 ARLENE FENRICH, PRESIDENT: Arlene is the owner of Edgy Petals which is in the heart of downtown Summerland. She is a proud supporter of many community events including the Summerland Blossom Pageant and the Summerland Chamber Business Awards Gala.Arlene was a chamber appointed volunteer on the Downtown Redesign Committee and her input helped to create new design guidelines for the downtown core.Arlene believes that “where there is a will, there is a way” and brings that attitude to the table as a chamber director.Her belief in the importance of a strong chamber and how that relates to the economic health and prosperity for the entire community, is what allows Arlene to find time to serve as a volunteer director. |
 CHRISTINE COLETTA, DIRECTOR: Christine Coletta has been in the wine industry since 1990. She was instrumental in the development of the BC wine industry through the establishment of the VQA program. She spent nine years marketing BC wine across Canada and in select international markets.In the time since, her expertise has been sought by dozens of BC wineries and also wine regions outside Canada. For the past twelve years she has worked on several wine region marketing initiatives including Washington State, Wines of Chile and Wine Australia and dozens of BC wine brands, including Sumac Ridge, Gray Monk, Nk’Mip, See Ya Later, Osoyoos Larose, Road 13, Tinhorn Creek, Baillie-Grohman, Nichol, Hester Creek, Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs and now, her own brand, Haywire and the additional labels that emerge from Okanagan Crush Pad.With the development of Okanagan Crush Pad and Haywire Winery her skill is put to use in a winery business where she has ownership. Christine is be responsible for all Okanagan Crush Pad client strategy, branding, and marketing.Christine has been named as a “Spirited Industry Professional” at the 30th Vancouver Wine Festival, and most recently Vancouver magazine listed Christine as “one to watch” in their Top Influential people issue of 2012.Off duty, Christine gives her time to the BC Hospitality Foundation as a founder and current board member. A lover of dogs, she also sits on the board for PADS, the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society, and is a puppy sitter for the organization. Christine and her husband Steve Lornie split their time between Vancouver and Summerland, where leisure activities, when they get to them, include entertaining and sharing wine and food experiences with family and friends. |
 MAGED SAID, TREASURER: Maged has lived in Summerland for over eight years, with his wife Lori and their three children. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity Western University and has, over a fifteen year period, held various senior management positions in the Environmental, Health & Safety field within the mining industry around the world. In 2003, Maged, Lori and family moved to Summerland to own and operate Radio Shack (now known as Bad Robot Computers and Electronics). This quickly led to involvement in other various business and real estate ventures, including their current ownership of Mission Bottle Washing Co. Maged is actively involved in his Church, Summerland Baptist, where he currently sits on the Leadership Board and various other committees, He has served on the board of SCEDT for four years, holding positions as Director, Vice President and President. Maged has a desire to once again become part of the SCEDT Board, where he will use his business and leadership skills and experience, and work with other business leaders to improve the economic and business conditions in Summerland. |
 THOR CLAUSEN, PAST PRESIDENT: I joined the board of the Summerland Chamber in March of 2012. I have served as President for the past year. I have enjoyed my time on the board but there is still work to be done and I would like the opportunity to finish it.I was born in Summerland at the original Summerland Hospital on Solly Road. My parents had a corner store, formally Stan’s and Bills. I grew-up on the family poultry farm off of Lumsden Ave. I went to elementary school at Mac Donald School and was part of the first group of students at Giants Head elementary. I graduated from Summerland Senior Secondary in 1981. I am a Summerlander. I have a diploma in horticulture, teach and train arborists across North America, am a small business owner as well as a medium-sized business operator in Summerland. I recently sold my business, Arbortech, to a large company called Bartlett Tree Experts. We had wanted to offer improved scientific tree care to our clients as well as better benefits and security to our employees and this amalgamation allowed us to do this. We are able now to still operate as a small personal company with access to the systems and security of a larger one. On a personal level, as my kids are now 21 and 23 I am finding (albeit very little) time to enjoy my horse, my motorcycle and my new passion sailing. I look forward to continuing to work with the members of SCEDT in progressing through these hard economic times and finding ways in which to assist the businesses in our community succeed. |
 CONNIE DENESIUK, DIRECTOR: Connie Denesiuk has a long history of community involvement in Summerland and the South Okanagan. She brings a blend of common sense and optimism to her work. In addition to serving as a long time school trustee with the Okanagan Skaha School board, and President of the B.C. School Trustees Association, Connie and her husband Bob have been partners in R. Denesiuk Construction for more than thirty years. Connie has spent many years attending SCEDT meetings as a school district liaison, and is now enjoying the opportunity to serve the businesses of Summerland as a Summerland Chamber of Commerce Director. |
 JASON EMBREE, VICE PRESIDENT: Born and raised in the Okanagan, Jason got an introduction to small business at a young age from his father, owner of a heavy equipment rentals and parts company. Starting out sweeping floors and cleaning parts, Jason eventually earned a Parts Manager position coordinating record setting sales while managing a fleet of rental machinery. In his early twenties, Jason decided to strike out on his own and pursue a career in the culinary arts. Again starting at the bottom as a dishwasher and working his way up, three short years later Jason received his trade certification in Culinary Arts, graduating at the top of his class with honours. He spent the next few years working at, and managing the kitchens of, some of the top resort-hotel restaurants in the Okanagan before being offered his first Executive Chef position in Salmon Arm. With an entrepreneurial spirit, he later moved to Summerland with his partner to open Good Omens.Good Omens’ reputation for excellent food and coffee quickly grew. Good Omens has won multiple awards in Okanagan Life magazine’s “Best Restaurants” issue and the business continues to grow each year. |
 DARIN FAIR, DIRECTOR: Darin has lived in Summerland since 1996 with his wife Rochelle and their 4 children. Prior to then, Darin owned and operated his own rental company in the lower mainland.In 1996 Darin and Rochelle established the Beanery Coffee Company in downtown Summerland.In 2008, the café was sold and Darin moved the roasting facility to James Lake industrial park where he exports fine artisan roast coffee from Summerland to the World.Darin has been involved in many community efforts in support of local athletes, local youth, festivals and business promotions.In the past, Darin has served for 4 years as a director on the Summerland Chamber.With this business experience, community involvement and heart for Summerland, Darin looks forward to cooperatively working alongside other business leaders to improve the business climate in Summerland. |
