Jack Poole

VANOC’s Chairman of the Board is prominent Vancouver businessman John “Jack” Poole, who previously served as chairman and CEO for the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation.

Poole played a lead role in building two of Canada’s major real estate development companies. Today, he is a partner and/or owner of a variety of businesses, ranging from marinas and golf courses to automobile dealerships and shopping centres.

After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor of science in civil engineering, Poole began his career working with Engineered Homes in Calgary before moving in 1963 to Vancouver. Once there, he and partner Graham Dawson co-founded the Daon Development Corporation. Formed to build housing in resource towns, the company grew to become the second largest real estate development and investment company in North America. In 1989, Poole co-founded VLC Properties, now known as Concert Properties. He continues to chair Concert’s Board of Directors.

Born in Mortlach, Saskatchewan, Poole has always enjoyed sports. He played hockey and baseball, curled and wrestled in his younger days, becoming the University of Saskatchewan’s heavyweight wrestling champion. He also skipped BC’s Hollyburn curling team to the southern provincial finals. He is now an avid, accomplished golfer.

Poole and his wife Darlene play very active roles in the community, providing philanthropic support for many BC health and charity institutions. In addition to receiving the Order of British Columbia and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, Poole’s recent awards include Canada’s Sport Executive of the Year; Tourism Leader of the Year; Vancouver Junior Board of Trade Community Service Leader and Jack Diamond Sports Personality of the Year. He has also been recognized with Simon Fraser University’s Distinguished Community Leader Award and the Consumer Choice Business Man of the Year Award, and was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame as the W.A.C. Bennett Award winner.

Poole is a proud husband with five children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

On July 24, 2006, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, announced that Jack Poole is one of 77 new appointments to the Order of Canada. The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour. It is our country's highest honour for lifetime achievement.