Photo: Contributed
Okanagan Edge and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce are partnering to showcase some of the region’s most exciting entrepreneurs through the “Top 40 Over 40” program.
Sponsored by BDO, the “Top 40 Over 40” recognizes high-achieving professionals in our community and showcases their accomplishments. This marks the seventh year the chamber has conducted a “Top 40” showcase. Honourees will be featured throughout the year on Okanagan Edge.
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Grant Stevens was invited to Kelowna in 1996 by Riverside Forest Products to take on the position of human resources supervisor, bringing his previous forestry and tourism management experience to the role. He was promoted to HR manager in Armstrong to address labour issues and then to regional HR manager responsible for people, payroll, labour relations and contract negotiations.
During the Tolko buyout of Riverside, Stevens returned to working in Kelowna and learning a whole new industry (aviation) as director of human resources for Kelowna Flightcraft, which became KF Aerospace in 2015. He was promoted to vice-president of corporate services in 2018, and in that role he is responsible for HR, payroll and benefits, organizational development, information technology, training, communications and facilities.
These two companies provide solid, long-term, well-paid jobs to thousands of staff and their families across the Okanagan and support many community groups. Stevens calls himself fortunate to have a leadership role in shaping the people practices now used by KF and other companies in the valley.
He also says he has been fortunate to have had many excellent leadership challenges in his career. By far, COVID-19 has been the most challenging, requiring KF to ensure that its 1,000 employees are safe, that their operations remain open and staff has a job. Stevens spent the last few years leading a $40 million investment in facilities in its Hamilton operation. It has excellent partnerships with Okanagan and Mohawk Colleges to support students and provide jobs.
In 2015 KF lost a major contract that directly impacted over one-third of their 1,000 staff, requiring many innovative and compassionate HR solutions. It pivoted the business from flying to maintenance-focused, growing its aircraft maintenance capabilities by nearly 50% since then. In 2005 KF won a major contract requiring it to staff and stand up a new facility and operations in less than eight months for the Department of National Defence. An earlier leadership challenge was in 2004, when Stevens was part of the main table bargaining team in forestry and led initiatives at Riverside to reduce injuries by 50% and improve labour relations.
Stevens holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration (B.Comm) with honours and is a certified professional in human resources. He also holds certifications in leadership, change management and labour relations. He was a finalist for Human Resources Professional of the Year in 2015 with the Certified Professional Human Resources Association of BC.
He has presented at various conferences, seminars and classes on human resources, aviation, training, organizational development and labour relations. Kelowna Ringette received association of the year recognition while he was president.
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