Eleven candidates have been nominated to fill ten two-year positions on the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
Ballots, mailed to members this month, must be filed by Dec. 31. Results of the voting will be released Jan. 10. (* indicates incumbent candidates)
I'm running for re-election on the Chamber of Commerce Board and believe my past years of experience on the board make me a great candidate. I have been married 12 years to my beautiful wife and we have two wonderful daughters. I'm originally from Edmonton, but have strong ties to the Battlefords. My great-grandparents farmed here from the 1930s to the early 1990s. The community has always been a home to me, as I spent many summers here working on the farm. I am the sales manager for the recreation division for Norsask Farm Equipment. Norsask has invested heavily in the Battlefords with the construction of a new state of the art facility; by the way of sponsorships around the community to various clubs and in the way of a donation to the Credit Union CUPlex. It is from this example of leadership I have chosen to take a role in giving back to the community and a reason I am seeking re-election.
Born in Lloydminster, Sask., Brendon Boothman moved to the Battlefords in March of 2010 to build a business as an investment advisor with RBC Dominion Securities. Brendon graduated from Lakeland College in 2005 and started working with RBC in January of 2006. Since this time he has become certified as a financial planner effective January 2009. As a community participant, Boothman is a director with Battlefords United Way and a part of the Raise the Roof Battlefords fundraising committee, a project to see a multi-purpose facility built in the Battlefords. Earlier this fall Boothman was married to his best friend, Trissa. Together they plan to establish roots in the Battlefords and raise a family.
Jay Bottomley, owner and founder of Oil Can Charlie's Ltd., was raised in Calgary, Alta. where he received a diploma in marketing management at Mount Royal University. Jay has worked in the field of oil manufacturing and marketing for the last eight years, two of which were spent as branch manager in Red Deer, Alta., and two of which were spent as branch manager of head office in Calgary. Bottomley has been working in the Battlefords for two years. He is excited and anticipating the future economic growth and development of the Battlefords and surrounding area, and he believes the key to handling and sustaining this growth will come in and through the people who reside and are currently active in the community. "I believe that my business knowledge, and experience with living and working in a variety of small, medium and large centers, I will be able to add and assist in the growth and successes of the business community in the Battlefords."
Cheyne lives just outside Battleford with her husband Travis and their four children. She has called the Battlefords home since she moved here from Ontario in 1999. She works with her husband at Cheyne's Plumbing and Heating Ltd. as a sales and project manager. Prior to working at Cheyne's Plumbing, Cheyne worked with Service Canada where she met and worked with many different organizations and individuals within the community and surrounding area.The thing that Cheyne loves the most about the Battlefords is the sense of community and fellowship it offers. She has met many wonderful people here and is always amazed to see what people can accomplish when they work together. Cheyne believes there are many upcoming opportunities for the business community in the Battlefords and looks forward to having the chance to become a part of an organization that can help to facilitate change and positive growth in our great community.
Conley and her husband Rob have raised their three grown children in North Battleford. She has worked for SaskTel in North Battleford for 29 years, and is currently the regional sales manager. Working with SaskTel has allowed her the opportunity to work with several businesses in the community and understands what drives business. She earned a business management certificate in 1981 and recently earned certification from York University in the executive program in sales management. She has been a volunteer with several organizations in the past and is currently actively involved in the CUPlex Fundraising Committee. The Battlefords is a great place to work and raise a family and Conley is excited about the future of the community. With the strong economy in Saskatchewan, she is optimistic the greater Battlefords will prosper given the right opportunities and support. As a member of the board of directors Conley would be pleased to work collaboratively in the continuous improvement of our community.
Ed Lee is the owner/franchisee of M & M Meat Shops. Ed and Betty Ann opened their store in North Battleford in 1996. He moved here in 1971 from Lloydminster, while with Canada Safeway. Lee has been involved with the Chamber of Commerce as a director since 1998 and in 2001 won the BBEX award for community involvement. He is a member of the North Battleford Lions Club, is a local director on the board of Access Communications Co-operative Ltd. and serves on the board of the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre. Lee feels there is tremendous potential for oil, industrial, supply management, food processing and commercial development in the Battlefords. "The potential growth for the Battlefords and area is incredible and we need now more than ever to have a close and good working relationship with both Battleford and North Battleford councils and administration."
Leah Milton has proudly been a resident of the Battlefords since 1995 and considers the Battlefords her home. Leah is the executive director of the Battlefords Tribal Council and has been with BTC since 2001. As past president of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce and an active director since 2004, Milton continues to expand her involvement through committees on both the Saskatchewan and Canadian Chamber of Commerce to bring that knowledge back to the community. Milton also continues to be an active member in the Battlefords through many committees and boards and has a passion to promote the Battlefords as a place to work, live and play. She believes her continued participation with the Chamber of Commerce will further those goals.
"I along with my fiancée Lisa are relatively new residents of the Battlefords and its growing business community. I came to the area in March of 2010 to take over as Area Manager for G&C Asphalt Ltd, while Lisa took a position with the Living Sky School Division at Bready Elementary School. "Born and raised in a small farming community in Northern Alberta, I earned a civil engineering degree in Edmonton at the University of Alberta. During that time I grew up in the paving industry with Wapiti Gravel Suppliers in Grande Prairie, Alta., which is now a sister construction company to G&C Asphalt Ltd. After 12 years with Wapiti, I was fortunate enough to land this opportunity in the Battlefords and both Lisa and I were immediately impressed with the community feel of our new home. "Having settled into my new surroundings I feel it is important for me to help foster and grow the strong community focus that G&C Asphalt has been known for. The opportunity for the Battlefords to not only attract new people and new business is excellent right now and I look forward to helping our community take advantage of that."
Sharon Mohagen was born and raised in the Battlefords. In 1970 she moved to Calgary. In 1991, Mohagen, her husband Lou and two children moved back to the Battlefords. Mohagen, who presently co-owns Blue Rentals, was previously the executive director for the Battlefords United Way. She is currently president of Amgits (Sask. Hospital Auxiliary) and is also a member of the Battlefords Rotary Club.Mohagen has completed her first term on the Chamber board, and recently became the chair of the Immigration Support Committee. Mohagen believes people helping people will build a strong and caring community. She believes in the Battlefords and knows that this community has a lot to offer as well as a lot to gain from the other communities in the province.
"My name is Marcela Torres. I am Mexican, originally from the city of Aguascalientes and citizen of the world. I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and I learned that it is always better to be 'the head of a mouse, than the tail of a lion.' Since I was very young I have been a business woman, convinced that no matter the size of your 'lemonade stand' you should always seek to encourage the creation of decent and productive jobs. This is why I created Cleaning Call Housekeeping Services and more. Every entrepreneur is also an adventurer; convinced that if you fall 10 times, you must lift yourself up 11. That spirit led me to graduate with honours in tourism, represent my country at Disney and to travel through Asia and America. After all that I have no doubt that Canada is the place I want to live."
Warren Williams is an account manager in charge of new business development for Bralin Technology Solutions and has over 30 years experience in customer service and public relations. Williams and his wife Cindy and son Dakota were all born in North Battleford and consider the Battlefords to be a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. As a family, they have a vested interest in contributing to this community. Williams is currently a member of The Rotary Club of the Battlefords and has served as a director for both the Battleford and Saskatoon Rotary Clubs. He enjoys his membership with the North Battleford Golf and Country Club and has served as a volunteer for the Sexual Assault Centre. The Battlefords is a vibrant community that is strong, caring and poised for emergence as a premier place in Saskatchewan's growing economy and Williams wants to contribute to helping make that happen by representing business as a director with the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
