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!
Ryan Gentile
Vice President
Ryan has been in Kamloops for 9 years. His interests include chasing his two young boys around, spending time outdoors, and playing sports such as soccer and golf. Ryan has served on the KCBIA board of directors for a number of years and is eagerly looking forward to his role as Vice President.
Brianne Vondracek
Treasurer
Brianne moved to Kamloops in 2011 to attend Thompson Rivers University and completed a summer co-op at BDO LLP. Currently a Chartered Professional Accountant and Manager at BDO LLP, Brianne enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs while exploring outdoors, especially in the summer months with both golfing and spending time at the lake.
Michael Blackwell
Secretary
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!
Ted Ockenden
Director at Large
Ted has lived and worked in Kamloops for 30+ years. Throughout this time, the City of Kamloops has been welcoming and continues to be the best hometown anyone could hope for. Ted worked in a variety of capacities and leadership roles at ICBC during his 30 years there. Since 2016, Ted has served as the Director, Facilities and Corporate Services for the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC). This has afforded him the opportunity to experience the vibrancy of Downtown Kamloops in a more fulsome way! Ted has chaired the Kamloops Counterattack Traffic Safety Committee, Operation Red Nose Kamloops and the Citizens’ Advisory Board to Corrections. He also served on the Expert Panel to Specialized Populations (Employment Ministry) for the Province of B.C. In addition to being a Director on the KCBIA, Ted recently pursued the opportunity to become a Director with Kamloops PRIDE.
Sheila Minten
Director
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.
Maeghan Summers
Director
Maeghan Summers is the Operations Partner for two amazing local eateries and brewpub. The Noble Pig Brewhouse and Restaurant and Forno On 5th, 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.”
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.
Jesse Daniel Faubert
Director
Jesse has founded and manages Avenue Media House (Digital Agency – Creative Director), Common Sound (DJ & Audio/Visual company – General Manager), Ninth Company (Event Production, Artist Management – D.O.) 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.
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.
Maren Luciani
Director
Maren Luciani has fifteen years of leadership experience and expertise in community planning, sustainability, policy development, community engagement and grant acquisition for local governments and Indigenous communities in Canada and the United States. She is a Registered Professional Planner with the Canadian Institute of Planners and Planning Institute of BC and is a trained community engagement specialist. She has experience in a wide variety of subjects related to the built environment including Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Maren is the owner of Meraki Community Planning, a small, full-service community planning firm that supports municipalities, Indigenous communities and private developers in achieving healthy built environments. Maren has been an active volunteer all her life and has devoted her time to many local and international causes and organizations.
Nicki James
Director
Nicki has been in the retail clothing industry for the past 40 years and for the last 21 years has owned and operated a successful men’s and ladies’ retail clothing store in the heart of downtown Kamloops.
With her extensive knowledge and experience, she has mentored many young/new business entrepreneurs on how to operate a successful business. She serves as a member of the Venture Kamloops Business Accelerate Committee, KCBIA Kamloops Parking Committee and was a member of the KCBIA Marketing Committee for 6 years.
Kathy Sinclair
Liason
Originally from Vancouver Island, Kathy has lived in Victoria, Vancouver, Ottawa, Kelowna, the UK, BC’s Sunshine Coast, Mexico, and the Yukon. She moved to Kamloops in 2011 and was first elected to Council in 2017 (re-elected 2018). Kathy is committed to making our wonderful city even better and helping to improve the region through her role on the TNRD Board of Directors (2018-).
Kathy has been an active volunteer with many local organizations, including Literacy in Kamloops, the SPCA, Kamloops Power Choir and the Interior CarShare Cooperative. Her interests include economic development, urban planning, active transportation, sustainability, personal and community health, affordability, accessibility, and respect for diversity. Kathy’s main areas of focus are building upon the Tournament Capital brand to grow tourism and the economy; fostering an environment that attracts and retains small businesses; and ensuring sustainability (economic, environmental and social).
Kathy was the executive director of the Kamloops Arts Council from 2012 to 2019. In addition to non-profit and arts administration, she has worked as a book and magazine editor. Kathy holds a BA in creative writing and English from the University of Victoria and a Master of Publishing from Simon Fraser University.
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