Dave Pinton is the new Director of Communications at the University of the Fraser Valley. He will lead the Communications team in media relations, crisis communications, events, and internal and external communication initiatives. He joined UFV on January 26 and reports to Leslie Courchesne, Executive Director, University Relations.
“We’re looking forward to having Dave’s media and communications expertise at UFV. His reputation with broadcast journalists and his ability to connect with people will help bring more of UFV to the world. He’s a great addition to the University Relations team and to UFV,” said Courchesne.
Pinton brings a results-oriented approach based on 15 years of media, public relations, communications, and media relations experience. He has expertise in media relations, issues management, and crisis communications and has dealt with crisis situations ranging from measles to building evacuations to computer breaches.
He joins UFV from the British Columbia Institute of Technology where, over six years, he held several management positions within Media Relations and Marketing and Communications. During his tenure with BCIT, media mentions doubled and he led many media campaigns including the recent 50th anniversary celebration.
Trained as a television journalist, Pinton reported news and sports with CTV in Vancouver and City TV in Toronto and Vancouver. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English (UBC) and a Broadcast Journalism diploma from BCIT.
UFV’s ability to change lives and the entrepreneurial and welcoming spirit of the community resonated with Pinton, and appealed to his continuing desire to tell stories.
“I’m quickly learning about the amazing breadth and diversity of stories generated across UFV and the region,” says Pinton. “Meeting the people involved, and helping bring the University’s stories to the local community, British Columbia, and beyond, is a very exciting and energizing prospect.”
Pinton has taught public relations and journalism at BCIT and at Kwantlen, winning a teaching excellence award while at BCIT.
He and his wife Angela will be living at their family home near Harrison Lake and taking advantage of the world-class mountain biking, kayaking, windsurfing, and hiking the Fraser Valley offers.