BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025/26
President
Brett Squair
Davidson Lawyers
Brett Squair is a partner at Davidson Lawyers LLP, and along with assisting in the management of the firm, he practices in the areas of business law, real estate, estate planning and estate administration and probate. He is a director of the North Okanagan Livestock Association and the SKY Volleyball Club, and was previously a volunteer with the Vernon and District Immigrant Services Society and O’Keefe Ranch.
Past-President
Kirndeep Nahal
Lake City Law
Kirndeep Nahal is a lawyer with Lake City Law Corporation and her practice focuses on real estate, banking and business law. Prior to attending law school, Kirndeep worked with non-profit organizations, including victim services with Tri-City Transitions Society and the Vancouver Crisis Centre. She is a Vernon native and since returning home, she has been involved in her family’s development and property management businesses.
Vice-President
Jake Gibson
Vernon Air Conditioning
Jake Gibson was born and raised in Northern Ontario and completed his trades training at Algonquin College in Ottawa. Jake is a Red Seal Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Journeyman and has worked on everything from residential air conditioners to industrial chillers.
Before becoming a part-owner in Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical Services, Jake started a skilled trades collaborative that helps independent contractors run successful businesses.
Treasurer
Charlene Smart
Smart & Associates
Charlene H. Smart, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered General Accountant (CGA), opened her Vernon accounting firm with a simple goal: give small business owners and tax payers the insight, advice and help they need to stay on top of tax returns and the financial side of running a business.
After earning a diploma in Business Administration with distinction and her Certified General Accountant designation, Charlene Smart worked in both industry and public practice before going on to open Smart & Associates in 2006. With such a varied background, Charlene brings to small business clients a strong foundation of knowledge and solutions.
Director
Laurie Case
Turning Points Collaborative
Laurie began working at Turning Points in 2021. She’s currently the Director of Communications.
Laurie brings 30 years of experience to Turning Points from a variety of roles in film, television, and corporate communications. Throughout that time, Laurie was entrenched within the communications strategies for numerous organizations, government agencies, and production companies. Laurie’s experience in creative industries in the for-profit sector has given her a unique perspective, valuable insight, and a distinct voice. Moreover, the diversity of her experiences has shaped her communications philosophy.
Laurie spent many years producing content in Vancouver’s very busy production market, creating television series and documentaries for CBC, CTV, Corus, Netflix and more. But perhaps her most rewarding work has come from 20+ years of producing, writing, and co-directing films for a New Westminister-based NGO. Together with a small team of professionals who volunteer their time, they have created breathtaking and emotional films (all over the world) to raise millions of dollars for the poor.
Despite the critical acclaim of her projects and the allure of the television industry, in 2021, Laurie was compelled to move “back home” to the Okanagan after 30 years. She is thrilled to have found an avenue to put her skills to work in an important way.
Director
Martin Von Holst
Martin Von Holst Real Estate
Martin Von Holst spent over 30 years in the automotive, insurance and franchising industries before becoming a realtor in 2015. He was chair of the Collision Repair Division of the Automotive Retailers Association of B.C., where he was involved in rewriting governance and negotiations on behalf of the collision industry. He has been a member of Silver Star Rotary for over 15 years, twice as president, and has been a director and vice-chair of Vernon Winter Carnival.
Director
Aaron Himelson
Coldstream Living
Aaron Himelson has been in Advertising sales for 16 years in Vernon, working with companies such as Bell Media, Black Press and more. He is now running his own business as Publisher of Coldstream Living and Lake Country Living Magazines. He continues to help small and medium sized businesses grow through Targeted Print and Digital advertising. Aaron has also served on the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation board when it was rebranding to the community.
Director
Riminder Gakhal
DuMoulin Boskovich LLP
Riminder began her legal career at a full service firm in the Okanagan, where she articled and practiced for 3 years. She practiced in several areas of the law including wills and estates (planning, administration and litigation), family law, personal injury, corporate law, commercial litigation and real estate.
In 2018, she moved to the lower mainland and joined a boutique firm in downtown Vancouver where she remained for just under 2 years before joining DuMoulin Boskovich LLP.
Riminder currently practices in the areas of estate planning and administration, committeeship applications, corporate law, and real estate conveyance.
Outside of work, Riminder has been actively involved in a number of committees and boards in the past. She was a committee member of Violence against Women in Relationships, sat on the Board of the Okanagan College and the board of Vernon and District Immigrants Services Society and Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Agencies of BC.
Director
Blake Lechkobit
MNP
Blake Lechkobit is a business advisor at MNP based in Falkland, B.C., with a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship and helping others succeed. He started his first business at 15, eventually launching and selling multiple ventures before moving into farming and later joining BMO to manage agricultural and commercial clients. That role sparked his interest in advising others—something he wished he had early in his own career. Now at MNP, Blake supports clients with operations, land acquisitions, transitions, and more. With business degrees earned through self-directed study, he brings both practical and academic insight. Inspired by Brett Squair to explore board service, Blake is enthusiastic about contributing to the GVCC while continuing his own professional growth.
Director
Steve Braun
Steve Braun Coaching & Counselling
Steve Braun was born and raised in Vernon B.C and is grateful to serve the community that has provided him so much. Steve has worked in the field of mental health and addictions for the past 12 years. In 2022 he started his own private counselling and coaching practice aiming to normalize therapy making it more approachable and fun. Steve is heavily involved in the local recovery community advocating to end stigma while chairing and consulting with several committees. His spare time is spent chasing monster rainbow trout on the fly and camping with his wife and daughter.
Director
Mike Molnar
Restoration Lands
Michael Molnar is the founder and CEO of Restoration Lands, with the focus on redeveloping the former glass plant site in Coldstream. A resident of the area since 1993, his experience ranges from the insurance, financial and risk management sectors for 25 years to 15 years of extensive property development and construction projects. He is past president of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce and he is an incumbent director with the Greater Vernon Chamber.