He's Got the Edge
A light-hearted Q&A with the people who make the Okanagan work


Dustin Read
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jul 26, 2017 - Got the Edge

Valley First Business Portrait

Name: Dustin Read.

What business or organization are you involved with? Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union. I’m also a board member with Festivals Kelowna.

What is your role with that organization? Branch Manager of Valley First’s Downtown Kelowna Branch

What’s your favourite thing about living in the Okanagan? I like being outdoors on a patio in the summer enjoying the endless
amount of sunshine and warm weather.

If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would you choose and why? James Corden. I think he is hilarious. I record his show every evening and then watch it the next morning before I go to work. It puts me in such a positive space for the day ahead. I can’t get enough of
carpool karaoke.

What’s your go-to happy place? My home. It’s so nice at the end of a long day or work week to return home to a good meal, a nice glass of wine and to be able to enjoy it with my wife and my dogs.

What are you most proud of? The team I work with every day and watching them develop their skills and grow professionally. Our goal is to provide Valley First members with the best financial advice possible. I am proud of the relationships we have with our members and when they treat us like a partner in their financial journey.

What are the top three things on your bucket list? They are all travel related: I want to visit India, Africa and South America.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Haggis, which was surprisingly good.

Latest movie or book? The movie was Lion. The Book: A House in the Sky. It’s an amazing true story written by Canadian Amanda Lindhout, who was held captive in Somalia for 460 days.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? I was the branch manager at Guisachan Village until I moved to manage the Downtown Kelowna location earlier this year. When I left Guisachan, the staff gave me a mug that reads “Goal Digger,” which I think is very fitting. I use it daily.

If today were your last day, how would you spend it? It would be spent with friends and family. It would be a celebration rather than a sad day and it would involve good food and wine.


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