About Us

The Chamber is an organisation that provides many programs that serve both small and large business. From, networking events, such as our grand Business Excellence Awards, to advertising and sponsorship opportunities, membership benefit packages to professional development - the Chamber is the leading business organisation in the Quesnel & District area.  The Chamber also can assist your business through policy and advocacy at all government levels.  We are committed to helping bring forward policies to the BC and Canadian Chamber AGM's each year. 

Executive Director

Kathy Sommerville

I love this beautiful City I grew up in, raised a family here, and spent 31 years managing a successful business in Quesnel. I enjoyed the customers, piers, and the challenges of the business world. I have an appreciation for how hard businesses work and I have a passion and respect for hearing their concerns. I enjoy bringing people together to learn new ideas and grow their businesses.

Board of Directors

Rick Wittner

President

My name is Rick Wittner, I have spent most of my life as a self-employed entrepreneur. For the last 15 years I have been a full-time placer mine operator. For the last 12 years I have been the President of the Cariboo Mining Association and for the last 4 years President of the BC Placer Miners Association which is an umbrella group of all the placer mining associations in BC. With my roles with the placer associations, part of my duty is to work with government at regional and provincial levels as well as First Nations. We host annual training programs free to everyone and take First Nations, regional government, and policy writers from government out on operational tours to give a better understanding of what we do on the land base. Annually I go to Victoria to meet with all the resource ministries to lobby for our industry to promote positive change. I am on my 2nd term of being a Director with the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce an serve on 4 committees. I am also on the steering committee for the Quesnel 2023 Minerals North Conference which I will also be giving a speech on placer mining in BC.

Lisa Foottit

1st Vice President 

Lisa Foottit is the proud owner of Mama C’s Gifts & Giggles. She bought the business in May 2021 and joined the Chamber at the same time. Being a part of the Chamber is important to Lisa, she loves seeing the support it gives local businesses.

Greg Andrews

2nd Vice President

Greg started in the benefits and life insurance Industry in 1980, after moving here in 1978 . Married my wife Judy and raised our 2 children Carla And Dana. My interests have included Quesnel Team roping club, Quesnel Rodeo Club, Alex Fraser Park Society, Quesnel Fun Hockey league, referee and chief for PCJHL, Sunrise Rotary, Quesnel Economic Development committee, I have been a director or member of the executive including president 3 times for Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce since 1982 .

Tim Lofstrom

Past President

Tim has been in public education in BC for 30 years, starting as a classroom teacher in Mackenzie in 1992. While in Mackenzie he got his first experience in small-business, serving as the General Manager of the Mackenzie Golf Club and running his own pro-shop.

In 2006 Tim came to Quesnel to work as a school administrator with SD28. In 2019 he left the school district to serve as the Regional Principal of the Quesnel Campus of CNC. This fall he has returned to the K-12 sector as Principal of Riverview Elementary School.

Tim has been on the Executive of the Quesnel Iceman Hockey League and is an active member of Quesnel Golf and Country Club. He has sat on the committee of local agricultural advisory group, ADAC and began with the Chamber of Commerce as a Director in 2019.

Michelle Daniels

Director

M. Daniels Consulting Ltd. is an incorporated company headquartered in BC. MDC has delivered employment services since 1994 as a private and then incorporated company in Northern BC. Our mandate is to work with government, community service providers, industry, and businesses to develop and deliver client-focused employment programs and services.

M. Daniels Consulting strives to provide exceptional service through our respect for our clients, passion for our work, and collaborative approach to program and community development. We strive to provide consistent, client/employer centered, and innovative strategies to the challenges faced by the communities we serve. MDC believes that everyone is employable and our work with diverse clients strengthens our ability to meet employer and labour market needs

Matthew Maglio

Director

With Quesnel being my hometown, it brings me joy to be able to raise my two children in this beautiful community. I had started my business career working as a sales consultant with Fraser River Chevrolet in 2004. I had found my interest when I became the Controller in 2008. Fraser River game me the skills and knowledge to take the next big step in my life. At the young age of 35 I became the General Manager and an owner of Willis Harper Hardware & Furniture. It is an honor to be part of this iconic Quesnel Business.

Levi Dunn

Director

President of Brush + Roll Contracting based out of Quesnel Est 2020. He has a background in marketing and entrepreneurship. Studying at Thompson Rivers University Levi was also the co-founder and co-president of the Modern Marketing Association. From 2016-2019 Levi was the franchise owner and operator of Student Works Painting in Quesnel.

Born and raised in Quesnel Levi is passionate about contributing to the community that he appreciates being a part of.

Rick Kooses

Director

My name is Rick Kooses, and I am the Vice President of AUL Industrial Repairs. In this position I am In charge of Aboriginal affairs. I have lived in Quesnel for 25 years and worked for West Fraser for 20 years before changing careers. I call Quesnel my home, and I am a proud supporter of our great community.

Kurt Eslinger

Director

Kurt is the General Manager of Canadian Tire. He is new to both the community of Quesnel and the Chamber. He is looking forward to being able to connect with the community and seeing how he can help support local business. He has moved here with his wife, and they are both looking forward to living life in a small town and spending more time outdoors.

Judy Crain

Director

My name is Judy Crain, I have lived in Quesnel for 43 years, where I raised my family, and enjoy being a grandparent to 9 grandchildren.

For the past 25 years, I have been involved in Adult Education, both as a student and an employee at the College of New Caledonia, Quesnel Campus. I have a background in bookkeeping and accounting, hold a Degree in Nursing and a Master of Adult Education. Currently, I am the Acting Regional Principal at the Quesnel Campus.

I am committed to fostering supportive and inclusive learning environments for both staff and students. As a leader I believe honesty, accountability, and open communication supports building strong relationships within our campus and the broader community of Quesnel and area. I am committed to promoting student success, advocating for indigenous knowledge and culture, and engaging with local partners to support ongoing meaningful collaborations.

Gagan Watts

Director

Gagandeep Watts, General Manager at Super 8 Quesnel and Real estate agent with a proven track record in operations, sales, and public safety. Formerly Operations Manager at Vancouver Convention Centre . Skilled in event management and real estate, educated at Thompson Rivers University and UBC Sauder School of Business. Passionate about delivering exceptional client experiences and driving successful event outcomes.

Allyssa Epp

Treasurer

My name is Allyssa Epp, I moved to Quesnel in May of 2022 and work as a Financial Service Officer for Integris Credit Union. I love the outdoors, paddle boarding, hiking, and snowshoeing. Recently, I tried Cross Country Skiing for the first time and will be pursuing that hobby more as well. My biggest passion since moving here is my hobby farm, I look forward to expanding it over the next few years and making it sustainable white embracing the creative aspect of farming.

Judith Kowalski

Director

Judith Kowalski is the founder of Red Bluff Pickles & Provisions. She came from an entrepreneurial family passionate about growing, cooking, and preserving food. Her Grandfather taught her about regenerative farming practices when she was very young and instilled excitement in her for planting seeds and caring for crops before reaping the rewards of harvest time. Her Father was instrumental in introducing her to the culinary arts by way of her Sunday family breakfasts. Under her Father's patient tutelage, she learned to make her favourite pillow soft buckwheat pancakes at the age of six. There was no stopping her after that. Her Mother and Grandmother introduced her to the art of food preservation. Together they jarred vegetables, fruit preserves, jams, pickles, and relishes of all kinds. Judith's passion as a food preservationist comes from a lifelong obsession with flavour pairing, and entrepreneurship, which has now evolved into a small business that allows her to concoct delicious things for her customers to enjoy.

Albert Oliveira

Director

I have worked for West Fraser the past 32 years ,I came to Quesnel as the General Manager of Quesnel Sawmills in 2019 and previous was the General Manager for Edson Forest Products from 2016 to 2019.Worked in Hinton as the Sawmill Superintendent from 2008 to 2016 .Prior to this I resided in Terrace BC and worked for Skeena Sawmill from 1991 to 2008.I grew up in Kitimat BC.

Craig Sherstan

Director

My name is Craig Sherstan, along with my wife (Rebecca) we own and operate Craig’s Table.

We moved to Quesnel with our two kids in 2005. I have spent most of my life working in restaurants, so when the opportunity came to buy into Savalas Steak House in 2009 we took it and became small business owners. We changed the name to Craig’s Table (along with many other changes) in 2017 and a new location in 2020. We are always trying to do things that are good for the community, always looking to give back where we can. I am looking forward to working on the Chamber of Commerce Board to help the business community in Quesnel.

We have made Quesnel our home and raised our two (now grown) children here. I am proud to be part of the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce Board and look forward to working with the other board members.