1. Sabre Cherkowski
Nominated by: Rob Oxenham, Bill Miller

I am a new member of the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club as a new cross-country skier and snowshoer. As part of the
Masters XC group last year, I explored the trails for the first time and was blown away by the beauty and the vastness of
the trails, as well as the strong sense of community and enjoyment from the members. I volunteered as part of the S2S
event and decided that I wanted to continue to invest in SLNC as a participant and a volunteer. My professional
experiences as a professor and administrator in the School of Education at UBC Okanagan, as well as my personal
experiences as a coach, and a parent volunteer for many of my children’s activities and sports have provided me with skills in
communication, strategic planning, finance and budgeting, working with volunteers, and working as part of a team. I
have experience leading groups and have developed skills for working through conflict and mediating tensions. As a
board member, I would look forward to working for and with the members of SLNC to sustain the best of what works
well, and grow and improve where needed. I look forward to another great year of adventures in the trails this winter!

2. Dave Dennier
Nominated by: Cyndy Flores, Malcolm Devine

Why are you interested in running for the Board?
We all know that Sovereign Lake is a unique setting that should be treasured. We also know that interest in outdoor
activities has grown rapidly. I’d like to apply my experience in strategic development, commercial operations, and
project management to advance SLNC’s facilities and operations to meet the needs of guests for decades to come.
Is there a specific skill or interest that would make you a valuable member of the Board?
I have an undergrad degree in experimental physics and majored in finance and management science when I completed
my MBA. I have over 20 years of commercial experience that spans engineering project management, writing proposals
for customers, customer relationship management, developing and implementing strategic business improvements,
preparing new organizational structures, and firsthand detailed knowledge of $100 M company budget development,
commercial operations, and prudent financial/risk management. I am well practiced at establishing commercial bases
for projects, and writing and executing plans to implement projects to achieve the desired goals. I believe this is an
opportune time to apply this experience by supporting the development and implementation of a strategic long-term
plan and its underlying projects for the benefit of SLNC, its staff, members and guests.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the SLNC membership in considering you for a
Board position?
I work using a deeply collaborative approach, believe in rigorous stakeholder engagement, and am deeply committed to
customer satisfaction. I have presented on the challenges and merits of industry collaboration in Vienna and led
the development of a supplier relationship management program at a large power utility.
I am also an avid cross-country skier, and also enjoy snowshoeing amongst SLNC’s snow ghosts. I have skied since 2004,
and have been a member of SLNC since moving to BC in 2019. While I have volunteered at recent Nordic ski events at
Sovereign Lake, I recently started racing (I participated in the Master’s World Cup (Canmore) and the S2S skate race).
Lastly, I am happy to have my primary residence up on Silver Star Mountain. I am committed to the future of snowy
recreational pursuits!

3. Cyndy Flores
Nominated by: Pat Pearce, Sue Cairns

I have been skiing at SLNC for more than 20 years and love it so much that my husband and I bought a home here 6 years
ago.  I’ve greatly enjoyed being part of the SLNC family.  I am a volunteer leader at Masters XC and have served on the

SLNC  BOD the last 2 years.  I am part of the Masters’ HP group and served on the Organizing Committee for the
inaugural Sovereign2SilverStar marathon.
These last 2 years SLNC has not only survived a pandemic as a business, but we have experienced a tremendous amount
of organized growth, which has only made the Club stronger.  I am extremely proud to have been a small part of helping
to lead the BOD through the challenges of COVID and with our recent growth.
I’ve greatly enjoyed my work on the BOD and have learned much but I also feel there is much left to do; I feel energized
and ready to tackle what comes next.  I feel my experience on this BOD and prior not-for-profit BODs along with my
knowledge from my current leadership role at my work will allow me to continue to serve the BOD and SLNC well.
I feel honoured to have served on the BOD these last 2 years and look forward to what the future holds.
Thank you for your support.

4. Bill Miller
Nominated by: Cynthia Flores, Hugh Seaton

Why are you interested in running for the Board?
I’ve been a member of the Board since 2020 and I’m proud of what the organization has accomplished in the past 2
COVID years.  I am hoping to serve another term and continue contributing to the success of this great organization. I
discovered cross-country skiing 7 years ago and love it. I’ve been a member of SLNC for the past 7 years and my kids
previously participated in the youth programs.  New this year I’m looking forward to participating in the Master’s
program. I have tremendous respect for the SLNC – the quality of the trails and facility, the partnerships in the
community and the strength of the management and instruction.
What would make you a valuable member of the Board?
I’ve volunteered for multiple boards and organizations in the past, including the Greater Vernon Teen Initiative Society
(President and Director), Downtown Vernon Association (Director), North Okanagan Literacy Society (President, Vice
President, Director). I’m currently Treasurer for the Vernon Secondary School PAC (my only other volunteer duty at this
time). I’ve been involved in the North Okanagan business community for 17 years, all with RBC in positions including
Commercial Account Manager, Branch Manager, Regional Sales Manager and currently as a Financial Planner. I’ve had
experience in all aspects of volunteer boards, including HR, Finance, and Fundraising.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the SLNC membership in considering you for a Board position?
I’ve been involved in enough volunteer organizations to know that my goals are 1) to volunteer for something that I’m
passionate about and 2) to volunteer with a well-established and well run board. SLNC aligns to both of these goals.

5. Marshall Moleschi
Nominated by: Cyndy Flores, Karen Evans

• • Currently on the Board of SLNC.
  • Chair of the Competitions Committee.
  • Loves skiing and snowshoeing.
  • Enjoys Sovereign Lakes and wants to give back.
  • Has experience with Nordic organizations over the past 30 years.
  • Has governance experience with Societies and Colleges in the health sector, a provincial ski organization and a
    national foundation.
  • Committed to planning, developing and supporting our programs and infrastructure.
  • Committed to ensuring an outstanding winter experience for all through good governance at the board level.

For the past year, I have been an active member of the Sovereign Lake Board, and the Chair of the Competitions Committee.
I am a leader in both the SLNC’s and Kelowna Nordic’s Masters’ programs. I have my CANSI level 1 qualification.
I’ve enjoyed Sovereign Lakes trails and facilities 20 years ago when I lived in Salmon Arm, and in the past 5 years since
moving to the Okanagan for my retirement. I love the club’s spirit and I have enjoyed the club’s Masters’ Program both
as a participant and as a leader.
My past and present board experiences include many local and provincial organizations that operate under the Society
Act and other provincial and national acts. My involvement in Nordic clubs includes Larch Hills Nordic Society (Salmon
Arm), Caledonia Nordic Ski Club (Prince George) and Biathlon BC.
I offer my knowledge and skills in facilitation, planning, organization, communication and transparency to help the board
meet its obligations, responsibilities and accountabilities to our membership and to provincial authorities. For me it’s a
way I can contribute to keeping our club viable and vibrant.
Working together, we can continue to enjoy this winter wonderland for years to come.

Spirit North is a national charitable organization that uses land-based activities to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous youth, empowering them to become unstoppable in sport, school and life. Through the transformative power of sport and play, our participants learn important lessons, discover untold potential and build the confidence and courage needed to overcome the hardships Indigenous youth often face.

Working in partnership with schools and communities, our active, participation-based programs are designed to make Indigenous youth feel unstoppable, helping them develop skills that improve their performance in the classroom and deepen their connection to their communities.

We know that having a meaningful connection to the land is pivotal, and regular access to sport and land-based activity has the ability to improve physical health, mental health and community health. We’ve seen the transformative power of our programs – youth becoming leaders, achieving academic success and becoming vibrant, engaged members of their communities.

By delivering Spirit North programs to Indigenous youth in their own communities, we overcome common barriers to participation like geographic isolation and socio-economic limitations. Last year alone, over 6,300 Indigenous youth across 6 provinces and territories, in 62 communities and 77 schools took part in Spirit North programs – and we’re just getting started.

We are excited to work with the Okanagan Indian Band on this program and bring smiles to faces, unique outdoor adventures, and enduring memories to kids in our Indigenous Communities in the Okanagan.

Sovereign Lake Nordic Club has been nominated for two business industry awards at the upcoming Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce 38th Annual Business Excellence Awards. The nomination deadline was August 26th and SLNC has been nominated in the following categories.

1. Business Leader of the Year
2. Tourism Business of the Year

We are incredibly humbled by the nomination. The awards gala presentation is scheduled to take place on November 3rd at the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre.

CANMORE, Alta.—The 2022-23 cross-country skiing race calendar in Canada will open on familiar trails for Canadian athletes at Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre (November 30 – December 4) and culminate with a newly refined look to the Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals in Thunder Bay, Ont. (March 11-17).

Nordiq Canada announced a finalized schedule on Thursday that will showcase the sport at all levels while leading all Canadian athletes in the system to some of the top ski trails across the country for Canada Cup, Nordiq Cup – Continental Cup (COC) Series, and US Super Tour races.

“This winter’s event lineup will provide high-quality, competitive development race opportunities for a new generation of skiers who are at various stages in our system,” said Julie Beaulieu, sport development director, Nordiq Canada. “Hosting major events for athletes in all corners of Canada is critical to the continued growth of our sport and for developing a new generation of Canadian cross-country skiers into elite international athletes in our sport.”

The season-opening events will be staged at Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. Originally scheduled for Canmore Nordic Centre, the first events of the season – Nordiq Cup and US Super Tour races (November 30 – Dec 1, 3, 4), and Western Canada Cup (Dec 3 -4) – will take place near Vernon, B.C.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to support the development of our athletes while bringing our ski community to many of the top Nordic venues in Eastern and Western Canada as we launch a new Olympic and Paralympic quadrennial together”, said Chris Jeffries, high-performance director, Nordiq Canada.

If you haven’t heard by now, the Amazing Race Canada, came to Sovereign Lake this past spring to shoot an episode of the incredibly popular reality TV adventure race series which travels across the country pitting ten teams of two against each other in an effort to win the grand prize.

We are extremely excited to have been chosen to be a host site for one of the challenges and you can see all the action on August 9th on CTV when the series shot a day of adventure here in Vernon.

The weather played out perfectly with snow, rain, and sunshine…all within one hour of each other. Typically May weather at the ski area. It is going to be an amazing show and we had a wonderful team of Academy athletes and coaches assisting with putting the show on.

Tune in and be a part of the action!

John Montgomery, Canadian Skeleton Olympian and host of Amazing Race Canada, took a break from shooting for a pic with our coaches Annik Levesque and Jacqueline Akerman. 

SLNC GM Troy Hudson has been working on this project since 2018. COVID suspended the race the last two seasons but we had amazing conditions this spring to host this skiing portion of the event. Thanks to the entire team of volunteers, athletes, and coaches for making those two days of filming a HUGE success. 

Sovereign Lake just became more accessible with the launch of a new aviation carrier to the North Okanagan.

In a letter seeking city support, Cascadia COO Jeremy Barrett says the carrier has been working with communities to provide scheduled air taxi service to smaller municipal airports.

“ln order for scheduled services to be granted as part of a company’s air operating certificate, they need to have a letter of support from the authority of the airport(s) to submit with the application to Transport Canada for it to be added onto the AOC for scheduled points,” says Barrett.

The company has engaged with Vernon Economic Development and area resorts to provide additional charter services in Vernon.

“We believe that we would be also able to operate a scheduled service between Vancouver and Vernon on regular basis,” says Barrett, who says he would like to start offering flights “as soon as possible.”

Cascadia proposes to provide an eight-passenger service (King Air 90 or Piper Navajo) from Vernon to Vancouver Airport’s South Terminal once per day either mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

The schedule could be increased or decreased depending on demand and would cost roughly $300 one way.

https://www.cascadiaair.com/