Board of Directors

Mr. Cretney is the CEO & President of BC Pavco and Vancouver Convention Centre. He is an experienced hotelier, has worked as a senior manager in the tourism industry for over 15 years, and is an alumnus of VCC’s Bachelor of Hospitality Management program. Mr. Cretney is a strong believer in giving back – he serves on VCC's Hospitality Management Program Advisory Committee, has been a mentor, and is a donor at both VCC and Selkirk College. Mr. Cretney is also past chair of Tourism Vancouver.

Mr. Van Dyke is Director of Investments with TCap Private Equity. He is a senior finance manager and investment professional with demonstrated expertise in investment management, treasury, banking, cash flow management, foreign exchange risk mitigation, and credit risk management. In his own words, Mr. Van Dyke "loves a solid, boring investment return". He also enjoys a diverse mix of investment vehicles whose combined returns gently meander upward in an uneventful, but cumulatively-powerful, accumulation of wealth. 

Mr. Andrew is the Regional Manager with responsibilities over Canada for Columbia Hospitality in which his duties include supporting the operational growth of amazing properties North of the border. He has worked at several top-tier Hotel & Resort properties in Canada and the US ranging from Hyatt Hotels & Resorts to Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to Semiahmoo Resort, Golf & Spa to Canyon Ranch Wellness Resorts. Prior to his current role, he was Senior Vice President, Tapestry, at Concert Properties where his background in hotel operations, marketing, sales, and transformational management were invaluable as Concert took over operations of its Seniors Housing company. He has a proven track record for enhancing property performance, team member engagement, and customer satisfaction. His leadership abilities have been recognized with a distinguished President’s Award by Meeting Professionals International.

Geoff’s practice focuses on resolving construction disputes, including contractual issues, and disputes relating to tendering and procurement. He is regularly sought out by both project owners and contractors with regard to significant construction projects.

Mr. Kovacevic first connected with Vancouver Community College as an international student studying Hospitality Management. He completed his diploma, went on to do his Executive MBA at Queen’s University, and more recently launched a start-up for improving the restaurant/bar bill payment system called, Ready.

Ms. Steele is an Associate Managing Partner with Canada Financial. She has years of experience as a successful entrepreneur, sales manager, and director with proven leadership competence. Ms. Steele is also committed to training improvement and incentivizing people through results-oriented strategies.

Alister immigrated to Canada from New Zealand in 1984. He spent many years in the private sector as a senior VP of Global Business Development for the Thomas Cook Group. He then joined Humber College in 2001 as Dean, School of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism and in 2013 became VP of Advancement and External Affairs responsible for business development, fundraising and global partnerships.

Alister is a Social and Cultural Geographer and an internationally recognized author of academic books in tourism and several children’s books on Canadian social studies subjects. His academic books, written in the 1982 and 2006, have been described as seminal works in the discipline of tourism studies. His five children’s books have been described by the Globe and Mail as ‘must reads’ and have received endorsements from notable Canadians including the former Governor General, the Right Honorable David Johnston, Wheel in Motion activist Rick Hansen and broadcaster Peter Mansbridge.

Alister and his family recently moved to British Columbia after living in Ontario for nearly forty years.