ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Invest Kelowna, Economic Development Commission is working to grow and diversify the Central Okanagan economy by enhancing and assisting existing businesses and meeting the needs of potential investors. Each year the EDC develops a Strategic Plan with a focus on ensuring economic growth for our region by enhancing existing business and attracting new business.

The COEDC is structured with a 40 member volunteer Advisory Board of Directors. The Board represents a cross section from our business community along with appointed representatives from local government and associations.

COEDC SERVICES & PROGRAMS

COEDC staff provide focused assistance to existing local business and new business start-ups; provide one-on-one support, resources and assist with business planning.  The following services are also available:

 

Woody Cross, Foreign Skilled Worker Coordinator

In his role with the COEDC, Woody helps to provide information to Central Okanagan employers on how to hire foreign workers and is the liaison with post secondary institutions in the Central Okanagan to facilitate opportunities to retain a skilled workforce in the Region. Assists temporary foreign workers, provincial nominees, students, investors, and business owners to navigate several programs available to them that allow them to work in BC.  Actively promotes the Region to young families as a place to move, live, work and invest.

Woody may be contacted at (250) 826-3997 or wcross@investkelowna.com

 

Keith Duhaime, Agricultural Support Officer

Keith’s role is to conduct one-on-one support to agriculture-related businesses; providing responsive, focused assistance to the agricultural sector, and to connect businesses with promotion & marketing opportunities.

 

Keith may be contacted at (250) 762-5873 or kduhaime@investkelowna.com

 

 

   Tracey Fredrickson, Business Enhancement Specialist

   Connects with local businesses at various events, provides focused assistance to existing     local business and new business start‐ups with one-on-one support and resources.

   Tracey may be contacted at (250) 470-7838 or tfredrickson@investkelowna.com

 

 

 

Richard Takai, Export Development Officer

The Export Development Support Officer provides one-on-one assistance to companies in the Central Okanagan to assess their export readiness. The program is currently developing a marketing strategy around opportunities to showcase products made in the Okanagan, and identifying and communicating regulatory changes in the international marketplace.  

 Richard may be contacted at (250) 801-9020 or rtakai@investkelowna.com

 

Michael Blonde, Special Projects Officer

Contact Michael Blonde at mblonde@investkelowna.com or (250) 575-9272.

Michael is currently the lead on two COEDC projects identified in the 2011 Strategic Plan:

Okanagan Young Professionals - is an initiative that is uniting the Regions talent base    and business community in order to cultivate a dynamic environment for individuals in their 20’s and 30’s. By fostering strategic partnerships with groups already active in this space, OYP will add value through team participation and strong advocacy throughout the Region.

metabridge—an event series which was established to accelerate British Columbia Technology startups through connection and collaboration with companies in California's Silicon Valley. Events are focused on linking emerging technology companies with business partnerships, experienced industry veterans for board, advisory, and investment primarily from the Bay Area. Visit www.metabridge.ca for more details.

COEDC STAFF

Robert Fine, Director of Economic Development (250) 469-6234 email Robert Robert was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After completing a degree in Urban Economics from the University of Toronto and Masters work at York University, Robert brought innovative programming to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario including GASAMO, a $35 million public gas-purchasing program under deregulation. He moved to British Columbia in 1989 where he worked for the Sea to Sky Economic Development Corporation until 1996. His many accomplishments included assisting in the development of Whistler which was named the number one ski resort in North America. In 1998, Mr. Fine was awarded "Economic Developer of the Year" by the Economic Development Association of British Columbia and the Bank of Montreal. Mr. Fine is currently the Executive Director for the Economic Development Commission for the Central Okanagan Regional District located in Kelowna, British Columbia. He is Past President of the Economic Developers Association of Canada and sits as one of two Canadian representatives on the International Economic Development Council, based in Washington, DC. He is a member of the Provincial Small Business Roundtable and writes a twice monthly column in the Kelowna Daily Courier, The Fine Print.

Corie Griffiths, Business Development Officer (250) 469-6283 email Corie Corie is a California native who started her management career with 6 ½ years experience retail management with Eddie Bauer Inc.  While working for Eddie Bauer, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration with top honours from California State University Sacramento.  From 2001 to 2003 Corie was the Research Assistant in the Planning Division for California State Parks.  While in this role she was contributing researcher and author of the State of California’s 10 year Outdoor Recreation Plan which detailed both qualitative and quantitative data on the social and health benefits of recreation.  She also authored the article "Fun and Gains: Benefits of Recreation" published in the California Parks and Recreation magazine. On meeting her husband, a Vancouver resident, Corie emigrated to the Okanagan in 2003 where she became Program Coordinator for the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs, developing volunteer programs, after school programs, and recreational opportunities for the community of the Westside.  In 2006 she became Education/Recreation Program Coordinator for Westside Parks and Recreation, developing community programs and facilitating partnerships with School District #23.  Corie joined the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission in January, 2007 as Marketing and Research Assistant and assumed additional responsibilities as the Business Development Officer for the Commission.  In this role she is a key resource for business retention and attraction initiatives.  This includes working with business owners and individuals looking to locate and expand their businesses in the Region, and the development of a wide range of site selection materials as she is the Region’s strategic point of contact for site selector inquiries and investment attraction initiatives. Corie works with a wide range of community and industry stakeholders, facilitating the annual COEDC Industry Roundtables and annual strategic planning session with the COEDC Advisory Board of Directors and authors the COEDC’s Strategic Planning document. She is a key liaison between the Commission and the Federal and Provincial governments. She represents the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission as a member of the Economic Development Association of British Columbia (EDABC) and has also served on the EDABC Executive.  She currently services as Chair of the Okanagan Valley Economic Development Society (OVEDS).  She has also served on nomination and judging committees for annual business award events in Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country, and is working towards accreditation as an International Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council.

Sandra Ballan-Brown, Administrative & Research Assistant (250) 469-6280 email Sandra Sandra holds a degree in Business Administration and has extensive experience in customer support and administration. Sandra is a native of Brandon, Manitoba where she earned her degree at Assinaboine Community College. Upon graduation she worked for a local credit union for two years. She moved to Greater Vancouver in 1989 and spent the next 15 years increasing her knowledge in customer service with TELUS. Sandra moved to Kelowna in 2005 with her husband and children .Her Kelowna experience include the City of Kelowna Finance Department, Regional District of Central Okanagan Planning Department and since 2007 the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.