regatta. In 2006 Michael joined the Board of NCDC. He is currently Board President, chairs the Executive Committee, and sits on the Governance Committee and Finance Committee, Social Enterprise Committee and the Development Committee. Michael is passionate about advancing the mission of NCDC to serve children and families of Nanaimo and over the past 15 years his experience in business management, social vision, creative energy and leadership has helped guide the growth and development of the organization to where it is today.
Job Titles:
- Resource Development Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Department Leader Occupational Therapy
Job Titles:
- Supported Child Development Consultant