BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The 2024- 2025 Board of Directors was approved at the Canadian Carwash Association Annual General Meeting on April 25, 2024


PRESIDENT - CANADIAN CARWASH ASSOCIATION

KAREN SMITH, Valet Car Wash [Car Wash Member]

Karen began her career in the industry in 1993 as a retailer, operating gas bars, convenience and carwash at Shell Canada. She also served on the Shell training team. Karen joined the Valet team in 2012 in a management capacity Karen’s role quickly developed into Training and Compliance Manager. With the ever-changing and additional rules and regulations on labour laws, health and safety and compliance, it became a full-time job keeping up with new information, developing policies and procedures and enhancing the health and safety program. Karen had previously served on the CCA Board of Directors from 2002-2004.


TRAVIS BRAITHWAITE, ClearWater CarWash [Car Wash Member]

Travis began his car wash career in 2017. Since then, Travis has been consulting with operators such as Great White Car Wash (Alberta), Waterfly Car Wash (California), ClearWater CarWash (Alberta) and other private investor groups (US and Canada). Travis has been in management consulting since 2007, and his client list includes Enbridge, Direct Energy, Clark Builders, etc. Travis has a Master of Business Administration and an Institute of Corporate Directors designation.



JASON HANDS, Parkland Corporation [Oil Company Member]

Jason has more than 5 years of experience in the convenience and gas industry, with roles that span across merchandising, digital, and loyalty. Jason was introduced to the car wash business as part of the digital team that developed Parkland's mobile car wash feature through the Journie Rewards app. Since then his passion for car wash has grown, and is currently the Car Wash Category Manager at Parkland. Jason has a unique blend of technical and customer knowledge and is eager to leverage it to support the association and grow the industry.



KARLA HEWITT, Suncor Energy Inc. [Oil Company Member]

Karla has over 15 years in the energy industry, with a career that has seen her embrace progressive marketing and category management roles in both the retail and wholesale channels. From launching new products, to leading a variety of projects, Karla is seen as a great collaborator. Most recently Karla was appointed the role of Car Wash Category Manager within the Petro-Canada team in 2023. Always expanding her knowledge, Karla continues to seek ways to drive the business forward and deliver a positive impact to both the customer and the business bottom line.



PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR

MICHAEL HOWE, WashLinks [Associate Member]

Michael started out originally as a licensed electrician prior to becoming a seasoned overhead door mechanic almost 30 years ago. During his professional career he has occupied many senior executive roles spanning a wide variety of industries including credit, call center management and renewable energy. In March of 2019 he was tasked with establishing the Canada Division of BayWatch Enterprises, a car wash door solutions manufacturer and servicer. After three strong years of growth in Canada, in December 2021 BayWatch and by default BayWatch Canada was acquired. Michael recognized his passion for the car wash industry and has since moved to the equipment side of the business as General Manager for WashLinks bringing with him his service and customer driven focus. WashLinks is a Canadian owned equipment provider offering comprehensive car wash solutions for operators entering and operating car wash businesses.


MIKE JACQUES, National Car Wash Solutions (NCS) [Associate Member]

With over 30 years on the tunnel side of the car wash industry, Mike possesses a solid understanding of the business as well as having exceptional technical knowledge. Mike has been an integral part of many projects including, site selection, ground-up design, and tunnel retrofit projects. Focusing on customer education, he helps guide existing operators and New To Industry investors to make informed decisions to ensure success in this exciting industry.


PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE CHAIR

MICHAEL SAUNDERS, MarkVII Equipment [Associate Member]

A strong leader, Michael has a proven talent for connecting and engaging all levels of stakeholders, for analysis and streamlining of processes and procedures to actualize value from business models and systems. His strength is delivering the highest ROI by championing, energizing and encouraging all toward the common goal.

Dynamic take charge agent with a track record of bringing efficiencies and cost-savings to operations for enhanced performance. Broad experience derived from organizations of varying sizes and industries provides an understanding for driving change and maximizing the benefits of process improvements.



RUDY VAN WOERKOM, Belvedere Technical Services Ltd. [Associate Member]

Rudy's introduction to the carwash industry was in the mid-1980s, providing vehicle access control equipment in Calgary. He then went on to spend seven years servicing industrial laundry equipment. In 2000, Rudy started Belvedere Technical Service to get back into access control, which led him into servicing carwash equipment. While Belvedere Technical Service Ltd. is a distributor for D&S Carwash Equipment as well as Airlift Doors, they service all makes of equipment. After many years servicing and installing equipment, Rudy acquired Big City Auto N Truck Wash. Operating this 12-bay with automatic carwash allows for two perspectives of the industry. By becoming a CCA Director, Rudy hopes to put this "double-edged" experience to help industry members see the benefits of the association.

MATT VERITY, Matt Verity Consulting [Associate Member]

After a successful 15-year career as a Real Estate professional in Calgary, AB, Matt has spent the last 10 years as an accomplished founder and entrepreneur in the self-storage and car wash industries.

Matt has been intimately involved in every aspect of acquisition, development, and operations of numerous projects across Canada. From site assessment and facility design, development management, operations and marketing, his diverse experience gained over the past 20+ years has made him a sought-after consultant within the car wash industry.



TIM WALKER, President/Founding Partner -  Soapy Brushy [Associate Member]

Always creative and innovative, Tim has spent 20 years in the car wash industry advising and supporting great operators on every aspect of their business.

Coming from a marketing background, he can grasp the "big picture" and has the experience and network to help any car wash operator find success.


CCA Headquarters:

Canadian Carwash Association
3228 South Service Road
Suite 109, Burlington, ON L7N 3H8

membership@canadiancarwash.ca

Managed by Essentient Association Management

© 2024 Canadian Carwash Association (CCA). All rights reserved.


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software