CARLA ROBIN Langley, BC

Equestrian Background • Three years recently inside the racing industry (negotiating and working with track operators, casino operators, Federal and Provincial government and regulatory officials, the national breed organization, external racing experts, trainers, drivers, breeders, corporate structures such as BC Lottery Corporation, etc.) • Volunteering at events. • Developing and operating a competitive with 50+ . • Operating offices. • Chairing a regional competition (CNDC Pacific Region 1994) • Creating and equine and farm organization and programs – Langley Horse and Farm Federation (1994 to present). • Operating a therapeutic riding facility – Pacific Riding for Development Abilities. • Writing grants and fundraising for equine organizations.

• Breeding Welsh ponies for children in equestrian sport and for recreational purposes. • Raising two daughters who have competed from the grassroots to the national and international levels of , hunter, and jumper. • Purchasing horses in and . • Attending competitions and horse events throughout North America.

Professional Background Executive Director – Harness Racing BC Society (HRBC) 2015 – 2018

• Worked with the membership, staff and Board of Directors to secure additional months of racing and address critical financial and image issues that affect the industry moving forward. • Hired by the harness racing sector to foster sustainability, assess and ensure the entity was in compliance. • Mandate was to “battle” on behalf of the industry and Board to secure more racing. This included implementing policies and efficient procedures for the operations of harness racing in the province, ensuring compliance to the constitution, bylaws, policies and incentive programs. • Assessing and striving for better race track conditions and footings, undertaking and completing the Societies Act Transition, and creating a Code of Conduct for Board Members.

District Manager for Surrey, Delta, White Rock – Canadian Federation of Independent Business 2012 – 2014

• Met daily with business owners, CEOs, CFOs and entrepreneurs on various issues. • Sought out new businesses to introduce them to CFIB. • Raised money on a weekly basis through face-to-face meetings with independent business owners. • Discussed legislation, taxation and social issues affecting the growth of business in the Lower Mainland, across Canada and internationally.

Contractor – Fundraising & Strategic Program Development for Non-Profit Organizations

• For many years, enjoyed focusing on multiple short-term project contracts with non- profit organizations throughout Langley, BC. • Utilized business development experience for projects that included development of business plans, programs, grant writing, project concepts, and short- and long-term development goals and implementation. • Over 90% success rate in achieving grants and successful program implementation. • Organizations included Thunderbird Show Park, Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities, BC Country Music Association, Langley Arts Council and Langley Seniors Community Action Table.

Estate Manager – Private Family

• Worked for a well-known, high-wealth private family in Vancouver. • Position required a demanding schedule, including being on-call 24/7. • Managed and operated five estates, including guest homes. • Responsible for budgets, staffing, purchasing, children’s schedules, pets, family itineraries, parties, events, travel, importing of artwork, repairs and maintenance of homes and vehicles. • Responsible for multi-million-dollar renovation of an estate including complete landscaping renovation. Hired all contractors and trades and also oversaw renovation of another estate home due to major flood damage. • Involved in building new 25,000 sq. ft. home – setting up all systems, working with designers, general contractors and trades, reviewing all invoices for payment.

President, Director and Shareholder – Pacific Enterprises Ltd.

• Handled project management for luxury condominiums, including conception, re-zoning, and collaboration with architects, landscape architects, interior designers and engineers. • Responsible for purchase and sale of corporate assets, conducting negotiations and implementing contracts. • Established Joint Venture partners for projects, and led sales and marketing for all units. • Complete creation and operation of a 65 acre equestrian facility in Langley.

Calpac, Inc. – President, Director

• Handled commercial warehouse complexes in California, including tenant liaison, financing and contracts with trades. • Involved in acquisition, renovation, financing, budgets and staffing for 49-unit Inn at the Beach motel property in Venice, FL. • Handled acquisition, franchise negotiations, renovation, marketing, financing, budgets and staffing for 222 room Radisson Lido Beach Resort in Sarasota, FL.

Volunteerism BC Sports Hall of Fame

• Volunteered on 2012 Vancouver committee for inductees into the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Successfully nominated David Esworthy as a builder of equestrian sport in Canada. Esworthy became the first equestrian Hall of Fame inductee in 2012.

Langley Strategy

• Took on key role in the creation and implementation of strategy for the horse industry in 1994. Ongoing monitoring of strategy for the overall horse and agriculture industries. • Coined the phrase, “Langley, The Horse Capital of BC.”

Langley Horse & Farm Federation

• Current President and Past President (1994-1999). Created constitution and by-laws, negotiated original land lease contract, helped implement A Pony Comes to School Program. Successfully applied for grant funding of $35,000 to create The Spirit of the Horse Garden in Campbell Valley Regional Park.

Langley Sustainable Agriculture Foundation

• Worked with the Township of Langley staff and dedicated community members to facilitate and create the mandate, constitution, bylaws, and deal with CRA for the creation of this community foundation in 2010.

Tourism Langley

• Past Vice Chair and Director as of 2011 • Langley Tourism Strategy – member of the volunteer team who developed and wrote the Tourism Strategy for Langley in 2006. Focus on agri-tourism and horse industry strengths. Involved in lobbying hotel community to pass the 2% hotel tax for funding.

Sport Langley

• Equestrian Sport Representative from 2007-2011. • Sport Langley Strategy – member of volunteer team who developed and wrote the strategy for the Township in 2005-2006. Volunteered as the equestrian representative to network with other sport groups in the community from 2006-2011.

Economic Development Advisory Committee – Township of Langley

• Member at Large and Equestrian Representative (1992 – 2010)

Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce

• Past Member

2010 BC Summer Games

• Director of Special Events

Langley Spirit of BC

• Director (7 years leading up to 2010 Olympic Games)

BC Country Music Association

• Volunteer organizer with Special Events at BCCMA Country Music Awards and Industry Awards in October 2009. • Greenroom host at Cloverdale Rodeo Kick Off Party – Ultimate Barn Dance 2012. • Co-writer of successful Music Rules in Schools program.

Cloverdale Rodeo

• Volunteer raising funds for youth scholarships.

RCMP Musical Ride Expediter

• Expediter and Organizer for Thunderbird Show Park for seven performances of the RCMP Musical Ride in July/August 2009.

Education Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Major in Municipal Government University of British Columbia

Letter of Interest May 12, 2019

Equestrian Canada

Attention: Dominique Chagnon Chair, Nominating Committee Equestrian Canada Board of Directors

Please consider this my expression of interest to run as a candidate for the Board of Directors of Equestrian Canada for a second term. I have read the eligibility and nomination requirements and confirm my eligibility.

What value would I bring to the Board for Equestrian Canada? Simply put - I love horses and what they do for people. I've acquired a broad and comprehensive understanding of the horse sports and industry over the years. My skill set is extensive and I would like to offer it once again to the membership of Equestrian Canada. My mentors include some of the best in the industry over the years, including Dave Esworthy who was a founding member of this organization.

I continue to embrace knowledge and experience from those who have been in the horse business for a long time, as well as those who entertain innovative ideas which can guide Canada to being a leader in the horse world.

Having spent the last "two years volunteering on the Board of Directors for Equestrian Canada, along with other Board members, I have acquired a broad knowledge of issues affecting our organization, our sports and industry. The world changes and EC must bring about progressive changes to move with it and be the best. During this term, my responsibilities have included chairing the Recognition and Awards Committee, sitting as a Committee member on the Business Development Committee, and this past year I was selected to chair the EC Strategic Plan Initiatives Task Force.

Working with a dedicated and "roll up our sleeves" team, we worked diligently to create a realistic and fluid Strategic Plan for EC for the years 2018 to 2022. I am of the opinion that foundational continuity in a Board is important when working attentively to implement and assess strategic initiatives and ensure that the growth of EC actually happens; and the vision is realized and not stalled. I feel I will be of value to EC in this regard.

My 30 plus years of involvement specific to the equestrian world have included:

• three years recently inside the industry (negotiating and working with track operators, casino operators, Federal and Provincial government and regulatory officials, the national breed organization, external racing experts, trainers, drivers, breeders, corporate structures such as BC Lottery Corporation, etc.); • volunteering at rodeo events, • developing and operating a competitive equestrian facility - 50+ horses • operating horse show offices, • chairing a regional competition (CNDC Pacific Region 1994), • creating an equine and farm organization and programs - Langley Horse and Farm Federation (1994 to present) • operating a therapeutic riding facility - Pacific Riding for Development Abilities, • writing grants and fundraising for equine organizations, • breeding Welsh ponies for children in the equestrian sports and for recreational purposes, • raising two daughters who have competed from the grassroots to the national and international levels of the dressage, hunter, equitation and jumper disciplines,

• purchasing horses in North America and Europe and • attending competitions and horse events throughout North America.

With demonstrated success in building relationships, businesses and strengthening community through my professional and volunteer activities; my network of contacts is far-reaching and constantly growing. My life has been spent in the corporate business, non-profit, sport and agriculture worlds; and I am fortunate to have a comprehensive understanding of their operations, motivations and lifestyles. As well, I make decisions based on common sense.

I will bring to the table an energetic, credible approach and promise to improve the equestrian world in whatever way I can by addressing our challenges, striving for success and increasing awareness and participation. I thank you for your consideration of me and wish Equestrian Canada a prosperous and significant future.

Sincerely,

Carla Robin