Executive and Management

ACLC BC Branch Executive Committee

Our executive committee comprises seven members who meet when needed to lead our branch.

President   Christine Alexander

Christine’s volunteer service with the ACLC BC Branch began in 2011. She started by volunteering with the 2812 RCACC Support Committee. In 2020, she became a BC Branch Executive Board member and served as a Branch Vice-President. In 2024, she assumed the role of Branch President. In addition to her involvement with the ACLC, Christine has volunteered with various organizations, including the Pender Harbour Reading Center Society, Harbour Authority of Pender Harbour, Emergency Support Services Volunteer with the Sunshine Coast, Rotary Club of Pender Harbour, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 112, and the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 61 Society.

  Vice-President Graeme Menzies  

Graeme Menzies is an international marketing and communications professional with experience in the fields of education, sport, technology, culture, and trade. His experience with the army cadet program dates back to his high school days as a cadet with the 162 RCACC in Ontario. More recently, he has served as a commissioned army officer in the cadet instructor cadre. He has been a member of the BC Branch board since 2019.

Treasurer     Celine Gee        

Secretary  Dana Garcia-Annand

Volunteer Screening Coordinator   Suman Kumar

Suman first started volunteering when she joined the 2893 Support Committee in 2006, when her son joined the army cadets. Her younger son joined soon after. She volunteered with 2893 RCACC until 2015. In 2012, Suman joined the ACLC, BC Branch, assuming the role of
Volunteer Coordinator for all of BC. In 2015, she also took on the role of League Liaison for the Burnaby/New Westminster and Tri-Cities area, working with 2316 RCACC in New Westminster, 2893 RCACC in Port Coquitlam, 1838 RCACC in Maple Ridge, and 2827 RCACC in Port Moody. Suman has also volunteered with the Relay for Life (Team LOL Legacy of Love) in Coquitlam from 2011 to 2020. Over the years, Suman has also volunteered for events such as BRA Day (Breast Cancer Awareness Day), poppy tagging with Royal Canadian Legion Branch #133, and The Sky’s No Limit. Suman is a member of the Canadian Federation of Fijian Organizations, where she helps out with various fundraising events throughout the year.

Director Martin Hilmer, CD

Martin Hilmer has volunteered in numerous community endeavors.  For 23 years, Martin served as a member of the City of Surrey Food and Agricultural Security Advisory Committee. Currently, he is a volunteer commissioner with the City of Surrey Heritage Advisory Commission.  Since 2017, he has volunteered at the Fort Langley Historic Site with Parks Canada.  He serves as the editor of the Volunteer Newsletter and is also a researcher for its archival collection. Martin was a leader with Scouts Canada for 14 years.  He was instrumental in establishing an Apiary for student learning at the UBC farm. Martin’s career focused on Soil Sciences with the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia. He also served as a reserve communications officer for 22 years, attaining the rank of Captain. He retired from the Armed Forces in 2017 as the Commanding officer of 2822 Royal Westminster Cadets. Upon his retirement, he joined the Army Cadet League of British Columbia. He is both a League Liaison for four cadet Corps and a Director on the B.C. Executive team.

Director Andrea Newton

Starting as a cadet with 2812 (Omega) RCACC, Andrea Newton went on to a lengthy military career with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), serving in the 12 Service Battalion and the Transportation and Logistics Trade, and retiring at the rank of Sergeant. Following studies at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), I held civilian roles that encompassed administrative and financial management positions in non-profit, small business, First Nations, and government-funded sectors. With a commitment to returning opportunities, Andrea now dedicates volunteer time with the Army Cadet League of Canada, BC Branch, and Veterans Affairs Canada, supporting the cadet program and Veterans.

Director Robert Thompson, CD

Executive Director   Elisabeth Mortlock, CD