#503 – 17665 66A Avenue
Surrey, BC
V3S 2A7

Telephone: 604-575-8840
Toll Free: 1-888-261-2211
Fax: 604-575-8820

Email: [email protected]

website: www.legionbcyukon.ca

YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@BCYukonCommandRCL

Meet the Team at the BC/Yukon Command Office

With the beginning of the new year in a new office, the staff at BC/Yukon Command would like to take this opportunity to reintroduce our amazing team.

Michelle Courtney Executive Director   Michelle celebrated her 10 Year Anniversary with BC/Yukon Command this past November. As Executive Director, Michelle is responsible for the overall management of BC/Yukon Command and for providing advice, strategy, and direction to the staff team. She also serves as the liaison between the Provincial Executive Council and the staff team, taking direction from the council and operationalizing with the staff.   Coffee or Tea: Coffee Favourite Food: Chocolate Favourite Season: Fall Favourite Quote: “The grass is greener where you water it. Invest in what matters and you will see the return.”

Accounting

Emily Yuan Controller   Emily has been part of BC/Yukon Command for two years. As the Controller, her role involves overseeing the financial operations, ensuring accurate reporting, compliance with regulations, and providing strategic financial guidance to support decision-making. Emily manages budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to maintain the financial health of the organization.   Coffee or Tea: Both Favourite Food: Chinese Food Favourite Season: Fall Favourite Quote: “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

David Phillips Bookkeeper   David Phillips has been working with BC/Yukon Command for almost two years in total. As Bookkeeper, David maintains the Command’s books, payables, receivables, and reconciliations.   Coffee or Tea: Coffee Favourite Food: Sushi Favourite Season: Fall Fun Fact: David played the trumpet for eight years.

Administration

Mai Hansson Administration Manager   Mai has been part of BC/Yukon Command for four years. As Administration Manager, Mai oversees the administrative operations of the Command office while supporting various committees. She also assists Branches with governance and procedural guidance, and navigating any Branch challenges to keep everything running smoothly.   Coffee or Tea: Tea Favourite Food: Cake Favourite Season: Summer Favourite Quotes: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Linda Candelaria Administrative Assistant   Linda has been working with BC/Yukon Command for seven years this March. As the Administrative Assistant, Linda takes on various roles, including those regarding the Youth Remembrance Contests, Legion Sports, and the Cadet Medals. Linda also supports five committees.    Coffee or Tea: Tea (or Hot Chocolate) Favourite Food: Chicken, Broccoli, Cheddar Rice, and Tuna Melts Favourite Season: Summer, and to be outside to play with her grandkids Fun Fact: Linda’s eyes have two different colours.

Lindsay Petrie Marketing & Communications Assistant   Lindsay has been part of BC/Yukon Command for one year this February. She started as the Receptionist, greeting visitors and responding to inquiries, updating Branch information, and processing Poppy Campaign orders. She looks forward to her new role as Marketing & Communications Assistant, where she will continue preparing the monthly Blazer Newsletter, managing social media accounts, distributing memos, and creating new materials.   Coffee or Tea: Coffee Favourite Food: Sushi and Ramen Favourite Season: Fall Favourite Quote: “Just keep swimming.” – Finding Nemo

Branch Operations

Darryn Langstaff Branch Operations Advisor (Lower Mainland, Okanagan, the Kootenays)   Darryn has been part of BC/Yukon Command for nine years. As a Branch Operations Advisor, he works with 70 Branches to help them operate the business side of the Legion. Examples include employee relations, renovations, sales, relocation, bar operations, and new revenue generating ideas.   Coffee or Tea: Coffee Favourite Food: Steak Favourite Seasons: Spring and Fall Favourite Quote: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.”

Tony Rushworth  Branch Operations Advisor (Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast, and Northern BC)   Tony has been part of BC/Yukon Command for ten years this June. As a Branch Operations Advisor, Tony provides support to Branches with respect to their business operations, including their efforts at redevelopment and new business initiatives.   Coffee or Tea: Coffee Favourite Food: Steak Favourite Season: Summer Favourite Quote: “The only difference between information and knowledge is experience.”

Service Officers

Lori Castle Command Service Officer (Mainland)   Lori has been part of BC/Yukon Command for seven years this August. As a Command Service Officer, Lori advocates for both former serving and currently serving Military and RCMP. This includes assistance with disability claims to submit to Veterans Affairs Canada.   Coffee or Tea: Coffee (Decaf) Favourite Food: Mexican Food Favourite Season: Summer Fun Fact: Lori has a French Bulldog named Poppie, who is almost three years old. Poppie occasionally comes into the office with Lori, providing comfort to both staff and clients.

Randall Stewart Command Service Officer (Vancouver Island)   Randy has been part of BC/Yukon Command for almost three years. As a Command Service Officer, Randy supports Veterans (both CAF and RCMP members who are still serving, releasing from service, and those retired) with processing claims, and obtaining services and benefits with Veterans Affairs Canada. Randy also assists Veterans and their families in need, supplying them with helpful information and working with other organizations to assist them.   Coffee or Tea: Coffee Favourite Food: “Definitely anything my wife makes for me. This will help me live longer.” Favourite Season: Fall Fun Fact: “According to Einstein, time exists at the speed of light. Unfortunately, I don’t move that fast.”

Legion Foundation

Amber Stewart Executive Director, Legion Foundation   Amber has been part of the Legion Foundation for 2.5 years. As Executive Director of the Foundation, Amber organizes the Leave the Streets Behind Program, ensures the team at Veterans House Victoria has everything they need, and supervises the Veterans Homeless Program staff. She looks after fundraising for the Foundation, including grant writing, the 50/50 draws, and processing individual donations. Although helping Veterans is her favourite part of the role, visiting Legion Branches or presenting to Zones are a close second.   Coffee or Tea: Hot Chocolate Favourite Food: Bacon Cheeseburger Favourite Season: Winter, after living in Alberta for over 20 years Favourite Quote: “Do all the good you can, in as many ways you can, for all the people you can, for as long as you can.”

Maria Serna, Program Coordinator, Veteran Homelessness Program   Maria joined the Legion Foundation in April of last year. As a Program Coordinator of the Veteran Homelessness Program, Maria assists Veterans who are experiencing homelessness, or at-risk of being homeless, with finding housing, accessing a rent subsidy, and preventing evictions when possible.   Coffee or Tea: Tea Favourite Food: Greek Food Favourite Season: Summer Fun Fact: Maria is left-handed.

James Williamson, Program Coordinator, Veteran Homelessness Program   James just began his second month with the Legion Foundation. As one of two Program Coordinators for the Veteran Homelessness Program, James and his team are deeply committed to working with Veterans to secure housing, reintegrate Veterans into society with dignity and stability, and ensure they receive the comprehensive support they deserve for their service and sacrifice to our country.   Coffee or Tea: Coffee Favourite Food: Sushi Favourite Season: Fall Favourite Quote: “A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world: everyone you meet is your mirror.”  – Kenneth Keyes Jr.

Cheer Department

Poppie Manager, Cheer Department   Poppie joined BC/Yukon Command a few years ago and works in Lori’s office part-time. As Office Cheer Manager, Poppie is responsible for greeting each staff member and visitor at the door. If Poppie is working during your visit, she might give a friendly “Woof!” to welcome you to the office and alert the team of your arrival.   Poppie’s other responsibilities include munching on treats, chasing tennis balls, and checking in with team members at their desks. She is currently the only staff member permitted to sleep on the clock, and enjoys napping on her Canucks blanket.   Favourite Food: Cheese and Hot Dogs Favourite Toys: Tennis Balls and Chew Sticks