The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce Nominations Committee has announced the slate of candidates to fill all open positions on the board of directors. Annually, approximately one half of the board positions are open and available for member nominations to be included in the election process.
Recent changes to chamber bylaws means a transition year for director elections. The previous bylaws required 20 elected positions. The newly approved version now seats 15 elected directors. For the 2019-2020 term on the board of directors there are six two-year term seats open. The committee has agreed that it planned to seat 18 seats in this year of transition.
In late November, 2018, members were mailed official ballots identifying the 12 member candidates who have allowed their names to stand in the election. Seven of the 12 members are incumbents currently serving on the board. (Incumbents are indicated by * beside their business name) Along with their election ballot, members were provided online access to candidate biographies and photographs to review and assist in making their decisions.
Members who have stepped forward to allow their names to stand, include:
Gord Brewerton, Battlefords Publishing Ltd.;
Jenny Dennis, RBC Royal Bank;
Darren Erbach, Fisher’s Drug Store;
David Fortier, * Fortier Mattila Appraisals Ltd.;
Jaylyn Lawrence, Matrix Law Group;
Sharon Mohagen, * Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts;
Kayla Petersen * Re/Max of the Battlefords
Jade Rie.l H. Zamonsky Insurance Inc.;
Melanie Roberts, * North West College;
Derek Schmidt, * Bill & Don’s Mens Wear;
Steven Ulven, * Ilta Grain Inc.;
Warren Williams, * Bralin Technology Solutions.
Deadline for submission of election ballots is Dec. 31.
The Candidates:
Gord Brewerton
Gord Brewerton and his wife Joan purchased a home in the Battlefords a year ago, after he accepted the position of Vice-President, Operations for Glacier Media.
In that role, Gord is responsible for 17 Saskatchewan media operations across the province, and holds the position of Publisher of the News-Optimist here in the Battlefords.
Before moving back to Joan’s home province of Saskatchewan, they were located in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he ran the province’s two daily newspapers along with 12 weekly publications.
A strong believer in giving back to the community, Gord has a long track record of volunteer service. He was the founding vice-president of the chamber of commerce in Cumberland, Ont.
Additionally, he served as the president of the Quebec Newspaper Association, and has served on the boards of three different hospital foundations in Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland.
Gord is eager to contribute to the chamber’s efforts to ensure the Battlefords thrive and prosper.
Jenny Dennis
My name is Jenny Dennis and I am the community manager for the North Battleford Market with RBC Royal Bank. For the past 22 years, I have held various positions in the financial services industry in which I have seen many changes including how our society has grown digitally. I grew up around the Meadow Lake area, where my husband continues to operate a grain and cattle farm. The last few years have included watching our two daughters work hard to achieve their university degrees, which will conclude for both of them this year, and our son follow his dream of playing hockey. He is currently playing here in North Battleford with the Bantam AA Barons.
I have held various community positions such as roles in school community councils, executive positions with the District 36 4-H council, Meadow Lake Minor Hockey and Meadow Lake and District Chamber of Commerce.
Some of my best life experiences both professionally and personally have been the opportunities to volunteer beside so many great people in the community. It is apparent to me and those that call the Battlefords home what each organization does for our centre and how they provide the support that makes our community a great place to live and for businesses to thrive. I’m looking forward to working collectively with others to continue building upon the current success of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
Darren Erbach
Darren grew up in the small farming community of Neudorf and attended the University of Saskatchewan where he completed his Bachelor of Science in 1994. In 1997 he moved to North Battleford where he started working at Fisher’s Drug Store. In August of 2005 he became the co-owner of Fisher’s Drug Store and recently he became the sole owner.
Darren has been involved in the community with various organizations including being a Cub and Beaver leader for eight combined years with the 2nd North Battleford Scout group. He is also currently the treasurer of the Battlefords Scuba Community and is a board member of the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation.
Darren is excited to have the opportunity to serve on the Chamber of Commerce, to work with the business community and to highlight the Battlefords as a growing, positive community.
David Fortier
David Fortier is the owner of Fortier Mattila Appraisals, an agricultural, commercial, residential real estate appraisal firm with offices in Battleford, Kindersley, Meadow Lake, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Warman.
David also owns Battleford Mini-Storage, as well as residential and commercial investment properties in the Battlefords.
David has worked in the Battlefords for 10 years, was a member of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2016 - 2018, and is currently serving as secretary for the Battlefords Citizens on Patrol (COPP).
In the past, David has provided assistance to the chamber on various issues including: federal income tax, market rents, property taxation, property assessment, downtown vacancy and Action Battlefords.
Jaylyn Lawrence
Jaylyn Lawrence grew up in North Battleford. She obtained her B.Sc. in Agriculture in 1999 and worked in the agricultural industry for eight years before returning to law school, obtaining her LL.B. in 2009. She has been practicing law in North Battleford since then.
Jaylyn is a partner and owner of Matrix Law Group. Matrix Law Group purchased property in North Battleford’s downtown in 2016 and opened its new office in May, 2017. This beautiful building completes the attractive business area around the North Battleford Library. Matrix Law Group has five practicing lawyers and six employees.
Jaylyn is the treasurer of the Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival Committee. She has volunteered with the Battlefords and District Community Foundation Inc. and on multiple Battlefords Minor Hockey tournament committees. Jaylyn is married to Ryan Haase and they have three children.
Jaylyn wishes to continue her commitment to business in the Battlefords and asks the Battlefords business community to support her bid to be on the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Sharon Mohagen
Sharon Mohagen was born and raised in the Battlefords. At present, she is the event/conference co-ordinator at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts.
Sharon has been on the Chamber of Commerce board and was president in 2013. Past accomplishments include chair of Amgits Community Involvement (Sask. Hospital Auxiliary), past member and treasurer of Rotary, past president of the Immigration Resource Centre, past committee member of the Downtown BID, past Toastmaster member, past member of the ginance committee for the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, past executive director of the Battlefords United Way for seven years and participation in several community events, including the Millenium Countdown for 2000, Provincial celebration in 2005, and the celebration of 100 years for the City of North Battleford in 2013.
Sharon also participated on the committee for the Saskatchewan Winter Games in 2018 and is currently a board member for the Western Development Museum of Saskatchewan.
Sharon believes that it is the entrepreneurs of the Battlefords that help grow this community, and the chamber acts as a strong advocate on behalf of business.
Kayla Petersen
Kayla Petersen was born in Saskatoon and moved to the Battlefords at the age of 11. Kayla has been a Realtor with RE/MAX of the Battlefords for 10 years and recently became an owning partner and broker. Prior to RE/MAX, Kayla worked as manager and part owner of Extreme Pita in North Battleford.
Kayla has raised her four children here in the Battlefords and her husband Robin also has three children. The family is proud to call the Battlefords home!
Previously Kayla has volunteered with the Battlefords United Way as a board member, volunteering at various community events and believes strongly in giving back to the community. Kayla enjoys reading, spending time with family, friends and her dog Goose.
Kayla is completing her first term on the board of sirectors of the chamber, and has been active on the events committee, specifically with the Chamber Golf Challenge and Holly & Heels. She is looking forward to the opportunity to continue working on behalf of chamber members.
Jade Riel
I was born and raised in the Battlefords, taking only a short three-year detour to Alberta in my early 20s. The desire to be near my family brought me back to Saskatchewan where I met my now husband and gained an incredible stepson.
I have worked for H. Zamonsky Insurance Ltd., for the last four years, and have held the role of corporate controller for two and a half years.
I am proud to be a member of the North Battleford community and involve myself in as many community opportunities as possible. I am the current chairperson for the Lawrence School Community Council, coach with the Battlefords Youth Soccer Association and volunteer at many events throughout the Battlefords and area.
It is my belief that youth should be involved in the business community early, to gain knowledge and seek guidance from local business representatives. I would like to see more of our younger generation becoming active in the business community, with ideas, innovation and entrepreneurship. By supporting business growth in the Battlefords, we help develop a more desirable community with numerous opportunities for the next generations. It is this vision that I hope to see come to fruition with the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, if I am elected.
Melanie Roberts
I was raised and have spent most of my working life in rural Saskatchewan so I have a great understanding of small towns and cities and value of community. I have completed my second term as a Chamber director. I am a huge advocate for shopping local and supporting businesses close to home. I believe I have added value to the Chamber of Commerce through my contributions on policy, strategic planning, governance work, accountability and active participation at meetings.
I am Director of Programs with North West College. I have worked in management for the college for almost 19 years, with 12 of those in North Battleford. My family is active in the community including volunteering. I am invested in making the Battlefords a great place to live, learn, shop and play!
Derek Schmidt
Derek Schmidt, co-owner of Bill and Dons Men’s Wear and Shoes, has worked in retail for over 25 years. Derek, wife Jennifer and son Hudson are very proud to call the Battlefords home and take great pride in telling others of all the great people, amenities and businesses to experience in the area. Derek has shown his pride in the community being involved in many organizations including the Kinsmen Club, Battlefords Minor Hockey Association and a lead in the development of the North Battleford Business Improvement District, plus many others.
Derek spent many years on the chamber during the mid 2000s. Currently Derek serves as the treasurer on the chamber board, and feels that he has the time and experience to be an asset to not only the board of directors, but business in the Battlefords and area. Derek brings an “out of the box” approach and passion to make his hometown the best it can be! Derek believes in the importance of a strong Chamber of Commerce and is excited for the future of the Battlefords and area.
Steven Ulven
Steven was born and raised in Outlook. In 2012, Ilta Grain Inc., purchasing Parkland Pulse, was the catalyst that brought him, his wife and two daughters to the Battlefords. They have enjoyed their first six years in the community.
Steven has 20 years of experience in the cleaning and exporting of pulses. He is currently Saskatchewan operations manager. Ilta has chosen the Battlefords as the centre of Saskatchewan operations. The company continues to invest in the Battlefords operations; along with growing and expanding its footprint in the province.
Steven believes his enthusiasm, quest for excellence, and ability to bring out the best in the people he works alongside, will help the chamber build a stronger foundation for business and the community to prosper.
Warren Williams
Since 2006, I have been privileged to work for Bralin Technology Solutions as a senior account manager. Over 35 years of experience in Information Technology (IT), customer service and public relations has enabled me to connect with our clients in an engaging and mutually beneficial capacity.
I currently serve the membership of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce in the position of past president, having over the past seven years working my way through the chamber executive serving you as president in 2017.
After considerable reflection, I again ask for your support to continue to serve the business community via the vibrant Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
I believe together we will continue to have a positive and constructive voice on behalf of our member businesses. Like any community, North Battleford, while it has its challenges, is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. Cost of living, proximity to major airports and surrounding lakes is a huge advantage.
“Service to our community is not something my family has ever taken for granted, anything we give, we receive back 10-fold.” My wife Cindy, son Dakota and myself were all born in North Battleford. As a family, we have a vested interest in contributing to the community and will do so indefinitely.
I appreciate your support, guidance and encouragement during the past seven-plus years, and humbly ask for your support for 2019-20.
