Fusion Credit Union’s Chief Risk Officer Darwin Johns will become the financial cooperative’s new Chief Executive Officer on May 4, the board of directors announced today. Johns takes over from Ron Hedley, who is retiring after a lengthy career at the helm. “We considered a number of outstanding candidates,” said board president Guy Huberdeau. “Fusion is a billion-dollar credit union — so, as you can imagine, there were some very impressive applicants. “Even among such a capable field, though, Darwin emerged as clearly the best choice,” he continued. “And I think it speaks extremely well of our organization that we’ve been able to grow and nurture internally the talent we need to go forward with confidence and purpose.” Johns’ professional experience is extensive, going back to 2000 when he began as a Member Services Representative for Vanguard Credit Union while he was still a student at Brandon University. After ten years as a lender he was appointed Vice-President Finance and Technology in 2010, and later Vice-President Finance and Risk Management. In conjunction with the Fusion Credit Union amalgamation in 2018 he was named Chief Risk Officer. “I’ve been preparing for this role for a long time — for my whole career, really — and I’m eager to get started,” said Johns. “I’ve had the benefit of learning from some terrific leaders in the past, including Ian Gerrard and, most recently, Ron Hedley here at Fusion. I feel confident and, as challenging as it’s certain to be, I feel absolutely equipped for the role.” A lifelong learner, Johns has pursued ongoing education and achieved professional designations through the Credit Union Institute of Canada at Dalhousie University and a bachelor’s degree from Brandon University. He’s also active in the community, coaching hockey and baseball and serving on a number of volunteer boards over the years, including his current position on the Hamiota Education Stakeholders Committee. He lives near Kenton with his wife Erin, son Kyle and twin daughters Addison and Haily. (Fusion Credit Union Release)

Keller Developments, Westman Premier Homes, & Premier Commercial Builders have joined forces to better serve their clients in Brandon and the surrounding area. The merger was announced earlier today on Facebook. For the time being, all three business names will remain active out of their offices at 340 Park Ave East. The merger leaves the company with a compliment of over 70 qualified staff to assist with your in-house design requirements, custom home building, commercial building, land developments, and more.

In the past week Brandon has seen a number of restaurants temporarily close, amid the current covid-19 pandemic. In an effort to maintain their takeout and delivery business, a number of other restaurants have implemented an expanded focus on sanitation and  safety for their staff and customers including contactless/curbside pickup and delivery. Below is a list of 7 different restaurants to consider if you are going to be placing an order for takeout or delivery this weekend. For a more extensive list of restaurants open in Brandon for delivery, visit Dash Delivers or SKIP the Dishes. Please note that note that some of the restaurants listed below offer their own delivery service therefore they may not be found on either Dash or Skip.  Pizza Express & Submarine: A large menu to select from including pizza, pasta, subs, poutine, salads, appetizers, and much more. Recently voted Westman's Best Pizza for a 4th year in a row in a Brandon Sun poll. Facebook link. Sabor Latino Restaurant:  wide selection of home-cooked dishes specializing in authentic Latin American cuisine like tacos, pupusas, and more. Currently offering a number of new combo deals. Check them out. Facebook link. Shawarma Queen Kebob House: Mediterranean meat dishes like chicken shawarma, beef donair, lamb kebabs, and ground beef kebabs. Served as a wrap as well as an entree plate with with rice, salad, and baked potatoes. Facebook link. Smitty's: Missing your weekly outing for wing night? Contact the Smitty's highway location for pickup orders where they are currently offering a 15% discount. Full menu (burgers, sandwiches, wraps, appetizers breakfast) also available on Dash Delivers or SKIP the Dishes. Open 10am -6pm. Facebook link. Kam Lung Asian Cuisine: Specializing in Chinese, Japanese and Filipino cuisines. Sushi is also available. Visit the website to view their online menu on the computer and your mobile devices. Facebook link. Chili Chutney: One of Brandon's top rated restaurants for delivery by Tripadvisor. Fresh authentic East Indian food made from the scratch including a number of vegetarian, gluten-Free, and vegan dishes to delicious meat delicacies  Facebook link. Boston Pizza: Over 100 menu items including gourmet pizzas, a wide variety of appetizers, salads, pastas, entrées, and kids meals. Two locations in Brandon offering curbside pickup or delivery. Boston Pizza South or Boston Pizza North.

Update (March 29):The owners reached out to us last evening and said that they were able to move up the construction timelines and now are hoping for a June opening. Ownership of the new Empire Inn and Suites beer vendor (5th and Rosser) earlier today told bdnmb.ca that they are targeting an August opening. The original vendor burned to the ground in May of 2018 when a fire ripped through several buildings in downtown Brandon.

Kam Lung Asian Cuisine recently (Wednesday & Thursday) delivered some of their most popular and original dishes to staff and workers at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. For Kam Lung's management it was a way of showing appreciation for those front-line workers trying to keep everyone healthy and safe. As a local business they felt it necessary to support them amid the coronavirus crisis. The gesture was well received by staff at the Brandon Regional Health Centre as several took to social media to thank Kam Lung for their generosity during this difficult time. "Thank you for appreciating what we do for the community!!! We appreciate all those AMAZING DISHES you sent us at 400/500" read one social media post. "Thank you Kam Lung for your generosity supporting the health care workers in the Brandon Surgical Suite" another said.