Board of Directors

President: Mike Bradley
Vice-President: Joan Poon

Treasurer: Ken Costea
Secretary: Benny Mah

Directors at Large: Iliaz Ali, Sandra Dare, Sandra Marino, Jessica Carias, Roberta Scherger,
David LaVallee, Vanessa Tan, Charles Leung, Thomas Tai

Mike Bradley

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Has contributed to the community as a member of the Thunderbird Association Board for the past 17 years
Has had the pleasure and honour to serve as Secretary, Vice President and President (since 2007) on the Thunderbird Board
Has served 18 years on the Fitness Centre Committee and 17 years on the Programs Committee
Sits on the Bylaws and Constitution Committee, Finance Committee and Staff Hiring & Liaison Committees
Pleased to have been part of the group that planned the last renovation of the Fitness Centre
Helped draft Park Board’s Risk Management Guidelines
Member of the Hastings-Sunrise Restorative Justice Initiative 2008-2010 2011-2012 served as Chair of the Vancouver Association Presidents’ Group (APG)
Member of the 2012 APG/Park Board Round Table that started the process to draft a new Joint Operating Agreement (JOA)
Ongoing member, since 2013, of the 12 Association Presidents that successfully negotiated a renewed JOA with Park Board, culminating in TNA signing the new JOA in December of 2017
Initiated the TNA Board’s first Strategic Plan in April of 2018 Now a happy grandad of a 3 year old boy

GOALS

To foster compassionate, vibrant communities through programming and other initiatives that encourage members to be active, to contribute their skills, to celebrate together and to be happy to call Thunderbird Community Centre their second home
To increase the capacity of the TNA Board
To expand sustainable services and program offerings to the community through Thunderbird Centre staff and volunteers

Joan Poon

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Has lived in the community for 20 years
Attended a local high school
Currently working as a research manager (in clinical research) Chair of the Quality Assurance Committee at work
Experienced in recruiting and liaising
Exceptional interpersonal, professional and organizational skills

INTERESTS

Working with people
Improving standards in the community

Ken Costea

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Has been a teacher for 20 years, the last 16 at Thunderbird Elementary School 20 years teaching and coaching all elementary sports
currently teaching PE, K-7, and a teacher-librarian at Thunderbird Elementary President of the Vancouver Elementary Physical Activity Association (VEPAA), which coordinates all extra-curricular sports for elementary students in Vancouver Provides support and insight to Thunderbird Community Centre staff so programs and services will be developed for the Thunderbird students and their families Has served on the Board from 2014-2020 at Thunderbird Community Centre

GOALS

To continue to work hard at being a responsible and involved member of the Thunderbird community and contributing to quality programming at the centre

OTHER INFORMATION

Several years affiliated with the Harry Jerome Outreach Program, which provides coaching and expertise for the students at Thunderbird
Love and play the sport of hockey and a devoted Montreal Canadiens fan

Benny Mah

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Lived and raised family in the Thunderbird Neighbourhood from 1984 – 2016 (32 years)
City of Vancouver Planning and Development Services – Project Coordinator (35 years), retired
Thunderbird Neighbourhood Association Board – Secretary & member of the Fitness Centre Committee
Vancouver Chinatown Lions Club – Director
Mah Society of Canada – Director
Mah Benevolent Society of Vancouver – Secretary
Volunteered in social programs and annual events at Britannia Community Services
Participated in numerous community activities, such as Air Cadets, Sunbrite Chinese New Year Fair, and Martial Arts Tournaments over the years

GOALS

To improve the Community Centre and its facilities/programs for all to use and enjoy

ILIAZ ALI

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Moved with my wife and teenaged daughter to the Thunderbird area in July, 2019 I was impressed by Thunderbird’s friendly Centre staff and the cooperative spirit in the Fitness Centre (FC)
I recently joined the Fitness Centre Committee, helping to redesign the FC layout I was injured, requiring two surgeries, then retired after 35 years working in various Vancouver area warehouses; 18 years at Pacific Produce of which 15 years as a supervisor and most recently as an order picker with Safeway
I have a long history of volunteering to collect cash and produce donations for the Food Bank and the Union Gospel Mission
I volunteered as a Captain of Block Watch in the 24th and Nanaimo area for many years and helped the Vancouver Police in over 800 criminal arrests

GOALS

I recently learned of the opportunity to run for a Director’s position on the Thunderbird Board
I wish to volunteer my time to help the Thunderbird community, in any way, particularly supporting the disadvantaged, children and seniors

Sandra Dare

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Daughter lives in the area
Grandsons went to preschool at Thunderbird
Family has attended Music programs at Thunderbird for 10 years
Enjoys gardening , sewing and working with children
Is a member of the Chinese Seniors group
Attends programs at Thunderbird Community Centre
Has been a Board Member at Thunderbird Community Centre since 2013

Samuel Ho

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Happy Singers Group – Tang Dragon Lion & Performing Arts Association Thunderbird Chinese Seniors Group & Community Centre
Asian Canadian Benevolent Association for The Elderly
Vancouver Chinatown Night Market Festival – Grace Christian Chapel
An active member of Richmond Lawn Bowling Club, New Westminster Lawn Bowling Club, Pacific Indoor Bowling Club and a Badminton Senior Group

GOALS

To represent the interests and concerns of the Thunderbird Neighbourhood Association membership in the operation and future development of the Thunderbird Community Centre
To develop and maintain educational, cultural, recreational, and social service programs and facilities in the Thunderbird area
To co-operate with any organization or individual whose activities are consistent with the purposes of the Thunderbird Neighbourhood Association

Sandra Marino

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Born, raised and living in East Vancouver (Sunrise/East Village Community) Grade 3 teacher in a neighbouring school
Plays an active role in extracurricular school activities participating as the Terry Fox Run Coordinator, Salmon Enhancement Project Leader, as well as sitting on various committees
Host for Rogers Arena Sports and Entertainment
Participated in the following Thunderbird classes: aerobics, Pilates, yoga, modern dance, belly dance, taekwondo, tai chi, and painting
Began volunteering at Thunderbird Community centre 15+ years ago on the Fitness Centre Committee
Has been on the Thunderbird Board for 14+ years, served as a Treasurer, and 6 years as Vice President
Served on the Programs Committee at Thunderbird for 10 years serving as the chair for 4 years
Was actively involved in the following projects at Thunderbird: Olympic Celebration, Thunderbird Community Banner Project, Tile Mosaic, Thunderbird Then and Now DVD
Participated in both Parks Board and Association Staff interviews

GOALS

To continue to volunteer on the Board and contribute to the positive development of Thunderbird Community Centre by helping to meet the needs and interests of the children, youth, adults and seniors, in and outside of the catchment area, through our various programs and events

Jessica Carias

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Born in El Salvador
Moved to Canada in 1986 and has lived in East Vancouver since
Mother of one son and one daughter
Works full time as a front desk agent at a hotel in Downtown Vancouver
Volunteer in various organizations in the Latin community
Has been in the Thunderbird Community Centre area for about 8 years
Member of the Parent Advisory Council at Thunderbird Elementary School
Use the community Centre gym to stay fit
Son has attended numerous programs throughout the years that have helped him create and develop long lasting friendships
Son has attended Thunderbird Elementary School from Kindergarten to grade 7

GOALS

To help improve programs at Thunderbird Community Centre to bring kids, teens, and adults together from all different backgrounds, abilities, and ethnicities

David LaVallee

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Has lived and raised his daughter in this neighbourhood since January 2004 Has a daughter who participated in youth programs but also volunteered here at Thunderbird Community Centre, during her youth
Has knowledge of this neighbourhood and community members
Has served on the Thunderbird Board of Directors from 2007-2010 and 2016-2018
Is currently volunteering at our local food bank (currently suspended due to COVID)
Volunteers at the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House Adult Day Centre at Beulah Gardens (currently suspended due to COVID

Thomas Tai

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Usher Leader in Chinese Alliance Church (Retired)
Meats Supervisor (Retired)

GOALS

Want to support what we have for the seniors group while also helping it grow, thrive and adapt.
To become a member in Public Relations of Thunderbird Chinese Seniors Group Committee members (2020)
Wants to provide good public relationship with fresh and new perspectives

Vanessa Tan

HISTORY and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Grew up in the Thunderbird neighbourhood
Attended Thunderbird Elementary School
Volunteered as a youth at Thunderbird Community Centre
Enjoys working out at the Thunderbird fitness centre
Has a diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education Community Involvement Serves on the fitness committee at Thunderbird Community Centre
Has volunteered and worked as a summer day camp leader
Has experience working closely with families in a parent participation/parent involvement preschool setting
Currently works as a manager at an out of school care centre for school age children

GOALS

Wants to support the community surrounding Thunderbird
Wants to support programs that are needed during this pandemic for the benefit of our mental and physical health in a safe way