People in Business


Neave earns lifetime honour
Okanagan Edge Staff - Dec 01, 2023 - People in Business

The man behind a successful Kelowna tourism business has been honoured by his peers. Roland Neave, the founder of Wells Gray Tours, received the Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Tour Association two weeks ago in Shreveport, La. Neave received the award for his commitment to the travel and tourism industry that is […]

Lock to lead Stober Group
Okanagan Edge Staff - Nov 28, 2023 - People in Business

It did not take long for Lisa Lock to impress the Stober family. The Kelowna real estate development and property management company has named Lock as its new chief executive officer, effective Nov. 1. The appointment came just six months after she joined the business as its chief operating officer. “We are thrilled to have […]

Arts centre boss up for honour
Okanagan Edge Staff - Nov 24, 2023 - People in Business

The executive director of Kelowna’s Rotary Centre for the Arts is up for a prestigious national award that honours those who work in the Canadian nonprofit and charitable sectors. Colleen Fitzpatrick has been named a finalist for the CharityVillage Most Outstanding Individual Impact Award, which brings together professionals from across Canada’s nonprofit and charitable sectors to […]

CAC boss wins national award
Okanagan Edge Staff - Nov 23, 2023 - People in Business

The head of Kelowna’s Child Advocacy Centre has received a prestigious national honour for her work. Ginny Becker captured the Social Change Regional Impact Award at the 2023 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards in Toronto on Wednesday night. It was one of seven honours handed out during the 31st annual awards gala. More than 11,000 women […]

New faces on Accelerate board
Okanagan Edge Staff - Nov 14, 2023 - People in Business

Accelerate Okanagan held its annual general meeting late last month, during which it welcomed four new members to its board of directors. The newest faces on the 15-person board are RWT Growth founder and managing partner Reece Tomlinson, Okanagan School of Business chair Devin Rubadeau, Potentia HR engagement consultant Brie Elson, and Mavan Capital Partners […]

Chamber honours Samaddar
Okanagan Edge Staff - Nov 03, 2023 - People in Business

The man ultimately responsible for bringing tourists to town through the air is Kelowna’s business leader of the year. Kelowna Chamber of Commerce announced Friday morning that Kelowna International Airport CEO Sam Samaddar is its top business person of 2023. The news was released in advance of the chamber’s 36th annual Business and Community Excellence […]

College hires new provost
Cindy White - Oct 26, 2023 - People in Business

The new provost and academic vice-president at Okanagan College hails from Alberta. Dr. Samantha Lenci has previous experience in the same role at Lethbridge College. Prior to that, she was associate vice-president of academic services at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. She also worked at Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College in Calgary. “Dr. […]

Rogers adds national role
Okanagan Edge Staff - Oct 18, 2023 - People in Business

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce CEO Dan Rogers has added a role to his resume. Rogers last weekend was elected president of the Chambers of Commerce Executives of Canada. The CCEC is dedicated to serving the interests of executives involved in the management of chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Canada. “I’ve been part […]

Penticton pioneer wins award
Chelsea Powrie - Oct 12, 2023 - People in Business

A beloved Penticton businesswoman and brewer has won the 2023 BC Food and Beverage Leadership Award, after public voting put her in first place. Patt Dyck of Cannery Brewing was lauded at the annual awards ceremony Wednesday night, recognized in the category that honours “individuals in the food industry with dedication, leadership, and inspiration.” Dyck […]

Medical foundation names leader
Chelsea Powrie - Sep 27, 2023 - People in Business

South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation has named a new executive director. Ian Lindsay, formerly the director of development at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George with experience in Alberta, is the new hire. Lindsay grew up in North Bay, Ont., but is not new to Penticton and the South Okanagan, having visited […]