Grande Prairie Chamber selects new Chair

Dec 8, 2017 | 4:30 AM

Cris Seppola-Podsada is the new Chair of the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce.

She told the crowd of well over 100 that gathered at Centre 2000 for the Chamber’s annual general meeting Thursday that she is grateful for this opportunity.

“We have such a strong community and I’m really proud to be able to be a part of it. Every time I go out traveling or I am out anywhere, even at other chamber events, we get a lot of compliments on what we do here. And, I think we work really hard to make sure we’re successful in this area.”

She says one thing she would like to work on with her counterparts from around Alberta is helping businesses deal with labour shortages.

“Which, I think, is already on our doorstep. I think there’s some work we can do there. On a national level, I think that there’s a potential opportunity to at least get a message out about our nation becoming more cohesive in how we share our resources and I’m hoping to be able to address an issue like that moving forward.”

She adds a lot of younger people are getting involved with the Chamber.

“In the past, chambers, in general, were kind of seen as being maybe an older generation. You kind of did your time and then you were able to join the organization as a board member. I think that chambers, in general, have become so much more progressive. I’m only the fifth female chair of this board in the last 103 years and I’m really looking forward to there being more.”

The 17-member board will include five newcomers.

Seppola-Podsada will take over the role of Chair from Dennis Bell.

Dan Wong and Larry Gibson will serve as Vice-Chairs.

by Curtis Galbraith