President

Vice President
Klaus Tribes (KT’s Heritage Restaurant)

Secretary
Trevor Henke (Vernon Teach and Learn)

I have been a downtown merchant for many years and am also a landlord in the downtown core.  I was on the DVA board in 2007 and a Trustee in 2009 and have seen how important it is to have the DVA to look out for the best interest of the downtown. 

 I have been on the City of Vernon’s “Transportation Demand Management Committee” this year as a representative for the DVA.   The issue that I feel is most important for our downtown is PARKING, PARKING, PARKING. We must continue to fight for parking, and a downtown that we want and not let special interest change our downtown. There is a definite threat to the downtown from special interest groups who rarely or never shop downtown and has NO vested interest in the downtown.

I am encouraged with the new Events Coordinator, Holly, who has brought forth new fresh ideas that promote the downtown and help get more people to shop downtown. This last year I am glad that some of the founding member merchants of the DVA have returned to the board. They have added a wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership to the board that is priceless. 

Last year was a long and trying year for me with my wife being in the hospital for so many months. I want to thank those that stepped in to help out when I had to step down from my executive position as president in January 2009. Also, thank you to all who stopped in and asked how things were going. Having a vested interest in the downtown I hope to continue to serve and fight for strong downtown that helps all merchants in the downtown, in this recessed economy.

Treasurer
Alison Campbell 

is currently employed with the Royal Bank of Canada (Vernon Downtown office) as a Senior Account Manager, in commercial banking. Alison grew up in Edmonton, Alberta where she attended the University of Alberta and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters in Business Administration. Prior to joining the Royal Bank in 2007, Alison gained extensive experience in marketing, business development and account management working for several large companies (Xerox Canada, GlaxoSmithKline and Epcor Utilities Inc). In these positions, Alison worked with clients in small to large-sized businesses in many different industry sectors.

Nola Neilson (Creatabls Clothing)

Nola along with Ralph Gering own and operate Creatabls Clothing, a ladies clothing and accessories store on 30^th Avenue. Nola has been a board member of the Downtown Vernon Association for a few years and served as Vice President for the 2006 / 2007 term.

Nola feels it is important to participate in the job of keeping our downtown a vibrant and healthy place to operate our businesses. She would like your consideration in appointing her for another term as a board of director for the Downtown Vernon Association.

Lorna Robb (Cheek to Cheek Dance Studio)

 Lorna lives and works downtown. The location of “Cheek to Cheek Dance Studio” is popular with her dance students who like to make an evening out after dancing by celebrating at local coffee shops, bars and restaurants.   Lorna’s training has been in customer service, public relations and promotions at Siga International (Hugo Boss), Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Arthur Murray Dance Studios and Lake City Casinos.   Her whole life has been a “downtown girl” in whatever city she lives. “I love the feeling of community and walking, greeting people and actually having the time to see each building and business.”

Theresa Jones (Nixon Wenger LLP)

Theresa arrived in Vernon from Banff, Alberta in 1992 and she has worked in various administrative roles at: Silver Star Mountain, Community Futures, MJO Communications, and Historic O’Keefe Ranch. She is currently Office Manager at Nixon Wenger LLP and she has held that position for over three years. Her role at Nixon Wenger involves Human Resources; as well she is involved with the marketing department, and other firm-wide initiatives as required.

She has been involved in a wide variety of community charitable organizations over the years.

Theresa has three beautiful children - Tyler (15), Adam (12) and Sarah (12) and they enjoy the many recreational opportunities here in the valley year round. Her current interests include motorcycling, snowboarding, and traveling.

Theresa has spent a good number of her 18+ years here in Vernon working and living in the downtown area and she understands the importance and significance of a vibrant and economically viable downtown first hand. As a primary employer downtown (85+ lawyers & staff), and with Nixon Wenger clientele in mind, it is important to Theresa to keep this area accessible, welcoming, and safe. 

Sareena Nickoli (City Furniture & Appliances)

Sareena is the Purchasing and Marketing Director for her family business - City Furniture & Appliances in downtown Vernon and has been in the business for 9 years. She holds a Business Degree and Marketing Diploma as well as an Interior Design Certificate. Sareena looks after the Advertising and Marketing end of the business and is also involved in the buying. She attends furniture shows world wide and looks after commercial sales, and works with contractors in both Vernon and Kelowna to help and suggest furniture layouts and appliance packages for new projects and she also stages showhomes.

Sareena is community oriented and has been past board members for the Downtown Vernon Association, and OC Alumni Association. She has also choreographed fashion shows, opening numbers, dance and fitness/warm up routines for various community events such as Queen Silver Star, various fundraising walks, Winter Carnival events, and “Dancing with the Vernon Stars” a Hospice House fundraiser. In October 2009 Sareena organized the first “ZUMBA for a Cause” and raised $5000 for the VJH Foundation Maternal Ward.

Sareena has also been a fitness instructor for the past 10 years and presently teaches ZUMBA at Fitness West, Cheek to Cheek dance studio and elementary and high schools.

Sareena is happily married to her husband of 9 years Ryan Nickoli. 

Bob Sattler (Hi Pro Corporate Sportswear)

Bob Sattler is the owner of Hi-Pro Corporate and Promotional Products located on Coldstream Ave in Vernon.

Bob was born in a small town in Saskatchewan, moving to Vernon in 1980 where he worked at the Best Western Vernon Lodge Hotel for 27 years before purchasing Hi Pro in 2007. During that time Bob sat on many boards including Vernon Tourism and Okanagan Wine Festival. He was also the President of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce and sat on the Board for 5 years. Bob is also a promoter in his spare time bringing to Vernon such acts as The Vienna Boys Choir, Bruce Cockburn, Amy Sky, Tom Cochrane, Mathew Good and many more.

Bob is looking forward to contributing to the economic growth of downtown Vernon and you can be assured that he will put all his best efforts forward when asked. 

Gerry Sellers (The Vernon Towne Cinema)

Gerry has been the owner / operator of the Vernon Towne Cinema for the last 10 years and has been in the theatre business for 30 years. Gerry has previously owned a property management company and the Starlight Drive-in in Enderby, both of which he has now sold. Gerry has also been in the restaurant business for 13 years. 

Gerry is a former director for the Westbank Chamber of Commerce and has been a DVA director for 2 years. 

Judy Shirley (Chickie's Cupcakes)

Trustee
Dave Fletcher (Community Foundation of the North Okanagan)

Trustee
Mary-Jo O'Keefe (MJO Communications) 
MJO Communications Inc. is wholly owned and operated by Mary Jo O'Keefe utilizing skills and experience that she has gained over the last 25 years in the tourism sector. The core business line is publishing tourism sector publications, but Mary Jo has also developed some wine tours of this area. She has become a registered in bound travel agent and offers some exciting tours for this upcoming season.  Previous to starting her own business, Mary Jo O'Keefe has spent over 20 years in Sales and Marketing in the Hospitality Industry. She has also served as School Board Trustee and, in the position, has been appointed by the Premier to sit on the BC College of Teachers as a lay person to the professional association. She is committed to ensuring the success of all Downtown Vernon businesses.