Ernie Blumke will lead the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce as president and Allison Markin as the vice-president.
Blumke, station manager at NewCap Radio (Country 100.7) and Markin, of All She Wrote Consulting, were brought into the executive with interim titles. With the annual general meeting in March, the board of directors opted to bring Blumke and Markin into the executive for the interim.
The municipal election saw Campbell Watt and Andre Martin, both of which led the chamber as president prior to entering the election race.
“The board will miss Andre and Campbell and their leadership,” said Blumke. “I am honoured that my fellow board members have chosen me to take the helm and I look forward to continuing the good work of the chamber.”
The chamber is encouraging anyone interested in serving Penticton’s business community to consider putting their name forward in the spring to join.
The executive committee also includes White Kennedy’s Andrew Nendick as secretary/treasurer and past-president Jason Cox, owner of The People’s Crafthouse and Fit City Supplements. In addition, former board member Keith MacIntyre of Big Bear Software has been appointed to the board to serve until the annual general meeting, filling a seat left vacant by the recent departures.
Cary Schneiderat was acting president in recent weeks during the election campaign, as the chamber awaited results before selecting its interim executive.