Board Members, Directors & Chairs

Board Meetings

The Vancouver Island Club is managed primarily by a Board of Directors elected by the membership. The seven members of the Board are: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, South Island Director, Mid-Island Director, and Up-Island Director.

The management of the club is further supported by a number of Chairs, which are non-elected positions appointed by the Board. These positions look after a particular type of activity or club function. Current Chair positions are: Magazine, Membership, Classics, Rally, Insurance, Competition, Social Media and Webmaster.

Collectively, the Board and Chairs are referred to as the club Executive Committee, or "Exec".

Island Directors:

Board of Directors

Paul Rossmo

President

I was born and raised in Vancouver.

I bought my first Porsche in 1972, from which I developed an intense interest in Porsche cars leading to a lifelong career path, centered around Porsche.

In 1980 I founded Weissach Performance to service the Porsche market in Vancouver, In 2002, I sold the company after 22 years.

During this Period Porsche ownership was increasing dramatically and Porsche was exploiting their reputation as a “Giant Killer”, and in doing so were becoming “The Giant.”

In 1981 I joined the Canada West Region of PCA and was privileged to serve alongside its founding membership, in many roles including as President in 1985.

Alongside Porsche, the Porsche Club of America was also enjoying phenomenal growth. The increased sophistication of the events reflected that energy.

In 2008 I moved to Victoria, I worked with the GAIN Group for 10 years, including being the inaugural General Manager for Porsche Victoria, then General Manager at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit.

After 50 years involved with Porsche cars, I wanted to better focus my skills, and in 2018 I founded PR Historics to provide appraisals, parts, and specialty vehicle sourcing to Porsche owners.

Porsche ownership has provided me the weapon to enjoy many forms of motorsport over the years from autocross to vintage and endurance racing.

I am currently enjoying exploring TSD rallying, a venue offering tremendous team challenges coupled with the incentive to travel to other regions and meet many more PCA enthusiasts.

Ron Dempsey

Vice-President

I've been a PCA member since 2014, and have taken part in all manner of PCA events, including many tours, driver's education, rallies and even drove my 356C to Rennsport V in Monterey, and still have the lower back issues as a reminder!

I retired a number of years ago after a long career around Canada and North America with a large IT company. Since then, I've been able to dedicate more time to my passion for cars, and started an informal group of European Car enthusiasts that has blossomed to well over 400 members for monthly coffee gatherings in Oak Bay during warmer months. I have also organized a Club Holiday Dinner the past few years, in addition to the first-ever VanIsle Adventure Tour in 2021 in my role as South Island Director.

I currently enjoy my '64 356C and my '87 Carrera, and look forward to meeting more members at future events.

Kevin Root

Secretary

Island born and raised, moving from the Cowichan Valley to the Westshore in 2018. I’ve always loved cars, especially Porsches; they were the epitome of efficient & effective. My grad quote stated, “First one to the Porsche wins!” My current chariot ‘Betty’ is a 997 Cab S, which I’ve owned since February 2021 as a reward for battling cancer. I knew about the club from past members back in 2005, when I previously owned a 2000 Boxter S; however, I wasn't sure not being a “Clubby” person. Wow! What a delightful surprise! I am glad I joined The Club! This group has been amazing! Friendly, active, warm, helpful, and willing to share stories and knowledge. I’ve learned much about the cars and the people behind the wheels. The wide variety of cars is always impressive; however, it is more about building connections, which proves that PCA is all about the people, and this Vancouver Island Region demonstrates it! – Thank you for your warm welcome!

Peter Everett

Treasurer

Marc P Klijnsmit

Up Island Director

After years and years of only seeing Porsches in car magazines and out on the street (It’s the well-documented stuff of Porsche legend that for many years the Dutch police force employed an elite national guard – the Rijkspolitie/highway patrol – who drove 356 and 911 pursuit cars on their national highways), my first real experience with Porsche was when my neighbour took me for a drive in his brand new 944 Turbo. Probably in 1986. I remember the short manual shifter and the burgundy leather bucket seats. It was only a matter of time for me to own one myself. Years later I got my first 911 E. After turning 50 not too long ago, it was time for a newer 911. I absolutely love driving my car!

Didier Moinier

Mid-Island Director

Ray Gumbel

South Island Director

I was born and raised in Vancouver. As a career, I worked as a Mechanical Designer and Project Manager eventually becoming a partner in an Engineering company. Last year I was fortunate enough to retire early and with my wife Barbara, moved to the island and transfer from PCA-CWR to become VIR-PCA members.

I have been a Porsche enthusiast as long as I can remember and have owned Porsches for nearly 35 years. I love intricate mechanical complications, in addition to driving Porsches I really enjoy working on them. My first Porsche was a Guards Red 944 which I drove and maintained for many years. When I acquired my 928 S4 in 2006, I was encouraged to join PCA. Our first encounter with the club was a Fraser Valley wine tour, we had so much fun and immediately got hooked. As a Canada West Region member, I soon became involved in all aspects of the club and I served on the executive board for 9 years. My 3 terms as Director At Large included Tour Director and on the organizing committee for many Sun Peaks, Osoyoos Weekend and the national “Escape 2010” which became the template for future PCA National Treffen events. I became Vice President and then elected as Regional President in 2011-2012.

Over the years we have attended many Porsche Parades, Rennsports, Treffens and multi-regional events throughout North America. Finally, before moving to the Island, I was elected and served as Secretary, given the task to update and re-write the PCA-CWR “Rules and Procedures” (the Red Book). We are currently a two Porsche family. I still own the 1988 928 S4 and also a 1984 911 Carrera.

As South Island Director, I am excited to work with the other members and all the volunteers who make this club a great place to get together and have fun in their Porsches.

Garth Webber Atkins

Past President

I inherited the driver gene from my mother, who loved road trips and serially owned several sporty but practical cars. I have long admired the lines of the Porsche 944, with its long nose and hatchback (sporty but practical), and in 2014 acquired my first and current steed - a 1986 Kalahari Beige 944 Turbo.

I joined the club right way, and in 2017 joined the VIR Executive as Membership Chair. Two years later I was Vice-President, and then served as President in 2021 through 2023. Being involved with the Porsche Club has been a great way to meet other Porsche enthusiasts, have experiences I wouldn't have otherwise, and to make new friends.

Chairs

Karen Bresler

Magazine Chair

I was born in South Africa and immigrated to Canada where I lived in Vancouver for 29 years before moving to Maple Bay in 2018. I have had a lifelong passion for the written word, and I am delighted to be Editor of Porscher. It is a magazine of which VIRPCA can be very proud. I also enjoy the opportunity to engage with members at the events and capture some of the depth of the membership and its activities for material for Porscher. The magazine is the Voice of Vancouver Island Region of the PCA, and it is your participation with the magazine, in the form of submissions, that brings it to life. Accordingly, I welcome your engagement.

Larissa Lawrence

Membership

Luna (my white 2013 Boxster) and I live in Victoria (Colwood area) and are recent imports to the island and to PCA.

In the fall of 2021 I moved from the Toronto area in Ontario. I came to the island for the lifestyle this fine area provides. I joined the club in the spring of 2023, based on advise from my sister, who’s been a long time member in Ontario. She shared PCA provides a great community with other auto enthusiasts in a welcoming environment. The island and this club hasn’t disappointed.

My super power is organizing chaos and bridging people together. Between those things, and my desire to more deeply connect with people into our community and my new home, this role is a perfect fit.

I’m bilingual - I speak both red and white wine. I love the feeling when a corner is perfectly apexed, be it on 2 or 4 wheels. Discovering what’s over the next hill or around the next bend makes me smile.

I’m excited to welcome people into this community - be it new to Porsche, our chapter, or our beautiful island. Helping foster a greater involvement for new and existing members, getting to know people, all while learning along the way is a fun opportunity I’m pleased to embrace.

Paul Rossmo

Classic Chair