Kristi Farell has been named the new chair for the Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce, taking over from Matthew Kloepper at the chamber’s annual general meeting on March 13.
Kloepper hailed 2023 as an important transition year, highlighting a large volume of bookkeeping the chamber needed to complete.
Farell said she would like to bring more economic diversity to the chamber — hosting both small businesses and big industry players — as well as promoting diversity among the chamber’s members.
Farell, also a business administration instructor at Coast Mountain College and owner of Opa Sushi, said her mission as president is to give back to the community that she has lived in for over 20 years.
Farell also indicated a positive shift in the city’s economic scene with more small businesses opening up shop after a stretch of challenging years for local businesses.
Andy Enns will be taking over Farell’s former position as vice president for the upcoming year.
Also at the AGM, Karen Sawatsky, chief administrative officer at the Hecate Strait Employment Development Society, was sworn in as director for the board.
Executive director Roman Brochu said the chamber has come a long way in recent years, with increased attendance at events and overall enthusiasm.
Both Farell and Sawatsky were unopposed in their nominations.
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