Executive

VICE-CHAIRMAN
Bruce Saunders
Managing Director
BJS Group of Companies

Bruce was born and educated in Australia, but has called the Solomon Islands home for more than 40 years,  since 1968. Bruce was educated in South Australia, where he attained his School Leaving Certificate. He went into the Catering Industry where he trained as a Chef and acquired variety of accreditation in the Hospitality Industry. He managed Catering Facilities in Sydney from 1961 to 1966 before marrying his wife, Keithie Blum in 1966. They have two daughters and one adopted Solomon Island daughter

Bruce and Keithie’s time in the Pacific began in May 1966 when they went to Rarotonga Cook Islands. They spent 2 and half years there managing the Hotel Rarotonga. In 1968, and at the sudden passing of Keithie’s father, Alvin Blum, the Saunders arrived in the Solomon Islands. Bruce and Keithie remained in the Solomon Islands and managed the family business of AJ and G Blum from then onwards – at the time operated Blums Hometel (which became Hibiscus Hotel and is now King Solomon Hotel). They made soft drinks, ice cream and operated a trade store and bakery.

In 1970, Bruce began exporting handcraft and registered the company of BJS Agencies Limited in 1980, providing bookkeeping services for local businesses. Today the BJS Group provides a variety of services. In the Solomon Island, Bruce undertook and completed by correspondence, a basic bookkeeping and tourism course under the World Tourism Organization. In the 1980’s Bruce became involved very much in Tourism, operating Keithie Tours and then Hunts of the Pacific Ltd – in bound tourism business, to name a few other activities.

“We have built our business of providing services needed in the community, providing the best service possible – training and appreciating the loyalty, dedication and effort of over 90 employees, many with us for over 20 years” said Mr Saunders.

When asked of his expectations for the Chamber of Commerce, he said “My desire for the Chamber is for it to be an effective voice of the commercial sector, to be a good net-worker with all segments of the community and ensuring there is good opportunity for all – to be of service of the wider community and encourager of local business initiatives.”

BOARD MEMBER
James Kim
Financial Controller
Kosol Corporation

James is a full member of CPA Australia. He completed his bachelor degree at the University of Queensland and subsequently gained experience whilst working at an Accounting firm in Brisbane specializing in insolvency, debt restructuring, corporate recoveries and forensic accounting.

James is currently working for his family business that has been operating in Solomon Islands for more than 20 years. The group of companies under his management is involved in Hyundai motor vehicle dealership, car rental, property development, fishery and shipping agency for fishing vessels.

BOARD MEMBER
Joseph Sanga
Human Resource Manager
Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Limited

Joseph Sanga worked for the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) for more than 20 years in various roles in the Admin and HR departments and is now HR Manager of Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Limited.

Joseph graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Management Studies from James Cook University, Australia and has a Masters of Management Studies from Victoria University of Wellington, NZ. Having only been recently elected into the Chamber of Commerce Board in March 2011, Joseph is new to the Chamber management. He looks forward to seeing the Chamber progress private sector matters effectively in 2011.

BOARD MEMBER
Julia Gegeu-Haro
Managing Director
Premier Real Estate & Property Management

Julie, as she is commonly known, was born and educated in the Solomon Islands. She attended King George VI Secondary School and went on to do secretarial studies at the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education before going on to do training at the University of the South Pacific in Financial Accounting, Communication and Sociology.

In December 2008, she and husband, Alex Haro started Premiere Real Estate & Property Management, a real estate company which she now runs and operates as Managing Director. Previously however, Julie held various positions including Real Estate Manager in BJS Group of Companies (AJ & G Blum Property Development Ltd), Travel and Administration Officer at the Church of Melanesia and Sales and Marketing at the King Solomon Hotel.

As one of only a handful of local Solomon Islands women in businesses, Julie is passionate about her role in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She believes in the value of helping the growth and development of local women in business. As the only female Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce, Julie holds her responsibility to heart. “My expectation is to see the Chamber own it’s own property within the CBD, purposely to cater for its needs and also provide services which are highly demanded by its members. My strongest desire is to see more women in business become members of the Chamber and to have more women take up leading roles on the Board.

Julie has held a number of leadership responsibilities in various organizations including Vice-President of Honiara Council of Women in 2008 and member of the Supervisory Committee Member (Solomon Islands Women in Business Association) in 2007 and Travel Administrator sector at Gold Ridge Mining Limited from 1998 – 2000. She has also served as a Board Member of Solomon Islands Girl Guides Association, Member of the Honiara Rotary Club and Board Member of Disability Support.

Premiere Real Estate & Property Management & Developers is a newly established family business which prides itself in being 100% locally owned. The company was formed by husband and wife Alex and Julie Haro. Both are current directors and major shareholders as well.

After working in the property and real estate industry for four and half years, Julie was confident of her ability to start a family business; and with her passion for real estate and property development, the industry was an inevitable choice. Julie and Alex Haro have built Premier literally from the ground up, having invested all their savings and help from close friends. The services provided by Premier today include sale and rental of properties both commercial and residential, property management, property valuation and appraisals as well as security services, cleaning services and immigration permit processes.

BOARD MEMBER
Justin Fuo
Managing Director
Tropic Glass & AluminiumLtd

Justin is the Managing Director of Tropic Glass and Aluminum Ltd. a company specialized in glass and aluminium constructions. Justin was born and educated in the Solomon Islands. He was brought up in Malaita and attended Aligegeo Provincial Secondary School in Malaita until he left school in 1983. He traveled to Honiara and found employment at the Aluminum Glazing Company; a company owned by businessman John Lee. At this company his interest in glass and aluminum developed and grew as his knowledge and skill in its use grew.

After several years, Justin explored the possibility of starting up his own company. In 1991 he operated as a sole trader, doing small repairs and installations to glass and aluminium building parts. In 1995, Justin transformed the sole proprietor into Tropical Glass & Aluminium and the company grew in staff and its profile. Through persistent hard work and continuous hands-on training, Justin has fashioned himself and his staff to be local experts in the industry. After 15 years, TGA has established itself as a synonym for glass and aluminium construction and manufacturing, putting the company in a prime position within the building construction industry in Solomon Islands. TGA is in every way a business that is centered around his family and people. All of Justin’s adult sons are one way or another associated with the industry. In recent times, the business has expanded not only within the Solomon Islands, but also the region, particularly Papua New Guinea. Justin believes in making a difference to the Solomon Islands through strategic teamwork and collective effort.