Our Team
The Faces Behind Oak Bay Beach Hotel
The magic of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel is the result of a dedicated team of hospitality professionals. Meet the faces behind our Victoria luxury hotel at Walker Hospitality and discover what will make our landmark destination radiate with warmth, friendless and comfortable luxury.
THE DEVELOPER
Kevin Walker, President and Owner
Kevin Walker's career in the hospitality industry has spanned over 32 years. Recognised as an industry leader, Kevin is driven by a determination to do things well and maintains a commitment to give back to his community and the industry that has sustained his family for three generations. Kevin's achievements are numerous both within his business achievements and his greater community involvements. As past Chairman of the Board of the Hotel Association of Canada and the Council of Tourism Associations of BC and the BC & Yukon Hotel's Association, he has a unique perspective of the dynamic tourism and hospitality industry. He is the recipient of many awards including Hotelier of the Year, Tourism Industry Leader of the Year and most recently Tourism Victoria's Miracle Award. Currently he is President/Owner of Bison Properties Ltd. (Oak Bay Beach Hotel) and Walker Hospitality Ltd. He has recently launched, together with Shawna, his wife and business partner, a new endeavour, the Discovery Club Luxury Destinations Ltd. Kevin and Shawna reside in Victoria BC, with their two daughters, who have each worked with their parents throughout their growing years.
Shawna Walker, Vice President, Marketing
Shawna Walker began her career in Hospitality Marketing in the early 80's and has built a strong reputation as an innovator with careful attention to the details that make a difference. First with Westin Hotels then on to CP Hotels Canada. In 1983 Shawna joined forces with her husband Kevin Walker, as a part of the team at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Her expertise is evident in the many projects undertaken in the last two decades by the Walker Hospitality team: development of eco-tourism based adventure products in 1985, the re-launch of the Miraloma on the Cove in Sidney BC in 2005, and the recent development of the Discovery Club Luxury Destinations Ltd. in Victoria BC. Shawna maintains vigilance over the Sales and Marketing activities of the Walker Hospitality group of companies and is integral to the success enjoyed to date. She currently holds the position of Chair for the Oak Bay Tourism Marketing consortium, and is recognized by her peers as a leader in Tourism and Hospitality. Shawna has been married to her husband Kevin for 26 years and together they have enjoyed raising two great children, and had the privilege of successfully working together throughout their married life.
Brian Hobson D.M.A.T.P. – Vice President, Finance and Operations
Brian Hobson's commitment and passion for the hospitality industry is evident through the many ways he contributes to the industry as a whole. His career has branched out beyond Walker Hospitality Ltd and the Oak Bay Beach Hotel to create new and creative concepts that have increased tourism for the region. His professional expertise in creating business and marketing plans is a strength to Walker Hospitality. Brian has retained a long time working relationship with Oak Bay Beach Hotel and has the respect of his staff and the many visitors who recognize him as an important part of the hotel team.
Therese Eley, BA – Director of Communications
Therese holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a post-degree certificate in Public Relations from the University of Victoria. She began her career working in travel media relations, representing tourism clients across BC and in Belize. It was in this capacity that she first represented the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, before joining the team "in-house" in 2004 as Director of Communications and Human Resources. With the inception of Walker Hospitality in 2005, her responsibilities expanded to include a new property, Miraloma on the Cove in Sidney, BC. In 2008, her role expanded to Creative Director for Walker Hospitality, and she is responsible for the development and implementation of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel's brand and marketing initiatives. Her passion for establishing open communication and dialogue has been a strength to Walker Hospitality in the development and maintenance of genuine and healthy relationships with its staff and stakeholder groups. Therese also participates regularly at the academic level, co-writing a case study that was published by the University of Victoria and has since been used as course material, and periodically being invited to speak as a guest lecturer at the University of Victoria.
Carol Gevers, CGA - Controller
Carol holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba, an FCUIC designation from the Credit Union Institute of Canada and a CGA designation as a member of the CGA Association of BC. With over 20 years of experience, she began her financial career working in the banking industry and has held a number of accounting positions in the property management and public accounting fields. She joined the Walker Hospitality team in 2009 as the Corporate Accountant, and currently holds the position of Controller. Her attention to detail and varied financial experience have been a strength to Walker Hospitality in helping guide the company's monetary policies. Carol also volunteers as the PAC Treasurer at her daughter's school and invigilates CGA exams for students.
SALES TEAM
Brad Neufeld – Director of Sales and Marketing
Brad has twenty five years of professional customer sales and executive management experience in the sales and marketing of technology solutions, renewable energy products, and real estate development. He has consistently received increasing levels of responsibility and authority. Brad's ability to build solid client relationships has been invaluable to Walker Hospitality in working with prospective buyers of real estate in the new Oak Bay Beach Hotel, investors in the Bond program and with those considering membership in the Discovery Club. As well, through Brad's efforts our marketing efforts have been multiplied through the recruitment, training and ongoing management of geographic sales agents.
ARCHITECT
Bas Smith Architect Inc. (Architect)
Barry A. Smith, received his degree in Architecture from Leeds School of Architecture in 1966, and following extensive work in the UK, immigrated to Canada in 1974. Following eighteen years of practicing Architecture and Planning in England, Wales, Vancouver and Victoria, Bas established the architectural firm of Bas Smith Architect Inc. in 1986. The firm has since specialized in the design and construction of multiple residential housing projects for families, seniors, persons with physical and mental disabilities, the homeless-at-risk, transient youth and more recently, assisted living projects for seniors. The firm's experience is varied, but with a clear emphasis on both private sector and publicly-funded multiple residential projects. To all their projects, the firm brings the ability to deliver efficient, functional planning, thoughtful contextual design, sound construction practice and careful attention to detail.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Porada Design Group (Interior Designer/Hotel Design Consultant)
Porada Design Group is an interior design firm with a broad base of expertise in the planning, design and execution of hospitality interiors. A collaboration of principals, Vicki Pearson, Leanne Ritter and David Chang, we offer over 35 years of combined international experience. With an emphasis on client relationships, our design team maintains the highest standards in regards to budget constraints, project schedules and exceptional service. It is our goal to provide our clients with effectively planned and highly functional spaces while creating exciting interior environments that exceed their design expectations.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Durwest Construction Management Ltd. (Project & Construction Managers)
Darcy Kray, President of Durwest, is a graduate of the British Columbia Institute of Technology and has been in the construction industry since 1972 and a partner with Durwest since 1983. Darcy takes an active role in research and development of new projects, development and supervision of performance and quality control standards and project design/consultation. Darcy excels in his analytical approach to problem solving and in his ability to effectively manage people and attend to detail. Personally responsible for all Durwest projects, Darcy's project management experience includes the Air Terminal Building Expansion at Victoria International Airport, Commonwealth Pool, Athletes' Village at the University of Victoria, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and most recently The Robert Bateman Centre for Art and the Environment and the Learning and Innovation Centre, both at Royal Roads University.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Metrocan Construction Ltd.
Metro-Can is a diversified, well-established general contracting company in the tendered, negotiated, and design-build construction markets. With construction roots that date back to 1964, our company has grown to where today it offers a high level of expertise. Metro-Can is among the top fifty (50) general contractors in Canada and among the top five headquartered in BC, and has completed over 280 projects in all segments of the market, including commercial, hi-rise and lo-rise residential, recreational projects, light and heavy industrial projects. We welcome the opportunity to be expanding our reach with construction opportunities on Vancouver Island and proud to be a part of the team that will deliver one of Canada's finest hotels.