LONG-TIME S.U.C.C.E.S.S. EXECUTIVE APPOINTED AS NEW CEO

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VANCOUVER, Nov. 9 /CNW/ - Dennis Chan, Chair of the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Board of Directors, announced today that Thomas Tam, a long-time member of the executive team and currently acting Chief Executive Officer, has been appointed as the new CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

"After a seven-month long international search, the Board is delighted that the most qualified candidate was located right in our own organization," says Chan.  "Thomas Tam is a dynamic leader and has been with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. for the past 18 years. During the last two decades he has contributed significantly to the growth and success of this organization."

In addition to Thomas' other talents and expertise, Chan says the Board was particularly impressed by his passion for what S.U.C.C.E.S.S. does and by his dedication to the core values of the organization as it continues to innovate and embrace new challenges.

"I am proud to have been part of the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. team for nearly two decades and I'm honoured to have been chosen for the CEO position," says Tam.  "We have many opportunities and many challenges ahead, but we have a talented and committed team of professional staff and volunteers that will ensure we continue to meet the needs of our clients and grow the organization."

Tam joined S.U.C.C.E.S.S. in 1992, not long after he had immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong with his wife, Adela and his two-year-old daughter, Ling.

For his first five years with S.U.C.C.E.S.S., he served as the Director of Administration and Resource Development.  He then took on the role as Business and Economic Program Director continuing in that role from 1997 through to 2009. For four months (January to April 2009), he served as Acting Chief Executive Officer (when then CEO Tung Chan had a short sabbatical).  In 2009, Tam was appointed Chief Operating Officer, overseeing all major social services and programs. During this time, he led a major departmental restructuring.  He has served as the Acting CEO since the retirement of Tung Chan.

In making the announcement today, the Board Chair highlighted many of Thomas Tam's contributions. These include:

• Establishing S.U.C.C.E.S.S.' first Social Enterprise (the Sustainable Employment Network Inc.) in partnership with three other major social service organizations to service the disabled individuals throughout BC.
• Building an extensive network with business corporations and diverse government funding sources.
• Developing the Gateway to Asia project, an innovative economic strategy that reached out to northern B.C., other western provinces and China, subsequently leading to the opening of offices in Fort St. John, B.C., Shanghai and Shenzhen in China.
• Transforming several business training projects into a comprehensive Business and Economic Development Centre - the only such center for immigrants in Canada.

In addition, Chan pointed out that Tam has a solid background in social work.  He lectured in the Social Work Department of the Hong Kong Baptist University, served as a social worker with Stewards' Social Services in Hong Kong and as a Medical Student Social Worker at Surrey County Hospital in England.  Like his predecessor (Tung Chan), Tam also has hands-on political experience, having served as an elected City Councillor (Shatin region in Hong Kong) from 1988-1991.

Tam holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Administration in Human Service Organizations, Chinese University of Hong Kong (1989), a Master of Science in Applied Social Studies, University of Surrey, England (1984) and completed his Undergraduate in Social Work at the Hong Kong Baptist University (1981).  He has also earned his Certificate Qualification in Social Work in England in 1994.

When Tam joined S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 18 years ago, he was one of 77 employees.  That year also marked S.U.C.C.E.S.S.' launch of its multicultural Community Airport Newcomers Network at the Vancouver International Airport.  Today, the organization employs more than 400 people and services a multicultural clientele in over 20 languages.  It is one of the largest social service providers in Canada with 25 service locations in British Columbia and 4 overseas offices.  It is highly regarded and respected as one of the most forward-thinking immigration and social service agencies in B.C. and in Canada. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. was re-accredited by the Council on Accreditation in January 2008 for the achievement of best practice standards.

For more details about S.U.C.C.E.S.S., please visit: http://www.success.bc.ca/ or follow us on Twitter: SUCCESSCanada.

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For further information:

Media Contact:

Eileen Lao
Public Affairs Manager
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Mobile: [phone]
Office: 604-408-7243
E-mail: [email protected]