Meet the nominees for the Chamber of Commerce board elections

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Incumbent Cooper Mitchell, originally from Regina, moved to the Battlefords after obtaining a law degree and is currently an associate with Demmans Baldwin Friedman and Frank law firm. He has a background in business and government sectors, and hopes to continue contributing to the Chamber in a second term in the areas of advocacy, government relations and business attitude.

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Incumbent Melanie Roberts is the director of programs at North West College and has worked with the college for 16 years in management positions. Roberts just finished her first term on the board and believes she’s added value to the Chamber through her contributions in policy, strategic planning, governance work and discussions at meetings.

Incumbent Harris Sutherland, originally from the Duck Lake area, has been the operations manager of Gold Eagle Casino since moving to the Battlefords in 2009. He also sits as board chair for the Canoe Lake Development Group and as a board member for Willow Creek Developments. He’s involved with local charities including the food bank, Battlefords Indian Metis Friendship Centre and the Lighthouse shelter. Sutherland believes his community involvement and business experience will be valuable to the Chamber.

Incumbent Bill Volk is an individual member of the Chamber and is active in the Lions Club and has served on the Chamber board for several years. He has a strong background in agriculture education and work. He has owned and operated several successful businesses, including Norsask Farm Equipment.

Ramona Maraj moved to North Battleford in April 2015 from Toronto and is a property manager at Macro Properties in North Battleford. She has more than 25 years of management experience in various industries and would like to take part in the process of cultivating and promoting growth in the Battlefords business community through the Chamber. She is currently on the boards of the Saskatchewan Landlord Association and the Battlefords-Lloydminster Conservative EDA, and is a volunteer for Battlefords Victim Services.

Kayla Petersen, who was born in Saskatoon but moved to the Battlefords as a child, has been a realtor with RE/MAX of the Battlefords for eight years and recently became an owning partner and associate broker of the business. She has also served as a board member at Battlefords United Way and volunteered at various community events. She said she’s excited for the opportunity to represent the Chamber and work with the business community.

David Fortier, who has worked in the Battlefords for eight years, is the owner and president of Fortier Mattila Appraisals Inc., a real estate appraisal and consulting firm headquartered in North Battleford with offices around Saskatchewan. Some issues Fortier has been asked to assist the Chamber with in the past are property taxation, assessment and market rents. He’s interested in providing input to the Chamber about the upcoming property assessment update, issues with downtown vacancy and cross promotion of local businesses.

Tyrone Johnstone, originally from Moose Jaw, moved to North Battleford a year ago after living in several cities around Saskatchewan. He’s worked for TD Canada Trust for 10 years in various roles including customer service, financial services, financial advising, small business advising and management. He is also on the board of the Battlefords United Way.

Jim Lafreniere grew up in the Battlefords and has worked at Bee-J’s Office Plus for 16 years, currently as the general manager. He has been involved with the Chamber in the past, and after taking a few years off to spend more time with his kids and wife, looks forward to contributing his ideas to the Chamber again.

Sharon Mohagen was born and raised in the Battlefords and is the co-owner of Blue Rentals. She has been on the Chamber board before, including as president in 2013. Mohagen is a member of the Western Development Museum board and the 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games committee. She has also been a member of and held various positions in many local organizations.

Dallan Oberg moved to the Battlefords in 2012 and has been a partner at Holm Raiche Oberg Chartered Professional Accountants since 2014, working with many businesses and organizations in the community. He is also the treasurer for Battlefords Minor Ball Inc. He believes his experience providing professional advice to the business community would be an asset to the Chamber.

Janice Sander, of the Wilkie area, is property manager for Terracap Management. Previously she has worked as the BUH Foundation’s executive director and the director of a not-for-profit organization in Wilkie for people with intellectual disabilities, which grew under her and the board’s direction to include Unity and eventually merge with a program in Biggar. She believes she can contribute to the Chamber with her experience in not-for-profit and commercial management and development.

Derek Schmidt, co-owner of Bill and Dons Men’s Wear, has worked in retail for more than 25 years. He has been involved in many local organizations, including the Kinsmen Club, Battlefords Minor Hockey Association and the North Battleford Business Improvement District. Having served many years with the Chamber in the mid-2000s, he feels he has the time and experience to be an incredible asset to the board again.

Steven Ulven was raised in Outlook and moved to the Battlefords in 2012 with his job at Ilta Grain Inc. He has 20 years’ experience in the cleaning and exporting of pulses and is currently the Saskatchewan project manager for Ilta. Ulven believes his enthusiasm, quest for excellence and ability to bring out the best in the people he works with will help the Chamber succeed.

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