2017 Top 10 Business People

These business leaders are a cut above the rest due to their tenacity, their business savvy, their adaptability and, of course, their remarkable successes. Several of our winners are entrepreneurs, having started their own businesses. All of them radiate enthusiasm for their chosen careers, and our region is fortunate to have these winners in our midst.

Without further ado, we proudly showcase the following Top 10 Business People of the Year, while also celebrating our 20th year of publishing this list.

Jill Bentley-Lobban in a blue Stoke shirt.
East Kootenay, Kimberley

Jill Bentley-Lobban

Jill Bentley-Lobban, manager of Kimberley Centex, is a people person who loves good food and locally sourced products.

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Heidi Lettrari is the general manager of Kaslo Sourdough Pasta, a family business in Kaslo, B.C.
West Kootenay, Kaslo

Heidi Lettrari

Heidi Lettrari, the woman behind award-winning Kaslo Sourdough Pasta, is gaining recognition for her sales and marketing savvy.

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Tristen Chernove, CEO of Elevate Airports and general manager of the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook, B.C., is also  the recipient of three medals from the September 2016 Paralympic Games.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, West Kootenay, New Denver

Tristen Chernove

Tristen Chernove is inspired by the energy of Cranbrook’s business community, and he’s reciprocating in a big way.

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Peter Nielsen is vice-president of operations at Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
West Kootenay, Revelstoke

Peter Nielsen

Peter Nielsen, VP operations, is taking Revelstoke Mountain Resort to exciting new heights of success.

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Tersia and Ben DeJager own and operate Columbia Gardens Vineyard & Winery near Trail, B.C.
West Kootenay, Trail

Tersia and Ben DeJager

The power of personality is evident in the successful operation of Columbia Gardens Vineyard & Winery near Trail, B.C.

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Dianna Ducs is the executive director for Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism.
West Kootenay, Nelson

Dianna Ducs

Dianna Ducs, executive director of Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism, is leading the way to a significant increase in tourism in her area.

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Doug Mann is the manufacturing director at Pacific Insight.
West Kootenay, Nelson

Doug Mann

Doug Mann’s career in automotive engineering spans 35 years. He recently moved to Nelson to join Pacific Insight.

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Cam Dawes is the owner/operator of IGA in Golden.
West Kootenay, Golden

Cam Dawes

Listening and engaging have led to success for Cam Dawes, owner/operator of IGA in Golden

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(L to R) Ryan Doehle, wife Laurel, son Ethan, and daughter Kyra with their dog WiFi.
East Kootenay, Fernie

Ryan Doehle

Ryan Doehle’s 21 years of work in his self-started and expanding business have landed him a spot on the list of the Top 10 Business People of 2017

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Elana Rosenfeld, CEO of Kicking Horse Coffee in Inveremere.
East Kootenay, Invermere

Elana Rosenfeld

The co-founder and CEO of Invermere’s Kicking Horse Coffee is a visionary with a love of the outdoors and a great appreciation for the Columbia Valley.

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View Top 10 Business People lists for other years