Marie Milner writer profile

Photo of Marie Milner

Marie Milner, always a lover of words and language, has worked for most of her life in secretarial and administrative positions in the medical field. She hopes that her stories in Kootenay Business magazine do justice to the motivation and commitment of Kootenay business people. Milner is grateful for the inspiration that she experiences in the course of her interviews and hopes to share that inspiration.

Most recent articles by Marie Milner

Finger-jointed panels along a conveyor belt.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Developments From wasteland to prosperity

The City of Cranbrook’s industrial property that faces Theatre Road has new industry in place and great prospects for further developments

(L to R): Tanya Malcolm, Ground Floor community manager; Tammy Morrison, CFEK senior administrator; Layla Lye, CFEK client account manager;  Keri Sanderman, CFEK investment fund manager; Sean Campbell, CFEK general manager.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business, Technology Makerspace at Ground Floor Coworking

Help create a talented and diverse community of entrepreneurs

East Kootenay, Creston, Education, Kootenay Influencers Kootenay author and former civil servant shares secrets on how to live civilly

Diane Kalen-Sukra writes about what individuals and communities can do to stop the rising tide of incivility that is threatening our world.

Four young girls in high-visibility vests sit on a wooden staircase with bags of trash
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Kimberley, Environment Cranbrook and Kimberley clean up

On September 20, Cranbrook and Kimberley volunteers joined a world-wide effort to clean up our communities and raise awareness about protecting our environment.

Caliper Machine & Hydraulics owner Mike Hambalek (left) and Troy Ross, Caliper GM, are shown here with some of the heavy equipment that comes to them for repair.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Mining, Small Business Exciting expansion at Caliper Machine

Caliper Machine took a big step in 2019, investing in a second shop, almost tripling its workforce and planning more expansion on the City’s industrial land.

Smiling Erika Krest, executive director of the Trail & District Chamber of Commerce
West Kootenay, Trail, Small Business Community-motivated leader at Trail chamber

“The online resources are amazing when it comes to small business, but nothing replaces the feel of a community.” —Erika Krest, ED, Trail chamber of commerce

Fernie Brewing Company occupies an attractive, two-storey purpose-built facility at 26 Manitou Road in Fernie, B.C.
East Kootenay, Fernie Small craft brewery, big Fernie impact

Fernie Brewing Company is loved for its Cheers to Charity initiative, its economic support of the community through employment and, of course, its brews.

Monte Smith, owner and operator of Brown Dog Contracting, on site at one of his projects
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business, Best of Business Applauding Brown Dog Contracting

Clients of Brown Dog Contracting appreciate the team’s professionalism, patience and beyond-expectation results.

Cole, Melanie, Chris and Courtney Sutherland, with a Sutco truck
West Kootenay, Salmo, Forestry, Small Business, Transportation, Best of Business Sutco cares for its people

Sutco Transportation Specialists is recognized as an industry leader for best practices in human resources, focusing on workplace safety and work/life quality.

Close-up of two helicopters at low altitude
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Environment Cranbrook floodplain mapping underway

The City of Cranbrook had a busy summer, upgrading infrastructure and undertaking floodplain mapping to inform land use planning and future protective measures.

Dan Rothon, owner of Coyote Indie Books, in his store
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Retail, Small Business Coyote Indie Books, for the love of reading

For great reads, gifts and writing support, prowl through Coyote Indie Books in Grand Forks, B.C.

Kristin Parsons speaks enthusiastically about the Cranbrook chamber's upcoming events
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business, Kootenay Influencers Cranbrook chamber creates meaningful connections

The energy that Kristin Parsons brings to her role as executive director of the Cranbrook chamber has fueled new supports for the business community.

Tim Termuende of Eagle Plains Resources enjoys a sunny moment before heading into his office building
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Mining, Small Business Thriving in the lean years

Despite an extended bear market, Eagle Plains Resources continues to acquire properties and attract attention in the big leagues.

Crystal Scott, GM at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort, sits in front of the fireplace in the hotel's renovated lobby
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism Completing Prestige transformation

Crystal Scott is the new GM at the beautifully upgraded Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort in her home town, Cranbrook, B.C.

Shawn Bethune, executive director of the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce, is winter-ready in his toque, full beard and winter gear.
East Kootenay, Golden, Small Business New ED for Golden, B.C., chamber

Shawn Bethune is adding his support to province-wide efforts to alleviate the critical shortage in rental housing.

Head shot of Kristin Parsons, executive director of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce and board member of the B.C. Chamber Executive
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business Kristin Parsons joins board of BCCE

Kristin Parsons, the executive director of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce, is supporting businesses throughout B.C.

Jon Wedel of Cranbrook
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business, Technology, 40 Under 40 Jon Wedel pushes limits

Crazy ideas, pushing limits and working under pressure are common elements for the team at Flex Commerce.

Black-and-white photo of a silvery-coloured diamond on a pile of fine, dark rock rubble
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Mining Newest diamond for industry

They’re not the sparkling, “put a ring on it” kind, but these diamonds have huge value for all kinds of industries.

A Unifab tradesman wears protective gear to meet welding safety standards.
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Small Business Unifab: fabulous fabricators

Unifab Industries of Grand Forks celebrates 20 years in the steel fabrication industry with continuing innovations.

A man and two women at a round table on a patio, with mountains in the far distance
East Kootenay, Fernie, Developments, Real Estate Parastone’s Montane community: Come on in

Fernie’s Montane subdivision embodies the dream of Simon Howse and Jason Smith, founders and owners of Parastone Developments Ltd.

Judy Banfield of Nelson, in a garden
West Kootenay, Nelson, Health & Wellness, Small Business, Influential Women in Business, Kootenay Influencers Judy Banfield listens

Judy Banfield of Nelson has long been a source of support and influence for people at their most vulnerable times: infancy, youth, parenthood and advanced age.

Brian Pealow, owner of Pealow's grocery store in Creston, in the store's colourful produce department
East Kootenay, Creston Pealow’s loves Creston

Brian Pealow has worked in the grocery business since he was 16. He’s now using his own Creston supermarket to enrich the community.

Kitchen design showroom for Spruced Kitchens
West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business Building the heart of the home

Caralee McKinney’s kitchen design business in Nelson is built on her design aptitude, skills and strong relationships with clients and colleagues.

Heather Lang holds a small sign for Root 93 Dental Centre
East Kootenay, Invermere, Health & Wellness Root 93 smile makers

Root 93 Dental Centre provides more access to dental care in the Columbia Valley

Magnified piece of flake graphite
West Kootenay, Nelson, Energy, Environment, Mining, Small Business, Transportation Clean energy from Eagle Graphite

Eagle Graphite, near Nelson, has been granted $290,000 from the Province of B.C. to support the development of improved electric vehicle batteries.

Lilina Lysenko holds a congratulatory bouquet and a certificate recognizing her as a 2019 influential woman in business
West Kootenay, Rossland, Trail, Small Business, Influential Women in Business Everyday law, exceptional lawyer

Through her law firm, Lilina Lysenko helps West Kootenay residents solve everyday—and sometimes exceptional—legal questions and issues.

Imogen Whale of Revelstoke
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Small Business, Kootenay Influencers Imogen Whale informs and influences

Imogen Whale, publisher of The Revelstoke Current, is a lover of reading, writing, Revelstoke and her family—not in that order, of course.

Colourful storefront of Kootenay Virtual Reality
East Kootenay, Creston, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business, Tourism Virtual reality has a home in Creston

The virtual reality experience is a new entertainment option in the Kootenay region thanks to Kootenay Virtual Reality in Creston, B.C.

Honor Neve, chief curator, and Valerie Bourne, business manager, Cranbrook History Centre
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism Status boost for Cranbrook History Centre

The railcar collection at the Cranbrook History Centre has attracted recognition from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Smiling Megan Lescanec at Bumble Tree Baby and Children Essentials
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Retail, Small Business Bumble Tree puts down new roots

Bumble Tree Baby and Children Essentials has found its forever home in a bright new location on 10th Avenue in Cranbrook, B.C.

(L to R) Kristy Jahn-Smith of Cranbrook Tourism, Kathy Cooper of Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Paula Amos of Indigenous Tourism BC and Richard Porges, Destination BC.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business, Tourism A wide-angle look at tourism

A four-member tourism panel presented information about trends, opportunities and challenges in the Kootenay tourism industry.

Part of a 52-unit affordable  housing project being constructed by B.C. Housing in Grand Forks, B.C
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Developments, Real Estate Grand Forks housing projects

New, affordable apartments and townhouses—the first of their kind in Grand Forks—will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2019.

Brad Parsell, executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, at his desk
East Kootenay, Fernie Fernie chamber’s new exec

Oz transplant Brad Parsell takes on a big job in Fernie.

Emmeline Marshall-Hill, Graham Watt and Brian Taylor, on the shore of the Granby River, Grand Forks, B.C.
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Environment, Real Estate Changing the face of Grand Forks

Driven by the forces of nature and the community’s needs, Grand Forks is in the process of transforming itself.

David Gandossi (left), president and CEO of Mercer International Inc., and Brian Merwin , vice-president of corporate development at Mercer International Inc.at the Forest Products Association of Canada awards ceremony (May 9, 2019, Vancouver, B.C.)
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Forestry, Transportation Mercer Celgar wins at innovation

Award-winning new trailer design from Mercer Celgar creates more efficient transport of wood chips and pulp.

Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival on the shore of Kootenay Lake, backed by the Purcell mountains
West Kootenay, Kaslo, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism, Kootenay Influencers Kaslo makes music

Kaslo Bay Park, Kootenay Lake and the Purcell mountains create a gorgeous natural amphitheatre for Kaslo’s summer music festival.

Ball player slides in at home plate
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism The GFI is back

The return of the Grand Forks International baseball tournament embodies the unquenchable spirit of the community.

Aerial view of the solar power installation on the roof of the Ktunaxa Nation Council auditorium.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Energy, First Nations Green power at KNC

The Ktunaxa Nation Council has reduced its government building’s environmental footprint and the cost of maintaining a home base.

Executive director Pete Bourke and visitor centre supervisor Sarah Miller of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, beside the chamber sign on Highway 93/95
East Kootenay, Invermere, Small Business Leading the Columbia Valley chamber

The board of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce welcomes Pete Bourke to the position of executive director.

Female flag person, Theresa Clarke, in high-visibility gear, with a D&B Flagging truck behind her
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, First Nations , Small Business, Transportation D&B Flagging: 100 per cent Ktunaxa owned

Nupqu Development Corporation and ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises recently joined forces to acquire D&B Flagging and Traffic Control.

Erinne Allen has a two-year contract for the position of events manager for the City of Grand Forks, B.C.
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism Celebrations in Grand Forks

Events manager Erinne Allen is planning a whole slew of events for Grand Forks and the surrounding area.

Cedra Eichenauer and Melissa Johnson of the Nakusp and District Chamber of Commerce stand beside the decorative paddlwheel outside the chamber office
West Kootenay, Nakusp Nakusp report, summer 2019

With the help of a summer student, chamber manager Cedra Eichenauer is providing services for the business community and Nakusp’s visitors.

Ron Fraser stands outside Cranbrook city hall
East Kootenay, Cranbrook New director on City of Cranbrook staff

Ron Fraser joined the staff of the City of Cranbrook on October 22, 2018, as the director of the Office of Innovation and Collaboration.

Suzan Hewat is serving her second term as the mayor of Kaslo, B.C.
West Kootenay, Kaslo Kaslo: Historic and future-focused

Kaslo remembers and honours its history while actively working to achieve healthy growth and a secure future.

Dan Wiebe stands outside his split-rail cedar fencing plant
West Kootenay, Nakusp, Kootenay Influencers Dan Wiebe: Nakusp influencer

We’re calling Dan Wiebe an influencer in Nakusp, and he insists that he’s just one of many.

Three smiling  business-women holding bouquets of flowers: Shawna L'Heureux, Zen Mountain Float & Wellness, Kimberley; Anna Lamb, Pro-Fitness Gym,
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Small Business, Influential Women in Business Influential Women in Business awards, 2019

We congratulate all of the nominees to the Influential Women in Business list and thank them for their work and their contribution.

Golf course with golf cart, water feature and fountain, against a mountain backdrop
East Kootenay, Invermere, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism PGA of BC comes to Copper Point

In July 2019, the G&G Golf Company and Callaway Golf PGA of BC Pro-Assistant Championship will be held at Copper Point Golf Club in Invermere.

Head shot of smiling young blonde woman wearing glasses and business attire
East Kootenay, Elkford, Small Business Shawna Bryant heads up the Elkford Chamber of Commerce

Shawna Bryant brings a full-time passion for business growth to her part-time job as executive director of the Elkford Chamber of Commerce.

Brad Parsell became the executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce on April 8, 2019
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business Fernie chamber’s new exec

Oz transplant Brad Parsell takes on a big job in Fernie.

Darren Brewer has joined the staff at Cranbrook City Hall as the business development co-ordinator
East Kootenay, Cranbrook New member for Team Cranbrook

Darren Brewer is the City of Cranbrook’s new business development co-ordinator.