Chamber Executive

President, Judy Smith

Judy Smith, is the owner of RDSweb, a company that offers web design & hosting, computer training and business services. She teaches at OUC College, the Senior's drop-in Centre in Salmon Arm and the RDSweb Training classroom in Cedar Heights and creates websites for several local businesses.

Judy is no stranger to committee work having served the Chamber as Treasurer, President and Treasurer of the International Iridology Assoc, President of Quesnel Little Theatre, Arts Council liaison, Secretary/Treasurer of the Cariboo Zone for The Royal Canadian Legion and has volunteered for a number of causes.

Judy believes that the South Shuswap is a unique community that has enormous potential for both family and business. The future of the business community depends on a strong chamber and progressive planning to make the area attractive to development.

Vice President Dave Brice

Dave Brice, owner of Pacific West Home Inspections and Pacific West Home Renovations and Consulting, has been a board director for 6 years and is continuing for a second term as Vice President. He also serves as a board director with the Shuswap Construction Industry Professionals for the past 8 years. He and his wife Carla, who owns Cozy Country Cleaning, are actively involved in the community.

A former construction contractor, Dave and his family moved here to the Shuswap 20 years ago to raise their children in a rural country, small town setting while settling in the beautiful White Lake area. He brings to the growing community a diverse mix of skills and knowledge in the area of business, marketing, management and community planning.

Dave believes that the South Shuswap can be the center hub of economic growth both for young working families, retiree’s and has the capability of being a truly dynamic force to lead as a four seasons destination resort area and for development of diversified businesses including light industry while controlling and sustaining a green environment. I see that the surrounding community has the enormous potential for both family and business. The future of the business community depends on a strong chamber presence and progressive planning to make the area attractive to further development and as a significant holiday designation.

Dave serves as Chairman of the Chamber Directory, Member Promotion Committee

Treasurer, Wanda Pickering

Wanda has worked in a number of places with Husband Rob, including Seattle and Japan. Wanda & rob settled in Blind Bay in 1993 and started their company Sumo Construction. They have been providing quality construction at competitive rates for over 27 years. She has recently formed her own company Sunshine Painting & Cleaning.

Wanda joined the Chamber in 2009 and brings her experience gained in the business world. As a business owner, Wanda believes in giving back to the community that supports them. She is an animal lover and enjoys traveling, especially to somewhere warm.

Wanda serves as Chairman of the Budget Committee

Past President Chris Emery

Chris has been a Board member since 1999, serving as Vice President for two years and two terms as President. He is an instrument/electrical control systems technician/technologist, Blues singer, drummer and jam session host. He is also a strong advocate for the re-legalization, regulation and taxation of cannabis.

He has served our community as Vice President of the Cedar Heights Community Association, Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery, South Shuswap Canada Day Director, Sorrento Lions Club Director, Area C Parks Commission Steering Committee Vice-Chairman, Sunday School Teacher and has been an Officer of various fraternal orders.

Chris enjoys meeting people, listening to music, reading, writing, classic car shows, public speaking, computers, drumming, photography, community service, landscaping, motivational seminars, parenthood, youth ministry, playing Santa Claus and "The Blues."

Director Dan Baskill

Dan Baskill, owner of Blind Bay Resort, has sat as a board director for the past three years. He, together with his wife Bonnie and family, are actively involved in the community, and provide space for Blind Bay's new Community Policing Office on their property.

A former electrical contractor, Dan and family moved here to own and develop Blind Bay Resort into a four season RV and cottage resort, and are investing heavily into the future of our community.

Dan brings to the table a diverse mix of skills and knowledge in the area of business planning, marketing and operations management. He believes that the South Shuswap is capable of sustaining economic growth and that we have the capability of being a truly dynamic place to work and live. Dan serves as Co - Chairman of the Fundraising Committee.

Director, Marla Long

Marla, husband Pete and their dog Bailey have owned and operated Blind Bay Marina in Blind Bay since 2005. Previously Marla managed an Insurance Office on the Coast for 15 years.

With 2 active daughters, Marla has kept busy with school PTA, and has participated on the Board of the North Surrey Figure Skating Club and many other sports. You can also add professional taxi driver to her resume.

Marla loves jogging, water sports and talking to people so a Marina seemed like a good business to her. She waves and watches everybody enjoy the lake. She has added a new skill - "Will that be one scoop of icecream or two"

Her hope is that she can contribute to our community for a great lifestyle to live and raise families in the Shuswap.

Marla serves as Co - Chairman of the Membership Committee

Director, Lucy Hurlen

Today's lifestyles demand many different roles, and many different looks. Through the hustle and bustle of a busy day you still want to look and feel your best. As a lia sophia Advisor Lucy is excited to offer lia sophia jewellery designs, created to offer the lifestyle solution you've been looking for. With the right fashion jewellery you can go from career to casual to evening with a single basic wardrobe...and without breaking your budget. Besides earning an income while shopping with the girls, ultimately her goal is to help other women get excited about their life and to create their own freedom to live life on their own through a home-based business such as hers.

She is currently a Director of our Chamber serving as co-chair of the Fundraising Committee, a Director of Shuswap Women in Business, and an active volunteer for the It’s All About Women Conference & Exhibition (in 2010, a fundraiser for the S.A.F.E. Society), held the last weekend in January at the Prestige Inn & Conference Centre, Salmon Arm. She has volunteered her services for various Senior’s groups including Parkside Estates in Chase, Fletcher Park Seniors Resource Centre and Lakeside Manor, Salmon Arm.

Lucy serves as Co - Chairman of the Special Events Planning Committee

Director, Susan Robinson

Susan Robinson moved to the Shuswap with her family in January 2008 in order to join the team at Community Futures as a Self-Employment Program Coordinator. Susan’s greatest joy comes from helping people turn their dreams into reality and that is what she gets to do every day at Community Futures.

Before moving to the Beautiful Shuswap, Susan owned a consulting business through which she provided business support to entrepreneurs and taught various adult business and computer education programs through various colleges and schools in Calgary and more recently in Courtenay.

Susan’s previous board experience includes five years on the board of the Comox Valley Home Based Business Association as Newsletter Editor, Marketing Director, Vice-President, President, and Past-President. She was also the Education Director for a Vancouver Island Toastmasters group.

“The South Shuswap is a great place with a lot of opportunity and I am looking forward to working with the Chamber and the business owners of this area.”

Secretary/ Manager, Nancy Kyle

Our Office Manager, Nancy Kyle, is the person you will meet as you enter the office. She has managed the chamber and our BC Visitor Centre for over 8 years and has been employed in different areas in her life including newspapers and government agencies. Nancy also has been involved with local charities and volunteered for SPCA, food bank, and Canada Day to name a few.

Nancy and her family moved to B.C. from Ontario over 30 years ago and says "we would never go back" BC is certainly home now. After living in Salmon Arm until their children had left the nest, Dave and Nancy then bought their peaceful 5 acres on White Lake Road.

Nancy's passion is music and sings with the local choir Shuswap Singers for 30 years and has been their treasurer for over 20 years. Nancy loves to meet people, and says "this is my dream job". In the summer months in our Visitor Centre she is lucky to meet people from all over the world and you can tell by watching her greet the guests that she loves her job!

Nicole Tiernan Office Assistant