Blaine Stephan, co-owner of Guardian Plumbing and Heating is the new president of the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce.
Fresh from the announcement at the recently held AGM the husband, father and longtime resident of the community says he is ready to make his mark over the next 12-months of his term.
“When I make decisions and when I’m looking at our community, I’m looking at it from the lens of a parent. I’m looking at it from the lens of somebody who wants this community to be around for a long time and to be able to continue to grow and be better. And so my personality is definitely one that – I want to leave something better behind for my family and for my kids,” says Stephan.
With 490 member-businesses, Stephan points to the work that has gone on in the recent past with issues like the movement of food and alcohol across the Alberta-Saskatchewan divide that presents unique challenges for Canada’s border city.
“I think the community is starting to recognize the value of being a part of a group of businesses. When we band together, we can have more clout and actually get the attention of different levels of government,” says Stephan. He adds “it takes a special bit of consideration from our government and they don’t understand it as they don’t live here.”
As he looks to the tasks facing him in the next year, Stephan is concerned about what he terms “outside influences affecting Lloydminster – whether its governments or other organizations.”
“Probably our biggest challenge is being able to use our resources – our industries and our skills the way that they are and not have any of these organizations and governments come in and try to hamper our ability to have a livelihood.”
Stephan adds he is going to work really hard with the local business community to make sure that Lloydminster thrives.
Meanwhile the Lloydminster Chamber in congratulating Stephan on taking up the mantle says that his involvement on the board over the past year has added business and industry knowledge.
As well the board extends its gratitude to 2022 president, Jody Herbus and also former board directors Roger Anderson, Jon Rokochy, and Corrine Kelly-Hyde who are stepping down.