Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce


	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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'.
	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 - 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.
	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 - 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.
	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.
	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.


	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.
	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.
	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.