Mr. Howie is President and CEO of Coast Appliances Inc., a leading independent supplier of major household appliances with operations across five provinces. He joined Coast in September 2012 as Chief Financial Officer and became CEO in 2015. He has more than 35 years of experience at the senior level in some of Canada’s most recognised retailers and consumer product companies. Prior to joining Coast he was Chief Financial Officer at Coastal Contacts and Vice President Finance Retail Business Unit for Rogers Communications. He brings thorough industry knowledge and understanding and appreciation of operating issues as well as first-hand experience in strategic planning, finance and mergers and acquisitions In 2015 Gord was recognized by Business in Vancouver as BC’s top CFO in the large private company category. Gord qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1980 while working for Price Waterhouse (a predecessor firm to PriceWaterhouse Coopers LLP ) and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of New Brunswick.