Directors & Staff

Terry Deakin is celebrating 20 years of service in the Alberni Valley. She began her journey as a social entrepreneur in 1998 with a pilot project in a rented room where the PEAK radio station is now. Continuing her education while growing the business, Terry completed a Diploma in Human Services, a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management and most recently a Master of Arts in Community Development. INEO currently employs a staff of 15 and provides employment and employment related services to those who are unemployed or precariously employed. In early 2021 Terry purchased Animal Ark in Port Alberni as a Social Enterprise where people can learn how to work in a retail environment. Terry believes the magic comes from the people who do the work – the staff who provide the support and those who take that support and turn it in to success stories.

I was born and spent my early years on the Manitoulin Island which is in the Great Lakes region of Ontario. Manitoulin means spirit island in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe)

The island is considered sacred by the Native Anishinaabe people and is inhabited by approximately half First Nations and half European-Canadian people.

I have lived in various towns and cities on Ontario including Niagara Falls, Toronto and Burlington and have been involved in the retail automotive business for over 40 years.

We moved out to Vancouver Island in 2020 to enjoy the west coast way of life and take full advantage of its beautiful and natural surroundings.

In the spring of April 202, I accepted the position of General Manager of The Alberni Auto Group which includes Alberni Toyota, Alberni Chrysler, CAP-it Truck Accessories and the Alberni Auto Spa.

I forward to working with all the board members and businesses in the area as we make the Alberni Valley and even better place to enjoy and live in.

Murray’s (1970) first venture into business was a small neighbourhood café in Vancouver where he also made fudge. A newspaper announcement of the opening of this business brought a welcoming visit from Charles Flavelle of Purdy’s Chocolates.  Murray opened Olde World Fudge in the Granville Island Market in 1979 and shortly thereafter joined RCI with the encouragement of Charles Flavelle.  He then expanded his product line to include brittles, caramel corns, hard candies and chocolates. 

1981 Murray entered into partnership with a fellow with a strong business acumen.  Together they expanded into many market sites across Canada and into Pike Place Market in Seattle.  In total they opened approximately 15 Joint Venture Partnership stores under the name of Olde World Fudge. Murray sold his interest in this business to his partner and moved to Vancouver Island. 

1993 Murray started Coombs Country Candy in the Emporium in Coombs on Vancouver Island, another market-like location.  Murray operated this site for 15 years.  In 1994 Murray and his wife Lenore bought their current location in Port Alberni.  This location was purchased as it was a deserted gas station and is strategically located on the route past Cathedral Grove and to Vancouver Islands Long Beach.  Murray ran both locations for a number of years and since 2013 has concentrated his efforts on the Port Alberni location only.

 Murray has taken his act on the road and cooked at many exhibitions and trade shows in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island for exposure and public/customer loyalties.

Murray sold the Coombs Country Candy store in 2020 to Community Futures and is now enjoying retirement and is looking forward to giving back to the community by his directorship in the Alberni Chamber of Commerce.

Nicholas grew up in the Lower Mainland area. In 2020, he and his partner, Cassandra, moved to the Alberni Valley to enjoy the beautiful scenery and be closer to family. Nicholas enjoys cooking delicious food, exploring the community, playing the drums and studying the Law of Equity and Trust Law.

He brings years of diverse experience, from producing television series, marketing local businesses, and managing teams. As a result, he feels naturally drawn to leadership roles and is excited to be an integral part of the Alberni Valley's fantastic and thriving business community.

Bill joined the Chamber of Commerce in 2013 after a successful stint as owner/operator of the Boston Pizza Restaurant in Parksville BC that he and his wife Jennifer built starting in 2004. Prior to that business Bill and Jennifer developed another Franchised operation - 'Mad Science of British Columbia' where they conducted Science Shows and Science Clubs throughout the Province. Aimed at Elementary School aged Children the concept worked very well for the couple who eventually ended up with employees throughout the Province - upwards of 20 at any given time. Before venturing into the Entrepreneurial world Bill worked for Western Inventory Service Ltd (now known as WIS International) holding positions ranging from Inventory Manager to District Manager - Area Manager - Regional Manager and finally holding two different Vice President Operations roles (Winnipeg covering the Praires & Vancouver covering BC/Yukon). Bill spent his early years working at a Fly-In Fishing Camp in NW Ontario where he learned about the world of Tourism. He spent several summers at Bluffy Lake accessible only by day long portage or via float plane.