President - Ken MacLeod - MacGroup of Companies www.themacgroup.net
Ken MacLeo
d and the MacGroup of Associate Professionals offer 
services directed towards the fundamental process to ensure business and personal success.
As a strategic leader and motivator with significant corporate experience both in Canadian and International markets, Ken and his team have honed their skills to successfully build upon the core strengths and niche of businesses and have developed sound tactical approaches to penetrate and increase sales and revenue.
These services include all aspects of revenue generation such as, leadership and team coaching and mentoring, seminars and training, strategic and tactical planning, branding strategies aligned with competitive advantages, marketing, social media, web consulting and design support.
Acknowledged for his skills and expertise in market development, he has ‘created the success path’ to increased revenue and profitability. This is accomplished by focusing on systems and controls, overhead costs, improved negotiating practices, increase sales opportunities supported by sound marketing and branding strategies to secure solid profitability in a variety of businesses, franchises and corporations.
Ken has also been honored with several awards as top Sales Director in North America and has been voted in BC Business magazine as an exemplary CEO, controlling one of the top up and coming companies in Canada. He was also nominated as Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young and received the Consumers Choice Award from 2001-2004 as CEO leading a progressive company in BC. Ken was also nominated in 2007 as Professional Business of the Year by the Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to being active on the Chamber, Ken is also a TEC Chair (Thompson – Okanagan) with The Executive Committee of Canada (TEC), guiding, mentoring and leading a group of progressive Presidents & CEO’s. www.tec-canada.com
1st Vice President - Ingrid Dilschneider - Predator Ridge Resort www.predatorridge.com
Hello and welcome to the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce. I am 
a proud Director in my second year of working with the Chamber Board of Directors.
My day job is the Director, Sales & Marketing Resort for Predator Ridge. Not only are we one of two public golf courses in Western Canada to have ranked in Score Magazine's Canadian Top 25, Predator Ridge was the first course to win the BCPGA Golf Facility of the Year award twice! In every destination I have had the pleasure of hanging my hat on, I felt it was important to get involved in the community where I work and live. With this comes a sense of pride and with this pride comes a sense of community.
My participation on the Chamber Board is to be a part of what the Chamber stands for by ‘advocating and promoting economic development and retention in our community and providing leadership while encouraging sustainable growth, prosperity, and service excellence’. I look forward to welcoming new members and continuing to work with current members.
Director - Adrian Johnson - KPMG www.kpmg.com 
Adrian joined KPMG’s Vernon team as a manager in December 2010, where he specializes in providing assurance and advisory services. His client base ranges from some of the Okanagan’s largest and well established companies to young entrepreneurial start-ups. Prior to joining KPMG, Adrian worked independently as a business advisor in Northern BC. He specialized in analyzing organisation’s financial and operational situation, helping organisation’s achieve their goals. His strong financial skills ensured decisions were
profitable. Adrian trained as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he worked for five years in the UK and Canada. He holds a Physics degree from OxfordUniversity, is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, as is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC. Adrian has also worked for Deutsche Bank’s corporate finance department, as a manager of financial reporting for the Royal Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland, and performed contracts for several other international banks in Sydney, Australia. This broad experience has exposed Adrian to a wide range of organizational strategies and processes. Complemented by sound
technical knowledge, he has an armoury of skills with which to assist the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
Past President - Deb Leroux - Harris Flowers www.harrisflowers.ca 
2010-2011 was an inspiring and productive year for the GVCC and it was an honour to serve in the role of President during this exciting time. Hosting the 12@12 series continued to provide Your Chamber with the most relevant and specific ways in which to serve each sector of the membership, and this great aspect of services will continue to thrive as the GVCC moves into 2011-2012 and beyond. The addition of George Duffy to our dynamic office team has added a new dimension to the work ethic and productivity of the team, and his skills also bring out the best in the Board as we adjusted to hispresence and found the ability to rely on him as a great resource to us, nearly immediately. The Board this year has been an inspiring and educational group, as we have moved through large challenges intact and with a bright eye to the future. Thank you again for this outstanding opportunity to serve
the community of Greater Vernon and the membership of the Chamber. I will consider this one of my greatest years of learning and of growth, as I move forward into my own professional future.
Director - Jodi Koenig - Summit Financial Planners www.summitfinancial.bc.ca
Jodi is a proud member of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce with over 12 years 
experience in the investment and financial planning field. She recently joined Summit Financial Planners as an independent financial planner. Jodi enjoys having the opportunity of working with the Chamber Executive putting her planning and goal setting skills to good use in a different arena.
Director - Deb Stoddard - TD Canada Trust www.tdcanadatrust.com
Deb has been a member of the Vernon community for over two years and was fortunate to be nominated for Woman of the Year in 2010. Deb has been with TD Canada Trust for over 35 years and the last 12 years as a Small Business Advisor. Her goal is to help your business grow. In Campbell River, her husband owned a fishing resort and they were members of the local Chamber of Commerce. Deb has learned how important being part of the Chamber of Commerce is and how much the Chamber can help the Business Community.
Director - Roel van de Crommenacker - Innotech Windows & Doors
www.innotech-windows.com
In 2008, Roel moved with his family from the
live in The Okanagan and be part of this fantastic community.
With over 20 years of (management) sales experience, he enjoys being a member of the Board of Directors to share this knowledge with colleague entrepreneurs and to help build a good network for all of us.
Roel likes organizing events, volunteering (Board of Directors Funtastic, BC Games 2012) and loves to be in the outdoors. In everyday life, Roel is a sales consultant for Innotech Windows & Doors, a well established manufacturer of tilt & turn windows and doors.
German Engineering, Made in BC!
Director - Duane Vankeimpena - JayDee Associates www.jaydeeassociates.com
Duane is the proud owner of JayDee Associates, a business that helps you renovate your home with ease. Duane has lived in the Vernon area for 17 years and has been an active community member serving with the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for the past two years. He feels very strongly about his involvement with the Chamber and the role the organization plays in providing assistance to promoting small business throughout the region. In his spare time, Duane enjoys being involved in his community through church groups and as board representative for 8 years with the Vernon Christian School Board.
Director - Jaron Chasca - Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services www.myalternatives.ca
Jaron, a licensed second generation funeral director and active manager with Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services™, has over 16 years experience in the funeral profession. Jaron began his career as a Funeral Attendant in Calgary, Alberta. Jaron then moved to Cranbrook, B.C. to work in his family’s funeral home and complete his apprenticeship. After completing a two year apprenticeship, Jaron received his Certificate of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Trade Qualification for Funeral Directing and
Embalming and is licensed in the Province of British Columbia. After this, Jaron moved back to Calgary where he was the Sales Manager with the City of Calgary cemeteries for three years. Jaron then started the first pet crematorium and funeral service in Western Canada. During this time back in Calgary, Jaron also completed his Marketing and Entrepreneur diploma from Mount Royal College. Now, Jaron has re-joined the family business with Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services™ in Vernon and Armstrong and is excited to bring his knowledge, experience and especially his passion for serving bereaved families to the Okanagan.
Director - Dauna Kennedy Grant - Vernon Public Art Gallery www.vernonpublicartgallery.com
Dauna Kennedy Grant is the Executive Director for the Vernon Public Art Gallery and leads the Steering Committee for the proposed new cultural complex for the North Okanagan. She participates on various community development committees such as Vision North Okanagan’s Urban Renewal Committee, North Okanagan’s Cultural Capital of Canada Big Committee and the Culture in Action Committee to name a few. Aside from Dauna’s professional work in the community, she spends her time working on marketing and export
development with her family’s winery, Granite Creek Estate Wines and participates on the Board of Directors for the Kokanee Swim Club in the position of Club Development. Prior to moving to Vernon in 2008, Dauna was very involved in Grande Prairie both professional and in a volunteer capacity. Some highlights include working on two community capital campaigns; Centre 2000 (Tourism, business centre) and Safety City, an injury prevention facility; working as the Executive Director for Grande Prairie and Area Safe Communities; performing various contract projects for the Chamber of Commerce and a Heritage inventory for the City of Grande Prairie. Dauna was instrumental in helping to create a successful fundraising lottery for 3 local charities and volunteered on a number of not for profit organizations throughout her time in the community. Dauna
believes that community involvement is a responsibility that we all have. As the mother of two boys she wants to participate in creating a community that is a healthy vibrant place for our younger generation to grow and learn in.
Director - Randy Kazemir - TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc www.vernonmortgagebroker.ca
Randy is a proud member of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce. Randy, his wife and two children have lived and loved this beautiful community of Vernon for the past 11 years. As an Accredited Mortgage Professional with TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc. Randy keeps very busy sourcing the best mortgage products that suit his clients individual financial needs.
Randy also takes time from his busy work schedule and family time to be affiliated with these fine organizations:
• Rotary Club of Vernon – Club Administration Director
• MBABC (Mortgage Broker’s Association of BC)
• CAAMP (Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals)
•BC Children’s Hospital Mortgage Broker Giving Program
Randy counts himself very blessed and fortunate to have been married to his beautiful wife for 20 years, and raising two incredible children, his family is what Randy is most proud of. Randy looks forward to being a positive contributing member of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Director - Matthew Davidson - Sage Environmental Consulting Ltd. www.sageenvironmental.ca
I am an owner and consultant at Sage Environmental Consulting Ltd in Vernon BC. In January of 2008 my wife Karen and I returned home to Vernon BC to start Sage Environmental. We provide environmental biology, environmental assessment, contaminated sites services, and land services to the North Okanagan and beyond. As we continue to grow our business I am looking to become more involved in the community. If the opportunity arises, I would be pleased to hold a position on the Vernon Chamber
of Commerce board so that I may further contribute to the business community of Vernon.
Director - Trevor Koenig - Blenz Coffee www.blenz.com
I came to Vernon 5 years ago and fell in love with the community immediately. My wife and I started Blenz Coffee in Vernon 3 years ago and have 2 stores currently. We are family oriented and feel strongly in being involved in our community. We support local sports and events. I am also an active member of the Board of Directors for the JohnHoward Society of Vernon and a past Director of the Launching Pad Recovery Society. I look forward to contributing and serving the Vernon Chamber in any way I can.
Board Appointee - District of Coldstream Councillor Pat Cochrane - Vernon Lock and Safe www.vernonlock.ca
Pat Cochrane is the Owner/Manager of Vernon Lock & Safe Ltd. a family owned business located 
in Downtown 
Vernon since 1958. Pat is in his current 1st term as a Councillor for the District of Coldstream and also a Director of the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre Society.
He has been a very involved member of our community as he has served 12 years as a Vernon City Councillor, President of the Social Planning Council, Vice President of the Downtown Vernon Association and Chairman of the Board of All Saints Anglican Church.
Pat welcomes all Chamber members to stop by and see him at Vernon Lock & Safe.
Board Appointee - JCI Representative Kyla McAulay - Gumtree Catering www.gumtreecatering.com
As the owner of GumTree Catering, the Chamber has been an excellent resource 
and influence on my business and it is my pleasure to provide support and ideas to the Board of Directors through my Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCI) liaison role.
JCI Vernon is a group of young individuals that participate in projects around the world. Our organization boasts a worldwide membership of over 200,000. JCI Vernon members range between 19-40 years of age, and work together to achieve goals and contribute to our community.
My catering business is growing rapidly and this year we celebrated as we were voted, “The Best Catering Company for the North Okanagan in 2010”. I have great pride in the work I do and the community in which we live. As such, I enjoying giving back to my community through my business, JCI and as the President of the “Moms Making It Happen” Vernon chapter. Vernon has a lot to offer and there are many benefits to do business here as well as engaging in great benefits Vernon has to offer.
Board Appointee - City of Vernon Councilor Mary Jo O'Keefe - MJO Communications & Tours www.mjo-communications.com
Mary-Jo brings a background of destination management including 
publishing and sales of tourism collateral. She has produced 12 visitors' guides for the North Okanagan and for the past four years she has produced “The Map Book” as producer and publisher for her new company MJO Communications Inc. She has over 20 years experience in the tourism industry. serving as Sales Manager at the Lake Louise Inn and the Banff Springs Hotel. She was the Director of Sales for the Westwater Hotel Group in Vancouver, BC, and then served for two years as Travel Industry Sales Representative for Expo 86 where her sales surpassed targets by over 150%. She has served as the Managing Director of Vernon Tourism for eight years (1991 - 1998). Currently she is the publisher of the North Okanagan Map Book as well as the Official Osoyoos Visitors’ Guide.
Clients respect Mary-Jo O'Keefe for her in-depth knowledge of the tourism industry and her ability to develop new concepts in tourism marketing into successful ventures. Her exceptional project management skills have been demonstrated with the yearly production and coordination of a variety of magazines and their sales. Currently Mary-Jo is the owner/operator of MJO Communications Inc.
Community Service – Mary Jo is currently serving her first term on Vernon City Council. She served for 15 years as a Vernon School Trustee, including four years as Chair.
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