DOWNTOWN CHILLIWACK BIA MISSION STATEMENT

To lead a cooperative effort in revitalizing and enhancing the downtown of Chilliwack to make it a better place to work, live, shop, visit and have fun.

OUR STAFF

Kathy Funk
Executive Director   

Kathy oversees the day-to-day and long-range operations of the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association (BIA) and liaises with the City of Chilliwack, RCMP, ICBC and community service providers. Often you will hear her on 98.3 Star FM promoting BIA events and new businesses in Downtown Chilliwack. Kathy welcomes new businesses to town and connects with existing business members to ensure their needs are being met.

Kathy is the Director of Administration and President Elect - Nominee of the Rotary Club of Chilliwack-Fraser executive, a director on the Chilliwack Community Services board, the Vice-President on the Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC) board, and actively volunteers for Chilliwack Hospice Society.

Harold Zinke
Downtown Street Cleaner

Harold is our street ambassador, our ‘eyes on the street’ and is always ready with his trusty wheelbarrow and a friendly smile. In addition to keeping the Downtown streets free of trash, Harold makes deliveries from the Downtown BIA office to local businesses and helps with set-up and take-down of BIA events.

Harold was named "Employee of the Year" at the 2007 Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. For the 2006-2007 year, the Optimist Club of Chilliwack recognized Harold as their "Citizen of the Year".

Harold often volunteers his time in the Downtown area washing windows and watering businesses' outdoor plants.

Debbie

Office Manager

Debbie plays an integral role in everything the Downtown Chilliwack BIA does. She ensures the office functions efficiently and facilitates communication between the BIA staff and the Board of Directors. Using her creativity and artistic talents, Debbie has transformed each of our Downtown events. She also regularly updates our website and Facebook pages.

Debbie actively volunteers for the Chilliwack Hospice Society.

Desmond Devnich
Coordinator

Desmond plans and executes numerous events throughout the year including two Customer Appreciation Days, Village Classic Car Show, Christmas in the City, and the ever-popular Party in the Park. Desmond also oversees the administration of the GETMOR Downtown Customer Rewards program and the ICBC Crime Prevention initative. He can often be found tweeting about the happenings in Downtown.

Desmond is the Vice-President of the Rotaract Club of Chilliwack-Fraser executive, a director on the Chilliwack & District Agricultural Society board, and actively volunteers for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Chilliwack Hospice Society.

Sarena Myers

Downtown Street Cleaner

Sarena assists Harold in keeping the streets of Downtown clean. She is our 'eyes on the street' and another friendly Downtown ambassador.

Downtown Ambassadors/Safety Bike Patrol

The BIA is fortunate to receive an ICBC grant that assists in funding our Safety Bike Patrol Program. Six days a week officers patrol the downtown streets and work closely with the RCMP Community Policing in carrying out the ongoing BIA commitment to safe streets downtown.