Cary is a lawyer and owner of the leading South Okanagan law firm Pearce Schneiderat.  Cary had previously been on the Board for over 10 years serving as President twice, Vice-President and Secretary.  He is excited to have the opportunity to serve the Chamber and its members again.

My name is Jonathan McGraw, and I am a partner in BDO Canada’s Penticton office with over 20 years of professional experience providing accounting, tax, and auditing services to a range of owner-managed businesses, as well as public entities, First Nations, and not-for-profit organizations. As a trusted advisor to my clients, I often work with them on complex issues like strategic planning and corporate restructuring.

I have a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary and have provided presentations for the firm on topics such as financial statement analysis and audit methodology. Aside from my current occupation as a CPA, I have also served five years in the US Navy, worked as a snowboard instructor, and I am a professional dive master.

Penticton and the surrounding area is a wonderful community in which to live, and we have many amazing service groups, social agencies, and community organizations that enrich our citizens lives. I enjoy contributing my time and knowledge to such organizations. I am currently on the finance committee for St Anns Church in Penticton, as well as the Penticton Chamber of Commerce. In previous years, I served as the treasurer of the Penticton Yacht Club, and the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors.

Paul and his wife Amanda own one of the only businesses globally in 100% hand stitched traditional kilt making. They hand stitch every kilt using traditional methods that they perfected with the help and guidance of industry professionals in Scotland. They import fabric and other products from Scotland and export the kilts worldwide. They turned a basement business making kilts for local pipe bands into an international business making kilts for companies, clan societies, pipe bands, and individuals as far away as New Zealand. They do rentals for weddings and Scottish events, and also made a hand stitched tam for the Peach in 2018!

Paul looks forward to serving on the board and committees and being part of the chamber team!

Harley Elasoff is General Manager at the Sandman Hotel Penticton. He has been employed by Sandman Hotel Group since 2006 and has worked in various properties within the chain in different roles. Harley has over 15 years experience in the tourism & hospitality industry and holds a diploma in Resort & Hotel Management from Selkirk College.

Harley enjoys being involved in the community. In addition to being a Director for the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, he is also involved with JCI Penticton.  Previously Harley sat on the Kermodei Tourism and Northern BC Tourism Association Board of Directors.

Life experience is the education I value. My parents growing up always gave me every opportunity to learn from them during their time running Affordable Storage and other functions in the community. Before settling down to run my family business, I tried everything from wine country videographer to Costa Rica Bar Management and lots in between, not always successful, but always learning.  In my 7 years at Affordable I have experienced all aspects of running a successful sustainable business. Our business model focuses around “three C’s” Take care of Customers, Co-workers, Community, the rest is easy. I am constantly working to improve my personal education/skillset and am excited at the opportunity to take on more of an active role in the community.

Nicole Clark, owner of KISStrategies for Business Inc., is a small business trainer and consultant whose passion is working with entrepreneurs to create the business of their dreams through implementing sound business plans and marketing strategies, shifting habits and routines, replacing limiting beliefs with empowering beliefs.

Nicole has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs over the past 30+ years. Her focus is to simplify the entrepreneurial journey for Canadians looking to launch or expand a small business. She does this by teaching small business owners how to create a viable business concept and formulate a business plan that not only provides the path to follow but can also be taken to a lender or investor to raise any necessary capital. She does this in groups, through live workshops, one-on-one with clients, and online with her ProfitRx Business Development Program.

In 2015, Nicole was delighted to be awarded a contract with Community Futures Okanagan Simlkameen to collaborate with them on the delivery of WorkBC’s Self-Employment Program to entrepreneurs on EI, with disabilities, or with other barriers to employment. This has been extended for a third year and is an extremely fulfilling part of her business.

In the past 2 years, she has guided over 125 entrepreneurs in the small communities of British Columbia’s South Okanagan through a successful launch of their business plan. It thrills her to participate in the ‘aha’ moments as her clients embark on their entrepreneurial journey. Over 90% of her clients are still in business. Her successful results with her clients led to nominations in four different categories for the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in both 2016 and 2017.

Nicole lives in Penticton, BC with her husband Don. Transplants from the Vancouver area, they thoroughly enjoy the beautiful Okanagan Valley and its fantastic climate. Nicole is President of Penticton Women in Business, an inaugural member of South Okanagan 100 Women Who Care, and an honorary member of JCI Penticton.

After spending years of travelling overseas, Lyndie returned to her hometown of Penticton. Her 8 years spent in the adventure capital of the world, New Zealand, gaining qualifications, experience, and working in the Adventure Tourism and Multi-sport industry inspired her and she returned home with a dream of building her own company and paving the way for an industry that was new to the area.

Today, Hoodoo Adventures is a Business Excellence Award winning company, established in 2007 the company holds the largest commercial guiding land tenure in the Okanagan. Their mission is to introduce people of all ages to the outdoor recreation opportunities that exist right at our door in Penticton and the surrounding area. Hoodoo adventures offers a diverse selection of activities and training for individuals, teams, school groups, and corporate programs.

In addition to commercial adventures such as sea kayaking, hiking, biking, and rock climbing; Hoodoo Adventures is an event organizer, creating and coordinating multiple annual multi-sport and adventure races as well as large corporate events. In its most recent sports tourism Economic Impact Assessment, Hoodoo Adventure Company reported a $3+ million economic impact in the area. You can check out all of the Hoodoo action on their website: http://www.hoodooadventures.ca/

By joining the Chamber Board I hope to have an impact on the business community by using my 20+ years of experience in tourism, hospitality and event management to help create relationships and showcase the area in which we choose to live. I am excited to work with like-minded businesses on a common goal of economic growth, healthy living opportunities and proactive strategies that engage and encourage our younger generations by highlighting Penticton as a forward thinking, community-focused City. I moved back here, to my home town, knowing that I could have an impact. I am proud of what we have accomplished since returning and I believe that by joining the Chamber team I can continue to work towards the amazing things that I know are possible for Penticton.