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MEET THE DIRECTORS


Manfred (Fred) Freese, President
Manfred and his wife Barbara operate a small 5 acre vineyard that they planted in 2000 on a steep hillside on the east bench overlooking Lake Osoyoos. After retiring in 1996 from a 30 year career in government and industry R&D and management, Manfred decided to return to his early interests in farming and wine. He joined the BCGA in 2001 and became a director in 2003. Besides growing grapes, Manfred enjoys studying the various technical aspects of modern viticulture and customizing some of the vineyard instrumentation and equipment designs. In the off-season Manfred & Barbara like to go skiing and curling. They also enjoy traveling and performing various volunteer activities in the community.
Christine Coletta, Vice-President & Chairman of Marketing & Communications Committee

Christine is a newcomer to the grape industry. She & her husband Steve Lornie own the 10-acre Switchback Vineyard in Summerland. Christine has operated Coletta Consultants, a marketing agency located in Vancouver, since 1986. Current clients in the wine sector include Vincor Canada, Icon Estates Wines US, Wines of Chile and Vancouver magazine. She & Steve plan to spend half the year at their home at North Beach, just north of Summerland and the remainder of the year in North Vancouver. Christine brings a wealth of marketing and communications expertise to the association.
Ed Thibault, Director & Chairman of Finance Committee

Ed & his wife, Linda purchased a 10 acre property in Summerland & converted a 5 acre peach orchard to a vineyard in 2000/01. Ed is retired from a 30 year career with IBM where he held a variety of positions that provided him with an excellent business background that included finance, marketing and management. Ed was happy to take on the task as chairman of the BCGA Finance Committee. Ed is on the Board of the BC Wine Institute and the Board of the BC Wine Grape Council.
Roger Hol, Director & Chairman Starling Control Program Steering Committee

Roger lives in the Similkameen on an acreage that is currently being developed as a vineyard. In addition to his activities with the BCGA he also sits on various other boards including the BC Agri‐tourism Alliance & the Professional Environmental Stewardship Technologists Society (PESTS). Before becoming a grape grower, Roger worked as a Marine Engineer & then as the owner/operator of an Auto Parts Plus business.
Ed Schiller, Director & Chairman of the Membership Committee

Ed has a small vineyard in East Kelowna & sells mostly to individual wine makers. Ed has been a long time member of the organization and is now in his fourth term as a Board member. He is currently the Chairman of the Membership committee which fits well with his enthusiasm for touring the BC grape & wine regions & meeting with growers in their vineyards & wineries. Ed is a consulting geologist. He also claims to be the best dancer in town!
Hans Buchler, Director & Representative on the BC Wine Grape Council & the Interior Horticulturral Sector Group (BC Agriculture Council)

Hans and his family have a 20 acre 'certified organic' vineyard in Oliver. He has been a director of the BCGA since 2000 and is particularly interested in agricultural development & research. Hans is currently the Chairman of the BC Wine Grape Council and he also represents the Grape Sector on the Interior Horticulture Group, which represents the grape industry at the BC Agriculture Council.
Renee Martin

Renee and her partner Ken MacLean bought their 5 acre property in Kaleden 5 years ago and planted their vineyard in 2005. Renee is a professor in Medical Genetics at U of Calgary but currently on sabbatical with plans to retire later in 2009. Renee was elected to the BCGA board at the agm in March 2009.
Anik Lapointed

Anik was appointed to the Board of the BCGA at the agm in March 2009 as a non-voting representative for Associate Members. She has been active in the grape industry since 2003 eventually forming a partnership with Adam Spychalski to creat Meritage Viticulture Services Ltd., a business that provides various levels of management, labour, development and hands on consultation to new and small to medium sized vineyard owners. Meritage is beginning its third successful year of business. In 2008 Adam & Anik purchased acreage in Summerland that they intend to develop into a vineyard.
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Last Updated: 04-Dec-2008