DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS

Jeff Dyck | ICD.D

President, Wild Frog Systems | Abbotsford, B.C.

Director | Incumbent

Jeff was born and raised in Abbotsford, BC where he continues to reside with his wife Tammy. They have three grown children who are now establishing their own careers. Jeff has been a credit union member for more than 35 years, and is currently the president of Wild Frog Systems, a Fraser Valley IT services company. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with Distinction from Trinity Western University.

Prior to starting his own IT company, Jeff spent 15 years as a senior manager at SRB Education Solutions in various roles, including General Manager, Product Manager, and IT Director. In these capacities he was responsible for preparing and executing strategic plans, developing policies and procedures, leading reorganizations, and bringing new software products to market.

For the past 6 years Jeff has served on the First West Credit Union Board of Directors. During this time, Jeff invested in additional director training through the Institute of Corporate Directors (“ICD”), taking specialized courses in Audit, Human Resources, Digital Transformation, and Governance. Jeff has also attended a number of industry events, with a specific focus of getting in front of the rapidly evolving digital banking trends. Jeff’s extensive background in entrepreneurship and business growth, current experience with the credit union, knowledge of technology for mid-size enterprise, and extensive software development experience
will continue to add value and insight to the strategic objectives of the credit union and help shape a successful future for its members.

Tom Knoepfel

Senior Vice President, Retail, Cadillac Fairview | Vancouver, B.C.

Director | Incumbent

Tom is the Senior Vice President, Retail for Cadillac Fairview where he oversees a real estate portfolio of 18 shopping centres across Canada in all major markets,
including CF Pacific Centre and CF Richmond Centre in Greater Vancouver. Tom’s involvement in commercial real estate and experience navigating the dramatic
changes in the shopping environment is an asset to First West as the financial services industry is faced with significant change.

Understanding how to discern market trends and changes to set the appropriate course of action is critical to providing the best possible service to our members, and Tom’s 30+ years of experience in various business leadership roles can be applied to the different opportunities facing First West. Tom’s personal commitment to excellence and drive to work with others to succeed in whatever endeavor he is involved in will help the Board achieve its vision and goals. He holds a Diploma in Building Technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and a Diploma in Urban Land Economics from the University of British Columbia.

Tom was born and raised in the Greater  Vancouver area and is married with three adult children. He has been involved in a variety of charitable and community endeavors, including managing various South Delta sports teams in which his children were involved. Tom currently serves as an advisor to the board of Mackie’s Place, who support disadvantaged youth in North Surrey.

Darryl Kropp | ICD.D

Global Practice Lead, RedMane Technology | Abbotsford, B.C.

Director | Incumbent

Darryl was elected to First West’s Board in 2018. He led the 2022 Nominations Task Force and currently serves on the Risk, Investment and Loan (vice-chair), Governance and Nominations, and Human Resources (vice-chair) Committees.

Darryl has a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Lean Blackbelt, and previously completed a PMP designation. He completed the  Directors Education Program (DEP) through University of Toronto Rotman School of Business, and achieved the ICD.D designation April, 2023.

With more than 25 years of technology leadership experience in utilities, aerospace, and government, and human services, Darryl is a practice leader at RedMane Technology, which exists to create innovative technology solutions that improve the lives of people in need. He provides leadership for RedMane’s work helping the Government of Canada with the digital transformation of its benefits programs and is the Global Practice Lead across RedMane’s North American delivery, working to build better delivery capabilities across the organization.

Darryl has a knack for finding efficiencies and creating a positive member experience which he brings to discussions at the First West Board table. He also brings relevant experience to discussion on First West’s digital transformation and enterprise agile. His key Board competencies include business growth and transformation, risk management and entrepreneurial leadership. Darryl has lived in Abbotsford with his family for 20 years and gives back to his community through his service as board chair for Northview Community Church.

Cathy McIntyre | C.Dir

Owner, Strategic Initiatives | Victoria, B.C.

Director | Incumbent

Cathy’s 30+ years of business experience includes senior management roles in several multi-national organizations, with a focus on corporate strategy and all aspects of marketing communications. Cathy is the owner of Strategic Initiatives, a consultancy firm providing clients with advice on strategy, market research and  stakeholder engagement. She earned an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship at the University of Victoria and a Post Degree Diploma in Accounting at Camosun College.

Thrilled to join the First West Board in 2017, Cathy has chaired the Human Resources Committee since 2018. She also serves on the Audit Committee and the Board of the First West Foundation, where she is Vice Chair. Cathy brings a number of strengths to the Board: proven board leadership, strategic thinking and oversight, governance experience in property management and development, risk management expertise, a commitment to good governance, integrity and a strong work ethic.

She also currently serves the boards of Consumer Protection BC, Peninsula Co-op, CADTH, and UVic Properties. Cathy is a former Board Chair of the University of Victoria and a former director of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, the Arthritis Society of Canada, the CMA Society of BC, the United Way of Canada and the United Way of Greater Victoria. Cathy holds a Chartered Director designation and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. Cathy continues to proudly serve the membership of First West and will continue to work hard to ensure its continued success and ongoing commitment to its members, its employees, and
the communities it serves.

Shawn Neumann | ICD.D

President, Versett Inc. | Abbotsford, B.C.

Director | Incumbent

Shawn is an entrepreneurial leader in technology driven companies and has a passion for credit unions and the potential in cooperative banking organizations.

Shawn has served on the Board of First West and its predecessor credit unions since 1998 and has enjoyed seeing the organization grow and mature over the years. As we look at the rapid changes in financial services, in our labour markets, in technology and organization design, Shawn is excited about the potential for First West to be a leader in cooperative banking not just in B.C. but across Canada.

Shawn looks forward to bringing his skills in leadership, strategy, organization design and technology and applying them to the challenges and opportunities ahead of the credit union. Shawn looks forward to continuing to support the First West team and members into a strong and thriving future.