Board of Directors and Support Team

We would like to introduce our Members of the Board who continue to make the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society a reality.

Bob Smith

President
RJ (Bob) Smith, BCom., MBA, FCCHL

Bob Smith began driving for the VCDS in 2017, after being attracted to the charity by a news segment featuring its services. He was immediately impressed by the patients he drove and wanted to continue being a helping hand at a difficult time in their lives. 2017 was a year of immense growth for the society, and not long after, he was asked to take the position of Board President. Ever impressed by the work of the Board’s dedication and outstanding service to their community, Bob is delighted to be able to work with the cadre of Board members, dispatchers, drivers and support volunteers as the organization continues to grow and serve a community of patients in need.

learn more about Bob Smith

learn more about Bob Smith

Bob most recently served as Principal Consultant with INSITE Consultancy, Inc. where he worked in health strategy development and analysis; system reviews; business development; leadership analysis and coaching; teaching and client representation in both the public and private sectors. He has served as Adjunct Professor, Sauder School of Business at UBC where he taught graduate level courses in health management and strategy as well as leadership in the School of Public and Population Health.

He previously held positions as President and CEO of the Fraser Health Authority in Surrey, BC; the Capital District Health Authority in Halifax, Nova Scotia; and, Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, BC. He was the Deputy Director of the BC Cancer Agency; Executive Director of the BC Arthritis Society, and Vice President of the Stentor Innovation Centre specializing in telecommunications applications for health services.

Bob is a Fellow of the Canadian College of Health Leaders. He received the College Honorary Life Member Award in 2012.

In addition, he has chaired several provincial and national health associations and committees including terms as a Director on the Boards of the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation and the Board of the Canadian Stroke Network; Chair of the Canadian Stroke Strategy; President of the UBC Alumni Association, President of the BC Health Association Board, Vancouver; Chair of the Canadian Hospital Association Board, Ottawa; Director of the Canadian Healthcare Association, Ottawa; Director of Continental Home Health Care Inc., Los Angeles; Director of Saint Elizabeth Health Care, Toronto; and Co-Chair of the Health Division of the United Way Campaign Cabinet of the Lower Mainland. He is a past Surveyor for Accreditation Canada, past Chair of the Elgin Pointe Strata Council, and the Snowater Resort Board of Directors. He is currently a Public Adjudicator for the BC Law Society, President of the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, and member of the Vancouver Foundation Honorary Governors Council. Bob resides in Surrey.

GeorgeMcAffer

Executive Vice President
George McAffer

George McAffer works with VCDS President, Bob Smith, in drafting strategic initiatives as the society’s Executive Vice President. George leads the fundraising and grant application activities which have played a large role in the financial successes of the organization. As an early member of the VCDS executive team, George was instrumental in developing the Bylaws, Policies and Procedures in use today. George is also the VCDS Legacy Giving Director.

learn more about George McAffer

learn more about George McAffer

George served as a fighter pilot and senior officer in the RCAF for 30 years, serving in most provinces of Canada including the high Arctic, as well as in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.A. He was an executive in the BC Government and then Vice President of Asian Operations for Canadian Standards Association (CSA), based in Singapore. On return to Canada, he owned two successful businesses in the Lower Mainland. He has volunteered on the CSA Certification board, the YMCA board of directors, as an executive in youth hockey and swim organizations and as a Crisis Line worker. George resides in South Surrey.

TomAkam

Director - Secretary
Mac Petrie

Mac’s involvement with VCDS started in 2019 as a volunteer driver in Langley. He went on to become a relief dispatcher for the Tri- Cities area and then shifted his volunteer efforts over to helping with grant applications. When the decision was made by VCDS in 2020 to acquire a Donor Management System he took responsibility for setting up and implementing the system. He worked on other initiatives and joined the VCDS Board in 2021.

learn more about Mac Petrie

learn more about Mac Petrie

Mac spent his career working in the public sector. After periods in the business divisions in the Municipal and Post-Secondary sectors he transitioned into K- 12 Education with the Langley School District where he was part of the senior management team.

After leaving Langley he launched and operated a shared services organization, consulted on projects in Alberta and in BC and was the Executive Director for a professional association. He is a past president of a BC business association and has served on business committees at the provincial and national level.

Mac resides in Langley and spent most of his spare time over the last 20+ years camping and traveling with his wife Pat. His interests outside of family include sailing, bridge, and golf.

Bill Ruppel

Director Driver Operations
Bill Ruppel

Bill joined the VCDS as a driver very close to its inception in early 2016 and volunteered to assist at the Board level soon after, ultimately accepting the role of Director Driver Operations. This position includes the coordination of driver recruitment among the various dispatch regions; receiving and processing applications from potential drivers and arranging for interviews and orientation drives for those applicants, as well as supplying them with driver’s kits and PPE packages.

Liaising with the dispatch team and their needs and concerns is also an integral part of Bill’s position. He helps produce an internal, monthly newsletter to keep drivers and other members up to date with VCDS operations.

learn more about Bill Ruppel

learn more about Bill Ruppel

Bill enjoyed a 40 year career in aviation prior to his retirement, which he has spent volunteering. He has served with the White Rock South Surrey Hospice Society for six years, and remains active in raising funds for Air Canada’s Dreams Take Flight Charity through an annual motorcycle event known as the Ride through the Pacific Northwest. He enjoys swimming and cycling for recreation. Bill resides in Surrey.

TomAkam

Treasurer
Tom Akam, CPA, CA

Tom Akam joined the VCDS as part of its Board of Directors in 2017. Tom has played an important role in managing all aspects of the society’s financials. He works closely with the Board of Directors to safeguard the organization’s finances, ensuring a long future for the society.

learn more about Tom Akam

learn more about Tom Akam

Born in Victoria, Tom came to the Lower Mainland in 1959 to work as a Chartered Accountant. After qualifying, he worked both in industry and public practice in the fields of accounting, taxation, and business valuations. He has served on three strata councils over the years. Retired since 2007, he also serves on the board of the Mann Park Lawn Bowling Club, is a member of the White Rock Rotary Club and volunteers his time in support of the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. Besides enjoying a daily walk and belonging to a book club, Tom’s interests are RVing, lawn bowling and golf. Tom resides in Surrey.

Dean

Director at Large
Dean Callaghan, B.Sc., M.Sc.

Dean Callaghan has been a Director with VCDS since 2019. He started as a volunteer driver in 2018 and soon became involved in advocating for support from the medical community and contributing to grant applications. Dean completed a BCAA Child Passenger Safety Educator Course and helped train other VCDS volunteer drivers on regulations and proper installation techniques for child car seats. The training has allowed VCDS to offer safe travel options for very young cancer patients. Dean has also created a Donor Stewardship Policy for VCDS.

learn more about Dean Callaghan

learn more about Dean Callaghan

Dean enjoys working in the pharmaceutical industry, where he has held progressive positions from Drug Discovery and Development to Regulatory Affairs and Sales. His current role is an Oncology Liaison serving the major cancer centres of Western Canada, where he advocates for novel research opportunities and advanced genetic testing for cancer patients. Dean has participated in numerous government stakeholder meetings dealing with pharmaceutical and environmental issues.

Dean is originally from New Brunswick and has a B.Sc. from U.N.B. and an M.Sc. from McGill. He is a BC Lions fan and enjoys biking, hiking, curling and reading. He is very proud of his two sons, both of whom are attending UBC. Dean resides in South Surrey.

DaveLudwar

Director of Technology
Dave Ludwar

In addition to being a VCDS driver, Dave Ludwar’s key Board responsibilities are in ensuring the Society’s operations are taking advantage of today’s technologies, including dispatching, donor management, driver management, and e-commerce initiatives. Providing information related to operations and industry protocols to management and the Board are also part of his activities.

Dave has been behind the successful implementation of the Ride Scheduler dispatching system, the Little Green Lite Donor management system, using an automated funds transfer system to facilitate driver expense payments, and has created numerous internal documents and templates to facilitate Board reporting.

learn more about Dave Ludwar

learn more about Dave Ludwar

Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Dave spent his early career in Regina and Winnipeg with a major Canadian bank. He and his family moved to White Rock in 1989, where he continued with the Canadian Credit Union system until his retirement in 2000. Since then, he has continued to provide financial consulting services and has been volunteering with the VCDS since 2017. Dave resides in White Rock.

LarryColeman-Bio

Director at Large
Larry Coleman

Larry Coleman’s role with the VCDS is an important one. As a volunteer driver, he has driven more patients to and from appointments than anyone else within the Society––all while fulfilling his Director at Large position. Additionally, Larry helps with driving training and working fundraising events, frequently appearing as a spokesperson for the VCDS with local media, including Global Television and many local newspapers.

It was during a Global TV interview when Larry was asked why he works with the VCDS and he said: "Because its the right thing to do".

learn more about Larry Coleman

learn more about Larry Coleman

Larry has been a superintendent for a general contractor for approximately 40 years throughout BC and Washington State. The structures he helped create have ranged from apartments to concrete warehouses, shopping plazas, schools, and hospitals. His volunteer activities include work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC, Lifeline Crisis Centre, Canadian Cancer Society, Eagle Ridge Hospital, Ride2Survive, Cops for Cancer and the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society. Larry resides in Port Moody.

GordLocke

Director at Large
Gord Locke

Gord is a Senior Consultant with a broad and diverse background in business and IT consulting. He has held executive and managerial positions in global and local corporations. Gord has worked with public and private sector clients to develop and implement strategies and solutions that deliver business value and position the organization to evolve, compete and thrive. He was an Industry member of the BCIT Computer Systems Advisory Committee for more than ten years. He is passionate about working with people and organizations to help them grow, achieve success and fulfill their potential.

learn more about Gord Locke

Director at Large
Andréa F. Milman, MEd

Andréa joined the VCDS board in the Spring of 2021 as a way to give back to her community. Andréa believes in the availability of supportive services for those living with cancer as necessary and valuable. She hopes to assist with fundraising endeavours, as well as to offer support with other board initiatives.

learn more about Andréa Milman

learn more about Andréa Milman

Andréa has a background as an educator, both in the K-12 system and through experiential education avenues. She has organized numerous fundraising events, both professionally and in a volunteer capacity. She hopes to bring her skills and experience to good use as a VCDS board member.

Andréa is a long time resident of the North Shore, where she lives with her family and several furry friends.

DanielleRichards

Special Advisor to the Board
Danielle Richards | RN, BScN, CTCM&H, MA

Danielle Richards provides the VCDS with her counsel and guidance as we continue to ensure our infection control procedures and patient transfer processes are as safe as they can be. Danielle holds a BScN from UBC, is a registered nurse and has a Master of Arts in Human Security and Peacebuilding. She has worked for Medecins Sans Frontieres in Angola and for the Public Health Agency of Canada in its Quarantine Program during the pH1N1 outbreak. She is an Infection Control Practitioner with Providence Health Care. Danielle is the Coordinator of Education, Orientation and Special Events. Beyond her education and training responsibilities with Providence Health Care, Danielle’s skills include surveillance, outbreak management and response. She has a number of certifications, significant international experience and numerous awards for her contributions.

Support Team

MelissaGodhino

Melissa Godinho, RN, BSCN, CON(C).
RideScheduler Coordinator, Dispatch Trainer & Resources

Melissa assisted the VCDS’ initial administrative functions and manages the online dispatching system, Ride Scheduler. She is currently a Registered Nurse at BC Children’s Hospital in the Oncology, Hematology, and Bone Marrow Transplant Department. Melissa has worked in the nursing profession for several years with experience within the specialties of medicine, oncology, and palliative care. It is from her foundational participation on the front-lines in the public healthcare system that inspires her dedication and advocacy to community service. Melissa is a resident of Vancouver.

Rick

Rick Janssen
Information Analyst

Rick Janssen is responsible for the timely compilation of VCDS monthly expense reports. The data is used to provide a comprehensive and innovative compilation of all the data required for management and analysis of VCDS operations and the use in all fundraising endeavours. Rick is retired after spending his career in the information technology sector. He has also been a driver for the last 4 years.

Liesa Billings
Online Communications Officer

Liesa Billings uses her expertise in communication design, branding, and marketing. Liesa looks after newsletters distribution, social media, and website development while working closely with board members on various other projects as they arise. She joined us in early 2017 and is committed to improving the lives of those in her community and beyond saying, "The Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society as a whole has been an absolutely joyful experience for me as I further develop my skills in the non-profit sector". She resides in Tsawwassen.

Board of Directors and Support Team

President
RJ (Bob) Smith, BCom., MBA, FCCHL