Gary Hollick (2004-05)
Nita & Gary Hollick
Biography from 2004
Gary Hollick was born in Kimberley, B.C., where he met his wife and high school sweetheart, Nita. They’ve been together for 22 years and have two boys; Denny aged 15 and Corey, age 13.
After finishing high school in Kimberley, Gary and Nita started a number of new businesses in the community, including a successful pawnshop, which they sold to start a restaurant. After enjoying success with the restaurant, they sold that to purchase a grocery store.
At the age of 24, Gary was asked by his hometown Rotary Club to attend “RYLA”. This was a turning point in Gary’s life; he was overwhelmed by his experience and discovered a new passion called Rotary. At the age of 26 Gary received an invitation to become a member of the Rotary Club of Kimberley, B.C.
In his first few years as a new Rotarian he sat on the District Conference Organizing Committee, Youth Exchange Selection Committee and hosted his first exchange student. At that time, Gary was the youngest member to be inducted in the clubs 50-year history.
In his first few years as a new Rotarian he sat on the District Conference Organizing Committee, Youth Exchange Selection Committee and hosted his first exchange student. At that time, Gary was the youngest member to be inducted in the clubs 50-year history.
Gary and Nita’s successful start in Kimberley spurred them on to explore new ideas and try different careers. After selling their businesses in Kimberley, Gary and Nita moved to Calgary, Alberta, in 1990 where Gary worked as a real estate agent. During this time he ranked in the top 50 of agents for all of Alberta.
Within the first few months of living in Calgary, the Rotary Club of Calgary North adopted Gary. Over the next 5 years Gary and Nita hosted two exchange students, sat as a director, Vice President and Club President. Bill Gant was the DG that year. Before Gary’s term as President had finished his employer transferred him out of the province.
Within the first few months of living in Calgary, the Rotary Club of Calgary North adopted Gary. Over the next 5 years Gary and Nita hosted two exchange students, sat as a director, Vice President and Club President. Bill Gant was the DG that year. Before Gary’s term as President had finished his employer transferred him out of the province.
In 1993 Gary got his start in the newspaper industry working with the Calgary Mirrors. He was transferred to Kelowna This Week as a publisher and then to Prince George to start a new newspaper. By 1995 he had moved to the Lower Mainland to work as the director of advertising for a local newspaper chain. He has been with Van-Net Newspapers for the last eight years.
Gary has been an active member in each community he has lived in. While in the Lower Mainland he served as a scout leader for seven years and sat on a local health board. He has also served as a chair for numerous business associations and organizations in the area and won the 2002 Business Person of the Year Award for Surrey and Delta areas from the Scott Road Business Association.
Gary, Nita and their sons have been a Rotary family for 17 years now. Even though Nita and the two boys have never been inducted into a Rotary Club their efforts and involvement have far exceeded the expectations of any Rotarian. Gary is currently a member of the North Delta Rotary Club, he has served as a director on all the avenues of service as well as Club President 1999/2000.
In 1996 he received a District award for Public Relations and was appointed the District Chair for RYLA. The past two years, Gary has served as Assistant Governor and as District Governor 2004/2005 in District 5050.
In 1996 he received a District award for Public Relations and was appointed the District Chair for RYLA. The past two years, Gary has served as Assistant Governor and as District Governor 2004/2005 in District 5050.