THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE US SPECIAL
Board of Directors
The Downtown Kamloops Association Board of Directors is voted annually by the membership and serve a two year term.
Dino Bernardo
President
Dino has lived in Kamloops for the past 40 years and is the co-owner of the Commodore Grand Cafe & Lounge. As well as being President of the KCBIA, he sits on the RIH Foundation Board and volunteers for many different associations in Kamloops. Dino has been doing business in downtown Kamloops for well over 20 years and believes the strength of a great city depends on the vibrancy of a strong downtown!
Bryce Herman
Vice President
Bryce is the Marketing Director for the YMCA‐YWCA Dream Home Lottery raising over five million
dollars over the past 25 years. Bryce is an active volunteer and professional in the community of Kamloops with over 40 years experience in Public Relations, Community Engagement, the Hospitality & Tourism Industry,
and a long history of working with several non‐profit agencies throughout the City.
President of the Kamloops Beekeepers Club, Chair of VK Advisors, Committee Member on several community fundraising events and Rotary PI/PR Chair and Ribfest Spokesperson / Entertainment Chair with the Kamloops
Daybreak Rotary Club to name a few.
Jenna Dhillon
Treasurer
Jenna currently holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree specializing in Accounting from Thompson Rivers University as well as a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.
She has work experience in public accounting providing accounting, assurance and tax services. Jenna chose to pursue accounting as she has a passion for helping people and understanding the intricacies of the financial world; she hopes her experience and enthusiasm will help guide others in understanding more about their businesses and how to have the best financial performance.
Jesse Faubert
Secretary
Jesse has founded and manages Ninth Company (Event Production, Artist Management – D.O.), Avenue Media House (Digital Agency – Creative Director), Common Sound (DJ & Audio/Visual company – General Manager) and has recently opened one of Kamloops’ most dynamic creative studios: NinthLab. Proud to be a part of Kamloops’ creative community, the business community, and a high school football coach.
Sheila Minten
Director at Large
Sheila is born and Kamloops raised, and has always felt that Kamloops is her true home. A place where she can both ski and swim, as well as participate in Committees and events such as Daybreak Rotary, Ribfest, Crabfest, the Santa Claus Parade, and the Alzheimer’s Walk. Sheila’s expertise centres around marketing and events, and she will lend her energy and enthusiasm to anything the Downtown Kamloops community has to throw at her.
Karen Pinette
Director at Large
Karen Pinette, a resident of Kamloops, is the Director of Corporate Services & Facilities with BCLC.
Prior to her move to Kamloops, Ms. Pinette was the Director of Operations & Supply Chain for 5 years with Source Atlantic Ltd. – a New Brunswick-based national wholesale distribution company. In her previous 10 years with Source Atlantic, Ms. Pinette held management roles in supply chain, capital projects, mergers and acquisitions. Prior to Source Atlantic Ms. Pinette worked in the wood products industry with Weyerhaeuser Canada managing quality and production in Dryden ON and Kamloops BC.
Ms. Pinette holds an undergraduate degree in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick, holds a Master’s in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University, and is a registered professional engineer in New Brunswick.
In Ms. Pinette’s spare time she is passionate about triathlon, XC mountain biking, trail running and travel.
Anjali Aman
Director
Anjali strives to serve the community she lives, works and raises her family in by lending her expertise in Business Growth and Development to the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association.
Currently, she manages a team responsible for administering the WorkBC program through Open Door Group and works closely with community organizations and employers looking for ways to bridge the gap in the labour market when it comes to staffing.
Open Door Group provides many other wrap around programs and services which are aimed at removing barriers for job seekers, providing training and moving individuals into meaningful and sustainable employment.
Anjali believes whole-heartedly that giving back in a positive way leads to a more vibrant and thriving community for us all and is committed to doing her part.
Michael Blackwell
Director
Mike Blackwell is a lawyer at Fulton and has lived in Kamloops for 8 years. Mike is an active member of the Kamloops Bar Association, the White Buffalo Metis & Aboriginal Health Society, and Brennan Creek Recreation Commission Association. Outside of work, Mike is an avid snowboarder and golfer!
Luke Chidgzey
Director
Luke Chidgzey is a Business Account Manager at RBC and has lived in Kamloops for over 20 years. He proudly works with business owners to help them achieve their goals. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his family.
Casey Cullen
Director
Owner/Wealth Advisor at Bradford Wealth Partners. Own 736 Seymour St. and previously 774 Seymour St.. Our business has been located on this block for 20+ years.
BBA at TRU – 2011, Chartered Investment Manager – 2014, Certified Financial Planner – 2021. Strong foundation in wealth management, risk management, tax planning, and business succession planning.
Nicole Mackie
Director
Nicole completed culinary school at VCC( Vancouver) and was offered a fulltime position at Diva at the Met- Metropolitan hotel in Vancouver. She has worked for Dairy farmers of Canada and was food stylist for Food Network Canada celebrity Chefs ( Western Canada). Nicole created Salty Fig Catering Co in 2015, opened production kitchen for Salty fig July 2020, and opened The Cure Culinary Provisions March 2021
I am incredibly passionate about food and food culture, helping educate and create a kitchen environment that is not overwhelming and daunting to anyone that wants to learn how to cook. I love to volunteer my time to local non-profits, community involvement is extremely important in building long lasting personal and professional relationships, supporting local business partners, being inclusive and lessening our environmental footprint.
John Mercuri
Director
As the TELUS Business Centre Sales Manager, John enjoys working with businesses and finding new solutions for all their wireless needs. He is the top salesperson in BC for two years running and manages the sales team throughout the Interior and Okanagan BC.
John has lived 38 years in Kamloops and has been a part of the downtown business community for the past 12 years and is currently active with the Chamber of Commerce. He is also a long‐time Blazer supporter.
Andy Philpot
Director
Andy grew up in Brocklehurst and has been a resident of Valleyview for over 30 years but has always had an active interest in what is happening in all areas of the city, especially the downtown core. Andy is the Division Superintendent with St John Ambulance, 627 Victoria Street and was an Assistant Fire Chief with Kamloops Fire Rescue when he retired in 2011. He also worked on the Wanda-Sue Paddlewheeler for 20 years and has been involved with the Kamloops Heritage Railway. He has served on the organizing committees of several of the large sporting events that Kamloops has hosted, the most recent being the NACAC-U23, 4 Nations Cup, and the Women’s World Ice Hockey Championships. He also sat on the Mayor’s Taskforce for the Tranquille Road Beautification/Gateway Project and the Board of Directors for the Oncore Seniors Society and presently sits on the Kamloops Sports Council and the Valleyview Community Association. Andy has an active interest in our city, particularly the downtown area and the benefit it has to the citizens of Kamloops. Andy feels he has the skills, time and commitment to give to the KCBIA.
Maeghan Summers
Director
Maeghan Summers is the Operations Partner for two amazing local eateries and brewpub. The Noble Pig Brewhouse and Restaurant and the Underbelly of the Pig, both located in the heart of downtown and with a focus on supporting local purveyors, creating unique brews and all while being in a welcoming environment.
The Noble Pig Brewhouse is Kamloops’ first Micro Brewpub and features in house-brewed craft beer, unique food made from scratch and knowledgeable service from our wonderful team. As the GM and a partner, it is my role to support and oversee all aspects of the business and develop processes and systems to continually move the pig ahead. Maeghan celebrates 25 years of passion for hospitality. “Eat, drink and support local.”
Bill Sarai
City of Kamloops Liaison
Bill is a married father of 3 who has lived in Kamloops for the past 25 years. He is a Kamloops City Councillor, SILGA Director at Large and recently retired as a Letter Carrier at Canada Post after 31 years. He has volunteered for past BC winter and summer games and various organizations over the years including coaching youth soccer teams.
He prides himself on community involvement, hearing the issues at hand and lending his support to everyone in our beautiful city.
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