About Us :: Board of Directors
Board of Directors
- President: Jon Bell
- Vice President: Tabitha McLoughlin
- Treasurer: Patrick Demers
- Secretary: Kandace Kerr
- Director: Rachelle Leroux
- Director: Cat Majors
- Director: Denise Kostash
- Director: Bob Callioux
- Director: Hilary Huntley
President: Jon Bell
Email: president@bcfarmersmarket.org
Jon is originally from England, grew up in Quebec and the Maritimes and went to McGill University, studying Agriculture where he specialized in Plant Pathology and Botany and learned how to pronounce all those scientific names. In his career, Jon has been a municipal weed inspector, a federal quarantine officer for 33 years, has done contracts with the Province of BC, worked with the flower bulb industry in Holland and taught in the US. Now that Jon is "retired", he is a provincial director of the BC Farmers Market Association, a member of the local Agriculture Advisory Committee, VP and past president of the Sechelt Farmers market (15 year member), and is the farmer in the local Farm to School program. He also paints in acrylic, does hot glass, goes Scottish country dancing, puts on Single Malt Whisky tastings and tries to work on old English cars. In the summer most of his time is put into running West Sechelt Farm Produce, growing fruit and vegetables to sell at the local market, and occasionally he gets a chance to garden around his home.
Vice President: Tabitha McLoughlin
Email: gtmcl@shaw.ca
Tabitha McLoughlin has been the market manager of the Coquitlam Farmers' Market since April 2006. Prior to her involvement with the local food movement in Coquitlam she was a project manager in the event and conference management industry. Her organizational and communication skills have been an asset to the organization and have added to the scope and reach of the market. As manager of the Coquitlam Farmers' Market, Tabitha has been instrumental in creating several annual events that have rejuvenated vendor satisfaction and increased customer attendance. Tabitha continues to work with local businesses to build strategic partnerships to raise the awareness of eating local and supporting local agriculture in the community.
As a Director for the BCAFM, Tabitha brings a positive and energetic attitude towards the role and activities of the BCAFM in the province.
Treasurer: Patrick Demers
Email: demers101@hotmail.com
Bio coming soon.
Secretary: Kandace Kerr
Email: kkswt@fsjames.com
Bio: coming soon.
Director: Rachelle Leroux
Email: rachelle@zelaneyfarms.ca
Rachelle Leroux is the Marketing and Sales Manager for Zelaney Farms in Coldstream, BC. Partner, Brian Zelaney, and herself own and operate a second generation, 20 acre vegetable and strawberry farm, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. While Brian is busy farming the land, Rachelle takes the produce to the Farmers' Markets. Zelaney Farms attends the Vernon Farmers' Market, on Mondays and Thursdays, and the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, each week through the summer months.
Rachelle is in the second year of her first term as a Director for the BC Association of Farmers' Markets. She has also been recently elected as the Secretary for the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market, and has also been appointed as the Chair for the Business and Strategic Planning Committee for the KFCMS.
Director: Cat Majors
Email: catmajors@hotmail.com
Living in the North Okanagan, Cat is Marketing Director for Armstrong Apiaries and has been a honey, pollen and beeswax candle vendor for the past twenty years.
She is also an active member on the Board of Directors for the Armstrong Farmers' Market, the oldest continuously running market in BC. Cat enjoys promoting fresh produce in season, distinctive handmade crafts, as well as local artists and musicians.
A highlight of her first year with the BCAFM was the staging of a local "Farmers Appreciation Week" event where local farmers, food initiative representatives, gleaners and community garden enthusiasts were featured.
A performance artist herself, Cat has appeared in many fairs and festivals, managed dance and theatre companies, worked at The Vancouver Art Gallery and the Vancouver Children's Festival.
Her creativity and experience in the entertainment industry, fundraising and the management of non profit organizations brings "Big Picture" thinking into the strategic planning and sustainability committees for the BCAFM, and she is honoured to be a part of such a vital and dynamic organization.
Director: Denise Kostash
Email: denmk@shaw.ca
Denise Kostash has been Director & Entertainment Coordinator for Steveston Farmers' & Artisan Market since its conception in 2008, with the support of the Steveston Community Society. As a Sales & Marketing Manager in the Vancouver Hospitality Industry she looks forward to using these skills to assist with the BCAFM Conference Committee. As a new Director Denise brings enthusiasm, energy and a passion for people.
Director: Bob Callioux
Email: kelownafarmersmarket@shaw.ca
Bob attended NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) for three years to graduate and receive a diploma as a certified chef. After graduation Bob started his own catering business named Calico Catering. He had the business for 15 years before selling it and moving to Kelowna.
Bob's first venture with the Kelowna Farmers' market was as a vendor selling willow furniture. The Downtown Kelowna Association asked Bob to run the market when the previous market manager quit. Bob managed the market in the downtown area for 2 years before the vendors and he discussed the need for a better location so that it could grow. With the help of a couple of vendors they moved the market to its present site in 1995.
The market in this location started with 4 vendors; it took three years for the market to be noticed and customers started to shop on a regular basis. He wore all the organizational hats: president, manager, secretary, etc. Bob did what was needed to get the market going; "I juggled 3 jobs until the new market organization was able to hire me as a part time manager."
He had determination and dedication to the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market. There are approximately 120 registered season vendors and roughly 175 day vendors filling all the 165 stalls that are available on the site. "We get over 5000 people shopping in the height of the season, last year we added a Thursday evening market in downtown Kelowna."
Director: Hilary Huntley
Email: trialbyfirepottery@hotmail.com
Hilary Huntley is a professional potter, a passionate cyclist and the President of the Duncan Farmer's Market which is a year round Saturday Market on Vancouver Island. Hilary is a firm voice for fiscal responsibility and looks forward to serving on the BCAFM Board with a perspective coloured by her years on the Island.