Allan De Genova, Director & President
Allan is a real estate project marketer and was a Vancouver Park Commissioner from 1993 – 2008.
During his Park Board tenure he was involved with the creation of the Italian Garden at Hastings Park, the refurbishment of Victory Square Park and Cenotaph and served the Board on many projects and committees, including Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Hastings Park Working Committee, and Capital Plan strategy to redevelop Sunset Community Centre and most recently, the renovation and revitalization of Nat Bailey Baseball Stadium.
Allan is a member of the Vancouver Chinatown Merchants’ Association, a Director for the Vancouver Resource Society for People with Disabilities and he is currently an Honorary Colonel with 15th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.
Melissa De Genova, Director, Secretary & Fund Raising Chair
In her professional life, Melissa is the Director of Development for the Vancouver Resource Society, a non-profit organization, where she leads initiatives to secure accessible housing for persons with disabilities. She also owns a marketing and event production company.
Melissa holds a degree from Simon Fraser University in political science and has in the past worked in communications and senior management roles for many companies and organizations in both non-profit and private sectors.
As the wife of a Vancouver Police Officer and former Royal Canadian Navy member, Melissa brings a fresh perspective to the Honour House Board. She lives in Vancouver with her husband Blair and daughter Lili.
Teresa Sutherland, Director
Teresa Sutherland is Principal at Amacon, one of Canada’s most influential real estate development and construction firms. She is a Graduate of Simon Fraser University and has worked for 24 years in the family business. Teresa served on the board of the Vancouver International Children’s Festival from 2013-16, she has been a member of the St Thomas Aquinas Regional Education Committee since 2013 and chair for the their Development Committee since 2014. She is also the Amacon family representative responsible for managing the Vancouver Christmas Tree Event each year in the city and oversees the disbursement of funds to Amacon’s chosen charities since 2010.
Jeannie Yee, Director
Jeannie Yee joined Honour House in 2016 and has been involved in the marketing and fundraising areas. She was a member of the Vancouver Police Department, becoming the first female Chinese Canadian police officer in Canada. Besides various operational duties, Jeannie had management responsibilities in Human Resources, Training and Recruiting, and was the Executive Officer in the Chief Constable’s Office. She has been the recipient of a variety of awards including three Chief Constable’s Commendations. Jeannie retired at the rank of Inspector in 2018.
Jeannie has a Bachelor of Recreation Education from the University of British Columbia and an Emergency Management Certificate from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Jeannie enjoys volunteering and is always looking for different opportunities to do so. Besides Honour House, she has volunteered for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Vancouver Sun Run, Rugby World 7’s and many dragonboating events.
Tim Armstrong, Director
Chief Armstrong is a 30 year veteran of the fire service. He was over 28 years serving with Vancouver Fire & Rescue services when he left at the rank of Deputy Chief Special Operations to assume the role of Fire Chief with New Westminster Fire & Rescue. Chief Armstrong has spent most of his career focused on training and advancing specialty skill sets within the fire service. He is currently the President and Chair of the Greater Vancouver Fire Chiefs Association.
He currently sits on a number of regional committees working to enhance public safety and interoperability within the region and across Canada.
Chief Armstrong has embraced Honour House and its concept of giving back to members of the military and first responders as well as their families in their time of need. He looks forward to working with the board and to educate and heighten awareness with his peers and the community to support this home and all it stands for.
Bronwyn Barter, Director
Bronwyn recently retired as the Provincial President of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC, President of E-Comm and she is currently a Paramedic Chief.
Bronwyn started her career as a Paramedic with BC Ambulance Service in 1995 in Kaslo, BC. Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to work as a Paramedic stationed in Trail, Victoria and Vancouver. In 2009, Bronwyn was promoted to Chief Paramedic and has worked as a Chief in Ashcroft, Richmond, Osoyoos and currently in Nelson.
Prior to being elected Provincial President of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC, Bronwyn served as the Provincial Vice President for ten years, advocating on behalf of BC Paramedics and specializing in all aspects of Labour Relations.
The EMA Education Fund Advisory Committee which supports the training and development of Paramedics in BC is one of the many committees Bronwyn sits on.
Bronwyn’s immediate family consist of a Firefighter, RCMP member and veteran of the Armed Forces which fuels her passion for Honour House and what it stands for.
Bob Parkinson, Director
Robert is a Duty Supervisor for BC Ambulance Service and the current Health and Wellness Director for the paramedics and dispatchers of BC.
Starting his career as a paramedic in 1996 in Northern BC, he came to the lower mainland in 2003. He worked in the GVRD until 2011 when he was promoted to Paramedic Chief in the Town of Port McNeill, he returned to Vancouver in 2014 taking on the role of Duty Supervisor. Working passionately as a worker’s advocate Robert sits on several committees dealing with Health, Wellness and Safety including WSBC’s First Responders Mental Health Committee which actively promotes positive mental health and provides the leadership, best practices (resources, awareness, education, training, and supports) that first responders, their communities, and leaders need. He also sits on the provincial Psychological Health and Safety committee working on implementing the CSA Z1003 Mental Health standard into all Health Authorities in BC.
Robert is married with three children and shares his passion to assist members of uniform with his paramedic wife Sophia. Robert feels privileged to be a part of Honour House and the support it provides for uniformed personnel and their families.
Tracy Fast, Director
President and Chief Health Officer of F.A.S.T.co Executive Health Management, Tracy Fast is recognized as one of the most versatile health and wellness professionals in the field, serving some of Canada’s most successful CEO’s and business owners.
Tracy’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to launch a first company early in her career. In addition to pioneering student/athlete Sport, Fitness & Wellness programs out of the University of British Columbia, Tracy launched F.A.S.T.co, a thriving Health Management company specializing in the support of high level, professionally driven individuals in the attainment of optimal health.
Tracy graduated from UBC in 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Kinetics (BHK). With 30 years of experience in high level sport, health & wellness, her unique skillset and passionate approach to human performance has opened many doors, establishing international experience – having lived and worked in the US, Mexico, Malaysia and the UAE.
A proud member of the military charity Canada Company, Tracy has close friends in Law Enforcement, Firefighting and the Canadian Armed Forces. Tracy’s passion and ambitions are to support her loved ones, friends and all first responders by advocating for and serving on the Board of Honour House.
Tracy lives in Vancouver and is married to a Combat Engineer currently serving his 26th year in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Stephen Welscher, Director
Stephen entered the financial services industry in 2004 as a contract advisor with Sun Life Financial. With graduate business degrees he brings a solid financial background to the table and serves his clients with a holistic approach in the spirit of family values, life enjoyment, trust and good fellowship.
Stephen and his team specialise in life and health insurance, group benefit plans and investment vehicles for incorporated business owners and professionals. Stephen is a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the Premier Association of Financial Professionals®. He holds two MBA degrees from universities in both Germany and Singapore.
Over the decades Stephen has volunteered with the St John Ambulance Brigade, Young Men’s Adventure Weekend Society and currently serves on the board as Vice President of the Vancouver Executives Association. While a proud Canadian, Stephen grew up in a multi cultural environment, having lived in Europe, South America, South East Asia and North America. He is fluent in German, is conversational in Portuguese and gets by with Spanish and French. Stephen identifies himself as a true Vancouverite and lives on the North Shore with his wife Lisa and their three adopted dogs, two of which have become outstanding hunting companions. The couple enjoys the outdoors, boating, scuba and love to travel.
Rachel Milne, Director
Rachel Milne began her policing career in 1996 and has over 25 years of operational policing experience. Rachel began her career with the RCMP as a community policing officer in Lumsden, Saskatchewan. She was later transferred to the Lower Mainland of British Columbia where she continued her frontline service at every rank.
Rachel retired from the RCMP at the rank of Inspector in early 2021 and is now the Inspector in charge of recruiting for the Surrey Police Service. In her current role, Inspector Milne oversees all aspects of recruiting experienced officers and new recruits for Canada’s newest policing service in one of the fastest-growing cities in BC. Insp. Milne is the recipient of the RCMP Long Service medal as well as commendations for Leadership, Valour, and for Excellence in Performance.
Rachel is a Metis citizen, originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario. She is married to a firefighter and they have one daughter. Outside of work, they enjoy camping, golf, and travel.
Rachel is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with Honour House and to support the health and wellness of active and veteran uniformed personnel and their families.
John Appleby, Advisor
John has been involved with Honour House since the outset, serving on the board as director and treasurer through its formative years and into its fifth year in operation. He stepped down in early 2013 when he retired and moved to Duncan, BC.
He is a former Victoria stockbroker and business development consultant. In 1990, he moved to Vancouver where he later founded a company specializing in the design and development of a high speed freight transfer system. In addition to this he was the president of a number of community organizations including the Delta Chamber of Commerce and Trails BC, where he was heavily involved in the development of the Trans Canada Trail. He still chairs the Advisory Board for the Centre of Excellence in Sustainability, Infrastructure and Transportation Economics at the School of Business of the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
John spent over thirty years as an army reservist, retiring in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, having served as the Commanding Officer of 11 Victoria Service Battalion and in the appointment of Senior Staff Officer (Administration), British Columbia District.
In addition to the board of Honour House, he has served on the boards of a number of military support organizations including: as president, the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Association; as president, the British Columbia Veterans’ Commemorative Association; as first vice president, the Royal United Services Institute of Vancouver; and as a member of the City of Vancouver Remembrance Day Observance Committee.
Michael Flanigan, Advisor
Michael Flanigan brings twenty-five years of experience in partnering with different levels of government, non-profit and private housing partners, and the development community to promote the creation of affordable housing. In 2001, after five years as Director of Leasing and Vice President for Hong Kong based Henderson Development, Michael joined the City of Vancouver as the Deputy Director of Real Estate Services. Six years later, Michael served as the Director of Real Estate Services, where he was responsible for the strategic planning and financial management of the City’s three billion dollar Property Endowment Fund.
In the fall of 2013, Michael accepted the position of Vice-President, Development and Asset Strategies for BC Housing. BC Housing’s role is to assist British Columbians in need of affordable housing by providing options along the housing continuum. They work in partnership with the private and non-profit sectors, provincial health authorities and ministries, other levels of government and community groups to develop a range of housing options. Development and Asset Strategies facilitates the creation of new housing through a range of programs; provides portfolio planning and strategies for the maintenance, capital improvement, redevelopment and sustainability of social housing and coordinates major repairs, renovations, capital improvements and energy retrofits for social housing.
Michael holds a degree in Urban Land Economics and Finance from University of British Columbia.
Walter Francl, Advisor
As Principal of Walter Francl Architecture Inc., Walter brings to our team extensive experience in providing design and project management leadership on a variety of complex civic projects. Walter has over 25 years experience as an Architect and Structural Engineer.
He combines conceptual design ability with project management skills and technical expertise. Walter has been active within the profession, serving on numerous professional committees.
He is a Past President of the Architect’s Institute of British Columbia, and has in the past and is again currently serving on the Vancouver Urban Design Panel and Development Permit Board. He has also been an advisory member of the Development Permit Board.
Debbie Lepore, Advisor
Debbie is a native of British Columbia with a passionate love for the outdoors. Debbie worked as a Chartered Accountant for Price Waterhouse Coopers where she became team leader for Dreams Take Flight, an organization dedicated to providing a trip of a lifetime to 125 disabled or socially challenged children.
After the horrific attack on her fiancé, Captain Trevor Green, Ms. Lepore dedicated her full time and energy to be Trevor’s advocate and to spearhead his recovery.
Debbie and Trevor reside in Nanaimo with their daughter Grace and are writing a book to share their story of hope and survival.
Craig Longstaff, Executive Director
Craig emigrated to Canada in 2005 after living in England, Scotland and Ireland for most of his life. Upon arriving in Vancouver he worked in an office management role for both the Ministry of Health and in the I.T. sector before he joined Honour House as their General Manager and then their Executive Director.
Craig grew up in a police family. His Father was both a Military and Civilian Police Officer. Both Grandfathers served in WWII and both of them became police officers after the war until they retired. His cousin recently retired from Durham Constabulary in the UK having served since she was 18. Craig feels very lucky to be able to help to give back to the families of a community that he’s been a part of all of his life.
