DEFENCE Minister Jason Kenney on Friday announced the appointment of Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman as the newest Honorary Captain (Navy), affiliated with the office of the Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, in Esquimalt, B.C.

Honorary Naval Captains act as a bridge between military and civilian communities, and help link diverse areas of Canadian society – from politics and business to journalism and the arts. They bring with them unique skills and connections that help strengthen the Navy’s ties to Canadian communities in order to promote a better understanding of maritime defence issues.

Honorary Naval Captains are quite visible, attending significant naval, Canadian Armed Forces, and public events and ceremonies in uniform across the country. The Minister of National Defence, on the recommendations of the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, is the approving authority for all appointments.

HUBERMAN has been the CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade for eight years. She guides a 21-member Board of Directors, representing diverse interest groups, to support a growing list of businesses, initiatives and government policies from an economic perspective. She is a recipient of the 2011 Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40 award, and was recognized with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2014.

Since becoming the Surrey Board of Trade’s CEO, Huberman has worked tirelessly to make the board an important influence in making the community a better place in which to live, work and do business. Her leadership and experience in business and trade has helped her forge strong successful relationships in her community – focusing on volunteerism, family, and health.

Huberman is a second-generation Indo-Canadian and is also the first South Asian woman to head a Canadian municipality’s board of trade.

Kenney said: “It is a privilege to appoint Anita Huberman as an Honorary Captain (Navy) and welcome her to our military family. As a prominent member of the Vancouver business community, I am certain she will be an excellent ambassador for the Navy, our sailors, and continue to strengthen the vital relationship between the Royal Canadian Navy, industry, and communities for years to come.”

Huberman said: “As an avid supporter of the Canadian Armed Forces, I am very humbled to be appointed as an Honorary Captain (Navy) and I look forward to working closely with the Royal Canadian Navy to help elevate the good work they do on behalf of all Canadians. This is an exciting opportunity to see first-hand the significant role the Navy plays on the international and domestic stage, and promote the virtues that make it such a great institution.”

Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander Royal Canadian Navy, said: “Anita Huberman will be an excellent ambassador for our Navy. Her strong leadership skills, work ethic, and sense of community demonstrate the values of an Honorary Naval Captain. I couldn’t be happier welcoming her to our naval family.”