The Venture Kamloops Business Development Society was established in September 2004 as the economic development office for the City of Kamloops. It is governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors, which includes two City councillors, two City officials and Ex Officio Members. Members serve for a 5-year term and they are empowered to respond quickly to new opportunities which facilitate the undertaking of new initiatives and the attracting of financial involvement from other levels of government and/or the private sector.
Executive Committee
Brant Hasanen - President
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Brant has been a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments in Kamloops for 20 plus years. He has also served in and for the community with various organizations including the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, BC Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary, as well as various task forces for the city and TRU." Brant and his wife Shelley enjoy a lot of travel, camping, and spending time with their kids, and grandkids.
Thomas E. Dickinson BSc, MSc, PhD - Past President
Thompson Rivers University
Tom Dickinson is a native of Toronto and a graduate of Queen’s University, the University of Calgary, and the University of Pennsylvania. He is a biologist with a specialization in ecology. Tom came to Kamloops in 1989 to be part of the growth of Thompson Rivers University. Over his career at Tom has taught and done academic research, and established a technology centre that connected the community to the university’s physical, human, and intellectual resources. Today he is the Dean of Science at TRU and remains active in the community on several Boards of Directors and Land-use Planning roundtables.
Cecil Cheveldave CPA, CMA, CAFM, CMC, CIRP, LIT - Treasurer
Partner, Heron Advisory Ltd.
Cecil is a partner with Heron Advisory Ltd., a boutique financial restructuring and financial advisory firm. As a financial restructuring, insolvency and financial advisory professional, Cecil serves clients throughout BC, western Canada and the United States. In addition to his work in the financial restructuring and insolvency fields, Cecil has been a trusted financial advisor to Indigenous Governments throughout BC for the past 26 years. Services provided to Indigenous Government clients focus on fiscal components of treaty negotiations, economic development and general financial advisory services.
Directors
Lana Dueck
VP Business Banking, BMO
Lana is the Vice President Business Banking for the Bank of Montreal. She has been part of the Kamloops community for the past four years. She has been in the Financial Industry for 25+ years. She has a focus of assisting business to sustainable growth. She has experience on various boards and writing governance policy.
Mathew Dundas
Senior Commercial Banking Advisor, Valley First
Matt was born in Vancouver and moved to Kamloops in 2004 to be closer to his family. He has been in the finance industry in Kamloops for the past fourteen years working at a variety of positions in retail and commercial banking. For the past four years, Matt has worked at a senior level in Valley First’s Commercial Banking specializing in construction/development and hospitality financing. He has served on a number of local boards, most recently as the Past President of the Rotary Club of Kamloops and a Director of Western Canada Theatre (2014 – 2017). Matt enjoys giving back to his Kamloops community through local hands-on Rotary projects and work initiatives that target food insecurity and help our local Food Bank.
Shaun Minten
Tri City Contracting
Shaun Minten started his construction career as an Estimator/Junior Project manager for Tri City Contracting Ltd in 2006. This position developed into Project Management focusing on Bid Bond projects for several years. In 2009 Shaun left Tri City Contracting to start his own company, Tri City Contracting Kamloops Ltd. Tri City Contracting Kamloops Ltd began as a General Contractor focusing on smaller bonded projects. As the economy changed so did Tri City Contracting Kamloops Ltd, after a year renamed to Desert City Contracting Ltd with a primary focus on Commercial Concrete Formwork. For 8 years Desert City Contracting successfully completed concrete projects throughout BC, Alberta and the Northwest Territory. As the president of the company Shaun’s task were all inclusive; from project administration, estimating and scheduling to site layout and working on the tools. In 2016, Shaun with his business partner incorporated a second company Interior Concrete Finishing Ltd. With this new entity we were able to offer a complete concrete package from forming to finishing. In 2018 Shaun sold his shares of both companies to return to Tri City to take over construction operations. Currently, Shaun is the Vice President of Tri City Canada.
Jason Paige
President & CEO, Acres Group of Companies
Jason is President and CEO of Acres Group of Companies providing strategic direction, forward-thinking and leadership to his team in identifying and building new business opportunities. Jason is an advocate of continuous improvements, encouraging his team to leverage new technologies, to challenge the status quo, backed by a culture of loyalty and positive teamwork. Jason was the 2014 recipient of TRU’s Distinguished Alumni Professional Achievement Award and the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce 2015 recipient for Business Person of the Year Award. He is active with local community and industry organizations, including SICA, United Way and TRU.
Maeghan Summers
Operations Manager, Forno on 5th & Noble Pig Brewhouse
Maeghan Summers a graduate from TRU is celebrating 25 years in hospitality with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Restaurant Leadership. Maeghan is the Operations Manager of Forno On 5th and The Noble Pig Brewhouse located in the heart of downtown Kamloops. Both locations have multiple accolades and awards for quality food, beverage and service. “My goal as a leader in hospitality is to grow and encourage the next generations all while sharing a quality experience with guests that elevates the dining experience in Kamloops.”
City Officials
David Trawin
CAO, City of Kamloops
David holds a B.A. degree in Geography and Economics and a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning. He joined the City of Kamloops in 2003 as the Director of Development and Engineering Services and was appointed as the City’s Chief Administrative Officer in 2012. His philosophy of collaboration has become well known over his time working with the building and business industries.
Sarah Candido
External Relations Liaison, City of Kamloops
Sarah Candido, External Relations Liaison with the City of Kamloops, is currently responsible for the City’s external relationships with Venture Kamloops, Kamloops Airport, Kamloops’ BIA’s, the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Kamloops, TNRD Film Commission, Kamloops Innovation, and other valued partners and businesses in the community. She has a BA in Economics and Management from TRU, as well as many post-secondary certifications. Sarah has over 20 years of experience in the public and private sector, most recently including over 9 years with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc in their Community Services department, and with the School of Business and Economics at TRU. She has many years of Board experience, most recently Community Futures Thompson Country and Secwepemc Child and Family Services, and is passionate about serving the community in a collaborative and transparent way.
Nancy Bepple
Coop Coordinator, TRU
Nancy grew up in Kamloops then left for school and work. During her time away, she worked for two of BC’s top technology companies. She returned to Kamloops in 2001. As a Coop Coordinator at Thompson Rivers University for 21 years, she supported 1000’s of students connect with 100’s of top companies. More recently, she started a career coaching business. Nancy is active in the community as a volunteer including PitStop, Refugees and Friends Together (RAFT), and TRIPS Canoe Club. Nancy has a Bachelor of Science in Computing Science/Math, a Masters in Atmospheric Science and a Doctorate in Educational Policy and Leadership. She loves the outdoors. In the summer, she whitewater canoes. In the winter, she outdoor ice skates.
Katie Neustaeter
Director of Communications, United Way B.C.
Katie Neustaeter grew up in Kamloops where she attended RLC, Valleyview Secondary, KSS (SKSS), and the College of the Cariboo (TRU). Watching the community ebb, flow, and change over time, Katie’s love for this city has only grown. With a combined professional background as a Community and School Support Worker, various roles in Media, and as an Executive Director within the charitable sector, Katie brings a unique blend of experience and perspective to the table. She is currently the Director of Communications for United Way British Columbia. Katie married her husband in 2002 and they have the 3 best teenagers on the planet. She has volunteered in a wide variety of capacities within the community including TRU Foundation events, Wildfire response, BC Winter Games, RibFest, the Kamloops and District SPCA, United Way (TNC), youth mentorship, Kamloops Alliance Church, Kamloops Youth Soccer Assoc., SD73, and more.
