WESTLOCK – After three years at the helm, Graeme Harrington will continue as president of the Westlock and District Chamber of Commerce for at least one more year.
Members of chamber gathered to elect a new executive and celebrate the successes of local businesses over the past year during the 2022 annual general meeting, May 26.
The executive will continue as it has been since it was formed in 2019, with the exception of director Dennis Landry, who left his position earlier this year — Kirby Kohlsmith was elected in his place.
“I had been looking to get involved in something at that time and it seemed to be a good fit,” said Harrington of his tenure as president. “It’s gone well so I have kept on with it.”
Harrington welcomed guests, chamber members and executive board members to the first in person annual general meeting in two years, held at the Legion. He opened the meeting with the president’s report in which he noted the challenges and local happenings over the past 24 months.
“It’s been amazing to watch the resiliency of all the businesses around town and in the county to survive and to thrive, coming out of what we’ve dealt with in the last couple of years. There’s a lot of new ways to do business — people and businesses are growing, adapting all the time, working from home, doing things virtually, online marketing and sales. It’s all been very important.”
The chamber counts about 65 active members, noted Harrington, adding they recently welcomed Angela Hanna as a new part-time employee who will be handling some of the communications and other areas for the organization.
“We had a lot of growth in the first year … since things have re-opened, we’ve had a steady stream of new members and with the success of the gala, it’s put the chamber on the map some more,” he said.
Other executive reports presented at the meeting included the treasurer’s report on financials and the vice-president’s report on some of the year’s past and upcoming events. Some of which include the inaugural awards gala in April, the town’s Canada Day celebrations, the Westlock and District Agricultural Fair in August and the chamber’s annual golf tournament in September.
Chamber executive
Graeme Harrington (Properzi Tims) – President and Director
Paul Olsen (Westlock Ford) – Vice-President and Director
Lisa Boulerice (Ed’s Auto Salvage) – Treasurer and Director
Brandi Wolff (Royal LePage) – Secretary and Director
Philip Petkau (Siegle Financial) – Director
Michelle Rigney (AFSC) – Director
Kirby Kohlsmith (Pembina Roofing) - Director
