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Sue Adams named to Small Business Roundtable

Whistler entrepreneur takes place of late Pique Publisher Kathy Barnett
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Sue Adams

Whistler’s Sue Adams has been appointed to the provincial government’s Small Business Roundtable, West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre announced Thursday.

"Sue's successes and experience in owning and operating grocery stores, restaurants and catering operations in Vancouver and Whistler will add a wealth of knowledge to the Small Business Roundtable," said McIntyre. "I know Whistler will be well-represented with the appointment of Sue Adams."

Adams, partner in the Pemberton Valley Supermarket, is also managing partner of Bevendale Enterprises Inc., which operates the Grocery Store and Delish Café and Catering in Whistler. Since moving from her native Australia in the late 1960s, Adams has owned and managed several food-based businesses in the Vancouver area.

Adams is the recently appointed chair of North Shore Credit Union and also serves as chair of the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, vice-chair of the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Board, and chair of the Advisory Council for the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. In 2001, she was named Whistler Chamber Businessperson of the year and in 2007 was named one of Business in Vancouver's Most Influential Women in Business.

"Sue's experience and strong entrepreneurial spirit add an important voice for small business on the roundtable," said Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for Regulatory Reform. "I look forward to her contributions as the roundtable continues its consultations, preparing recommendations for government and the small business sector to ensure we achieve our goal of becoming Canada's most small-business-friendly jurisdiction."

Adams takes the place of former Pique Publisher Kathy Barnett at the roundtable. Barnett died in a car-bicycle collision in January.

Thorpe, who was in Whistler Thursday for the announcement of an online business service, said: “Kathy was a tireless worker on behalf of Whistler, tireless worker on behalf of the province of British Columbia, one who brought to me as minister responsible for small business, many, many ideas, and we were all saddened by her passing. But you know, I know she would want us to think about the great community that you live in, and that she helped make such a great community.

“I think it's very, very important we all recognize and in our own personal ways say thank you to Kathy for her contributions to British Columbia and her contributions to Whistler,” said Thorpe.

“We look forward to Susan with us, sharing with the province, sharing with the premier, many ideas that she has had at being so successful and being such an important contributor to Whistler.”

Adams welcomed the opportunity to be part of the roundtable.

"Having experienced so many valuable learning opportunities throughout my career, I am eager for the chance to work in partnership with government and other small business owners to enhance the overall success of this sector," said Adams.

The Small Business Roundtable was established in October 2005 to consult with small business and advise government and the small business sector on issues, strategies and potential actions to make it easier to do business in British Columbia. The roundtable's members are small business leaders who represent regions, industries and associations throughout British Columbia.