Board of Directors

Ladysmith & District Credit Union's Board is made up of elected members who live within our community. As a Credit Union the Board is accountable to our members. The Board's mandate is to focus on the strategic direction of the Credit Union. If you have a professional or business background and previous board experience, and would like to contribute to the continued growth and service excellence offered by Ladysmith & District Credit Union please contact us. Elections for directors are held once a year at our Annual General Meeting

Current Board Members

Ross Davis - President Expand/Collapse

Ross Davis
Ross was born and raised in Ladysmith, was appointed Director in 2012, and has been associated with the Credit Union since the early 60's.

Ross was Manager of Millstores/Purchasing for the Crofton Division of Paper Excellence and, since retirement, works as consultant in the procurement/inventory management field.

His interests include travel and camping with family and friends.  He is also a member of Ladysmith’s, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue.

Ross currently serves on the Audit & Risk Committee, and is the Chairperson of the Donation Committee.

Ross has a Business Administration Certificate from UVIC, is a Credit Union Director Achievement Program Graduate, and an Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director.

Gerry Clarke - Vice-President Expand/Collapse

Gerry Clarke

Gerry moved to Ladysmith in 1988 and became a member of LDCU shortly thereafter, and has resided in Cedar by the Sea since May of 2021.

He has been active in the Ladysmith and area community for many years, having joined the Ladysmith Eagles in 1995 having served two terms as president. He has been a board member of the Eagles Home Society since 1996, and has also served on the Town of Ladysmith Advisory Planning Commission serving two years as Commission Chair.

Gerry started G.R.Clarke Contracting in 2001 and is a ticket Red Seal Carpenter.

He married his wife Erica in 1989 and they have three children. His many hobbies include antique automobiles, Labrador Retrievers, gardening, and working on his farm.

He currently serves on the Investment & Lending, Governance, Audit & Risk, Conduct Review and Credit Committees. Gerry is also a graduate of the Credit Union Director Achievement Program

Elaine Layman - Secretary Expand/Collapse

Elaine Layman

Elaine joined the Credit Union in 1992 when she and her family first moved to Ladysmith.

Elaine is a Chartered Professional Accountant and owns and operates The Layman Group, a full-service accounting and financial planning company in Ladysmith.

Elaine has been active in the Ladysmith community for many years; she has previous experience serving on boards as she was the President of the Ladysmith Resource Centre and the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce for several years.

Elaine was appointed to the Credit Union Board in the fall of 2009, she is Past President and currently serves as Secretary. In addition, she is the Chairperson of the Audit & Risk Committee and on the Conduct Review, Governance, Credit and Scholarship Committees.

Elaine is a graduate of the Credit Union Director Achievement Program, and has her Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director (ACCUD) and Canadian Credit Union Director (CCD) degrees.

She has also attained the prestigious Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D).

Rob Viala - Director Expand/Collapse

Rob Viala

Rob has been a member of the Credit Union since 1972; he joined the Board as a trainee in the fall of 1990 and was then elected to the Board in 1991.

Rob worked at Western Forest Products in Chemainus as an accredited Red Seal millwright and crew lead hand.

In his retirement, Rob is enjoying traveling, fly fishing, and the outdoors.

During his time at the Chemainus Sawmill, Rob served for many years as Chairperson of the Chemainus Mutual Benefit Association, a co-operative insurance society.

In years past, Rob helped many youth in our community learn about forestry and develop outdoor skills as a leader of the Junior Forest Wardens.

He currently serves as Chairperson for the Governance Committee and is also on the Scholarship Committee. Rob is a graduate of the Credit Union Director Achievement Program.

David O'Connor - Director Expand/Collapse

David O'Connor

David has lived in Ladysmith since 1985 and raised his family here with his wife Terrena.

He joined the Credit Union in 1995 and became a board member in 2010.

David practiced law in Ladysmith for 34 years as a self-employed lawyer, and is now retired from the practice of law.

David has a strong commitment to community values which, together with his legal expertise, makes him well suited to serve on the Board.

David currently serves as Chairperson for the Conduct Review and Nominating Committees and is also on the Investment and Lending, Credit and Scholarship Committees. Dave is also a graduate of the Credit Union Director Achievement Program.

Carol Warkentin - Director Expand/Collapse

Carol Warkentin

Carol moved to Ladysmith in 1983, and has been here since, raising her three children and now enjoying her grandchildren in this great community.

After moving here and purchasing her first home in 1985 she has continued to be a member of the Ladysmith District Credit Union, grateful to have chosen a financial institution that assisted her with the purchase of her first home, during a time when rates were very high and employment was scarce.

Believing that "giving back to community" is one of her core values, Carol has been, and continues to be, a member of different service groups and committees, such as the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ladysmith Rotary, and the Ladysmith Ambassadors throughout the years.

Carol's passion and enthusiasm for real estate led her to becoming a licensed real estate agent in 2010. Prior to becoming a realtor, she worked for a local oil company for seventeen years, and during this time she also was, (and continues to be), heavily involved in the business of building and developing land, as a Licensed Builder and Developer.

In Carol's spare time she enjoys travelling and exploring different places in the world, spending time with her children/grandchildren, along with camping and fishing.

Carol currently serves on the Investment & Lending, Governance and Credit Committees and is also a graduate of the Credit Union Director Achievement Program.

Julie Fraser - Director Expand/Collapse

Julie Fraser

Julie and her family have lived in Ladysmith since 2008 and are active members of our Community.

Julie joined the Board of Directors in January 2023, and brings extensive experience in financial services, including:

  • project and strategic management;
  • coordinating service, product, and systems training programs; and
  • corporate and branch audit and compliance.

She has served as an Executive on two Ladysmith schools Parent Advisory Councils, and has helped local community organizations with volunteering and fundraising campaigns.

Julie and her family are avid animal lovers, and they have adopted rescue cats and chinchillas. Julie's hobbies include pickleball, rollerblading, and sea glass hunting at the beach.

Julie currently serves on the Audit & Risk, Governance, Investment & Lending, Conduct Review, Nominating, Credit, and Scholarship Committees. Julie is also a graduate of the Credit Union Director Achievement Program.