Andrew Gower

Background

About Andrew Gower

Mr. Gower is a leader, both in his professional capacity, and in his community. As one of the founders of Imagine Comox Valley, he was the champion of Car Free Sunday, bringing this world-wide phenomenon to his hometown. He was instrumental in starting TEDxComoxValley, with six events now held in the Comox Valley, helping to spread great ideas. As a Director, First Vice Chair, Chair, and now Past-Chair, at the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, he was the driving force behind the highly successful Top 40 Under 40 recognition program, and he proposed and helped to develop two new community awards, the Youth Leadership Award and the Young Entrepreneur Award. Mr. Gower was also a key team member and the production manager for Elevate the Arts in 2011, and has continued with the team through the final event in 2017. Mr. Gower is also active in other volunteer roles, most of which are linked closely to outdoor recreation. He has volunteered regularly with the United Riders of Cumberland, specifically to assist with the annual BC Bike Race. Mr. Gower was a Director at the Mount Cain Alpine Park Society, and in that role volunteered considerable time to assist with the construction of a sewage disposal field for the mountain resort. Mr. Gower is also a currently serving primary reserve officer in the Canadian Army Reserves. Building on his 11 year regular force career, Mr. Gower re-enrolled in April of 2016, and serves with 39 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Chilliwack, BC. Mr. Gower’s professional skills include leading multi-disciplinary consulting teams, civil engineering design, sanitary pump station design and stormwater management and design. Mr. Gower has extensive experience with projects involving governance, public engagement and the creation of local government strategy and legislation with respect to civil infrastructure. In addition to his professional role and volunteer activities, Mr. Gower is a non-active professional musician, and a free lance sports journalist (emphasis on "free").