About Us

The Chamber is the leading business organization in the Quesnel & District area. We offer networking events, advertising and sponsorship opportunities, membership benefit packages, and professional development. The Chamber can also assist your business through policy and advocacy at all government levels. We are committed to bringing policies forward to the BC and Canadian Chamber each year.

Executive Director

Kathy Somerville

Born and raised in Quesnel, Kathy built her life and family here while managing a successful business for over three decades. She loves the beauty of the area—the nature, the sports, and the strong sense of community. Having spent 32 years in business, Kathy understands the hard work and dedication it takes to succeed. She has a passion for listening to business owners, respecting their concerns, and enjoys bringing people together to collaborate and create opportunities for growth.

Board of Directors

Rick Wittner

President

Rick Wittner has spent most of his life as a self-employed entrepreneur, with the last 15 years dedicated to working as a full-time placer mine operator. For the past 12 years, he has served as President of the Cariboo Mining Association, and for the last 4 years, he has also held the role of President of the BC Placer Miners Association, the umbrella organization representing placer mining associations across British Columbia.

In his leadership roles, Rick works closely with government representatives at both regional and provincial levels, as well as with First Nations communities. He is committed to building understanding and collaboration by organizing annual training programs that are free to the public and by hosting tours for First Nations, regional governments, and provincial policy writers to showcase placer mining operations. Each year, Rick travels to Victoria to meet with resource ministries, advocating for the industry and lobbying for positive change.

Beyond his mining leadership, Rick is serving his second term as a Director with the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce, where he contributes to four committees. He is also a member of the steering committee for the Quesnel 2023 Minerals North Conference, where he will deliver a speech on placer mining in British Columbia.

Lisa Foottit

1st Vice President 

Lisa Foottit is the proud owner of Mama C’s Gifts & Giggles, a business she purchased in May 2021. That same year, she became a member of the Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the value of its support for local businesses. Passionate about community and connection, Lisa also serves on the Downtown Association, where she actively champions growth and development for downtown businesses. A strong advocate for health and wellness, she brings her energy and positivity into both her work and community involvement. Outside of her professional commitments, Lisa enjoys spending quality time with her family and her dogs.

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 .

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

Levi Dunn owner of Brush & Roll Contracting has been 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. Levi was born and raised in Quesnel Levi is passionate about contributing to the community that he appreciates being a part of.

Melodie Luy

Director

Melodie has been in Quesnel since she was 12 years old. Her and her husband ran a cattle ranch with his parents for 30 years. They have retired from that, and she moved into retail and office administration. Melodie is the current payroll and accounts receivable administrator for AUL Industrial Repairs Ltd. This community is special to Melodie, and she loves being a part of it. In her spare time she enjoys camping, paddling, and spending quality time with her family.

Michelle Munch

Director

Michelle Munch has been an employee with Nazko First Nation since June 2021. She is passionate about serving the community and proudly represents Nazko on several committees. A lifelong resident of Quesnel, Michelle has three children and four grandchildren. She is honored to serve on the Board and looks forward to working alongside fellow 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

Tracey Winland was born and raised in the Peace River Region and relocated to Quesnel in January 2023. She has worked in the retail and hospitality industry for almost 30 years and has served as a General Manager of Hotel Properties for nearly 15 years.

Tracey has worked extensively with the local tourism sector, as she believes tourism and hospitality go hand in hand and must work together to support sustainable growth within a community. She is passionate about guest satisfaction and enjoys collaborating with local business owners and leaders to help establish Quesnel as a top destination stop.

Committed to giving back to the community, Tracey is a member of the 100 Women Who Care chapter in Dawson Creek, which has contributed more than $200,000 to local charities in that community. In her free time, she enjoys camping, traveling, and spending time with her six grandchildren. Tracey is excited about her new role and looks forward to contributing to the successful growth of Quesnel. 

Allyssa Epp

Treasurer

Allyssa Epp moved to Quesnel in May of 2022 and works as a Financial Service Officer for Integris Credit Union. She loves the outdoors, including paddle boarding, hiking, and snowshoeing. Recently, she tried cross-country skiing for the first time and plans to pursue that hobby further. Since moving to Quesnel, her biggest passion has been her hobby farm, which she looks forward to expanding over the next few years and making sustainable while 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.