What We Can Do For You
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Who We Are
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce was founded on May 28, 1900 under the Boards of Trade Act by a group of business people which included bankers, barristers, ranchers, merchants, contractors, physicians, a hotelier, lumber dealer and a butcher. Since that time, this member-based organization has been the voice of the business community and has always stood for promoting business, monitoring government and championing managed growth in the local economy.
The Chamber continues to be a grassroots not-for-profit business network built by business for business. We are a champion for business and an essential source of information and solutions. We help build the businesses that support our families and our communities. We strive to strengthen our brand so that our businesses and our community can be recognized as a leading-edge business network across Canada, profiling our businesses and fuelling success within the region. Our members are action-motivated people with a need for achievement. They partner with us to help elevate their business to the next level, no matter where they are in the business lifecycle. They want a voice that can carry their message and represent their interests. We partner to serve our business, supplying the connections, support and influence that fuels success for both businesses and for our community.
What We Stand For
Member Driven
Our actions and initiatives are driven by feedback and input from our members. We believe that the impact we create for local businesses ultimately affects the lives of business owners and employees, lending to a greater good in our community
Authentic
We value honesty, authenticity and inclusivity, representing the organization with professionalism and respect. We appreciate that everyone has a story and different backgrounds that lend to the diverse perspectives that the Chamber represents.
Solution Orientated
We believe that by working together to find solutions and tackling issues our members face, we can stimulate greater success in our region, connecting people with resources, supporting our members, and advocating on behalf of our community.
Collaborative
We believe in collaboration of businesses and organizations from all industries united in the efforts to strengthen the local economy. We value a team mentality and believe that there is power in one unified voice.
Ethical
We believe in the collaboration of businesses and organizations from all industries, united in strengthening our community. We value a team mentality and believe there is power in one unified voice.
Our Vision
Our community is one where growth is not just a goal but a way of life, where it's easy to do business and a place where businesses actively seek to invest. We are dedicated to nurturing a culture where collaboration thrives and every member of our community is invested in our collective growth. We influence the region's growth, drive momentum, excitement, and progress, infusing vibrancy and energy into every facet of our community. We are committed to being progressive and forward-thinking, fostering a welcoming and inviting atmosphere that celebrates inclusivity, diversity, and a sense of belonging.
Our Mission
To be an essential source of information and solutions to strengthen our community as a catalyst for growth, uniting business, driving leadership and fuelling success through our connections, support and influence.
Partners to Propel You Forward
Trevor Anhel, President
Committee Member: Executive, Leadership Development
Trevor has called Medicine Hat home for over 20 years and has dedicated his career to Financial Services. Currently as a Mortgage Specialist with RBC, he helps clients with financing one of their largest and most valued assets – the place they call home. As previous Chair of Alberta Advisory Council of Mortgage professionals he leads a diversified team committed to influencing positive change within the industry he serves. Trevor is a past director/member of BILD Medicine Hat (formerly CHBA). He’s passionate about helping others thrive and is looking forward to the opportunity to serve on the Chamber of Commerce.
Steve Heid, First Vice President
Committee Member: Executive, Policy Council (Chair), Urban Development Industry, Leadership Development
Steve was born and raised in Medicine Hat and has a love for our city and its development. With over 25 years experience in the building and construction industry and now, as the owner of Lacey Homes, Steve understands the importance of future growth and the strength of our business community. He looks forward to his term with the Chamber and his opportunity to give back to our community, while learning more about other local industries and our business community.
Kirsten Spek, Second Vice President
Committee Member: Community Connections (Chair), Policy Council
Kirsten has called Medicine Hat home since 2014, and quickly fell in love with the city upon her arrival! Kirsten's husband has been a small business owner/entrepreneur in the area since 2004, operating in the construction field.
Since 2014, Kirsten and her husband have started two additional businesses and purchased three revenue properties in the downtown core with no plans to stop. Kirsten's belief and true passion is to create beautiful affordable spaces for small business owners to thrive within our city.
Brett Pudwell, Treasurer
Committee Member: Executive, Community Connections, Finance (Chair), Policy Council
Brett was born and raised on a farm 20 kilometers northeast of Medicine Hat and graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 2013. He is currently a Principal at EBT Chartered Professional Accountants specializing in tax and controllership on top of compliance work. Prior to returning to school, he worked for a number of years in the oilfield service industry. In 2019, Brett and his wife Jenny purchased shares of Bumbleboo in Medicine Hat and bring a passion for small business and community to this local shop. Brett and Jenny love spending time with their two wonderful boys, Gunner and Bear. Brett is pleased to be able to bring his energy, time and perspective of Medicine Hat and the surrounding community to the Chamber of Commerce organization.
Sarah Franchetto, Director
Committee Member: Community Connections, Sport & Event Council, Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Sarah was born and raised in Medicine Hat, and is now happily raising her family here. She has been working in the banking industry for since 2002 years, working in commercial banking since 2011. She has covered everything from small business to large commercial clients. Throughout this time she has found a passion advocating for businesses and their owners. Her experience in banking has given her great insight into many different types of businesses, including professionals, trades, retail, agriculture, oilfield and trucking and everything in between. Sarah has been heavily involved in the bank’s community initiatives, including the RBC Blue Water Project, organizing days of service and charity drives, and hosting events that provide advice and guidance on all things financial for businesses and their owners. She looks forward to continuing her work with the Chamber to help businesses in our community grow and thrive. Sarah enjoys working collaboratively as a team to get things done. Sarah and her husband Marco are the proud parents of Santino and Dahnya. Sarah believes Medicine Hat is the best community to live and work in and enjoys being involved with the Chamber.
Steven Pudwell, Director
Committee Member: Sport & Event Council
Steven grew up, raised his family, lives, serves, owned businesses and works in Medicine Hat. He is proud to be called a “Hatter”. Over the years, Steven has volunteered with numerous community groups that helped better Medicine Hat’s facilities, services, education, healthy lifestyles, and positive influences for its people. Steven understands that it is important to continue to attract new economic opportunities and advance existing business in our area. He looks forward to contributing to the Chamber with hard work ethic and thoughtful communication.
Les Scholly, Director
Committee Member: Community Connections, Leadership Development, Policy Council
Les is originally from Calgary and moved to Medicine Hat in 1993 to complete his year long legal articles with the firm Gordon Smith & Company. While he initially did not intend to stay in Medicine Hat, he found working in a smaller center allowed him opportunities to do legal work for “real people”, which was much different experience from his friends who were articling in the larger Calgary firms. He started making personal and business connections in that first year and he really enjoyed the learning opportunities working as a lawyer in Medicine Hat. He met his wife in Medicine Hat and he has been married 20 years and has 3 boys. He moved to Pritchard & Co. Law Firm after his twins were born and has been there for 16 years. His legal practice consists of helping businesses, from set-up to succession, and helping individuals plan and administer their estates. He has learned to appreciate the Chamber’s benefits through his involvement in the Chamber Connect, Ag-vocacy Events, and the Chamber Awards Gala. Law is a field where giving back to the community is important and he would like to focus his community involvement through the Chamber.
Davis Griscowsky, Director
Committee Member: Finance
Davis was born and raised in Medicine Hat. After completing his CPA exam, he spent a few years practicing public accounting in Calgary before returning to Medicine Hat in 2021 with his fiancé. After working for one of the local golf courses for the better part of a decade, Davis began his professional career at JMH&Co. As a budding professional, he learned the ins-and-outs of public accounting and client relations while providing accounting services to local businesses. Davis is now employed by EBT CPAs where he specializes mainly in cross-border taxation. Davis is excited to once again be a part of Medicine Hat and its growing business community, and is looking forward to contributing to the city through his involvement with the Chamber.
Mike Robinson, Director
Committee Member: Leadership Development, Highway 3 Twinning Association
Mike has been living in Medicine Hat since 2000 with his wife Tanis, along with their 3 children and two grandchildren. He grew up on a farm west of Medicine Hat and has been involved in agriculture for over 30 years. He believes there are untapped possibilities for value-added industry within our area that can bring new opportunities to broaden Medicine Hat's economic development. In addition, with his diverse agricultural background, he can offer insight into rural and agriculture-specific initiatives. Mike would like to see the Medicine Hat region become a preferred place for new business opportunities and an expanded economic base that would create future opportunities for the next generation. He is excited about working with the Chamber of Commerce to enhance the region's overall economic prosperity and quality of life.
Doug Little, Director
Committee Member: Community Futures Entre-Corp
Being involved with various clubs and organizations in and around Medicine Hat, Doug had always heard of the great work that the Chamber does for Medicine Hat and South East Alberta and had always hoped to be able to repay his community by giving back where possible. Born in Drumheller and raised here, he is proud to call Medicine Hat home. He and his wife Sheri have raised three boys in Medicine Hat and could not think of a better place to do so. Doug is a pilot for WestJet Airlines and has been there for the last 22 years. Prior to WestJet, his family operated Canada's first Tier III airline, Alberta CityLink, for Air Canada. Along with his WestJet duties, his family operates Super T Aviation Academy, a flight school and aircraft charter company. With a partnership with Prairie Rose School District 8, Super T has also helped create the Dave Rozdeba South Alberta Flight Academy, a unique to Canada high school flight program. Doug has been a coach for hockey, football, lacrosse and many other sports along with racing his Model T Fairground race cars. He recently completed a University of Alberta sponsored course on Indigenous Canada as it relates to history and gender roles here on Treaty 7 land and considers his education as never ending.
Scott Lehr, Past President
Committee Involvement: Leadership Development (Chair)
Scott was born and raised in the Medicine Hat area on the family’s 3 generation farm and ranch, Short Grass Ranches Ltd. He and his wife Mandy are living and raising their three children on the farm today. Scott has been involved in agriculture his entire life in production, with additional experience in the agricultural supply industry. He has been involved in the community as a member of the Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat, local youth organizations and 4-H. Short Grass Ranches Ltd takes great pride in supporting the local community through several community organizations. Scott was actively involved in both the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission and Alberta Wheat Commissions. These organizations provided the opportunity for Scott to network with farmers, work with and take part in learning opportunities with industry organizations, and different levels of government including the Canadian Grain Commission as Grain Producer Representative and on the Western Standards Committee. He looks forward to the opportunity to be a voice for agriculture and all business in the area to assist local business and the community to grow and prosper.
Community Builder Members
Axiom Asbestos Corp.
City of MH Co-op Place
