Board of Directors Nominees for 2012/13
Carmen Sparg
Carmen joined Total Office in 2004, during her tenure she has made a major contribution to corporate sales growth of over 300% in the BC Interior, implemented new corporate planning, sales, marketing and systems strategies. Today Carmen is focused on business management, corporate relationships, overseeing design, customer service and jointly leading the Total Office team in the BC Interior. Through her commitment to business processes, ethical work practices and employee development she, along with her team, were awarded the 2011 Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award for small business. She is a graduate of King Williams Technical College with an N3 Commercial Business diploma, 9 years of technical experience in the electronics industry and owned a software support and administration business in South Africa. Carmen is a fitness fanatic, involved in numerous community events through business development and volunteer endeavors and sports activities. Carmen is passionate about her business, her work and exceeding client expectations every day.
Clint Best
Clint of Kaizen Business Development is a professionally trained and certified business coach, mentor and trainer – working with small business owners and their teams. He has been a member of the Kelowna Chamber for the past 10 years and still actively serves as past president on the board for Big Brother and Sister of the Okanagan Valley.
Why I am interested in joining the board:
I enjoy supporting our business community and believe my experience, skills, and enthusiasm can add value to the chamber board and help in its mission.
Sally Ginter
Sally is the Canadian Cancer Society’s Regional Director for the Southern Interior and is accountable for mission delivery, volunteer engagement, operations, and fundraising. Sally oversees 21 staff over three offices, (Kelowna, Trail and Cranbrook) plus an extensive volunteer force. Sally earned her Executive MBA from Athabasca University. Sally resides in Kelowna with her husband Lauren and their two children.
Serving on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board
Having had experience with private enterprise, non-profit & government, I look forward to applying my education and experience to assist the Chamber in being the “Voice of Business”.
Curtis Darmohray
Thank you for considering my re-election to the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board. I have enjoyed my experiences while serving on the Board these past 2 years, and was honored to have received the Chamber’s “Volunteer Award of Excellence” in 2010. I look forward to contributing further to our business community in a meaningful and pro-active manner.
I have been a Partner with Pushor Mitchell, Lawyers since 2003, and have established a successful solicitor-based practice with a focus on business, estate planning, and real estate law.
Despite a busy law practice, I have also been an active member of the Kelowna community - being a founding member of Kelowna's first Business Network International (BNI) Chapter; the founding President of the Okanagan Business Referral Group; and a past director of the Kelowna Childcare Society, the Kelowna Unlimited Hydroplane Association, and the Downtown Kelowna Association.
Away from the office, I keep busy boating and quading with my wife and 3 kids, and otherwise enjoying all that the Okanagan has to offer.
If re-elected, I remain committed to working on behalf of all Chamber members for the betterment of our City and business community. Thank you again for your support!
Gladys Fraser
I have chosen to call the Okanagan home since 1990. In 1998 I started helping small business owners in Kelowna as a Commercial Account Officer. At that time I was most impressed with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s vibrancy and real sense of being the voice of business in this community. To do this an organization needs a solid governance structure and I bring experience acquired over many years of directorships with non-profit organizations. I believe in being part of the solution and I have been active in supporting the Chamber through fundraising at the annual golf tournament for the past 4 years, participating in roundtables, annual general meetings, and taking advantage of the great speakers the Chamber presents. I am a member of Kelowna Women in Business, Okanagan Valley Entrepreneurs Society, and have assisted business students at Okanagan College as a panelist and project judge, at the Centre for Arts and Technology sharing my business experience, and at local high schools through delivery of Junior Achievement programs. In 2009 and 2010 I was the Leadership Chairperson for United Way and our team is proud to have increased leadership giving by 30% in those two years.
I am privileged to lead the Scotiabank team as Kelowna Main Branch and Commercial Banking Centre Manager and focus on helping our clients achieve their financial goals. We see the successes and challenges experienced by businesses every day and work to help them achieve their goals.
The Okanagan is a great place for business and the Chamber plays a key role in supporting businesses at all stages of their maturity by fostering a community that is truly open for business. The Okanagan is also a great place to raise a family. I have two school age boys who are very active in both sports and arts and we are fortunate to have so many skilled and talented people here to help them realize their potential.
Rob Siddon
Rob Siddon is the GM of Coast Appliances and has resided in Kelowna for 12 years. Rob has extensive board experience with almost 7 years of service on the Canadian Home Builders Association Board of Directors. This includes 4 years as Chairman of CHBACO’s largest fundraiser The “Real” Home Show.
I wish to serve on the Board of Directors to both give back and learn more about the inner workings of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
Kim Mckechnie
Kim has worked with a variety of organizations from retail to government, as well as not for profit agencies to help to develop firm marketing strategies and implementation plans in response to their targeted markets. She is a skilled facilitator, negotiator and project manager with a wide range of expertise related to the real estate, transportation, retail and media industries. She has provided media plans and marketing strategies for retail and non-retail customers for the past 11 years and understands the wide range of advertising options available
As a land-use consultant, Kim has assisted small and large land holders evaluate the highest and best use for their holdings and assisted in gaining approval from the regulatory authorities for those uses.
Kim currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Organization, the Media Committee for the 2012 Canadian Culinary Championships and was a member of the 2011 Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Nomination Committee. She is active in her community on a number of committees. Kim has lived in Kelowna for 20 years and is married a 15 month old son.
Ross Merrington
Ross Marrington, owner operator of BCgolfguide.com Inc. has carved a niche travel market thru his passion of golf. Graduated from BCIT Grad in 1988 in CAD/CAM with a Diploma of Technology providing specialized cad services Architectural, Engineering and Geologists. In 1996 the internet was introduced and mixed his graphic/programming skills with golf. In 2001 Ross moved to Kelowna with his family and was providing golf packages. Fast forward to present, BCgolfguide.com is the leader and most popular golf packaging service in BC for the Okanagan which now offers outbound trips.
Kris Smart
My name is Kris Smart and I am currently employed by CIBC as Manager, Commercial
Banking for the Central Okanagan district. Prior to joining the CIBC team in May, 2011; I worked in Commercial Banking for HSBC for 5 years. In addition to the skill sets I have developed in the financial industry, I have had numerous other career opportunities; including holding a foreman position on a cattle feedlot in Alberta, apprenticing as an industrial HVAC technician in Kamloops, and training towards a career as a Commercial Diver in Seattle. I truly believe the variety in my past work experience has been instrumental in the success I am enjoying in my current role, as it’s helped me develop a strong understanding of diversified industries which enables me to provide solid financial solutions to entrepreneurs engaged in a variety of industries. Additionally, I attended Olds College in Alberta where I studied Agricultural Production and graduated on the Deans list with a Major in Livestock Production & Management. I am an active member in the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce where I enjoy attending the many informative and social gatherings, and consider myself extremely privileged to live in this city where I strive to make the most of everything the Okanagan has to offer.
Why I would like to be a Board Member:
I believe my diverse work experience, energetic attitude, and commitment to positive
sustainability will be both a resource, and asset to the future of Kelowna.
Ben Pidskalny
Originally born in Nottingham England, Ben Pidskalny has made Kelowna his home since 1995. After graduating Mount Boucherie in 1999 and receiving a provincial scholarship Ben followed in his father’s footsteps and took Mechanical Engineering at Okanagan University College. After graduating as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist he continued his education and received a diploma in Business Administration
Ben originally wanted to start a career in the movie industry as a special FX engineer but fell in love with the lifestyle and culture of Kelowna. During his college education Ben started a part time job at a local company, SW Audio Visual, which specializes in production for corporate, government and outdoor events. SW, a member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce for many years, was a rapidly expanding company across BC. Ben was able to transfer many of his engineering and business administration skills to facilitate this growth.
After finishing his education Ben joined SW full time and after 15 years of employment has worked his way up to General Manger for the BC interior. He oversees 4 offices including Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, and Kamloops but is still very hands on with his work ensuring the client has the best product and solution possible. Ben is very active in the Kelowna community and through SW he supports many local events and charities including the Jaycees 24 hour relay, the Kelowna Rotary Canstruction project, the Chamber Business after hours and Luncheons, and Kelowna General Hospitals Heart of Gold.
Why I should be elected;
I am committed to the betterment and the success of local businesses. My familiarity and interaction with many individuals and firms within the community gives me a tremendous insight to represent these needs.