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.

Ian Grant

Director

Ian Grant was born and raised in Quesnel and has spent much of his adult life working in and around northern BC. After graduating from BCIT's Mining and Mineral Exploration program, Ian worked at both Gibraltar Mine then McElhanney Consulting Services in Prince George as an Engineering Technologist. In Prince George, Ian sat on the board of directors at the Northern Technology and Engineering Society to help promote engineering services and encourage youth to enter the engineering field.

 In 2016, Ian returned home to Quesnel where he began working as a Roads Area Manager for the Ministry of Transportation. He accepted a brief stint managing the snow and ice removal program on the Port Mann Bridge in the lower mainland, but again returned home to Quesnel to resume his work with the local Ministry of Transportation. In 2023, Ian left his government position to become a fulltime potter; running his home-based business, Gold Pan Pottery, with his partner David. In 2024, Gold Pan Pottery was selected by the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce as the home-based business of the year.

Ian is excited to bring his experience in the public, private and small business sectors to help promote local businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Candace Gibbs

Director

Candice was raised in Quesnel with her two sisters and twin brother and is proud to call it home. Candice, her husband Tim and their four dogs enjoy spending time with family and friends and traveling any chance they get.

Candice and Tim plan on retiring in Quesnel and enjoying everything the community has to offer.

Candice had originally begun at Willis Harper in 2002 and has now found herself back and taking on an ownership position as of March 2020. As a business owner, Candice’s passion for Quesnel has encouraged her to expand her business and community knowledge as well as create healthy relationships within the business community.

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.

Michelle Munch

Director

My name is Michelle Munch and I have been an employee with Nazko First Nation since June of 2021. I love working for the community and representing Nazko on several committees. I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren and have lived in Quesnel most of my life. I am honored to have been selected to be on the Board and look forward to working alongside other business leaders.

Sonya Spiers

Director

Sonya Spiers is the Operations Manager at the College of New Caledonia’s Quesnel Campus. She holds a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at UNBC.

Sonya's family moved to Quesnel when she was a toddler, and she has called it home ever since. She and her husband have raised their two daughters here and are deeply connected to the community. Passionate about contributing to the growth and prosperity of Quesnel, Sonya is committed to fostering collaboration between local businesses, education, and the broader community.

With extensive experience in operations, human resources, and policy development, Sonya is now at a stage in her career and life where giving back is a priority. She is excited to serve as a Director on the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce and looks forward to supporting initiatives that drive economic development, business success, and long-term community resilience.

Tracey Winland

Director

I was born and raised in the Peace River Region, and relocated to Quesnel in January 2023. I have worked in the retail and hospitality industry for almost 30 years. I have been a General Manager of Hotel Properties for almost 15 years.

I have worked extensively in the past with the local tourism sector as I believe Tourism and Hospitality go hand in hand and need to work together to support sustainable growth within a community. I am passionate about Guest Satisfaction and working with local business owners and leaders to ensure that Quesnel becomes a top destination stop. I have always believed in giving back to the community and am a member of the 100 women who care chapter in Dawson Creek who have given back over $200,000 to local charities within that community. In my free time, I enjoy camping, traveling and spending time with my 6 Grandchildren. I am looking forward to this new role and the opportunity to contribute to the successful Growth of Quesnel.  

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.

Dave Sumption

Director

Currently the general manager of Quesnel Sawmill.
Have worked for West Fraser since 2010. Previous held roles as GM at Westpine MDF, and superintendent roles in High Prairie, Chasm and Quesnel.
Prior to joining West Fraser I worked as a teacher in the South Cariboo and internationally.
I’ve lived in Quesnel for almost 4 years.
I have a wife who is a grade 1 teacher in Quesnel, and twin 14 year old sons.

Tania Milliken-Heape

Director

Tania Milliken-Heape is currently an Employment Consultant with M. Daniels Consulting at the WorkBC Centre in Quesnel. With a passion for helping people find meaningful employment and supporting workforce development, Tania brings a strong background in community service and client-centered support.

Since moving to Quesnel with their family seven years ago, Tania has become an active member of the community and a proud Rotarian, having joined the Quesnel Rotary Club in 2022. Her dedication to community involvement and economic growth led to her decision to serve as a Director for the Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce.

Tania is driven by a love for the community and a desire to see Quesnel continue to flourish. She is excited to contribute to initiatives that support local businesses, foster collaboration, and create opportunities for growth in the region.