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Top 20 Over 40

2020 Finalists

Carmen Larsen

Dr. Carmen Larsen is a family physician, site director for the Southern Medical Program and medical officer for the Vernon Cadet Training Camp. She is also active with the Kalamalka Rotary Club and the Starfish Pack Program. Learn more about Carmen by going to the Castanet video.

Barrita Durward

Barrita Durward is a chocolatier and owner of Cotton's Chocolates. Beyond her business, Barrita is very active in the community, including with the Sweet Smiles Society, which she founded to provide the basic necessities of life in Mexico. Learn more about Barrita by going to the Castanet video.

Heath Fletcher

Heath Fletcher is a partner and creative director with Sproing Creative, and he has previously operated two other businesses in Vernon. Heath is also very active in the community, and supports a number of organizations like the Rotary Dream Auction, Hospice House and the Schubert Centre. Learn more about Heath by going to the Castanet video.

Josh Winquist

Josh Winquist is the director of public relations for Turning Points Collaborative, a communicator and journalist. Through professional and volunteer activities, Josh tells the stories of individuals, and particularly those who are marginalized, as a way to create awareness. Learn more about Josh by going to the Castanet video.

Charlene Smart

Charlene Smart is a designated accountant and president of Smart and Associates. Beyond meeting the needs of her clients, Charlene is very active in the community, including with Vernon Women In Business, Community Futures, NexusBC, Archway Society for Domestic Peace and the Vernon CPA Coffee Club. Learn more about Charlene by going to the Castanet video.

Deb White

Deb White is a mortgage broker and owner of White House Mortgages DLC, and she has won several top service awards from lenders. Beyond her career, Deb is extremely active in the community, supporting a number of causes and is chairperson of Vernon Winter Carnival. Learn more about Deb by going to the Castanet video. 

Clint Houlbrook

Clint Houlbrook is a youth and family counsellor with the North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society, and Vernon School District. He engages with at-risk students who have quit going to school and helps them find life success. He is also involved with the Salvation Army food bank and the Vernon Alliance youth group. Learn more about Clint by going to the Castanet video.

Stacy Davidson

Stacey Davidson is founder and CEO of Virtual Job Search Coach and a sought after career coach, job search strategist, recruiter and HR consultant. Beyond work, Stacey has been active with the Okanagan Science Centre, the Allan Brooks Nature Centre and the Business Okanagan Networking and Development. Learn more about Stacey by going to the Castanet video.

Veronica Ukrainetz

Veronica Ukrainetz is the principal of Ukrainetz Workplace Law Group, which she established in 2007. In terms of the community, Veronica has supported the Archway Society for Domestic Peace, Upper Room Mission, Okanagan Boys and Girls Club, NONA Child Development Centre and First Nations organizations. Learn more about Veronica by going to the Castanet video.

Kari Gares

Kari Gares owns her own brokerage firm under the Verico Financial Group, a mortgage broker network. Beyond her professional duties, Gares is in her first term as a Vernon city councillor and she has been active with the Vernon and District Land Trust and the North Okanagan Minor Lacrosse Association.  Learn more about Kari by going to the Castanet video.

Mike Nolan

Mike Nolan is principal and senior specialist, water supply and treatment, at Kerr Wood Leidal Associates. Mike is involved with the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Okanagan Landing Community Association, the Community Foundation and Men's Shed Vernon. Learn more about Mike by going to the Castanet video. 

Brad March

Brad Marsh is the broker owner of Remax Vernon and he has received numerous honours from Remax. He is involved in the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan, Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board and the Vernon Judo Club. Learn more about Brad by going to the Castanet video.

Bill Tarr

Bill Tarr is owner of Tarr and Sons Janitorial Services. He has been active in the community, including with Vernon Minor Football, Road Home Dog and Cat Rescue, Kinsmen Club of Vernon, the Greater Vernon Athletic Park Sport User Group and North Okanagan Minor Lacrosse. Learn more about Bill by going to the Castanet video.

Leigha Horsfield

Leigha Horsfield is general manager of Community Futures North Okanagan, which delivers business and employment services. She has also been involved with the Vernon Estate Planning Council, Vernon Women in Business and District of Coldstream committees. Learn more about Leigha by going to the Castanet video. 

Carla Dahlen

Carla Dahlen is the owner/broker of Coldwell Banker Four Seasons Real Estate. Within the community, Carla has been involved with the downtown Vernon business improvement area, Vernon Women In Business, Toastmasters and the Breakfast for the Homeless. Learn more about Carla by going to the Castanet video.

Teresa Durning

Teresa Durning is the owner of Durning Direction and Service, which operates the visitor information centre for the City of Vernon. In terms of the community, Teresa has been involved with the Schubert Centre, Adopt A Stream, Winter Carnival and Silver Star Rotary. Learn more about Teresa by going to the Castanet video. 

Tanya Laing Gahr

Tanya Laing Gahr is the indigenous initiatives manager at FortisBC. Within the community, Tanya is involved with the Archway Society for Domestic Peace and Powerhouse Theatre. She has also supported theatre programs at local secondary schools. To learn more about Tanya, go to the Castanet video.

Kristi Bieber

Kristi Bieber is the owner and operator of 30 Minute Hit Vernon. She has won two franchise awards for leadership and was on the cover of Franchise Business Review magazine. Kristi has been involved with the Sunshine Festival and runs free self-defense classes for secondary school girls. Learn more about Kristi by going to the Castanet video.

Kim Heizmann

Kim Heizmann is a real estate agent with Century 21 Executives Realty, and she has a trading license and a broker's license. As part of the community, Kim has been involved with RCMP Victim Services, Vernon Winter Carnival and the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board. Learn more about Kim by going to the Castanet video.

Ian Hawes

Ian Hawes is a partner with Davidson Lawyers, with a focus on estate administration, real estate and contract law. In terms of the community, he has been involved with the Greater Vernon Ringette Association, the Greater Vernon Museum and the Greater Vernon Chamber. Learn more about Ian by going to the Castanet article.