2025 Board Elections
Recognizing that our members are located around the world, Destination Silver Star is utilizing an online voting platform for the upcoming Board of Directors election.
Voting opens May 1 and closes May 7, 2025.
Detailed instructions on how to vote will be sent directly to members via email. If you have any questions about the election process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Below, you’ll find the nominees for the Destination Silver Star Board of Directors, categorized by position, along with their bios.
Hotel Lodging (2 spots)
Elected by the approximate 280 hotel lodging members with properties in Silver Creek, Firelight, Snowbird, Lord Aberdeen, Chilcoot Lodge, Vance Creek, Pinnacles.
Derrick Sabourin is a part-owner of Samson Waters, a leading short-term rental management company, dedicated to creating memorable guest experiences. With a passion for travel, volleyball, reading, and snowboarding, Derrick thrives on innovation and enhancing hospitality. His goal is to bring the same level of excellence to Silver Star, ensuring visitors and residents alike enjoy an exceptional and immersive experience. 
Howard Zerr was born in Edmonton and moved to Calgary at a young age where he grew up and spent his working career prior to retiring to the Okanagan in 2015. Howard founded Skyline Roofing with his wife Ingrid in 1977 and grew it to a company of 160 employees by 1997. Howard and Ingrid own and operate real-estate investments in Calgary and Kelowna. He has done volunteer work such as building a church in Nicaragua, and a school in Kenya.
Howard has been a director or member in numerous corporations and associations including various roofing associations in positions as President, Treasurer, and Director, Member of 4 CSA committees with active participation in writing Canadian Standards, Director on a condo board for industrial warehouses in Kelowna, and building committee at the Snowbird Lodge at Silver Star.
Howard has a love for skiing, passing 2,000,000 vertical feet this season. He has been skiing at SilverStar since the early 1970’s and now owns a unit in the Snowbird Lodge. Howard loves Silver Star and would be happy to give back to our community. 
Tania and her husband, Brad, along with their three children, moved to Coldstream almost five years ago to embrace the active outdoor lifestyle they love. A long-time visitor to Silver Star, they made their connection to the mountain even stronger by purchasing in Firelight, allowing them to spend more time skiing, biking, and enjoying all the hill has to offer.
Tania holds a Human Kinetics degree in Sport and Leisure Management from UBC and began her career organizing action sports events, including ski and snowboard festivals across BC and Alberta. She then transitioned into the gaming industry, spending 20+ years growing from operations and production management into executive leadership. She specializes in program management, strategic planning, and global leadership. Passionate about recreation and community engagement, Tania is eager to contribute her expertise to Destination Silver Star, helping shape the mountain’s future and enhance its appeal for both visitors and locals.
Residential (1 spot)
Elected by the approximate 325 residential members who own a property that is not rented.
Mike is currently an active Board member, as Secretary and Chair of the Finance Committee for Silver Star Resort Association. It is Mike’s passion for the community that brings him to the Board. He has served for 12 months, and brings a background of leadership, financial acumen, forethought, and organization to a place extremely near and dear to his heart.
Mike has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Washington and master’s in business administration from the University of British Columbia. He retired in 2005 after a rewarding career in the Real Estate Financial and Commercial Sectors where Mike’s entrepreneurial vision and leadership founded Calloway Properties Inc. In an 8-year period, they grew to a publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust with assets of over $2.4 billion and 20 million square feet of development. In 2006 Mike and his wife Kathy Austin purchased a home at Creekside and have spent every winter at Silver Star since, establishing many friendships. They fell in love with the community and summers, living here now year-round.
Rob Tupper B.SC., BCLS, President Monashee Land Surveying and Geomatics Ltd., has been working in surveying and geospatial data management since 1989. He graduated from the University of Calgary in Geomatics Engineering. Commissioned as a B.C. Land Surveyor in 2000, Rob works extensively with clients in land development and numerous large-scale survey projects in remote areas of BC, Alberta, Yukon, Nunavut Territories and Africa. He also provides land development consultation to residential and commercial clients.
Rob is active with the Vernon Ski Club since 2007, serving on the Board of Directors from 2010 – 2018, and President from 2014 – 2016. He remains active with the Club and the BC Alpine Ski Association as a race official. Rob served on the SSPOA Sewer Action Committee, with the organizing committee for the “Over The Hill Downhill” and the “Vernon Ski Swap”. He learned to ski at Silver Star in 1974 and became an owner in 2013, currently living on the Knoll.
Residential Lodging (1 spot)
Elected by the approximate 320 residential lodging members who who rent their property long or short term.
Craig Leverman, MBA, MA, B.Ed. would bring a wide range of experience to the Board of Directors. He received his Masters Business Administration from Queen’s University, specializing in Finance and Marketing. Craig completed his Masters in Urban Sociology from Carleton University. He was the President of the Strata Council for Silver Creek Lodge and is currently a board member. He served on the SSPOA Sewer Action Committee. He has served as President, Vice-President and Director of Membership for the Kalamalka Country Club.
Craig is the past Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee for the City of Vernon. He served as a Judicial Council member with the BC Teachers’ Federation, and was the executive member responsible for Occupational Health and Safety for the Vernon Teachers’ Association and Co-Chair of the District Joint Health and Safety Committee for the Vernon School District. Craig has served as both the Treasurer and President of the Caetani Society.
Daniel Purser is an Australian home owner who loves skiing at Silver Star and being a part of the Silver Star community. Daniel is a small business owner with a background in the tourism and hospitality sectors and has served, or is currently serving on numerous volunteer boards and strata councils and has also previously served the community through the NSW State Emergency Service. Daniel welcomes the opportunity to ensure strong governance and transparency in SSRA and is excited to represent the interests of the private homes and condos that rent to ensure that they have a strong voice at SSRA and get value from SSRA moving forward.
Julie Melanson is the Executive Director of the North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS), where she leads strategic growth, community partnerships, and trail development initiatives across the region. With a strong focus on sustainability and inclusivity, Julie has helped NOCS become a cornerstone of the local outdoor recreation community.
Her work emphasizes collaboration—whether it’s integrating trail systems with new developments, coordinating large-scale events like Bombshell, or connecting visitors with the local riding culture. In 2025, Julie is leading the celebration of NOCS’s 20th anniversary, showcasing two decades of trail stewardship and community impact.
At Destination Silver Star, Julie brings a passion for mountain biking, tourism, and storytelling, working to elevate the region as a premier, all-season destination for riders and adventure seekers alike. Outside of her work, she loves exploring local trails with her dogs and finding creative ways to support climate action and healthy living.
Max and his wife are current condo owners in the Silver Star community, with a unit located in Creekside. Although Max currently lives in Aurora, Ontario, he plans to return home to BC in the next several years. Max would like to volunteer to contribute to the community & help where possible. Currently Max is a General Manager of a pharmaceutical company and has over 25 years of experience in management, marketing, sales, team leadership and business development. He hopes that his experience would be of value to the Destination Silver Star Board of Directors.
With over 35 years experience leading award-winning corporate and leisure travel teams, he has a proven track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships with stakeholders to drive innovation, growth, and revenue. He owned and operated W.D. World Travel and Canadatravels.com for 27 years and currently serves as Director of Global Solutions at Direct ATPI Travel. Deeply involved in the travel and tourism industry, having held leadership positions such as Chair, Ensemble Travel Group, Association of Canadian Travel Agents, and American Association of Travel Agents.
His passion for Silver Star Resort began in 2007 when he became an active member of the community. A year later, he purchased two homes with three rental units, which he continues to manage year-round. He fully embraces the resort lifestyle, participating in summer and winter activities such as downhill and cross-country biking, hiking, alpine and Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing. He is committed to enhancing and expanding the Silver Star experience for the long-term benefit of the community.
Commercial (1 spot)
Elected by the approximate 20 commercial members including occupiers and non resident business owners.
Don is excited to put his name forward for the position of Commercial Director. His deep-rooted connection to Silver Star and commitment to its growth makes him a strong candidate to represent the interests of our community and tourism partners. Don’s family were original investors in Silver Star, giving him a lifelong connection to this unique community.
Don proudly served 25 years with the Silver Star Fire Department, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors alike. As a key figure in establishing the Silver Star Resort Association, he has firsthand experience in shaping the resort’s strategic direction.
Don is a strong supporter of local events and initiatives that enhance the Silver Star experience. Having been a winter resident since 1990, he has seen the evolution of Silver Star and understand the needs of businesses and the community. Don is passionate about the continued success of Silver Star and believes his experience, leadership, and dedication will be valuable in guiding its future.
At Large (2 spots)
Elected by the approximate 1015 overall resort association members.
Dawna has been in the fitness and coaching industry for the past 24 years founding Bush Babes & Bros Trail Running in 2006. She has a passion for running and a love for the outdoors and trails—from trail running, hiking, to snowshoeing, gravel biking, and mountain biking. She grew up in Vernon and has successfully built several businesses. She recently renovated a home on Silver Queen which she rents and lives in part time to enjoy the resort. A big fan of altitude training, Jodoin loves to run at Silver Star.
She plans and executes several annual events in the region, including at Silver Star, Sovereign Lake, and Kal Park. Dawna has been active with many nonprofits and boards, serving currently as the Events Director with the North Okanagan Cycling Society. She values maintaining open lines of honest communication building trust and working together towards achieving short and long-term goals.
Garry first skied at Silver Star in 1979 and has owned a winter home here since 2007, being one of the first to build a single-family chalet in the Ridge. Christina and Garry raised three children and relocated to Vernon in 1996 for the family lifestyle and quality recreation activities. Garry’s family enjoys lifelong friendships from the Vernon Ski Club, where volunteering and officiating was part of the fun. Two of their children went on to ski race at world junior and world cup levels.
Garry graduated from the University of Victoria School of Business with a BComm in Entrepreneurship and has founded, built, managed, and harvested several companies in technology industries, including FinTech and RegTech. He serves on the Board of Directors for several active companies in various industries, including banking, manufacturing, technology, and media.
Garry spends time mentoring, investing, speaking, and working with select individuals who’ve committed to behaving entrepreneurially. Garry isn’t a passenger in life and finds himself most comfortable in the driver’s seat, being a lifelong performance-minded adventurer.
Glenn is an active proponent of Silver Star Ski Resort skiing here since 2005 (alpine and Nordic). A condo owner at the Lord Aberdeen since 2009 and volunteer patroller at Silver Star from 2010-2014. Worked as a mechanic for Pinheads Bowling 2013 – 2020. Currently Lord Aberdeen strata board member, son of Bob and Jeanne Petznick who volunteered as Ski Hosts for SilverStar for 12 and 14 years respectively.
Strong history of experience in the ski industry grew up skiing Chicopee Ski Club in Kitchener since age three, then competed in Nordic and alpine race programs and volunteer patroller for seven years. Worked as a snowcat mechanic for Skiing Louise Ltd. (1979-1985). Was the Western Canada Service Rep Pisten Bully dealer, based in Kelowna and Service Manager for Prinoth Snowcats. While working on snow cats at Whistler Mountain, had the good fortune of meeting spouse, Moya, who worked in human resources there. Glenn is looking forward to contributing to the positive development of Silver Star in both the near and distant future.
BID, BSc, WELL®AP, RID – IDIBC, IDC, OSID
Heather is an enthusiastic advocate for community, sustainability, and the magic of shared experiences. An extrovert at heart, she thrives on bringing people together and believes in the power of connection to shape vibrant, thriving, communities. After relocating to Kelowna from Kitchener/Waterloo in 2021 to be closer to mountains and forests, she soon discovered Silver Star and has now been a resident since 2023.
As a Professional Registered Interior Designer with specialty designations that support her in designing for the optimum wellness of her clients, she believes that thoughtfully designed spaces, places and developments can become regenerative healing environments. She is eager to bring her leadership, creativity, and passion to the board, contributing to Silver Star’s future as a premier all-season destination that still maintains its home away from home village experience.
Whether snowshoeing, skiing, hiking or biking, she embraces everything that makes Silver Star unique – especially the wonderful people!
James has been a trial lawyer for the last 30 years and at the Vernon law firm Nixon Wenger since 2000. He has been a partner at the firm since 2004 and sat on many boards. Currently he is the Vice President for the Kalamalka Country Club. Before that he served as Vice President for the North Okanagan Cycling Society.
He has coached and volunteered in our community and is an avid skier, both Downhill, Nordic, as well as backcountry. He is also an avid mountain biker, and regularly uses the bike park at Silver Star, as well as the surrounding trails. He has a real interest in Silver Star and feels that given his legal background, and experience, he can be a valuable member of the board.
Kevin is a partner at CM Lawyers. He and his partner established the firm in 2017 with the goal of providing exceptional service and legal advice. Kevin has extensive experience and is the preferred real estate and banking lawyer to a number of real estate agents, brokerages, financial institutions, and private lenders.
Kevin is actively involved in the community. He has served as a director on a number of boards including two years dedicated to the resort association, Destination Silver Star. He also volunteers his time coaching youth baseball, soccer, and hockey. Kevin has owned in Firelight and currently on the Knoll. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife and kids and can often be seen on the golf course, in local hockey arenas and on the resort mountain biking, Nordic, and snowshoe trails.
Single Hotel (1 position)
Elected by members who are Owners of a Single Owner Hotel Lodging Resort Lot (only applies to Bulldog).
As General Manager of The Bulldog Hotel and Restaurant at Silver Star, Oscar oversees a unique hospitality experience in the heart of the village. Embracing the spirit of adventure and community that defines Silver Star, Oscar brings both operational expertise and a passion for people having worked in resort for over 15 years and with the Bulldog organization around the world in his previous roles with the organization. With deep ties to the local tourism industry, he’s committed to promoting Silver Star as a vibrant year-round destination for visitors from around the world.
