Originally from the UK, Jessie Laven now calls the Okanagan home. She has been involved with the Sicamous Society for more than a decade and is an advocate of cultural heritage. With extensive experience as an accounting manager (at Community Futures) Jessie brings a wealth of financial expertise that is crucial for effective governance. She has a proven track record in maximizing revenues and securing funding, coupled with strategic insights from managing operations at the S.S Sicamous Museum. This ensures prudent decision-making and sustainable growth. Jessie's commitment to preserving history and fostering community engagement makes her the ideal candidate to safeguard the legacy of the S.S Sicamous.

Jim moved from the lower mainland to Penticton in 1985. He practiced as a Chiropractor until retiring and turning his practice over to his son in 2021. His interest in all things marine, and particularly the vintage wooden boat hobby eventually led to his involvement with the SS Sicamous Marine Heritage Society since 2008. Jim has previously served on two City of Penticton committees, spent several years on the BC Chiropractic Association board as a Director and President, and also as the BC Director on the Canadian Chiropractic Association Board.

Robert Nield qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the UK and moved to Hong Kong in 1980. He spent most of his working life there as a partner in one of the world’s largest accountancy practices. Since retirement, Robert has been involved in many not-for-profit organisations, either as president, executive director, or treasurer. His interests include history (he gained an MPhil degree in 2018), sailing, writing songs, and playing the guitar. He came to Penticton with his wife in 2019. Since being appointed to the Board in August 2023, he has brought much-needed financial discipline and organisation to the Society.

Kyla Daman-Willems trained as a teacher on her way to a career in public transit. The majority of her career included training adults and overseeing the Customer Service and Marketing departments for the West Coast Express. Her highlight experiences included being asked to train a group of transit attendants in Fort Lauderdale in 2008, and being part of the team of transit trainers for Vancouver’s 2010 Olympics. She retired from transit in 2022.

Kyla and her husband moved to Penticton in 2022 and she has been involved with the SS Sicamous and the KVR model team in various capacities since she arrived. As a member of the board of directors for the SS Sicamous Marine Heritage Society she looks forward to the opportunity to preserve and protect the heritage of the Okanagan.

Paul O’Neill has been involved with the S.S. Sicamous Marine Heritage Society since 2015. He has primarily worked on restoring CN Tug #6. As a longtime Penticton resident, Paul is passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community.

Paul’s background is varied. He has been responsible for maintenance and operation of commercial tour boats. As a red seal heavy duty mechanic, and has worked at the Nickel Plate gold mine for 7 years. Paul retired after working 13 years in the FortisBC meter calibration shop located in Penticton.

Tom Dunn worked as a Marine Engineer for Seaspan Marine for 37 years before retiring to Penticton in 2020. He sailed on numerous west coast vessels from San Diego to Homer, Alaska. The ships ranged in size from 60' to 325'. With a long career in the marine industry, he was initially interested with the CN #6 but also became more involved in the SS Naramata restoration project as the project to reposition her gained speed. Tom brings vast experience with volunteer boards; knowledge of union negotiations and vessel overhauls and he is passionate about maintaining the integrity of heritage vessels. He also brings numerous contacts within the marine industry.

Shereen Morhart grew up in Southern California and interned at the Pasadena Museum of History before moving to Tennessee to pursue a master’s degree in public history with an emphasis in Historic Preservation. Following graduation, Shereen worked as the Program Director for Pasadena Heritage, one of the largest preservation organizations in the United States.

After moving to the Houston area in 2009, Shereen worked as Site Director for the Fort Bend County Museum and served on the county’s Historical Commission as the Chair of the Historic Preservation Committee for several years. In 2016, after seeing a great need in her community, Shereen founded Abigail’s Place, a non-profit dedicated to supporting displaced single mothers with transitional housing. Since that time, she has worked alongside the homeless in Spokane, Washington, and young adults struggling with severe mental health issues in Moscow, Idaho.

In the summer of 2024, Shereen married her husband Barry, a retired history and social studies teacher from Penticton, where they currently reside. She is immensely enjoying the pristine environment and outdoor lifestyle that the locale provides. Due to her passion for history and restoration, Shereen became a volunteer at the SS Sicamous in December of 2024, and hopes to effectively bring her skills to the ongoing preservation and interpretation of this important historic resource.

Hi, my name is Alyson Nerker.  I was born in North Vancouver B.C.  My parents started a glass company in 1964, so I pretty much grew up around glass.  I’ve worked in both residential and commercial applications also doing glass work on ships and doing some auto glass as well.  I started my life as a glazier in 1977 working around Vancouver on various projects, some small, and some big.  I discovered at an early age that I need to find out what makes things tick and in doing so realized I have a knack at taking things apart and putting them back together again while fixing them along the way.  I’ve rebuilt car and motorcycle engines, gear boxes and final drives.  I’ve done additions to buildings.  I have a love for anything old, so with my mechanical aptitude and my love for motorcycles I’ve found that building and riding motorcycles is one of my most loved things to do in life.  Travelling is another.  Seeing new places, meeting different cultures, trying new cuisine. Even if it’s just to eat ice cream!  I also spent 10 years in the Canadian Forces and did extensive traveling during that time.

Janine Cumberland, known by her staff as Janine the Event and Flower Queen, considers herself lucky to live and run her businesses in Penticton. With over three decades of customer service expertise and a combined 18 years in floral decorations and events, she is a seasoned professional with a true passion for creating unforgettable events.

As the owner of five successful businesses all over British Columbia, including Paradox Events Co. and Enchanted Florist in Penticton, Janine has a wealth of experience in planning a diverse range of events, from weddings to corporate functions and community gatherings.

At Paradox Events, Janine is passionate about putting her clients first and building a large inventory of unique and special party rentals, while bringing her creative touch to every event she plans.

At Enchanted Florist, Janine showcases her artistic abilities, to create beautiful arrangements for her amazing customers, always working towards providing the best in customer service.

Janine is incredibly grateful for her amazing team and recognizes their integral role in the success of her businesses. She knows that without their hard work and dedication, she would not be able to achieve her goals and bring her creative visions to life. She is constantly inspired by their passion and commitment and is proud to have such a talented group of individuals on her side.

As a mom-preneur, Janine is an active director for the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, as well as the President of SOSBIS, loves spending time with her family. In her personal time she enjoys Sturgeon fishing (also one of her businesses), panning of gold, hoping to find the mother-lode, and relaxing with her goldie Rosie (also the spokesmodel for the flowers shop), and is passionate about raising money & helping in any way she can.