President – Santanna Thom – Century 21 Foothills Real Estate
Locally raised 3rd generation Realtor. Santanna Thom has been in the Claresholm and area most of her life. Southern Alberta is a great place to live, start a business, raise a family. Santanna has been a volunteer in the community in many roles, and we welcome her to the position of President.
(Please feel free to contact me by email president@claresholmchamber.ca)
Vice President – Amanda Zimmer – Claresholm Local Press
Amanda is the publisher of the Claresholm Local Press, and has been in the community newspaper business for over 20 years as a graphic designer. She gained her first experience working in a print shop as her after school job in high school which led her to SAIT where she completed her Printing Management Technologies diploma. Amanda is involved in many other organizations within the community such as the Welcoming Claresholm Committee, Skye-Anna Dance Society, Summer Games Planning Committee and she is also on the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association board as a director and the CA McLean Bursary Committee.
Amanda loves living in a small community and being a part of the connection people have to each other through their paper. She believes the newspaper is the hub of their community and loves to see people reading and sharing it.
Secretary – Kendall Schille – North & Company
Kendall is an associate lawyer with North & Company LLP, a full-service firm with branches across Southern Alberta. Kendall moved to Claresholm to practice out of North & Company’s Claresholm branch in February 2020, attended the Chamber AGM two weeks later, and has served on the Board ever since. Kendall’s legal practice focuses primarily on wills and estate planning, estate admiration, and commercial and residential real estate transactions, but she is interested in all areas of law as a lawyer in a small community. Kendall also serves on the board of the Claresholm Public Library as of December 2021. In her spare time she enjoys cross-stitching, gardening and restoring old furniture.
Kendall has remained on the Claresholm & District Chamber of Commerce Board because it is a tangible way to connect with her community and build a network of other local businesses. She believes that collective action strengthens the business community as a whole, and that the Chamber can function as a united voice in advocating for Claresholm’ s businesses.
Treasurer – Audra Smith – The Bargain Shop
Audra will greet you with warmth and a smile when you walk into The Bargain Shop. This is Audra’s second term as treasurer and we appreciate everything she does.
Directors:
Tony Walker – Community Futures Alberta Southwest
Tony resides in Pincher Creek and works for Community Futures Alberta Southwest. As an avid Economic Developer, Tony is involved in Chambers and Economic Development Committees across Southern Alberta including Claresholm, Fort Macleod, Cardston and Pincher Creek.
Tony has been a Director for the Claresholm & District Chamber of Commerce since moving to the region in 2008. In his spare time, he enjoys teeing off at local golf courses and rolling balls at the bowling alley.
With Tony’s belief that economic development is the root of all growth, his mission is to aid communities across Alberta by leading them to prosperity and success through business and economic development.
Lauren Billey – Lauren Billey Creative
Lauren is a multi passionate, multi business owner, mom of 3, wife, photographer and social media guru.
She moved with her family from Dawson Creek, BC and loves the community and feels like she has been here forever with the amount of connections we have made.
Lauren is the creator of the studio downtown called The Attic. Home to many businesses, fellow creators, entrepreneurs and the home to her professional studio where she takes great images, teaches workshops, and meets with clients and connect.
Brad Toone – Member at Large
Brad was born and raised in Claresholm and enjoys travelling with his wife and kids. He also volunteers on the Granum and Claresholm Fire Departments and serves on the Livingstone Range School Board as a Trustee.
Brad loves this community and appreciates the many great amenities that we have for a community of this size. Supporting the business community is key to helping our area be sustainable, both now and in the future. He has chosen to volunteer as director in order to continue to highlight and support all the great things we have to offer.
Damon Kustra – Kustra Insurance and Investments
Damon moved to Claresholm in 2015 to become the Financial Advisor and Owner of Kustra Insurance & Investments Inc., with offices in Claresholm, Nanton and Fort Macleod. Damon has been active in the past with the Chamber of Commerce in Swan River, MB for 12 years. Growing up in small town Dauphin, MB provided Damon with a strong sense of family and community. Damon along with his wife Chandra Lewis, children Kelsey and Jake work at the Agency.
Brian Brotherston – Blackwood Coffee Co.
Filling your coffee order is so much more to Brian, he takes delight in pouring you a cup of happy to make your experience a great one, and takes time to have a genuine conversation and brighten your day. Brian is an avid reader, a leader, mentor and associate Pastor at a local church.
Michelle Pinkerton – Janet’s Fashions
Michelle is the manager at Janet’s Fashions. She was born and raised in Claresholm and moved away at the age of 21 to attend college in Medicine Hat where she met her husband John. They moved to Germany, England and back to Medicine Hat and eventually settled back in Claresholm for the past 20 years where they raised their 3 children.
Michelle has always had a passion for business and has owned her own cleaning business for 4 years and pedicure business over the last 9 years. Life changes and Michelle decided it was time to sell and move on to the next adventure which has brought her to Janet’s Fashion.
Paul Zemlak – Claresholm Pharmacy
Paul has been here for 11 years and enjoys golf, hockey, tennis, traveling and working at the pharmacy where he can interact with his customers. He has chosen to volunteer to help provide input and play a supporting role to assist the excellent leaders on this year’s Chamber of Commerce for the coming year.
Jordie Bronson – Bronson Enterprises Ltd.
Jordie is a new member and is proud to join the amazing team as a director. Claresholm is his home town, where he attended school at WCCHS, participated in the local 4-H Club and had his first job as lifeguard at the aquatic centre.
Jordie recognizes that small business owners are the heart of the community. They selflessly donate their time and money to help promote Claresholm as a safe and reliable place to raise a family. Because of that, he chose to start his own business here – Bronson Enterprises Ltd.
Jordie looks forward to continuing the legacy that so many before have worked hard to create. Claresholm truly is an amazing town full of community leaders and he looks forward to serving our Chamber for many years to come!
Angela MacPherson – Prairie Home Décor & Framing
Angela can be found at her store providing quality custom furniture, home decor and resin artwork. Angela became a director in 2022 and we look forward to her creativity and ideas.
Shannon Clay – Harry’s Tirecraft Claresholm
Shannon moved to Claresholm in 1992 with her husband Barry, and they have raised and launched two daughters who are working in the new home construction and oil and gas industries in Calgary. After owning a few small home-based business’ while raising children, Shannon started and operated a successful Custom Picture Framing and Gift business for 12 years in the downtown core. Among her many volunteer positions the most memorable are those approximately 26 years volunteering with the Kinette Club of Claresholm, holding many executive positions, including Treasurer for 18 years. She can currently be found at Harry’s Tire Sales o/a Tirecraft Claresholm, as the accounts manager and bookkeeper. Harry’s Tire has been a family owned and run business in Claresholm since 1962. They are celebrating their 60th anniversary this summer!
In her spare time Shannon enjoys kayaking, camping, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Shannon looks forward to her involvement in business planning for change, launching programs to accelerate innovation and drive job creation, growth and resilience. increasing the economic and social prosperity of citizens and creating employment opportunities for the next generation of job seekers.
