The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce March 16 elected a new board of directors and executive during its annual general meeting at the Heritage Inn.

Outgoing President Christine Hoechsmann served an extra year in the role due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chamber presidents usually serve for one year but the past two years have been “unprecedented,” Hoechsmann said.

“She had all the work but none of the fun,” said board election facilitator Jeanette Sissons, referring to the cancellations of numerous monthly and annual chamber fundraising events.

CIBC Wood Gundy investment advisor David Stypula is the new Chamber President, while EK Employment Services’ Kerstin Renner is the new vice-president. Alan Fillis of East Kootenay Community Credit Union is now Treasurer and Christine Hoechsmann is Past President.

Outgoing treasurer Ryan Gibbard was thanked for serving 11 years on the chamber board.

Three board directors in their second years were re-elected: Janice Alpine; Russ Shephard; Sebastiaan van Der Horst. They re-join Aleitha Harvey and Tracey Whiting on the board.

And two new directors were elected to two-year terms: Keri Sanderman of Community Futures East Kootenay and Ferdy Belland, managing director of Armond Theatre Inc.

Following the board elections, College of the Rockies President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Vogt delivered a detailed update on the region’s post-secondary institution, noting despite the enormous challenges posed by the pandemic, the college set a record for students graduated.

Lead image: Christine Hoechsmann receives a thank you and Past President’s Plaque for serving two years as president from Jeanette Sissons. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW photos

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