Ballots for the 2016-17 Battlefords Chamber of Commerce board of directors election are being mailed out. Deadline for submission of the ballots is Thursday, Dec. 31.
All candidates in the election have provided biographies.
Joan Barbondy
Joan Barbondy was born at Battlefords Union Hospital and raised on a farm outside the city. She grew up with her father owning a barbershop in North Battleford for over 40 years.
She moved to Alberta after graduation, and missing the Saskatchewan spirit, returned home. She was a business owner for eight years before returning to her first career as an insurance advisor with The Co-operators in North Battleford. Joan now owns the agency along with two other locations in Wilkie and Meadow Lake.
Community involvement is at the heart of her goals and she is currently involved in the newly established SAGE community safety plan in North Battleford, meals on wheels, bringing Mitch Dorge (Crash Test Dummies) to schools in our local communities and business community block parent program, among others.
The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce is a natural fit for her to bring positive change, bringing prosperity to businesses in the city and town and our community as a whole.
Susan Challis
Susan has recently moved to the Battlefords area with her husband Dannyll, who originally hails from North Battleford. After living in Regina for 18 years, they knew once their kids were grown they wanted to come “home.” Susan has completed an associate diploma in recreation administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in psychology. She has worked at SaskTel for over 18 years in a variety of roles, most recently in the business office as a sales associate. She has been an active volunteer in many areas including coaching sports, theatre and fundraising and has worked with organizations such as Open Door Society, Kidney Foundation, SaskTel Aboriginal Employees Network and SaskTel Pioneers. She believes in being a part of the community.
Susan believes the Battlefords and area has tremendous potential for growth and is excited to become involved. She is eager to get out and enjoy all that the city and area has to offer.
In her free time you can find Susan camping, skiing, golfing, bowling, hiking, travelling and meeting new people.
Jeff Graham
Jeff Graham is originally from Mississauga, Ont., and has spent the last 11 years residing in the Canadian Rockies.
His wife and daughter have resided with him in the beautiful Battlefords for the past two years. Jeff found his way back into the hospitality industry in the Battlefords, and is currently employed with Gold Eagle Lodge as the executive housekeeper.
Jeff has now completed a two-year term as a Chamber of Commerce director. It’s been his first experience on a Chamber board. Also a director on the board for the North Battleford Community Daycare, this experience taught Jeff to understand the co-operative relationships that help grow this community. It’s been a great learning curve for Jeff, as he wishes to continue to contribute within the Battlefords with a service industry point of view.
Jeff continues to support the communities he has previously lived in, and believes that “if it works, pass it on to those that are willing to try.” Examples included coaching youth hockey goaltenders and supporting local charities outside of business obligations.
Duane Lafreniere
I was born on a farm in Mayfair and moved to North Battleford after graduation in 1987. I started in the car business selling vehicles at Manning Mercury in 1992. I have been in the car business ever since with the exception of living in LaRonge for four and a half years where I was a business partner in the Home Hardware and Home Store.
In 2002, I moved back to North Battleford and have been with Bridges Chevrolet Buick GMC ever since, serving as both business manager and general sales manager. In November 2014, I became general manager of Bridges.
I am a director for the Battlefords United Way as well as being past president of both the North Battleford Golf & Country Club and the Kiwanis Club of North Battleford. I feel very strongly about our business community and making the Battlefords a destination to shop and giving our local people a sense of pride by keeping their business in the Battlefords.
My wife Tressa and I are proud of our community and have one daughter, Makenna, in University and three children, Dexter, Brenna and Calle, in school in North Battleford.
Ed Lee
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.
Ed 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.
North Battleford is becoming a destination for people to move to settle and raise their families. When talking and welcoming these newcomers, they love the area and what it has to offer. North Battleford has also moved up to the top 35 business friendly cities as seen with the recent activity in new businesses and franchises opening up and more to come. The Chamber plays a key role in seeing this growth continuing with all partners working together.
Ramona Maraj
I was born in Trinidad, West Indies but have lived in the Toronto area for the past 30 years. I have over 25 years of management experience in various industries and I am currently the property manager for Macro Properties in North Battleford. Macro Properties owns 16 residential rental properties in this area, providing both furnished and unfurnished apartments.
I moved to North Battleford in April 2015 to be within closer proximity to Rexburg, Idaho where my sons attend university. I enjoy being involved in the community and as such, have volunteered in numerous organizations. Some include Hospice Aurora, Yellow Brick House ( a women’s shelter) and York Region Children’s Aid Society. More recently, I was vice-president on the board of a non-profit organization focused on immigrant support.
I enjoy being a part of the Battlefords community as I can see the possibilities for growth in the area and would like to be a part of the process of cultivating and promoting that growth.
Gerald Pohl
Gerry grew up around Weyburn. He completed his post-secondary studies through the CGA Program of Studies in 2009 and graduated that fall. He started working for Cogent Chartered Professional Accountants LLP (then Hillstead Melanson Accounting and Tax Services) in 1999 and moved to Meadow Lake in 2004 to take over their newly-acquired office there. He became a partner of the firm, then called Cogent Business Consulting, in 2010. He became the partner in charge of Meadow Lake and Battleford offices for Cogent on acquisition of the Battleford office in June 2014.
Gerry has been a strong supporter of the Chamber of Commerce, starting first with volunteering after high school in Weyburn and as volunteer director of the Meadow Lake and District Chamber of Commerce from 2005 through 2015, starting first as treasurer, progressing through vice-president and president. He also has spent time volunteering for various non-profits including the Meadow Lake Hospital Foundation and the 55 West Enterprise Region. During his time with the Chamber in Meadow Lake, he has been a tireless cheerleader for businesses.
During his free time, Gerry is a news junkie and enjoys watching TV and movies and reading books. He also attempts to golf and exercises occasionally.
Dana Rissling
My name is Dana Rissling and I am thrilled to be a part of the upcoming Chamber of Commerce elections. The “beautiful” Battlefords have been my home for the past 32 years. After completing business college, my career path has been in the financial sector, working previously with the Royal Bank and the past 19 years to present, I am a proud employee of Innovation Credit Union. My area of expertise is in the wealth area, where I am an investment advisor with Credential Securities.
I have been involved in the community by volunteering for many organizations such as the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, Boys and Girls Club, Battlefords United Way, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Cancer Society and Paws Recreational Dog Park.
I believe the Battlefords is Saskatchewan’s best kept secret. To those who have the privilege of knowing us, we offer so much, and for those we have yet to meet, we have outstanding growth potential. I feel a unified front is important and the key to our future. If the businesses of the Battlefords work together as a team, we will continue to accomplish many great things.
“If you believe in yourself, you can make anything happen.”
Warren Williams
Warren Williams is a senior account manager in charge of new business development for Bralin Technology solutions and has over 30 years experience in customer service and public relations.
Warren has served on the board for the most recent term in an executive capacity and wishes to bring his leadership to Chamber members going forward.
He is a past president of the Rotary Club of the Battlefords and has served as a director the Rotary Club of Saskatoon. He enjoys his membership with the North Battleford Golf and Country Club and has served as a volunteer for the Sexual Assault Centre.
Warren, 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. They have a vested interest in contributing to this community.
The Battlefords continue to be a vibrant community that is strong, caring and poised for emergence as a premiere place in Saskatchewan’s growing economy. Warren wants to contribute to make that happen by continuing as a Director with the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
