ERIC WOODWARD

ABOUT ME

Township of Langley
Mayor

I am serving my 1^st term as the Mayor of the Township of Langley. I was first elected in 2018, serving one term on Council.

On important issues, large and small, I really value the ability to serve all of Langley's communities.

Before Council, I was the President of the Fort Langley Business Improvement Association for five years, 2012-2017. I was a Director of the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation, 2014-2018.

I also served on the Township of Langley's Economic Development Advisory Committee, 2011-2015, and on the Heritage Advisory Committee, 2011-2013.

Revitalization
of Downtown Fort Langley

Starting in 2005, I have been working to revitalize Fort Langley's commercial core. Despite its rich history and obvious potential to become a great walkable destination, Fort Langley was long neglected. For many years, it lacked a common sense vision for its future the commitment to make it happen.

I have renovated multiple aging buildings there. I improved the village's retail tenant mix. In 2017, I finished the LEED Gold Coulter Berry Building at the corner of Glover Road and Mavis Avenue, redefining the village.

The Coulter Berry Building is the most energy efficient and sustainable mixed-use building within all of Langley. It has retail, restaurants, offices and residential. Coulter Berry’s extensive masonry, individualized façades, and a great walkable design were all conceived for Fort Langley's future.

From 2012 to 2017, I served as President of the Fort Langley Business Improvement Association. With the support of so many, we rebranded and promoted Fort Langley anew, and created and expanded events. We secured a critical capital project to bury unsightly power lines and add new street lighting, upgrading Fort Langley's streetscape.

I have assembled over 40% of Fort Langley's commercial core, and most of the commercial frontage between 96^th Avenue and Mavis Avenue, in the heart of the village. With the Fort Langley Project these holdings are now fully within a community trust structure solely for charitable purpose, stewarded by and for the community.

Starting 17 years ago, with Fort Langley neglected and struggling, someone had to step up and go first.

Fort Langley's commercial core is now more virbrant and successful than it has ever been, with a great future ahead of it.

Internet
Technology Industry

I was part of the internet industry at a young age, co-founding multiple successful companies.

In 1994, in the very early days of the internet, I left UBC during my 4^th year to co-found my first technology company, Internet Direct. It became the largest internet service provider in Western Canada within 6 months.

After that, I co-founded Mail.com in 1996, which completed a successful IPO on the NASDAQ in 1998. I sold my last internet company, DomainWorks, in 2007.

I left the technology industry a few years later to refocus my efforts more toward the local community, starting with the revitalization of Fort Langley.

I had great role models and people that I owe a lot. I want to give back, and help pay that forward to others in our community.

Growing Up
in Langley

I grew up in Langley at 53^rd Avenue and 202^nd Street. Langley is my home. I attended HD Stafford when it was still an 8-10 high school, graduated from Langley Senior Secondary. The success, future, and direction of all of Langley really matters to me.

The oldest of three children, I was raised largely by my single mother and caring grandparents. I was very fortunate to have known my grandparents as well I as did. More than anyone else, my grandfather taught me to value each day, and to try and make a difference that matters, that is up to us make things better.

I want to make Langley better, fix problems, and move us forward with vision, commitment, and a dedication to quality outcomes we will be proud of.

Education

I graduated high school from Langley Senior Secondary. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.

SERVICE

FOR LANGLEY

Mayor, Township of Langley, 2022 - Present
Councillor, Township of Langley, 2018 - 2022
Chair & Director, Eric Woodward Foundation, 2018 - Present
Director, Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation, 2014 - 2018
President, Fort Langley Business Improvement Assocation, 2012 - 2017
Member, Township of Langley Economic Development Advisory Committee, 2011 - 2015
Member, Township of Langley Heritage Advisory Committee, 2011 - 2013

Contact

Please feel free to contact me at eric@ericwoodward.com or ewoodward@tol.ca anytime. All feedback is welcome.