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Chair - Jason Melhoff
Jason Melhoff is the 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. |
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1st 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. |
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2nd Chair - 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. |
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Treasurer - Ryan Dorton
Ryan is a partner 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. |
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Past
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'. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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Director - Milvia Bauman
I was born in Milan, Italy and
immigrated to Canada when I was 6 years old. During my youth, I
lived in many cities including Montreal, Toronto and New York.
Medicine Hat has been home since 1984. I have over 20 years
experience in the financial banking industry and in 1994 left my
position as a commercial account manager with CIBC to have my
daughter. My husband Brian and I have two children and one grandson.
Brian and I own Sports Connection Source For Sports where I am the
Administration Manager. Volunteerism has always been important to me
- I love the City of Medicine Hat and feel a strong sense of civic
duty to give back whenever the opportunity arises. I have served on
the local boards of the Canadian Cancer Society and Rotary Club of
Medicine Hat, parent council at several schools and I am an active
volunteer at Hillcrest Church. |
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Director - Michael Dolan
Michael J. Dolan is a lawyer and Partner with the law firm of
Pritchard and Company LLP. He was born in Uranium City
Saskatchewan and raised in Canada and Ireland. Michael obtained
an Arts degree from the University of Alberta in 1993 and a Law
degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1996. Following
his formal education, he moved to Medicine Hat and has practiced
law here ever since. Michael focuses his practice in
corporate/commercial, real estate and estate planning. He has
been involved in a number of organizations in Medicine Hat
including the Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat where he was a member
of the executive, St Patrick’s parish counsel, a volunteer coach
for Tiny Tot’s Soccer, and a Trustee on the Medicine Hat and
District Health Foundation. In addition he has presented
seminars to various groups and been involved in the continuing
education program ran out of the Medicine Hat College. Michael
is married to Andrea and they have three children.
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Director - Kirk Wright
After 19 years in the Banking
industry, most recently as Manager of the local HSBC Bank Canada
branch, Kirk joined Classic Construction as their Chief
Financial Officer in 2007. Kirk, his spouse, Jennifer, and their
daughter, Madison, briefly moved with the Bank to Winnipeg in
2004 but were very happy when the opportunity to return to
Medicine Hat came in 2005. He has been active in the community
in a variety of capacities including the Economic Advisory Board
for the City of Medicine Hat, the Financial Planning Diploma
Advisory Committee for Medicine Hat College, the Medicine Hat
Rotary Club among others. |
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Mary Lou
Hansen - President & CEO for the Medicine Hat & District
Chamber of Commerce
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. Since July 2001, she has worked for the Medicine
Hat and District Chamber of Commerce as the President & CEO. |
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Paula Stodalka -
Membership Services Coordinator
Paula grew up in small-town Saskatchewan and moved to Medicine
Hat in 1996 to pursue post-secondary education at Medicine Hat
College. Upon completion of her studies, she remained in
Medicine Hat working for REDI Enterprises for 5 years and then
moved to the Chamber of Commerce in 2001 where she has been
responsible for various areas including Membership Services &
Event Coordination.
Paula is married and has one young son. |
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Meghan Harrington -
Administrative Assistant
Meghan is a former Edmonton, Alberta resident who moved to
the sunny city in 2003 to attend the Medicine Hat College. In
2005 she graduated with President’s Honors from the Global
Tourism and Marketing Program; and jumped at the opportunity to
attend college in Merida, Mexico where she obtained her Honors
diploma in International Tourism. Meghan has worked at the Chamber
of Commerce since October 2006. She enjoys meeting our
membership and especially watching new businesses thrive in
Medicine Hat. |