Board Members

Kyoshi John Therien
Chair
kyoshitherien@rogers.com

An outstanding individual, both tireless and always ready to help make his community a better place, Kyoshi John Therien is a well-known and highly respected teacher of Martial Arts. In demand across North America, Europe and other parts of the globe, John is a highly skilled instructor providing seminars, and motivation speeches. He is also chief instructor at the Therien Jiu-Jitsu & Kickboxing School, headquartered in Vanier. He has been in business in Vanier for over 40 years. Over the years he has won many awards including Golden Belt Award for being a pioneer of Jiu-Jitsu in Canada and a Canadian Government Award for achievement in Jiu-Jitsu. In May  of 2007, “Kyoshi” hosted a World Kobudo Convention and Competition here with delegates from over 30 countries.

Serge Faucher
Vice-chair
Chair of the Safety & Maintenance Committee
serge.faucher@sci-us.com

Serge Faucher graduated from Collège Boréal in 1996. He has been with Dignity Memorial Racine, Robert & Gauthier on Montreal Road in Vanier since 1995. He has coached minor hockey in Vanier/St-Laurent for 10 years.

Rita Chalabi
Treasurer
Vice-chair of the Safety & Maintenance Committee
rita.chalabi@scotiabank.com

Rita Chalabi is the manager for small business of Scotiabank Vanier Branch. She has 24 years of financial services experience. Her knowledge, background and experience in Personal and Small Business banking allow her to work with many customers to provide value added advice, excellent service and relevant financial solutions to help you get ahead financially. She is a graduate of the American University of Beirut majoring in Sociology and Anthropology,  a licensed Mutual Fund representative. Mrs. Chalabi is actively involved in community organizations like the Kidney Foundation and the United Way. 

Councillor Georges Bédard
Municipal Liaison
georges.bedard@ottawa.ca

Born in Lowertown and raised in Sandy Hill, where he continues to make his home, Georges Bédard has lived in the Rideau-Vanier ward all his life. Growing up in one of Ottawa’s most diverse neighbourhoods sensitized Georges to the particularities and needs of others early on.

While getting his degree in Political Science at Carleton University, Georges got his first taste of political activism as a President of the Citizen’s Committee for Planning in Sandy Hill. This led to Georges’ first run for City Council in 1974, a seat he won again in 1976 and 1978. It was during his six-year tenure that he protected heritage properties from demolition, promoted the development of Ottawa’s first heritage program, established parks, assisted in the building of co-op housing and the Sandy Hill Community Health Clinic, among other achievements.

Georges continued to remain actively involved in community affairs over the years. He was co-founder of the Festival Franco-Ontarien, Chairperson of the 150 Rideau Canal Celebrations, President of the Patro d’Ottawa, President of the Caisse Populaire Ste-Anne Laurier, a Director on the Board of Directors of the Fédération des caisses populaires de l'Ontario and was President of the Canadian Tulip Festival.

He was re-elected to city council in 2003 and again in 2006. As city Councillor for Rideau-Vanier, his priorities for this ward have been shaped by over thirty years of active involvement in community affairs as a citizen and as Councillor.

Adam Kane
Director
adam.kane@bmo.com

Adam Kane is a graduate from the University of Western Ontario, he has a BA in history. He is currently the branch Manager with Bank of Montreal, the previous 4 years with another Financial Institution and started his management career with Corel Corporation. Mr. Kane is a member of the Ashbury Alumni Executive, the Ottawa Sooners alumni, member of 2006 Canadian Kickboxing team and won a Bronze Medal at the world championship in Spain.

Marc-André Way
Director
maway@coventryconnections.com

Marc-André Way graduated from the University of Ottawa B.Commerce (Major Marketing, Management & Finance) in 1991. He is currently the COO Capital Taxi and COO/Senior Vice-President of Coventry Connections. He commenced his career twenty (20) years ago with Capital Taxi, the second largest fleet, dispatching 210 vehicles in Ottawa. Capital also operates a successful limousine and executive sedan business, a real estate division and a finance company which Mr. Way manages on a day to day basis. Mr. Way is an active member of the Ottawa Tourism Association, Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and Taxicab, Limousine and Para Transit Association and holds a seat on the Transportation Committee of the Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and the Taxi Advisory Committee with the City of Ottawa.

Mark Kaluski
Director
mark@hashmark.ca

Mark Kaluski was born and raised in Ottawa. He worked for the Federal government for over 10 years, most recently at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in strategic planning. Mr. Kaluski left the public sector to co-found HashMark Holdings Ltd. – a private equity firm. HashMark Holdings owns and manages 3 businesses headquartered in Vanier, including Monson Deluxe Cleaners – a Vanier mainstay for over 20 years. Mr. Kaluski has an MBA from Queen’s University and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Lise Lauzon
Director
lise@claudelauzongroup.ca

Lise Lauzon is the 4th generation of the Lauzon family to work in the field of business and real estate in Lowertown, New Edinburgh and, since 1997, in Vanier. Mme Lauzon worked for 20 years in the travel industry and she joined the family business in 1994. Under the chairmanship of her father, M. Claude Lauzon, she manages commercial properties and runs the family business.