Fleetwood Business Improvement Association

Community Builds Business

Our Mandate:

  • Create a strong and unique brand for the Fleetwood Business District
  • Develop a beautification  and façade improvement program
  • Address safety and security concerns
  • Initiate and promote community events
  • Implement commercial tenant retention and recruitment programs

We are actively involved in community planning initiatives, and will continue to work closely with local community groups and all levels of government to ensure that community interests are well represented. This includes advocating for needed public amenities and physical improvements, and providing input on municipal policies and regulations and proposed development applications in and around the Fleetwood business district.

As the Fleetwood BIA becomes more established, we will continue to add additional funding through government grants, private sponsorships, in-kind contributions of goods or services, donations and fund-raising activities. These efforts will significantly increase our operating budget, at no additional cost to members.

The BIA is as strong as its members, and as effective as the level of participation of the membership. Board members provide time and effort with countless volunteer hours for the benefits of the members; we hope and encourage all members to participate in events, projects and ongoing programs designed to improve your businesses and properties. Board members and BIA members have donated furniture, manpower, office space, webdesign and publishing services for the mutual goals of all members of the BIA.

ABOUT BIAs

A Business Improvement Association (BIA) is a non-profit organization that represents all businesses and property owners within a specific area. Government legislation permits and guides the steps necessary for a neighborhood to become a BIA. Locally, its creation, operation, business plan and budget must be approved at the municipal level.

BIAs engage, on behalf of all businesses and property owners within the specific area, in matters such as promotion, festivals, crime prevention, security, cleanliness, transportation, parking and advocacy. BIAs succeeded where voluntary business organizations often fail because the financial contribution of all properties and businesses is obligatory.

BIAs IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

The BIA movement in B.C. began in Gastown in the 1970’s when the property owners, businesses and developers working hard to revitalize the area joined together in the effort. The result of the effort was what we now see as Gastown, a tourist and family-friendly vibrant community. It was not until 1988 when the provincial government finally passed the appropriate legislation to approve Business Improvement Associations. Since that time, over 50 BIA’s have started in BC. Provincially, the BIAs are represented by the Business Improvements Areas of British Columbia (BIABC).

BIAs are not unique to British Columbia. While predominately in North America, some have begun in Europe and elsewhere. The concept is simple, and supported by goverment; unite stakeholders within an area and provide support and authority to improve the community. Iit is quite effective when dedicated members and stakeholders of the area work together for the common goal of business improvement.

 

OUR VISION

To be a prosperous destination that is clean, safe and vibrant, where a diverse community of businesses and residents live, work and play.

OUR MISSION

To provide our members and community stakeholders the means and resources to create a prosperous destination, that is clean, safe and vibrant, where a diverse community of businesses and residents live, work and play.

Board of Directors

Sandeep Gill

Sandeep Gill

President
Sandeep S. Gill is a Personal Injury Lawyer and the founder of Keystone Law Group. He has practiced for over 12 years in the Fraser Valley. Since day one, he has only helped those injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by the carelessness of others and has never fought to protect the interests of the insurance companies. Born and raised in North Delta, Sandeep S. Gill is a loving husband and father of two beautiful children. He calls the Fleetwood Community of Surrey his home and strives to improve the safety and growth of the vibrant and diverse Fleetwood Community. Sandeep is an active member of the Law Society of British Columbia and the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia.
Bryan McIntosh

Bryan McIntosh

Vice President
Bryan is a Certified Financial Planner and the Branch Manager for Prospera Credit Union in Fleetwood.  With over 15 years’ experience in banking and investing, he spends his days working with a group financial experts specializing in providing tailored advice on Real Estate Lending, Wealth Management, Personal Insurance and Day to Day banking.  Bryan prides himself on making a meaningful difference in people’s financial well-being while improving the community he works in.
Jon Lopes

Jon Lopes

Member at Large
Jon is a Fleetwood commercial property owner and co-Founder of Lineage Properties Inc. Since 2006, he has worked with their family group of companies, Fleetwood Development Corporation and El Dorado Centre Ltd. As a commercial landlord, property manager and developer, he is an advocate for small businesses, with his goal to connect with everyone on a more personal level. He is always happy to provide business advice, lease insight and tenant support. Jon is dedicated to the success of quality commercial businesses and residential real estate, designed and managed with a purpose, a respect for the past, and excitement for the future. He strives to make a positive impact and is focused on helping businesses and communities thrive. His family’s tie to Fleetwood dates back to 1942, when Olof Person Smith relocated their family to West Fleetwood, a property which is still family owned and managed.
Clifford Thai

Clifford Thai

Secretary
Dr. Clifford Thai obtained his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry at Simon Fraser University, where he was also part of the SFU Men’s Rugby Team. It was after his chiropractor helped him with a series of injuries from rugby, that he decided to become a chiropractor himself, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2004 from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in San Jose. Since 2012, he has been proudly serving the community of Fleetwood as their family chiropractor. He has also served his profession, particularly as a Director for the BC Chiropractic Association from 2009 to 2016, where his portfolios included ICBC Liaison (2010-2015) and Secretary-Treasurer (2010-2016). Later in 2016, he was appointed as Director for the Canadian Chiropractic Association.
Matthew Brandon

Matthew Brandon

Member at Large
Matt has had a family law practice in Fleetwood for about 12 years. He's been active Board Member of the Evans Lake Camp in Squamish, but last year he realized that since he was spending all of his time at his office, he should become more familiar with the people and businesses in the surrounding community. Matt is looking forward to creating some fun events in Fleetwood and Surrey over the next few years with the BIA.
Jaret St.Andrassy

Jaret St.Andrassy

Member at Large
Jaret St.Andrassy is the Director of Community Services with Milieu Family Services located in Surrey. He has lead the development of many initiatives such as Surrey School District partnership with Milieu, affordable housing program for people with developmental disabilities and Co-founder of the Inclusive Employment Awards which is a celebration and recognition of employers who are making a difference in inclusive employment in the City of Surrey. Jaret served for 5 years as a board member of the Canadian Association for Supported Employment. CASE is a National association of community-based service providers and stakeholders working towards employment inclusion of people experiencing disability. Jaret is in his first term as a board member of the Surrey Delta White Rock Community Council which has a dynamic mission to encourage, inspire, lead and support inclusion and the participation of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of the community where you live and work.
Brenda Dhillon

Brenda Dhillon

Member at Large
Brenda is a business management consultant who excels at identifying opportunities where technology can better support the people and processes of an organization by clearly defining workflows and the way they support intended outcomes. She believes tech solutions should be cost-effective and that small changes can have big impacts. Brenda completed her Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and has sought out projects and work over the past 11 years that provide value to businesses and the communities they serve. She has worked with businesses in retail, energy services, legal services, technology manufacturing, book publishing, and transportation and with several organizations in the non-profit and public sector. She is a quick study and has a penchant for good data governance, knowing how clean and well-managed data can be leveraged through all levels of an organization to drive focused decision-making. Brenda was raised in Fleetwood, and lived in the community for over 20 years. Although she moved out of Fleetwood in 2015, she couldn't stay away for very long and chose to open her indoor cycling studio, SpinHouse Fleetwood, here in 2019. The studio has built an amazing community, and the space has become so much more than a place for people to come and get a good sweat. The studio has become a place for connection, for support in mental health and an inclusive environment where people from all walks of life and all levels of fitness are welcome and supported. The pandemic hit the studio hard with almost two full years of mandated closures, but the SpinHouse Team and its community has rallied to keep doors open and is very optimistic about the future of the studio and the future of Fleetwood.
Timothy Coffey

Timothy Coffey

Member at Large
Coming Soon
Richard Louie

Richard Louie

Member at Large
Coming Soon

The Staff

Dean Barbour

Dean Barbour

Executive Director
Coming Soon
Robyn-Mae Deang

Robyn-Mae Deang

Business Engagement and Marketing Coordinator
Robyn-Mae Deang has been the Events and Marketing Coordinator at the Fleetwood BIA since 2017. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in English from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. Along with her work at the BIA, she is also working as a teacher in the Burnaby School District. Having grown up in Guildford/Fleetwood area, she hopes to see Fleetwood businesses thrive as part of a long-established, resilient and tight-knit community. She brings her love for writing, event management and enthusiasm for team collaboration to the BIA.