Hub International’s, Senior Vice President, David Mills is a leader in the insurance sector, a charitable Vancouverite and an active TCC member. What once began as a location to bring clients and conduct business, over the last 18 years, TCC has become a favourite Vancouver spot of David Mills’ to socialize, workout and entertain family and friends.
With over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, what would you describe as your biggest professional success? [DM] Professionally, I think it is the customer relationships with our company, some of which pre-date my time in the industry and which I have been able to nurture, grow and expand over many years. In addition, there have been so many new customer relationships that I have been fortunate enough to have developed. We are a people business and it is these relationships that make it most satisfying.
Can you please share some ways that Hub International gives back to the community?
[DM] HUB International is actively involved in our community, both through corporate giving and employee volunteerism. Many of our employees sit on committees within the business community, as well as the insurance industry, including the Burnaby Board of Trade, Insurance Institute of Canada, NEXT Leaders Council, and Burnaby Hospital. We support a number of organizations through ongoing charitable giving, including the United Way and the Aga Khan Foundation. Every year our employees volunteer, fundraise, and participate in the Aga Khan World Partnership Walk in Vancouver, which we have been actively involved with for over ten years. For the last few years, we have also fundraised for and participated in the JDRF Ride for Diabetes Research. We also have a number of employees that make up our HUB Gives committee, who are responsible for planning and coordinating our corporate participation in charitable events. In addition to the organizations mentioned above, our HUB Gives committee has also coordinated several large fundraisers to support Food Banks across the lower mainland.
As you know, this year the Terminal City Club will be hosting the CKNW Orphans Fund Annual Pledge Day and we know that you and Hub International Insurance Brokers are strong supporters of this charity. Can you please tell us why other members should come down to the club on December 4 to support the cause?
[DM] Any time there is an opportunity to help and assist children in our community we feel it’s very important to do so. Children are our greatest asset as a society, and yet are also one of our most vulnerable. The CKNW Orphan’s Fund is a particularly important cause because it helps the most vulnerable, most needy children – those with physical, mental, and social challenges. The fund supports these children though a number of programs that help keep children and their families safe and provide them with opportunities to be kids and experience joy in things like art and music. Such a cause is certainly deserving of as much support as we and others can give them.
How do you spend your time outside of work? [DM] I consider myself fortunate to have lived my entire life in the Greater Vancouver area. My three children, their spouses and our five grandchildren also live very nearby so family is a huge part of my personal life. I can also be found (rain or shine) on the golf course at Marine Drive Golf Club!
What is something few know about you? [DM] . . . that I almost ended up with a career in the fishing business with BC Packers. With the benefit of hindsight the insurance industry was a good choice but I sometimes wonder where the fishing industry might have taken me!
Why did you become a member of Terminal City Club? [DM] I joined TCC in 1996 and was really following in the footsteps of some of my predecessors at Parsons Brown & Company who had been members of TCC and found it a great place to meet and entertain clients and also meet new people involved in business in Greater Vancouver.
What do you enjoy the most about the Club? [DM] I am a regular at the Fitness Centre and have to say it is a terrific facility of which the club can be very proud. I also enjoy The Grill and find the staff to be always extremely pleasant and cordial.
What is your favourite dish at the Club? [DM] My tastes are pretty simple so I could live on the butternut squash soup and the chicken Caesar salad in The Grill. What would you say to someone considering joining TCC? [DM] In joining any organization, I always tell people that you only get out of it what you put in to and that applies very much at TCC. As members, we should feel fortunate to have such a terrific great facility available to us in the heart of the great city of Vancouver – and not take it for granted!
