Board of Directors

President J.J. Belanger

J.J.’s career began in the hospitality industry in the late 70’s at a very young age, he learned that working

smart with a focus on guest pampering and attention to detail were the keys to success.

He has worked with a variety of great companies such as Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Intrawest, Rocky

Mountaineer Vacations, Aquilini Investment Group, Golf BC and the Northern Bear Golf Course a Jack

Nicklaus Signature Course. These roles are where he honed his skills in management and providing

exceptional guest service. In his past he has led various developments in a project management role,

including the creation of a variety of Restaurants and Pubs in the lower mainland and Whistler,

renovation and construction of branded hotels such as Holiday Inn, Best Western, Days Inn, Quality Inn,

Wingate, Howard Johnson, Super 8’s and a variety of un-branded lodging and camping locations in

Western Canada. He helped in the creation of a Government funded project that has become BC Select

Lodging. He is currently the Chair of TIABC, Past President of the BCLCA, Past Chair of Tourism Tofino,

Past Chair of GO2HR and has sat on various boards in the past such as the BC Restaurant Association,

the BC Hotel Association assisting with the 2010 Olympic bid hospitality committee. He is currently the

General Manager of the spectacular Crystal Cove Beach Resort in Tofino B.C. where he oversees the

daily operations of this award winning resort.

Vice President Charles McDiarmid

Charles Richmond McDiarmid is the Managing Director of the Wickaninnish Inn.

McDiarmid was raised in Tofino and in his high school years in Victoria and graduated from Cornell University in 1979 with a BSc. in Hotel Administration.  He worked for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts for over 13 years in various management roles across the USA and Canada.  He wrote the business plan for the Wickaninnish Inn while in Seattle.  

He moved to Vancouver as the Director of Sales for Tourism Vancouver.  During his time in Vancouver, McDiarmid also secured financing to build the Wickaninnish Inn.  

In 1995, McDiarmid moved back to Tofino and co-managed the construction of the Wickaninnish Inn, which opened in 1996.  He has remained the Inn’s guiding force ever since and has served on the Board of Destination BC and other Tourism boards.

Director Shane Richards

A native British Columbian, Shane moved to California in 2005 to pursue a career in natural food sales. After several years in San Francisco and Los Angeles, where he was caught by the surfing bug, Shane returned to Canada to seize an opportunity at Ocean Village in Tofino BC. 

During his 5 years as General Manager and 3 years as Resort Director Shane oversaw a “tip-to-tail” renovation focussed on sustainable choices. His efforts lead to doubling revenue.  After 8 years as GM, Resort Director and owner Shane seized the opportunity to become involved in ownership at Pacific Sands Beach Resort. 

From 2015 – 2019 Shane was acting General Manager of Pacific Sands Beach Resort. Shane oversaw a renovation of the resort’s existing 79 rooms and helped deliver an addition of 43 modern units. During his 4-year time at Pacific Sands Shane almost doubled revenue and implemented efficiencies resulting in significant growth in margins.

Shane left his role at Pacific Sands to build & manage Surf Grove Campground located on Cox Bay Beach in Tofino, an 84 acre parcel of land, where he has implemented his 13 years of local knowledge and relationships to build out another thriving business in the Tourism sector.

Shane rejoined the ownership group at Ocean Village Resort in late 2022 and is the acting Managing Partner where he works closely with the Management team to continue to ensure Ocean Village is a family favorite for generations to come.

Shane is a proud parent of a first generation Tofitian daughter, Ryley and newly born daughter Lou Richards. Shane enjoys the many activities that has made Tofino such a destination for travellers, like: surfing, hiking, camping, fishing and dirt biking. Shane is thrilled to share these activities that make Tofino such a special place with Ryley, Lou and partner Beau. 

Shane has been on the Board of Directors for Tourism Tofino since 2012. Shane served as chair from 2019-2021 and currently sits on the board as past chair.