Board of Directors

The community-based Nanaimo Airport Commission is comprised of nine Directors. They are nominated by the City of Nanaimo, Regional District of Nanaimo, Town of Ladysmith, Cowichan Valley Regional District, and the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.

The Directors are responsible for the airport’s corporate mandate, its overall function and strategic direction.

The Nanaimo Airport Commission (NAC) was incorporated in August 1990 as a not-for profit authority under the Canada Corporations Act – Part II. In April 1992 the Commission assumed management and operation of the Nanaimo Airport under a 30year lease from the federal Ministry of Transport.

In December 1996 the Commission was granted fee simple title to the Nanaimo Airport lands through the National Airports Policy transfer initiative.

Board of Directors at a Glance

Representative

Title

Nominating Entity

Term

Expiry

Representative

Garth Busch

Title

Chair

Nominating Entity

Member at Large

Term

3 Years

Expiry

2029

Representative

Mark Taylor

Title

Vice-Chair

Nominating Entity

Member at Large

Term

3 Years

Expiry

2027

Representative

Janna Gillick

Title

Secretary

Nominating Entity

City of Nanaimo

Term

3 Years

Expiry

2027

Representative

Harpreet Minhas

Title

Director

Nominating Entity

Regional District of Nanaimo

Term

3 Years

Expiry

2028

Representative

Gord Horth

Title

Director

Nominating Entity

Town of Ladysmith

Term

3 Years

Expiry

2027

Representative

George Hanson

Title

Director

Nominating Entity

Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce

Term

3 Years

Expiry

2027

Representative

Ralph Nilson

Title

Director

Nominating Entity

Member at Large

Term

3 Years

Expiry

2028

Representative

Susan Ryan

Title

Director

Nominating Entity

Cowichan Valley Regional District

Term

3 Years

Expiry

2029

  • Garth Busch

    Chair

    Member at Large

    Garth brings a financial and aviation background to the board in his role as a community-at-large representative. A Nanaimo resident, Garth is a retired partner of MNP LLP, Canada’s fifth largest accounting and business administration firm. He’s been a comptroller for chartered and scheduled aircraft operators. He co-chairs the All Island Equity Real Estate Trust and is past chair of the Vancouver Island University Enterprise Trust. His community service includes work with the Optimists club, tourism sector and the Chamber of Commerce.

  • Mark Taylor

    Vice-Chair

    Member at Large

    Mark is a Professional Engineer (non-practising) and project manager. He joined the Nanaimo Airport Commission Board of Directors in 2021. Mark owns a construction advisory firm. He has 30 years of experience in commercial, institutional, residential, renewable energy, civil and industrial sectors. He’s been involved with projects of up to $1 billion across Canada. His community service includes Scouts and the Rotary Club. Mark also volunteers on the Emergency Support Services team in Lantzville, where he lives with his family.

  • Janna Gillick

    Secretary

    NOMINATED BY: City of Nanaimo

    Janna is a Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional. She joined the Nanaimo Airport Commission Board of Directors in 2021. She runs her own business and has experience in various sectors. They include oil, gas and energy; pulp and paper; and regulated utilities. Janna graduated from the University of Waterloo, where she was an Academic All-Canadian. She’s a former national master women cyclo-cross champion. She’s also a recipient of the City of Nanaimo’s outstanding master athlete award.

  • Harpreet Minhas

    Director

    NOMINATED BY: Regional District of Nanaimo

    Harpreet Minhas joined the Board in 2022. A local business owner in the transportation sector, he holds an MBA with specialization in human resources. His governance experience includes a Co-operative Director designation from the University of Saskatchewan and a seat on the board of Mid-Island Co-Op. Harpreet and his family live in Nanaimo. They immigrated to Canada in 2015 and have become Canadian citizens. Harpreet joined Nanaimo Airport Commission to help give back to the community.

  • Gord Horth

    Director

    NOMINATED BY: Town of Ladysmith

    Gord Horth joined the Board in 2024 as the Town of Ladysmith nominee. Gord has worked in the field of local government on Vancouver Island for most of his career and is a past president of the Local Government Management Association of BC (LGMA).

    He holds a B.Sc. and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Victoria. Gord was active for decades in the local soccer community as a player & coach.

  • George Hanson

    Director

    NOMINATED BY: Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce

    George Hanson is well-known for his achievements in community, economic, and organizational development. As President & CEO of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (2011-2022), George oversaw production of the annual ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit, the annual ‘State of the Island’ Economic Report, the ‘Island Good’ product brand, and the Foreign Trade Zone designation for Vancouver Island (FTZVI). He has a reputation for getting things done and ‘making a difference’.

    Mr. Hanson has consulted for corporations, community organizations, district, municipal, provincial and federal governments. He served as President of the Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia, as Chair of the Nanaimo Foundation, on the Advisory Committee for the Centre for Seafood Innovation at Vancouver Island University, and as a founding director of the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association. He is Chair of the Nis’maas Development Corporation, and serves as a director for the Salmon Parks Stewardship Society as well as the Nanaimo Airport Commission. George is Managing Partner of Clayton Consulting and a 28-year resident of Vancouver Island.

  • Ralph Nilson

    Director

    Member at Large

    Ralph joined the Nanaimo Airport Commission Board of Directors in 2025.

  • Susan Ryan

    Director

    NOMINATED BY: Cowichan Valley Regional District

    Susan Ryan, CPA, FCPHR, ICD.D, MCIPD, is an experienced executive, governance leader and community advocate with extensive expertise in finance, human resources, organizational leadership and board governance.

    She has held senior leadership roles in the public, non-profit and regulated sectors, including CFO of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation and Vice President & CFO of the Yukon Workers’ Safety & Compensation Board. Locally, Susan currently serves on the Nanaimo Community Foundation Board and is President of Cowichan Classical Concerts.

    Her national and international leadership experience includes serving currently as the Secretary General for the WFPMA, Immediate Past President of NAHRMA, and recently as the Past Chair of CPHR Canada and CPHR BC & Yukon.  She also served as the President of CPA Yukon. Susan is passionate about good governance, community leadership, and building strong, sustainable organizations that make a positive difference.