People in Business


Changes atop apple company
Okanagan Edge Staff - Mar 05, 2024 - People in Business

Changes are happening atop the food chain at Okanagan Specialty Fruits. The Summerland company, which developed and grows Arctic apple varieties, has appointed Don Westcott to the role of president. He replaces company co-founder Neal Carter, who has moved up to become chief executive officer. In another move, Sarah Evanega has been hired as vice-president […]

Foundation adds six directors
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 28, 2024 - People in Business

Central Okanagan Foundation has added six professionals to its 11-member board of directors. The foundation, which was created in 1977 and has distributed more than $30 million in grants, has welcomed the following six members to its board: • Mark Brade, Pushor Mitchell • Andrew Greer, PURPPL • Daryl Hooley, KPMG • Kim Logan, consultant […]

New leaders at immigrant society
Chelsey Mutter - Feb 20, 2024 - People in Business

Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society has welcomed two new members to its leadership team. Martin Friedrich has been appointed executive director, and Harriet Gutang is the new manager of operations. VDICSS said Friedrich and Gutang both bring leadership skills and related experience to their roles. Both have previously worked for the society, […]

Ex-CFO returns to Avant
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 07, 2024 - People in Business

What’s old is new again at Avant Brands. The Kelowna cannabis company has brought back Jeremy Wright to serve as its interim chief financial officer. He is replacing Miguel Martinez, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. Martinez will remain in his role until March 19. Wright was the CFO at Avant between September 2017 […]

New boss at Innovate BC
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 01, 2024 - People in Business

Innovate BC has found the replacement for Raghwa Gopal. The provincial tech incubator has hired Peter Cowan to become the organization’s next president and CEO. He will take the reins on Monday. Gopal, who helped create Accelerate Okanagan and became its CEO in 2015, resigned from the top job at Innovate BC last spring to […]

Oliver golf GM nation’s best
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jan 30, 2024 - People in Business

The boss at a premier South Okanagan golf course has been named the best at his position in Canada. Brian McDonald, who is the general manager and director of golf operations at Oliver’s Fairview Mountain Golf Club, won the PGA of Canada’s 2023 Dick Munn Executive Professional of the Year Award last week in Orlando, […]

New faces on advisory board
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jan 24, 2024 - People in Business

Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission has added a wide range of professionals to its 45-member advisory committee and announced its new executive for 2024. The committee, which supports and nurtures the business community, has welcomed seven new faces. The new members are Vitalis revenue vice-president Carla Berrie, Northside Industries president Mark Burleigh, Impact Events owner […]

Locals reach partner status
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jan 19, 2024 - People in Business

Grant Thornton LLP announced its new partners and principals earlier this month to kick off the new year, and a couple of its B.C. Interior employees made that next steps in their careers. Kelowna’s Tyler Krenz and Kamloops’ Sandra Blair are both new partners at their respective local offices of the Canadian accounting and business […]

Fruit Growers hires new boss
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jan 12, 2024 - People in Business

BC Fruit Growers’ Association has found the replacement for its retiring general manager. Melissa Tesche will take over from Glen Lucas, who will call it a career on March 4 after 25 years as BCFGA’s GM. “We are very happy to welcome Melissa to the BCFGA team,” president Peter Simonsen said in a press release. […]

New boss at women’s shelter
Madison Reeve - Jan 11, 2024 - People in Business

Kelowna Women’s Shelter has found its new executive director, and it didn’t have to go far. Michelle Dickie accepted the role on Dec. 13, and took on the role immediately. She joined KWS in February 2022 as director of programs before stepping into the role of interim executive director in September 2023. Her career began […]