People in Business


Pearson new chamber president
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 09, 2022 - People in Business

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce knows who its next president is going to be, and the process to determine the board’s directors is now underway. Pamela Pearson, who is the operations director at Sentes Automotive, has been acclaimed as president after serving on the board for the past three years, most recently as secretary. “As […]

Vernon resident BC’s top forester
Darren Handschuh - Feb 09, 2022 - People in Business

Vernon’s Tawnya Collins has been named the Association of BC Forest Professionals’ professional forester of the year for 2021. Collins received the honour for her work protecting communities from wildfires last summer. The award recognizes a registered professional forester for outstanding service to the profession and furthering the principles of the association. Collins was presented […]

Faces of #OKGNtech
Accelerate Okanagan - Feb 04, 2022 - People in Business

A strong community can promote new ideas and ensure accountability. It can also act as motivation, support and even provide a little friendly competition. The power of community is undeniable, and the Okanagan tech community is no exception. Our community is strong and growing with record speed, and maintaining connections through a period of growth […]

New fire chief knows disasters
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 02, 2022 - People in Business

The North Westside Fire Rescue department has a new chief. Ron Ewert will begin the new role on Feb. 22 for the department, which falls under the purview of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The department serves communities along Westside Road, including La Casa and Westshore Estates. Ewert has been a firefighter with the […]

Boost for Okanagan creator
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 02, 2022 - People in Business

An Okanagan filmmaker has received a big financial boost as part of the latest Telus Storyhive initiative. Telus Storyhive and The Black Screen Office have selected 30 Black creators from B.C. and Alberta to receive $20,000 as part of the first Black Creators Edition. Okanagan creator Daniel Code is one of those 30 filmmakers, and […]

Two new Pushor partners
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jan 31, 2022 - People in Business

Pushor Mitchell LLP has added two partners to the law firm. Colin Edstrom and Bryan Fitzpatrick have made partner after working at the downtown Kelowna firm for several years. Edstrom focuses on labour and employment law, workers’ compensation, occupational health and safety, privacy law and human rights, and commercial litigation. Fitzpatrick practises in personal injury, […]

New DVA boss knows Vernon
Jon Manchester - Jan 28, 2022 - People in Business

There’s a new—and familiar—face at the helm of Downtown Vernon Association. The DVA announced Keelan Murtagh as its new executive director on Thursday. Murtagh moved to Vernon from the Kootenays in 2014 to start a family with his wife. Since then, he has immersed himself in the North Okanagan, working at SilverStar Mountain Resort, Wayside […]

WeBC names new CEO
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jan 27, 2022 - People in Business

WeBC has named Shauna Harper as its new chief executive officer. The Kelowna-based organization, which supports female-owned businesses, was looking for a new boss after Jill Earthy stepped down in December. Harper comes from Prince George, where she has been a full-time entrepreneur for the last 22 years. She is the CEO of Live Work […]

Ex-TOTA boss lands in London
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jan 24, 2022 - People in Business

Former Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association boss Glenn Mandziuk has found a new role, and it’s taken him halfway around the world. Mandziuk has been named CEO of Sustainable Hospitality Alliance in London. The organization strives to ensure the hospitality industry takes collective responsibility to ensure that destinations and communities are being supported and protected now […]

Faces of #OKGNtech
Accelerate Okanagan - Jan 21, 2022 - People in Business

A strong community can promote new ideas and ensure accountability. It can also act as motivation, support and even provide a little friendly competition. The power of community is undeniable, and the Okanagan tech community is no exception. Our community is strong and growing with record speed, and maintaining connections through a period of growth […]