As we get closer to the 2020 BC Winter and BC Summer Games, we’d like to share the roles of the BC Games Society Staff who make the Games such a success, along with their favorite moment in sports history.
President and CEO
Our President and CEO, Alison Noble, has the overall responsibility of staging the BC Winter and BC Summer Games and the operations of Team BC. She works closely with the Board of Directors and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture. Alison’s favorite moment in sports history was Angela Chalmers and Robyn Meagher crossing the finish line for the Women’s 3000 metre race in 1st and 2nd place at the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games.
Event Managers
Event Managers assist the Host Community volunteers in the planning, operation, and staging of the Games. For the BC Winter Games, our Event Managers are Judy Joseph-Black and Andrew Pitre. Judy’s favorite moment in sports history was the semi-final between Canada and the USA in women’s soccer at the 2012 Olympics. She believes it changed the way the public viewed women’s soccer. Andrew’s favorite moment in sports history was watching Simon Whitfield winning a gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and how loudly he was cheering at the TV.
For the BC Summer Games, our Event Managers are Kyler Nurmsoo and Irene Schell. Irene also serves as the Technology Manager, overseeing all computer and technology requirements for the society. Kyler’s favorite moment in sports history was the announcement of the 2010 Olympics being awarded to the City of Vancouver. It still gives him goosebumps! Irene’s favorite moment in sports history was also the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and being at Canada Hockey Place when both the Women and Men’s Hockey teams won gold.
Team BC Operations Manager
For Team BC, our Operations Manager is Jarret Poitras. The Operations Manager assists the Chefs de Mission and Mission Staff volunteers who manage Team BC for the Canada Games. Jarret’s favorite moment in sports history was Joe Carter’s walk-off homerun for the Blue Jays in 1993, winning back to back World Series.
Marketing and Engagement Manager
Our Marketing and Engagement Manager is Justine Johnson. This role provides marketing and communications support to the BC Games Society. Justine’s favorite moment in sport was her team winning silver at the NCAA Cross Country Championship while attending the University of Washington.
Games Coordinators
Our Games Operations Coordinator is Riki-Lee Jessup. This is a new role for the BC Games Society, providing administrative support to the Event Managers for the BC Games and the Operations Manager for Team BC. Riki-Lee’s favorite moment in sports history was Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal in the 2010 Olympics to win gold.
Our Games Marketing Coordinator is Faith Blenkin. Another new role, the Games Marketing Coordinator works with the Marketing and Engagement Manager to provide marketing and communications support. Faith’s favorite moment in sports history is the triumph of Jessie Owens in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, winning four gold medals in track and field.
Office Mascot
Our Office Mascot is Hooper. This prestigious and demanding position acts as a mascot for the BC Games Society and works with Staff to provide “pet” therapy, such as belly-rubs (preferably in the middle of the hallway), assisting staff to walk by running through legs, and generally acting as a mood-lifter whenever necessary (always). Hooper is a bernedoodle, a cross between a Bernese mountain dog and a poodle, and was expected to grow to 35-40 pounds; never one to under perform, she is 52 pounds and counting. Her favorite moment in sports history is whenever the ball is thrown.