Jim Thomson, Kamloops, Chairperson
Mayor Wayne Lippert, City of Vernon, Vice Chair
Mayor Sharon Shepherd, City of Kelowna
Mayor Marty Bootsma, City of Salmon Arm
Mayor Peter Milobar, City of Kamloops
Mayor David Wilks, District of Sparwood
Ron Oszust, Director CSRD, Golden
Gordon Zaitsoff, Director RDCK, Castlegar
Gord DeRosa, Director RDKB, Trail
Cindy Popescul, Cranbrook
Tom Christensen, Vernon
Ronald Hovanes, Oliver
Kerri-Anne Thomas, Invermere
Mr. James A. Thomson is the President and CEO of Plainsman Construction Ltd., of Kamloops, British Columbia. Jim grew up in Alberta and Saskatchewan in a construction environment including living at the Gardiner Dam in Saskatchewan and other huge construction projects where his late father was a senior engineer. Mr. Thomson turned to home building in 1980 following his graduation from the University of Regina. Prior to joining Plainsman, Jim worked as an Engineering Technologist while working his way through university. He started as an estimator with the Plainsman Group of Companies, eventually rising to President. In 1992, Mr. Thomson purchased the Company and became president and chief executive officer. With 36 years experience in the Construction, Development and Property Management Industry Mr. Thomson, like many mid-size Canadian Homebuilders, believes in hard work, innovation and perseverance in fighting for those issues that are important to the industry.
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor of Administration, University of Regina
- Certified Residential Builder accreditation, including the R-2000 qualifications
- Accredited member of the Construction Safety Association of BC Safety Star Program, which recognizes excellence in the area of construction safety
ACHIEVEMENTS:
- President of the Canadian Homebuilders’ Association (National - 2003)
- President of CHBA-BC during the leaky condo crisis
- Chairman and President of the New Home Warranty Program of BC and the Yukon
- President of CHBA Kamloops
PERSONAL:
Jim shares his 160-acre ranch overlooking Kamloops with his wife Kathy, a registered nurse, and four sons, ranging from 17 to 26 years of age. In his spare time Jim enjoys bird hunting in Saskatchewan, skiing at Sun Peaks, fishing at Canim lake and working on his ranch where he raises cattle and horses. Jim has taken an active role in the Kamloops community having been involved in a number of youth soccer programs and sponsoring an array of amateur athletic clubs and other not-for profit organizations.
Mayor Wayne Lippert, City of Vernon
PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY
Wayne moved out from Ontario to Vernon with his family in 1990. Wayne is married to Carol with three Children: Brittany, Lisa and Avery. Former owner of Courtesy Motors for 12 years and Avis Rent a Car Agency. Wayne is a member of the Vernon Lions Club, the Vernon Fish & Games Club and the Okanagan Auto Sports Club. Wayne enjoys the outdoors from hunting and fishing to motor sports, drag racing and custom cars.
POLITICAL BACKGROUND
No stranger to politics, Wayne served a 3 year term as councillor for the Town of Bracebridge, Ont. back in the 80’s. Since being elected as Mayor for the City of Vernon in 2005, Wayne fully embraces his responsibilities. As Mayor, Wayne has worked hard to build relationships within various levels of government, other jurisdictions and organizations to open lines of communication to enable Council and staff to make Vernon a great place to live.
Wayne also dedicates his time by participating on the board of the Southern Interior Development Trust (SIDIT) and serves on a wide variety of committees which include:
- NORD –Director
- Safe Communities – Chair
- Greater Vernon Services – Chair
- Regional Growth Strategy – Director
- Affordable Housing Committee – Director
- Finance Committee – Director
Mayor Sharon Shepherd, City of Kelowna
BIRTHPLACE: Revelstoke, B.C.
FAMILY: Married since 1972 to Michael, two children Sean and Nicole
EDUCATION
U.B.C. Bachelor of Pharmacy 1973
Hospital Pharmacy Residency 1974
OCCUPATIONAL HISTORY AND AWARDS
Mayor Shepherd worked as a hospital pharmacist at St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver until 1976. Upon moving to Kelowna in 1977, Sharon became Medical Office Manager for three physicians; a position she currently holds.
Sharon received the Canadian Organon Pharmacy Award in 1975, and was recognized by the U.B.C. Faculty of Pharmacy in 1996 for past contributions.
Received the 2005 Woman of Distinction award.
Named a Paul Harris Fellow in 2006 by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
First elected Mayor in the November 2005 Civic Election after serving three terms since 1996 as a City Councillor. Sharon has been involved with the City of Kelowna Arts Foundation, Parks and Facilities Committee and the Community Housing Needs Committee. She has served as Chair of the City of Kelowna’s Heritage Commission and Sports Tourism Committee. Regionally, she continues to serve on the Board of the Central Okanagan Regional District and has been Chair of the Regional Air Quality Committee, Central Okanagan Community Health Advisory Committee and the Regional Parks Committee. In addition to being the chair of the Youth Advisory Committee, she is also a representative on the Accessibility Committee and the Community Action Toward Children’s Health (CATCH) Committee.
LOCAL INTERESTS
Member, Canadian Federation of University Women – Kelowna
Member, Kelowna Women in Business.
Past involvements include executive positions with the Kelowna Ski Club, Kelowna Secondary School Parent Advisory Council, Mission South Slopes Residents’ Association, Steering Committee for Restorative Justice and the Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society.
PRIORITIES
To be the best Mid-sized City while being business friendly and using solar and alternative energy sources
Sustainability – Balance between economic viability, environmental protection, social responsibility and cultural vitality
Healthy, Accessible and Safe Community for children, youth, seniors and people with disabilities. An Intergenerational approach to being an inclusive community is a priority.
Mayor Marty Bootsma, City of Salmon Arm
Raised and educated in Vancouver BC, Marty has been a resident of the Shuswap since 1980.
An enthusiastic supporter of volunteerism over the years, Marty also has extensive and varied business experience in real estate, construction and retail.
Marty is a family man with three children and nine grandchildren, all of whom live in Salmon Arm. Not surprisingly, past involvement has included minor hockey, soccer, figure skating and the School Parent Advisory Council.
As a thirty year resident of Salmon Arm, Marty has been and is currently involved with many local Councils, Boards and Committees. In addition, he has been a Rotarian for twelve years and was a volunteer firefighter for fourteen years.
Marty is now in his fourth term on Council, and second term as Mayor, as well as Chair of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District since 2006;... he states as his reason for involvement in local politics – “To help achieve a balance between inevitable growth and protecting our environment . . . to promote a safe, prosperous and healthy community without sacrificing the lifestyle we would like to see our children enjoy.”
Mayor Peter Milobar, City of Kamloops
Peter Gordon Milobar, son of Dr. Tony and Maryann Milobar, was born in 1970 in Edmonton, Alberta; the youngest of five children. The family moved back to Kamloops in 1971.
Peter attended Stuart Wood Elementary, John Peterson Junior Secondary, and Kamloops Senior Secondary. During his school years he worked at the family hotel, the Place Inn.
Peter played and excelled at numerous sports throughout his youth. He played hockey at the junior level. He played for Nanaimo and Penticton while completing business courses.
Peter was married to Lianne in 1993. They started a family in 1994 and have three children. Peter returned to running the family hotel, which was then known as the Days Inn Hotel.
In 2002, Peter decided to give back to his community by running for city council. Since his election in 2002, Peter has worked with many organizations and committees. Peter has been involved with the Tournament Capital Committee, Arts Commission, Mayors Advisory for Persons with a Disability, Social Planning and Development Cost Charges Review Committee. He has proven to be a leader within those committees.
As one of the Kamloops representatives on the Thompson Nicola Regional District, Peter has been chair of the Civic Building Maintenance Committee as well as vice chair of the board for a year. Most recently, Peter was elected Chair of the regional district for a third year, making him the first Mayor of Kamloops to be elected chair of the board.
In addition to his political work, Peter continues to own and operate a pub and private liquor store in Kamloops.
With the support of his family and the strong support from the community, Peter sought the Mayor’s chair in 2008. He had an overwhelming victory and claimed 74% of the vote.
Mayor David Wilks, District of Sparwood
BORN: Lethbridge, Alberta
FAMILY: Married to wife Cindy since 1982 and have 3 children - Amanda, Matthew and Christine
Occupational History
- Retired member of the RCMP. Joined the force in 1980 and retired in 2000.
- Along with wife Cindy own Sparwood Bowl and Billiards since 1999.
Political and Board experience
- Elected as councillor for the District of Sparwood 2002 to 2005
- Mayor for the District of Sparwood since 2005
- Board member for the Bowling Proprietors of British Columbia 2002 to 2005 & 2007 to 2009
- Board member of the Regional District of East Kootenay
- Board member of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust
- Chair of the Regional Advisory Committee to SIDIT
- Co/Chair of the Mayor’s and Chair’s Highway #3 Coalition
Interests and Hobbies
- Coach 5 pin bowling at all levels
- Enjoy bowling, golf and gardening
- Continue to conduct drug and alcohol talks with various schools and companies.
- Guest lecturer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Electoral Area Director, Rural Golden, Area A of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
BIRTHPLACE: Glendon, Alberta
FAMILY: Married since 1980 to Carmen, four children: Michelle, Richard, Anik and Chantal
OCCUPATIONAL HISTORY:
Director Oszust worked in construction from 1976 to 2001. During that time he worked as a journeyman Glazier, Site Foreman and for the last 14 years of his working career operated his own business which he sold in 2001. He is also a PCP Paramedic and Unit Chief with BC Ambulance and has been involved with pre-hospital care since 1991.
CIVIC INVOLVMENT:
First elected as a School Board Trustee in 1993 and served 6 years. In 1999 he was elected as the Electoral Area Director for Rural Golden, Area A of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and holds that position today. He is a past Board member of the Columbia Basin Trust (as Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of Community Development), Regional Transportation Advisory Committee member, founding and active Board member of the Golden and Area Community Economic Development Society, past Vice-Chair and present member of the Okanagan Regional Library Board, previously SIDIT Regional Advisory Committee member and elected as SIDIT Board member in 2009.
Ron is a past Kinsmen Club member, Fire Department member, Search and Rescue member. He has been an active member of the Mount 7 Recreation Complex, Scouts Canada, School PACs, Golden Youth Opportunities Council. He is presently a Rotary club member as well as active in many community initiatives; Housing, Airport, Kinbasket Reservoir, Parks and Community Economic Development to mention a few.
Councillor Gord DeRosa, City of Trail
BORN: October 13, 1942
FAMILY: Married to wife Bev since 1961 and have 3 grown children and 2 beautiful grandchildren with 2 more soon to be arriving.
OCCUPATIONAL HISTORY
- Employed at Cominco Ltd. (now Teck Resources Ltd.) for 26 years.
- Career at Cominco included: Electrician, Senior Industrial Relations Officer, Alcohol and Drug Referral Agent, Senior Safety and Health Officer (Local 480), Industrial Hygiene Officer, WCM Claims Officer and both Supervisor of Claims Department and Supervisor of Rehabilitation Centre.
- Retired since 1998.
Political and Board experience
- Elected as councillor for the City of Trail in November, 1988 and has served 22 continuous years.
- Past chair of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.
- City of Trail representative to RDKB Board for 8 years.
- Chair of the City of Trail Environmental Sustainability Committee.
- Board member of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust
- Past executive member UBCM
- Past president AKBLG
Interests and Hobbies
- Organic gardening
- Fishing on the Columbia River
- Racquetball
- Sustainability and environmental stewardships
- Winemaking
Cindy Popescul of Cranbrook is a Chartered Accountant and partner with the firm BDO Dunwoody LLP. She is a tax specialist and works with clients in a variety of industries and sectors providing tax and business advice. She is an instructor for the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and also presents tax information at firm and community seminars.
Cindy is originally from Saskatchewan and has lived in communities in Alberta and the British Columbia Southern Interior prior to settling in Cranbrook 16 years ago. She began her career in Calgary at a major accounting firm, moved to Lethbridge and then to Kamloops where she commenced her specialization in tax. She and her spouse decided to settle and raise their family of three in the Kootenays where both could pursue their careers. She is active in a number of roles in the Cranbrook community such as the school systems, minor hockey and diabetes education and fund raising. Cindy has completed a three year term with the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust and is in her second term.
Tom Christensen was born and raised in Vernon. He lived in Sweden for a year as a Rotary exchange student before attending Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and then the University of Victoria. He obtained a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies followed by a law degree. After articling in Vancouver, Tom returned to Vernon in 1995 and practised law at Davidson and Company.
Tom has a strong commitment to community service, having served as President of the Downtown Vernon Association, and a Director of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, and the Vernon Winter Carnival Society. In 2001, he chose to enter provincial politics and was elected MLA for Okanagan-Vernon, serving two terms. He has served as Minister of Education, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, and Minister of Children and Family Development.
Tom chose to retire from elected provincial office in 2009 in order to spend less time away from his wife Jennifer and their three young children. He is enjoying being able to attend his children’s piano recitals, soccer and baseball games, and plans to spend more time camping and skiing. He remains committed to serving the public interest in his role as a Director of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust as well as serving as a Director of the Legal Services Society.
PERSONAL:
Ron is President of HOVANES COMMUNITY SERVICES Ltd., a contract agency to Community Living B.C. The agency provides one to one Self Help Skills workers to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Services are provided in the South Okanagan and South Similkameen. Ron also manages an Adult day program in the South Similkameen.
Ron’s past work history includes working as a licensed Realtor, a Special Needs teaching assistant and he also served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Ron and his wife Tara are lifelong residents of Oliver. They feel blessed to have raised their family and enjoy working careers in their home town.
POLITICAL BACKGROUND:
From 1999 to 2008 Ron has served the Town of Oliver two terms as an Elected Councillor and one term as Mayor. During this period Ron also served a three year term as a Director of the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen. One of the Highlights of his Mayoral term was to have Oliver picked as the first community of its size to be given a “Green City’s Award” by the Province of B.C.
LOCAL INTERESTS:
Ron has always been an active community volunteer. He is a twenty eight year member of the Royal Canadian Legion and he is a Past President of the local branch. As a Legion member, Ron continues to promote remembrance in the schools and he has chaperoned B.C. High school athletes to three national championships.
Ron most recently has accepted a Directors position on the Oliver and District Historical Society.
Kerri-Anne Thomas is a member of the Law Societies of Alberta and British Columbia. She currently practices law at the firm of MacDonald Thomas in Invermere, BC providing advice on a variety of legal matters but focussing on business and land related matters.
Kerri-Anne attended law school in Victoria and Calgary and graduated from Calgary in 1991. She articled in 1992 and practised law in Calgary, Alberta from 1993 to 2004 when she returned to settle in her home town of Invermere. She and her husband and two children have settled in Invermere where they enjoy boating, skiing, snowmobiling and hiking.
Active in a number of community initiatives in Calgary, Kerri-Anne continues to be involved in Invermere as an active member of the community as well as a member of the Rotary Club of Invermere. She sits as a board member to the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust and sits on Oversight Committee of the Rural Education and Access to Lawyers Initiative through the Canadian Bar Association.
