Charles van der Lee

Chair | Independent Director

As a graduate of the University of Alberta (1975), with a Degree in Business Administration and Commerce, Chuck has had a successful career in the Retail Industry which spans over 45 years. His core competencies and expertise are in Operations and Retail Financial and Strategic Management, including Real Estate and Franchising. From 2009 until he sold the Company in May 2024, Chuck was the principal owner of Papa M Pizza Canada Inc., which held the Master Franchise rights for Papa Murphy’s in Canada. From 1990 to 2009, Chuck served as the President and CEO of Rogers Retail (a division of Rogers Communications Inc.). As the head of Rogers Retail, he was responsible for expanding the network of Company Stores from 33 to over 400 locations. Prior to Rogers, Chuck was the Vice President-Eastern Canada for Silcorp (former owner of Mac’s Convenience Stores), where he had overall responsibility for the Operations and Real Estate management for the Store Network in Eastern Canada.

From 2004 to 2015, Chuck served as an Independent Director of Amica Mature Lifestyles Inc. His guidance assisted in the successful sale of the Company in late 2015.

Chuck has also devoted his time and expertise to several nonprofit organizations including the Vancouver Aquarium, Peace Arch Hospital, and BC Special Olympics. He also served on the Retail Advisory Board for Ryerson University and he is a past Chair of the Retail Council of Canada and the BC Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization.