The election of Mr. Podovinikoff follows the departure of the preceding Chair, Mr. Malkiat Dhami, who had decided not to let his name stand for re-appointment after his three-year term on the Board expired October 21, 2005.

Mr. Podovinikoff joined the Board of Directors in May 2005. He is a retired President of Envision Credit Union in Langley. His extensive experience in leadership positions includes merger projects at the local, provincial, and national levels as well as a number of international evaluations and development reports.

Active in the community, Mr. Podovinikoff is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of the Co-operator Group of Insurance Companies and Past Chair the Kwantlen University College Foundation. He is also an active member of the Delta Chamber of Commerce, the Delta Foundation, and the Premier’s Advisory Council on Literacy in British Columbia.

Fraser River Port is Canada’s second-largest port, and encompasses 270 kilometres of shoreline along the Fraser River from Langley to the Strait of Georgia. It contributes $2.3 billion to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product, generates over $236 million in revenues to all levels of government through taxes and fees, and provides over 12,400 direct jobs.

The Fraser River Port Authority has a mandate to facilitate and support trade and port-related activities on the main arm of the Fraser River.