Board of Directors

President, Khrista Vogt

KayVee Management Inc.

I moved to Medicine Hat in 2004 and it has proven to be a fantastic place to start a business and raise a family. As President/CEO/Founder of KayVee Management Inc. I have been afforded the wonderful privilege of being an entrepreneur AND mom in large part to the supportive business community and great residents that have welcomed us and supported me and my son along the way. I have a passion to ensure that the small business voice continues to be heard; small business is the backbone of this great community we call home. I feel the key to success is for us as the Chamber Board to continue to build strong relationships and work collaboratively with other organizations and the City of Medicine Hat council and administration. I am a member of the Women in Business Committee and Sponsoring Association for the #15 Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Provincially, I also sit as a Director on the Association of Condominium Managers of Alberta (ACMA). In my spare time, I enjoy being mom to my son Cole most of all, as well as doing missions work, travelling, cooking, reading, golf, attending local theatre, live music events, and volunteering..

1st Vice-President, Aaron Fleming

Western Financial Group

I was born and raised in Medicine Hat and my family and I are happy to continue to call it home. I have worked in the Office Furniture business in the past and now enjoy my career in Commercial Insurance with Western Financial Group. My work experience has allowed me opportunities to work with the Farm & Ranch community and a number of influential businesses within Medicine Hat. I've always enjoyed serving in our Community and have done so in a few capacities. One of my greatest successes, which I haven't done on my own, is my family. My wife, Verenice, and I have been married for 14 years and have three beautiful daughters - Kenzie, Kennedy & Khloe. Medicine Hat is a great place to live and raise a family.

2nd Vice-President, Stephen Finnagan

Medicine hat College

I was born in Ottawa, Ontario and moved to Medicine Hat in August 2013 to add my 25 years of experience to Medicine Hat College. I work closely with industry to establish educational products that are relevant to their needs. I have worked with industry to create a wide range of programs in Electrical and Mechanical Technologies, Aviation and Aerospace, Geothermal Engineering, Information and Communications Technologies and Trades. Each program was founded on the needs of industry as communicated to me by any number of advisory committees or boards. I have served on numerous Boards such as the Ottawa Regional Advanced Network, the Ontario Electrical League, and the Canadian Fire Alarm Association. I have actively contributed to provincial, national and international advisory committees. I have owned two businesses, one in educational services and the other electrical subcontracting. I am initially from trades and technology background prior to moving into teaching, corporate training and administration of educational products. I received an MBA from Queen's University in 2005 and I am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Business Administration with Heriot Watt University. I have actively participated in economic development and serve on the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta as well as working directly for 21/2 years to support the education and training needs for a 107 km2 economic city. I am sure that my combination of business sense, plus my business and industrial education will complement the good work that is ongoing at the City of Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce. I would particularly like to contribute to a framework that brings stakeholders together to create a new and substantially improved business growth model. I look forward to assisting the Chamber in strengthening and establishing support for Medicine Hat businesses.

Treasurer, Josh Johnson

Ensminger, Beck & Thompson

**Profile Coming Soon!**

Past President, Chris Hellman

Mr. Lube, Moxie's Restaurant

Born in Regina and raised in Calgary, I moved to Medicine Hat in 2001 to purchase the local Mr. Lube franchise. Prior to moving here, I worked as a store manager for Mr. Lube in Calgary while attending University on a part time basis. I have been a member of multiple advisory committees for Mr. Lube representing franchisees in western Canada and currently serve as the President of the Franchisee Association. I continue to stay involved in our community through partnerships with local non-profit groups. I am an active member of the Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat and have served this organization in many executive roles including President and Home Lotto Project Chairman. This is my first opportunity to serve on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. I look forward to learning from this experience and working with local business to promote and enhance the commerce environment within our region.

Director, Perry Deering

Deerview Meats Ltd.

Perry is a 3rd generation farmer and rancher who resides just south of Irvine. After purchasing the family farm and cow/calf operation in 1995, Perry grew the family business to include a custom backgrounding feedlot. In 2004, Perry chose to explore a relatively new agricultural commodity in this area and began raising whitetail deer and subsequently went on to become one of the largest venison producers in Western Canada. With the continued support of his wife/business partner Chris, and his beautiful daughters Courtney and Sydney, the family business expanded once again in 2010 with the construction and opening of the only provincially inspected meat processing facility in the region; Deerview Meats. Perry has volunteered in the community in a variety of capacities including 12 years as a director (2 terms as president) for the Irvine and District Agricultural Society, Secretary Treasurer for the Alberta Whitetail and Mule Deer Association, and most recently as acting chair for the Agricultural Committee for the Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta. Perry believes that his strongest contribution to the Chamber of Commerce will be his 23 years of business ownership of which he is able to share his diverse business background and entrepreneurial experiences.

Director, Robin Kurpjuweit

Solid Rock Fencing Ltd.

Robin was born and raised in Medicine Hat on the family homestead just south of the city, and in 2007 he started Solid Rock Fencing Ltd. which has since grown to cover all of Western Canada. He has first-hand experience and involvement with various community projects and initiatives, and currently serves as a director with both the Medicine Hat Construction Association and the Medicine Hat Tennis Club.

Director, Len Mitzel

Etzikom Heritage Windmill Museum

I have spent a great deal of my life interested and involved with community. I feel that community makes such an importance to the lives of everyone. There is a good reason that, over the course of history, mankind tends to congregate in community arrangements and work together to improve their lives. As a result, I have always been involved and have volunteered where ever I have lived. I had the honour to become President of the Peachland Chamber of Commerce in the Okanagan, British Columbia when I worked there in the hotel industry. On returning the Alberta, community involvement evolved to being a representative on the Medicine Hat and District Tourism and Convention Association, later chairing the organization. I then succeeded in being elected as a Councillor and then Reeve of the County of Forty Mile. Concurrently, I was appointed to the Palliser Health Region as a trustee and then Chair. I was successful in being elected as the MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat to represent this constituency in the Alberta Legislature. Through all this, community needs and issues were always a focus. It seems natural that being the person I am that I should want to continue as a Director with the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is an organization which represents its members and works to advocate and resolve issues that pertain to them and the community. I feel with the knowledge I have gained from my lifelong experiences, I can contribute to the Chamber and make Medicine Hat and District a better place to live and work.

Director, Tara Williams

Medicine Hat College

Raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Tara moved to Medicine Hat in 2006. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan and her Master's research focused on fuelling innovation through public and private partnerships. Tara's passion lies in assessing the current strengths in a community and working to create connections that benefit both business and the community as a whole. Currently, she is an Instructor in the Division of Business and Enterprise at the Medicine Hat College sharing her knowledge in areas of communications, business planning, culture development, among others. She also owns React Consulting where she utilizes her analytic and strategic nature to assist various clients and loves to volunteer; presently she is active in the Women in Business Committee, Community Leadership Committee, Random Acts of Kindness Committee as well as being a wife and a momma to Max and Lydia.

Director, Darren Folkeersen

Niblock & Company LLP

**Profile Coming Soon!**

Director, Tim Weinberger

Jim Pattison Broadcast Group

I moved to Medicine Hat in the summer of 2012 in the position of 'General Sales Manager' with the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. I am involved in a number of volunteer projects here, mostly in a Marketing Advisory capacity. I feel Medicine Hat has much to offer as a business hub and I am excited to be a part of growing that profile. What I bring to the table is my history of working on many Volunteer Boards over the past 30 years, including: National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS) (Edmonton for 3 years), Fort McMurray Food Bank (Fort McMurray for 2 years), Standard Broadcasting 'Bear Children Fund' (Edmonton) (5 years in support of Under Privileged Children). My role in these organizations has been mostly based in marketing through my direct connection to various media and communicating the organizations message and awareness. I also have a marketing Diploma C.A.A.P. (Certified Advertising Agency Practitioner) - (Institute of Canadian Advertising) with Considerable Study of Not-for-Profit organizations and Public Relations). What I bring the Board is a well-rounded understanding of Marketing Management and a fresh look at the many opportunities available to the Business Community of Medicine Hat and District.