The history of Compass Marine Services and its sister companies dates back to 1966, when founder John (Jack) Cunningham recognized a need for shipbroking services in the expanding Vancouver/Pacific Northwest market. Within less than 10 years, Cunningham Transportation (now CTL Westrans Shipbrokers) was one of the region's leading shipbrokers, working with a growing base of local and international charterers.
Compass Marine Services was formed in 1984, its objective to meet the agency needs of vessel and cargo operators on Canada's coasts. A complement to CTL's brokerage, the company provides comprehensive agency services to longstanding clients engaged in bulk, break bulk and container cargo trades with Canada.
Having recently celebrated 20 years in the ship agency business and nearly 40 years in the international maritime community Compass Marine remains committed to continual improvement of its operations and has adopted a Quality System Standard through its ISO 9001 : 2000 certification.
General Manager Dave Hill is responsible for the overall operations and management of Compass Marine Services. A member of the company since 1984, he began his career with Compass Marine as a Ship Agent, overseeing all aspects of the company's agency services for vessels calling Canadian ports on the West Coast. These vessels discharged and loaded a range of cargoes, including coal, grain, steel, concentrates, livestock and forest products.
In addition to studies in economics at Simon Fraser University, Dave has completed the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents course, graduating with Honours.
A Compass Marine staff member since 1994, Michael Theodorakis is currently responsible for the daily operations of the company's head office. Michael draws on an impressive shipping background: his family was involved in shipping-related affairs and he pursued his education at the City of London Polytechnic, from where he received a Diploma and Certificate in Commercial Operation of Shipping, with Merit. He next spent a year at sea as an apprentice officer aboard the M.V. "Thalassini Axia," obtaining his International Seaman's Certificate and gaining first-hand experience with stowage, navigation and ship maintenance. Following this experience, Michael worked with Evergreen UK's Export Department and Evergreen Vancouver before joining Compass Marine.
Fluent in Greek, German and English, Michael has completed the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents course.
Formerly an inspector for CFIA Harbour Operations (Agriculture Canada) and a contract surveying supervisor for British Columbia's forestry sector, Richard joined Compass Marine's operations team in August 2000. As a ship agent, he specializes in working break-bulk shipments in the Pacific Region, such as forest products, rolling stock, heavy machinery and oversize project cargoes.
Conversant in French, Spanish and English, Richard has completed the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (ASBA) courses in Maritime Law and, more recently, Principles of Chartering.
Robert joined Compass Marine in 2000, bringing with him a resume that includes experience as a customs broker and freight forwarder. As one of the company's ship agents, he works closely with ship operators and cargo interest, overseeing container principles.
A graduate of the Management Systems Degree Program at BCIT, Robert has also completed several professional industry programs, including the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) Professional Education Program and the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (ASBA) Basic Principles of Chartering Course.
A member of the Compass Marine team since 1997, Martine is well-versed in both freight forwarding and cargo operations. Previously active in the airfreight industry, where she acquired experience in freight forwarding and airline cargo operations, Martine works closely with Compass Marine's ship agents, overseeing a variety of administrative duties. She also provides logisticial support to the shipbrokers of CTL Westrans, Compass Marine's sister company.
A native of Montreal, Martine is fluent in English and French.
The newest member to the Compass Marine team, Charmay oversees all documentation for Compass and its clients. Previously, she worked in the grain industry where she managed export documentation for various international grain trade organizations.
Charmay also brings to Compass first hand experience with the Asian marketplace, having worked with various customs and import/export corporations in her native China.
Born and raised in Tianjin, China, Charmay immigrated to Canada in 1997. She is fluent in English and Mandarin.