Tourism Richmond Board of Directors

Yannick Simovich’s management career spans over 30 years in a variety of progressive roles within the hotel industry. While he currently holds the position of General Manager at the Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel, his most recent roles have included Director of Operations at the JW Marriott in Las Vegas, Director of Operations and Director of Food & Beverage at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel as well as several years at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.  Yannick, who has a passion for food and wine, received his hospitality education in France and Switzerland.

In his 50 year career, Wayne Duzita has held a variety of positions within many business sectors including retail, tourism, manufacturing, leasing, and marketing. Wayne is semi-retired working under contract with the Terracap Group of Companies developing, owning, and managing warehouses, offices, and hangars on airports in Canada. Wayne continues to be an active volunteer in the Richmond community serving as the Chair of the Richmond Christmas Fund, Vice Chair of the 2010 Games Operating Trust, Rotary, and several political associations. In the past he was Chair of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Foundation, Chair of the Trinity Western University Richmond Advisory Committee, Co-founder of the first E-Rotary Club, member of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Economic Scorecard 2016 committee, and member of the Olympic Oval Corporation. Wayne is the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow, Star of Richmond, The British Columbia Community Achievement Award, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Metal.

Joe is the General Manager of Planning and Development for the City of Richmond. Joe has 30 years of experience in City Planning in Australia and Canada and has worked in both the private and public sectors. Joe has been with the City of Richmond since 1998. During his time with the City of Richmond, Joe has been responsible for the preparation of many Area Plans, Strategies and the 2041 Official Community Plan. His current portfolio includes responsibility for Human Resources, Long Range Community Planning, Development Approvals/Building Permits and Transportation Planning.

Jason is the Marketing Manager, Air Service Development at the Vancouver Airport Authority. Prior to joining the Air Service Development, Jason spent the majority of his 13 years at YVR in the Corporate Finance group. Before joining YVR, Jason worked at various accounting firms, primarily focused on audit and assurance. Jason is a graduate of the Sauder School of Business and a designated Chartered Professional Accountant (CA).

Harald Kurtzke is a European-trained Hotelier who holds a Diamond CHA. This Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA®) award is the one of the most prestigious certifications available to a hospitality executive. Currently Harald is Regional Director and General Manager for Executive Hotels, and also manages the Executive Airport Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre, Richmond. Harald has held positions as Senior VP, Managing Director, Executive VP and General Manager in resort, full service, limited service, boutique and casinos properties.
His past positions include: Okanagan Tourism Board (Director); Skål Vancouver (Member); Rotary International, Islington Club (President). He enjoys working with independent and branded properties including: Executive Hotels; IHG; Sheraton; Carlson; Wyndham.

Serena is the General Manager, Community Services for the City of Richmond. Serena’s portfolio includes oversight of Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, Community Social Development, Parks Services and Recreation Services. During her 13+ years with the City, she has lead the development of a number of major strategies including the Community Wellness Strategy and the Major Facilities Implementation Plan and has built strong community relationships. Serena has an MBA from the University of Oregon’s Warsaw School of Sports Business. She lives in Richmond with her husband and two active children.

Robert Thurlow joined McArthurGlen Group as General Manager for McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport in 2015. Robert joined McArthurGlen from Calvin Klein, where he was Country Manager responsible for the brand’s launch in the Canadian market in 2011, and its expansion across Canada. 
Prior to joining Calvin Klein, Robert was US CEO and Board Member of Molton Brown. His responsibilities at the globally renowned London bath, body & beauty brand included leading its multi-channel sales’ activities across Europe, North America and Asia. After studying in his native Toronto, London, and Ithaca, New York, Robert started his career at Gap, where, as Operations Manager, he was responsible for store openings across Canada, including Vancouver, and the UK.

A hotel industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, Steve Veinot held various positions with the Hilton Vancouver Airport in Richmond prior to joining the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel as General Manager. Steve is currently a Regional Director with Larco Hospitality with responsibility for the Hilton Vancouver Airport, Marriott Vancouver Airport, and Sheraton Vancouver Airport hotels. Steve has spent the majority of his life in Ottawa, Ontario where he graduated from the University of Ottawa and immediately entered the hospitality field working with the Holiday Inn, Radisson and Marriott, Hilton and Sheraton brands.