Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce


	Chair - Jacquie Penner Jacquie currently works with the Medicine Hat College where she is Dean of Business. She is keenly interested in building strong connections between the business programs at the College and the business community and has made it a priority to get students and faculty involved in the local business scene. She believes that small businesses are the life blood of communities such as Medicine Hat and that they are also the source of many of the jobs and opportunities that her students are preparing for. She is also a firm believer in volunteerism and currently sits on the Chamber's Policy and Advocacy Committee and is a member of the Community Centennial Party Committee. Over the years, Jacquie has sat on a number of boards and committees here and in other cities and knows that much of what happens in a community is the direct result of the activism and commitment of interested volunteers. Prior to teaching at MHC for most of the past 17 years, Jacquie worked as a consultant in planning, management development and human resource management. She has resided in Medicine Hat for 10 years and is delighted to be in a city she always thought of a wonderful place to live but where she had never really thought she would live. Her ties to Medicine Hat go back many years to when her grandparents lived in and around 'The Hat'.
	1st Chair - Jason Melhoff Jason Melhoff is co-owner/manager of Melhoff Security and recently moved to Medicine Hat to take over this location. He is a fourth generation electrician from Melhoff Security's sister company, Melhoff Electric, which has been in business in Swift Current since 1929. Jason realizes the importance and the benefit of working with the community to stimulate and strengthen the local economy for all local businesses. He is looking forward to working with the chamber in the upcoming year and is proud to serve on the board.
	2nd Chair - David Stroh Born and raised in Medicine Hat, David has been a licensed Funeral Director with Cook Southland Funeral Chapel for the past 13 years. He is involved with various service clubs, and enjoys his involvement with the Chamber's Policy & Advocacy Committee as well as the Ambassador Committee. David enjoys time spent with his family, especially his two children. He likes all sports, especially golfing and curling, and enjoys each and every opportunity presented to go fishing.
	Past Chair - Jason Mutschler Jason is a Chartered Accountant and partner in Ensminger, Beck & Thompson Chartered Accountants. Aside from serving on the Chamber Board, Jason is actively involved with the Medicine Hat Film Festival, Monday Night at the Movies and the Southern Alberta Child and Youth Health Network.
	Treasurer - Ryan Dorton Ryan is currently an associate with Johnston Morrison Hunter & Co Ltd and received his CA designation in 2001. His current employment has involved him in various levels of business, including individual, small business, large corporation and government entities. He received his Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1998 and moved to Medicine Hat that same year. Ryan is married with two children and is active in recreational hockey, slo-pitch and golf. Ryan's volunteer involvement has included work with the United Way as Chair of the Accountant’s Division, Campaign Cabinet. He is also a member of the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce Policy & Advocacy Committee.
	Director - James Bartsch James Bartsch is employed with Community Savings as their Business Banking Centre Manager. James and his family moved here from Lethbridge one year ago and are very impressed with the all the City of Medicine Hat has to offer. James has been involved with other City Chamber board's and welcomes the opportunity to be a part of Medicine Hat's Chamber. James interests include spending free time with his family, golfing and traveling. He looks forward to being part of the community.
	Director - David Martin David is the Director of Training for Memory Lane Computers offering computer skills training such as new exposure courses and technical industry training to individuals and businesses alike. David is also currently a Red Cross First Aid Instructor, has volunteered over 200+ hours of first aid services for the St. John Ambulance Brigade and was also a reservist with the S.A.L.H. David and his wife Tasha have called Medicine Hat home for over 15 years. They have two young children and have been self employed in our business community since 1999.
	Director - Brian Widmer Brian is a Certified Financial Planner with RBC Dominion Securities. His role as a Financial Planner with the Fifth Avenue Wealth Management Group allows him to provide advice to both individuals and businesses. He is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Management Degree. Brian was raised in Medicine Hat and has been an active volunteer with the Medicine Hat YMCA. He is also the Co-Chair of the Chamber's Policy & Advocacy Committee.
	Director - Shila Sharps Born in Medicine Hat, Shila Sharps was fortunate enough to move back to the Medicine Hat area in 2001 via BATUS and made the decision as a family to stay in this area permanently. Shilas’ background in Human Resources has led to her current position as the President of HR SOLUTIONS. Shila is actively involved with the Human Resource Institute of Alberta and most recently has taken the role of Vice President for the newly resurrected Medicine Hat and Area personnel association. Shila has a passion for travel and loves to golf in her spare time.
	Director - Jamie Mackie Jamie is currently employed as a Branch/Project Manager with On Side Restoration Services. On Side has been in business since 1978 and does disaster response insurance work for the public through insurance companies. Jamie is married with two children, ages 5 and 8. Originally from Winnipeg, he moved to Vancouver in 1992 and then transferred to Medicine Hat in the summer of 2005. His past history not only includes work as a project manger but also ownership of his own business. Jamie has also volunteered in the past as a children’s soccer coach.
	Director - Anita Neefs Anita Neefs is the Executive Director of Saamis Employment & Training Association. Anita spent some time in the Hat in the early 90’s and relocated here permanently seven years ago. She spent approximately 12 years as an entrepreneur in the Restaurant Business before returning to the University of Calgary to obtain her Bachelor of Commerce Degree. After completing her degree Anita worked as a Human Resource Manager for a large resort in Banff and then moved to Edmonton to work with Alberta Economic Development but could not resist the opportunity to come back to the Hat. Anita is looking forward to working with the Chamber and is honored to be a representative of Medicine Hat’s thriving businesses.
	Director - Kim McClymont Kim is married, has 3 children and lives, works and volunteers in Medicine Hat. Originally from Liverpool, England her family emigrated to Winnipeg in 1968. Kim settled in Medicine Hat in 1995. Kim is the Executive Director of the Medicine Hat Volunteer and Community Information Centre. Her lifelong passion for volunteering brought her to her present career. Kim has over 30 years of diverse experience working with business and not-for-profit groups. She has owned her own company, been employed in the parts and service industries and has a Community Rehabilitation Certificate. She is a graduate of Leadership Southeast Alberta and Recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal of Honour.

	Mary Lou Hansen - President & CEO for the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Medicine Hat Mary Lou started her working career at AGT which then changed to TELUS and then merged with BC Tel, remaining as TELUS, where she worked 26 years in the communication sector in various union, and management positions. Her career journey then took her closer to home, and worked with the Better Business Bureau for 2 years, supporting Business and customers with Business Ethical practices and customer service. For the past 4.5 years she has worked for the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Director.
	Vickie Keeley - Events Coordinator for the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Medicine Hat Vickie grew up in Red Deer and with the promise of milder winters moved to Medicine Hat 10 years ago. She had a lengthy career with a leading telecommunications company and has extensive training in customer service and computers. After hours Vickie enjoys building websites and spending time with her 5 grandchildren. She is married with 3 grown children.
	Lisa Kowalchuk - Membership Coordinator Lisa moved to Medicine Hat in October 2005. She claims she has come back to her roots having been born in the sunny city. She moved out to Saskatchewan in 1992 to the South Eastern area of the province. Lisa attended the Saskatoon Business College and obtained her honours Diploma in Business Administration in 1998. Her most recent adventure prior to joining the Chamber was her employment in the Cable Industry working in the television production. She is looking forward to the many opportunities that Medicine Hat has to offer as well as the opportunity of working with the Chamber.
	Elizabeth Jackson - Administrative Assistant Having spent all her life in Southern Ontario, Elizabeth recently moved to Medicine Hat looking for a fresh adventure. In 2006 she completed her degree at McMaster University, with her major in Sociology. The last four years she has been working as a customer service representative and wholesale accounts manager for an equestrian tack shop, which relates back to her primary love - horses. She has been an avid horseback rider and competitor her whole life, with her main interest being in the eventing field. She is also involved in canine lure coursing, and loves spending time with her crazy whippet. She is excited about the opportunities that have arisen for her in Medicine Hat and looks forward to her future with the Chamber and other ventures in the community.