2008 Press Releases
SilverBirch promotes key executives
VANCOUVER, BC (April 15, 2008) - SilverBirch, one of Canada's leading hotel management companies, has made changes to its senior leadership team to strengthen the company's leadership position as Canada's premier mid-market hotel company.
Tony Cary- Barnard -To Vice President, Asset Management
Mr. Cary-Barnard has a diversified hospitality background including Westin Hotels and CP Hotels
(now Fairmont). He has been with SilverBirch since its inception in 1997 and most recently
held the position of Regional Vice President for the Northwest region. He received an MBA from
Guelph University and is a graduate from both Western and Ryerson Universities and as well is a
recipient of the President's Award of Distinction from the Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association.
In his new role as Vice President, Asset Management he will lead the development of CHIP's asset
management model.
Pierre Plamondon -To Vice President, Real Estate
Mr. Plamondon spent much of the 1980s and early 1990s in Asia, where he operated a number of hotels
and then served as Director of Projects for Mega Hotels. He returned to Canada in the mid-1990s
and directed the planning and opening of The Fairmont Chateau Tremblant and then served as the
General Manager, a position he stayed in until joining CHIP in 2007 as Regional Vice President
for Quebec. The focus of Mr. Plamondon's new role will be leadership of the Design, Construction & Engineering
team as well capital project management.
Louis-Robert Handfield -To Regional Vice President, Quebec
Mr. Handfield worked in a number of management positions in Canada and spent nine years in Asia
with Westin Hotels and Resorts working in leadership roles in Food & Beverage and general operations.
He returned to Montreal in 1997 where he worked at the Omni as Director of Operations and as Hotel
Director at Le Centre Sheraton. He spent five years as the General Manager of the Loews Hotel Vogue
in Montréal, before joining CHIP as the General Manager of the Hilton Bonaventure. In 2006, he
was recognized by the Pinnacle Awards and received Hotelier of the Year. In his new role, he will
continue to manage the Hilton Bonaventure as well as provide leadership to the four CHIP properties
in the Quebec region.
Mark Medland - To Regional Vice President, Northern Alberta
Mr. Medland will relocate from his current regional position in Ontario to be based in Edmonton
where he will support the Northern Alberta hotels. Mr. Medland has over 26 years of experience
with various hotel companies in Canada and Europe, including SilverBirch, Westin, Radisson
and Holiday Inn.
Trevor Morgan - To Regional Vice President, Ontario & Atlantic
Mr. Morgan will continue to lead the Atlantic properties but will also take on the four Ontario
properties. Mr. Morgan is a 21-year hospitality veteran and his been with SilverBirch since
1999.
Nathalie Jeghers - To Director of National Sales
Ms. Jeghers has over 15 years of Sales & Marketing experience, and has worked with a number of brands
including Holiday Inn Select, Crowne Plaza and Hilton Montreal Airport. She was recognized by Hilton
International as a leading DOSM in Canada. Ms. Jeghers holds a Bachelor of Business from Bishops
University as well as a Certified Sales Professional designation and has completed numerous leadership
and coaching courses. For the past 3 years, Ms. Jeghers has been successful as the Regional Director
of Sales & Marketing for Quebec and Atlantic region and in her new role she will oversee the National
Sales team and lead the strategies to best align the hotel and customers needs. She will also continue
to be the Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for the Quebec region.
We are pleased to be moving such exceptional people into key leadership roles" says Robert Pratt, President, SilverBirch. "The combined talent and experience of these leaders will help CHIP Hospitality to be even more successful."
SilverBirch is one of Canada's leading hotel management companies and currently manages and asset manages 35 hotels and resorts across Canada. The company manages independent hotels and hotels operating under major franchise brands, such as Crowne Plaza, Radisson, Residence Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Quality, Gouverneur, Best Western and Ramada. SilverBirch is fully owned by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation ("bcIMC"), a Canadian leader in investment funds management that is based in Victoria, British Columbia (www.bcimc.com).
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo available upon request.
For more information, please contact:
Holly Peterson
Marketing Manager
SilverBirch
Telephone: (604) 646-8787 or (604) 512-9198
hpeterson@silverbirchhotels.com