New Chamber of Commerce board for 2019/20

VERNON – A new volunteer board of directors is at the helm of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce for 2019/20.
During the sold-out President’s Dinner and annual general meeting at Durali Villa Sept. 11, Krystin Kempton, a partner with Nixon Wenger Lawyers, was confirmed as Chamber president for the next year as was a board of returning and new directors.
“It is an honour to be selected as president of the Chamber board. I believe the organization has a significant role in not only representing its members, but also promoting Greater Vernon as the place to invest, work and live,” said Kempton, who was most recently Chamber vice-president.
“The Chamber has been the voice of business since 1897 and as we move into 2019/20, the board of directors and the Chamber staff will continue to advocate on behalf of its members to ensure they have the ability to prosper.”
Along with Kempton, the 2019/20 board of directors include:
Darrin Taylor, Axis Intervention Services – vice-president
Greg Stevens, TD Commercial Bank – secretary-treasurer
Diana Wilson, Kal Tire – past-president
Robin Cardew, Robin Cardew CPA Chartered Professional Accountant - director
Dudley Coulter, Peak PR/Downtown Vernon Association – director
Peter Kaz, Village Green Hotel – director
Roger Lamoureux, Tatawaw Kanata Glamping & Wellness – director
Leif Lennie, Pleasant Valley Painters – director
Jayme McKillop, Jayme McKillop Co. – director
Aly Pain, The Conflict Coach – director
Matt Scheibenpflug, Sandman Inn – director
Deb White, White House Mortgages – director
Also during the AGM, there was an opportunity to recognize those individuals who are retiring from the board of directors.
Navneet Ghoman, Woolley and Co.
Markus Schrott, BDO Canada
Brett Vanderhoek, Tolko Industries
“We wish Navneet, Markus and Brett well with their future endeavours and we thank them for the time and perspective they provided to the Chamber,” said Dione Chambers, Chamber general manager.
Once the annual general meeting was completed, there was a panel discussion focused on agricultural exports and the opportunities for North Okanagan entrepreneurs. The panel was moderated by Wade Preston, an account manager at Export Development Canada, which sponsored the event. The participants included Shane Sondermann, a development manager at Sun-Rype Products, and Ken MacLeod, an export advisor with the Okanagan Export Navigator Program.