Meet Our Advisory Committee
The COEDC Advisory Committee is a conduit of information between business, community leaders and government. The committee meets monthly to share information and work together towards sustainable economic growth. It is made up of 45 influential members consisting of industry leaders, community shapers and elected officials.
- Executive Committee
- Chair: James Calissi, Calissi Farms
- Vice Chair: Janice Larson, Muse&Effect Consulting
- Past Chair: Mike Checkley, QHR Technologies
- Sharon Hughes-Geekie, JumpStart Communications
- Paula Quinn, KF Aerospace
- Angela Nagy, GreenStep Solutions Inc.
- Industry Sector Directors
- Gavin Benson, Lloyd Sadd
- Maurice Blitz, Interior Health
- Brad Buchanan, Avalon Event Rentals Inc.
- Nikki Csek, Csek Creative
- Jeremy Dawn, Mission Group
- Ryan Malcolm, Emil Anderson Properties | Dilworth Homes
- Kray Mitchell, Good Commerce Agency
- Tony Stewart, Stewart Family Estates
- Rich Threlfall, Troika Management Corp.
- Noel Wentworth, Consultant Arts & Culture/Small Business
- Jill White, Waterplay Solutions Corp
- Local Government Economic Development Staff Appointees
- Myles Bruns, BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
- Ruth Sulentich, District of Lake Country
- Bob Evans, City of Kelowna
- Mandi Carroll, Westbank First Nation
- Paul Gipps, City of West Kelowna
- Cory Labrecque, District of Peachland
- Partner Organization Appointees
- Brea Lake, Accelerate Okanagan
- Steve North, Business Development Bank of Canada
- Larry Widmer, Community Future of the Central Okanagan
- Laurel Douglas, Economic Trust of Southern Interior (ETSI-BC)
- Julie Pringle, Greater Westside Board of Trade
- Dan Rogers, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
- Pamela Pearson, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
- Geoff Ritchie, Kelowna International Airport
- Laura Thurnheer, Okanagan College
- Adriana Preston, Peachland Chamber of Commerce
- Chris Lewis, Tourism Kelowna
- Dr. Phil Barker, University of British Columbia Okanagan
- Nicole Udzenija, University of British Columbia Okanagan
- Shauna Harper, WeBC
- Local Government Staff Liaison
- Mayor Blair Ireland, District of Lake Country
- Councillor Luke Stack, City of West Kelowna
- Councillor Andrea Alexander, Westbank First Nation
- Councillor Jason Friesen, City of West Kelowna
- Councillor Dave Collins, District of Peachland
- Councillor Ron Cannan, Regional District of Central Okanagan
Learn more about our Advisory Committee members as well as the diverse industries throughout our region through our Meet the COEDC campaign.
Meet the COEDC – Gavin Benson
Meet the COEDC February 7, 2023
Meet the COEDC – Kray Mitchell
Meet the COEDC February 4, 2023
Meet the COEDC – Shauna Harper
Meet the COEDC February 2, 2023
Meet the COEDC – Larry Widmer
Meet the COEDC December 5, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Laurel Douglas
Meet the COEDC November 28, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Nicole Udzenija
Meet the COEDC November 21, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Pamela Pearso
Meet the COEDC November 14, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Adrianna Preston
Meet the COEDC October 31, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Alex Goodhew
Meet the COEDC October 17, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Maurice Blitz
Meet the COEDC October 3, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Jeremy Dawn
Meet the COEDC September 26, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Nikki Csek
Meet the COEDC September 9, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Tony Stewart
Meet the COEDC August 18, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Rich Threlfall
Meet the COEDC August 18, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Jill White
Meet the COEDC August 12, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Brad Buchanan
Meet the COEDC August 8, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Angela Nagy
Meet the COEDC July 25, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Noel Wentworth
Meet the COEDC July 14, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Brian Wall
Meet the COEDC July 11, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Mike Checkley
Meet the COEDC June 29, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Paula Quinn
Meet the COEDC June 27, 2022
Meet the COEDC – James Calissi
Meet the COEDC June 20, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Janice Larson
Meet the COEDC June 8, 2022
Meet the COEDC – Terry Edwards
Meet the COEDC June 6, 2022