Three rising stars announced as the Vernon Chamber caps off the 2016 Top 20 Under 40 awards

The Chamber, in partnership with KPMG, announced the Rising Star Award winners as it celebrated the 2016 KPMG Top Twenty under 40 Award winners on Thursday Night. David Hamm who owns and operates Coldstream Mechanical was one of three recognized with the Rising Star Award. He began working in the trades in 2007 and eventually started his own business in Coldstream Mechanical in 2015 and has been steadily growing ever since.

The Rising Star Award recognizes those 30 or under who are already making an impact on the local economy. The other two Rising Stars are 30 year old Danny Robert who is a chartered accountant with KPMG who is heavily involved in the community helping the local refugee program and Kristina Sidorczuk (Sid-orz-Chuk) who owns and operates Cracked Pepper Catering and opened one of Vernon’s newest restaurants, EATology in 2015. Not a bad start for someone who will turn 24 years of age later this year.

“The Rising Stars program was a new initiative this year that was developed as a means to recognize some of our youngest entrepreneurs,” says Dan Rogers, chamber general manager. “These next generation of leaders certainly deserve recognition and by doing so it is our hope that we can encourage others to dream big and understand anything can be accomplished with vision, passion and determination.”

The evening also saw the 2016 Top Twenty under 40 award recipients honoured by civic officials and representatives from the Chamber, KPMG, and other program partners.

The recipients include:

Josh Dueck, Canadian alpine skier & Flag Bearer at the Closing Ceremonies of the Sochi Paralympics.
Lindsay James – Owner & Hairstylist, The Scarlet Studio
Dawn Lypchuk – Enterostomal Therapist & RN, Interior Health and Nightingales Medical
Ryan Rhodes – Vice- President, Western Water Associates Ltd.
Max Russman – Lawyer & Partner, Nixon Wenger LLP
Dora Anderson – Partner, MQN Architecture & Interior Design
Leah Campbell – Social Media & Marketing Manager, Davison Orchards.
Taylor Dedora – Professional Appraiser, Schoenne & Associates.
Deanna Fester – Owner & Coach, CrossFit Vernon
Sherrilee Franks – Property Manager, Keystone Property Management Ltd.
Terence Giesbrecht – Owner, Skyride Bike & Board Inc.
Dustin Griffin – Lawyer, Kidston & Company LLP
Daniel Healey – Senior Manager at KPMG
Morgan Higgins – Entrepreneur & Founder, Smooth Effects Inc.
Tracy Knight – Lawyer, Nixon Wenger LLP
Trinity Smith – Veterinarian & Partner, Central Animal Hospital
David Sturgeon – Business Owner, CK Design Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry
Peter Solymosi – General Manager, White House Mortgages
Brad Swanson – Educator & Head Learner, Kala Star Academy & Outdoor School
Tanner Udenberg – Optometrist & Partner, Vernon Optometry