Meet Our Board

Tony was born and raised in Nanaimo British Columbia and is of the sixth generation Harrises to call the city home. He started his first business at seven selling peanuts and candy from a 25¢ vending machine in his father’s car dealership.

After graduating from Brentwood College School he completed a BA in English Literature from the University of Western Ontario. Post-graduate work included graduating class president from the National Automobile Dealer’s Association Dealer Academy followed by graduating from Babson College Entrepreneurship and Leadership Executive Education.

One of Tony’s early ventures was CanRepel Products Inc., which sold products throughout North America in partnership with TerraCycle.

Tony’s career with the Harris Auto Group spanned fifteen years; formerly the Managing Partner of Harris Mitsubishi and Harris Mazda Tony remains a proud partner in several Harris Auto Group dealerships.

He is a real estate developer and investor. Tony Harris Developments has a number of mixed-use and multi-family projects at various stages in the development cycle. The company’s multi-family mixed-use development LEGASEA won the 2019 Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards Mixed Use Building of the Year as well as the overall Judge’s Choice Building of the Year.

Tony is a philanthropist and community builder. He is the Chair of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation. He is a passionate and vocal advocate for a new tertiary hospital in Nanaimo. Tony founded the Tom Harris Charity Classic which has raised over $1,000,000 for the Tom Harris Community Foundation and in turn many charities across Vancouver Island. His charity street hockey tournaments, beginning in 2005, were a jumping off point for his community work.

Tony ran for Member of Legislature – Nanaimo for the BC Liberal party in the 2018 Nanaimo by-election.

He is a husband a father of three.

Ryan Wenner is a Director at the Wenner Group, a technology integrator founded by his grandfather in 1945. From a very early age he had a passion for technology and entrepreneurship following in his father’s footsteps and joining the family business in 2005. A serial entrepreneur, he co-founded Wenner Security and the technology and automation division of the Wenner brand which has become one of the largest luxury residential integration companies in British Columbia with locations in Nanaimo and Victoria. Ryan is a strategist, leader and visionary changing the way people interact with technology at home.

Outside of business, Ryan spends time with his beautiful wife Alicia, their baby William, family, friends and his goldendoodle Charlie. Ryan is Vice Chair of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation supporting the hospital where his son was born and his mother worked as an RN for 37 years. As a member of the board, Ryan is completely invested in the vision and mission of the Hospital Foundation and looks forward to contributing to the ongoing success of the Foundation.

Philip was elected to the Board of Directors in October 2015. His motivating energy has been a welcomed addition to the Foundation. Philip was born in Switzerland, but raised in Campbell River. He moved to Nanaimo to attend VIU. After earning his Bachelor of Business degree Philip pursued a career in Accounting; obtaining his designation, he is a founding partner of Birrer Sangret LLP. Philip joined the Foundation’s Board after participating in several events that supported healthcare on the Island, and therefore the Foundation; including his role on the founding organizing committees for the Dinner of Lights and Ride for Life.

He has also volunteered for the Mid-Island Velo Association, the Nanaimo Velodrome Association, and the Businesses for a Better Nanaimo. Philip enjoys the networking aspect of fundraising, as well as the strategic planning possible with a Governance Board. Yet, when he boils it down to his inspiration Philip simply says, “I want to make progressive equipment possible for everyone”.

I have been lucky enough to be born and raised in Nanaimo. I spent some time in Victoria and Australia, however, have spent most of my life in Nanaimo. Growing up I played Hockey, Lacrosse, Baseball and Golf on the local teams. Which gave me the opportunity to learn how to be a team member as well as a leader in sports and in life. As a father of 3 beautiful daughters, it is important to me that I continue to show them giving back is so important.

In 2005 I decided to become a Realtor as my Profession. Over the past 16 years I was able to grow from a rookie Realtor to an Award-winning realtor today. All of this would not be possible without the amazing team, and clients along the way.

Some of my accomplishments through the years have been, RE/MAX Hall of Fame, RE/MAX Diamond Award, RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award, Top Team in BC for Transactions, Top 10 Team in Canada, Realtor Care award and the Top 20 Under 40 For Vancouver Island. Again, all of this with help from amazing Team Members and an Amazing Family.

One thing that my family instilled in me as a young person was to give back which I have tried to do through the years with numerous Committees, Foundations and Charities. Some of which were Tom Harris Foundation, Garrett Paquette Foundation for Families in Need, BC Summer Games as a Volunteer Chair, Kids Sports, Golf for Kids, Children’s Miracle Network and many more.

I have benefited greatly from living in this wonderful city and would love to continue to give back.

Greg is a Branch Manager for the Coastal Community Credit Union. He grew up in Nanaimo and is committed to supporting NRGH as it builds healthier communities. Greg serves on the Board of Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation, Runners of Compassion and is on a committee for the Downtown Nanaimo Improvement Association. He joined the Run for Life Committee in 2009 and continued as Chair and Co-Chair in 2011-2015.

Greg has an unwavering connection to the Community and joined the Foundation Board because it “positively impacts all individuals who utilize the healthcare system on Central Vancouver Island”. Besides bringing energy, focus and passion to his role on the Foundation Board, his proactive approach is a valuable asset to the Foundation!