Joshua Bach, a lawyer with Integra Law Group, was installed as president last week at the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting. Bach begins a two-year term, succeeding out-going president Mike Welte.
Bach practised law in Ontario for more than 25 years before relocating to Abbotsford in 2006,. He practises in the areas of wills and estates, real estate and business law.
In addition to his involvement with the chamber, he is also an active member of Abbotsford Hospice Society, Estate Planning Council of Abbotsford, and the Rotary Club of Abbotsford Sumas.
He is also the immediate past-president of the Abbotsford and District Bar Association, past vice-president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley, and a former member of the Human Research Ethics Board of UFV.
Kenda Allen, district vice-president, TD Commercial Banking, was installed as chamber vice-president; and Brandon Kelley, an accountant with KPMG, was re-appointed as treasurer, both for a two-year term.
Five directors were also elected for the 2015-2017 term: Hilary Beard - UFV; Brad Friesen - Hershey Canada Ltd.; Melinda Friesen - Clearbrook Grain & Milling; Sara Lawson - Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes; and Stu McIntosh - Cascade Aerospace.
They join the five existing directors of the chamber: Mark Dana - Re/max Little Oak; Dave Miller - Fix Auto; David Sheach - Fraser Valley Charitable Gaming; Parm Sidhu - Abbotsford International Airport; and Mark Warkentin - Linley Welwood LLP.
“I am pleased and honoured to be chamber president at this exciting time of growth for our city,” said Bach.
Bach said he believes that the diversity of knowledge, skills and experience represented by the board members will be a strong asset to the chamber.
“Our leadership evolves each year and changes to meet the growing and ever-changing needs of our business community,” he stated.