People in Business


Top cop tough on crime
Chelsea Powrie - Feb 13, 2020 - People in Business

Penticton’s new top cop says his two major priorities are cracking down on prolific offenders, and dealing with the underlying cause of many crimes that he says is often addiction and mental health issues. Supt. Brian Hunter arrived on the job last week and introduced himself to local media Wednesday morning. He comes to town with […]

Lent lends skills to UBCO
Laura Brookes - Feb 13, 2020 - People in Business

Okanagan icon John Lent is joining UBC Okanagan this spring as its writer-in-residence. The Vernon-based fiction writer, editor, singer and songwriter will be on campus from March 9 to 26, working with students, faculty and community members on various projects. Lent taught at Okanagan College for more than 30 years in creative writing and literature. He has published 11 […]

Top 20 deadline nears
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 11, 2020 - People in Business

There are only a few days left to nominate a business or community leader in Vernon. The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce and KPMG are looking for the city’s Top 20 Over 40, and residents have until Friday to put a name forward. The project is looking for those with significant business success and community […]

These three are heroes
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 11, 2020 - People in Business

Three Summerland Aquatic and Fitness Centre lifeguards were honoured this week for helping to save a life two weeks ago. Aysha Curley, Micaela MacDougall and Anna Lock were recognized during the District of Summerland council meeting on Monday for their heroic efforts on Jan. 31. A fitness class patron was not feeling well, so the […]

Jarrett makes BCHA history
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 06, 2020 - People in Business

The BC Hotel Association has the first female leader in its 103-year history, and she hails from right here in the Okanagan. Ingrid Jarrett has been appointed the BCHA’s president and chief executive officer. She takes over for James Chase, who retired in December after 28 years at the helm. “It is an honour to […]

Beaubier new URBA boss
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 05, 2020 - People in Business

Karen Beaubier is taking her business talents from West Kelowna to Rutland. It was announced recently that the Greater Westside Board of Trade was looking for a new executive director after Beaubier announced her resignation. It turns out Beaubier wasn’t going far, as she is about to start in her new role as the executive […]

Firefighter happy to be back
Laura Brookes - Feb 03, 2020 - People in Business

 Kelowna Fire Department captain Chris Zimmermann is ecstatic to be back on the job with his crew, more than two years after he was injured during a horrific blaze. Zimmermann suffered second-degree burns on his legs, back, ear and hands while fighting a blaze at the Water’s Edge construction site July 8, 2017 – a day that started […]

Lalonde lands VP role
Wayne Moore - Jan 31, 2020 - People in Business

Alan Lalonde will begin a new post with the Central Okanagan School District in March. Lalonde, the district principal for learning support services, has been appointed assistant superintendent. He replaces Vianne Kintzinger, who is retiring next month. Lalonde has worked in the Central Okanagan school system for the past 25 years. He has held principal positions at […]

Noseworthy new media liaison
Wayne Moore - Jan 30, 2020 - People in Business

Kelowna RCMP have filled their vacant media relations post. Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy, who spent four months in the job at the Vernon detachment, takes over for Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, who left the position in late August of last year to take a similar position overseeing media relations for the entire Southeast District. Noseworthy started her […]

Builders honour Visscher
Kirk Penton - Jan 29, 2020 - People in Business

Richard Visscher figured something was up when his business partner suggested he prepare a few words for Saturday night’s Okanagan Housing Awards of Excellence. When the show paused and it was announced they were going to give the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award to Visscher, it still caught the veteran Kelowna engineer by surprise. “They had […]