Staff
Susan Stearns, General Manager
Susan comes to us from Burns Lake where she has considerable background and experience in a combination of non profit, public sector and private sector leadership roles. She has considerable general management and economic development experience.
She has worked with the Lakes Economic Development Association as Economic Development Coordinator. She also held positions of increasing responsibility with the Wet’suwet’en First Nation in Burns Lake and held the role of General Manager for six years. For the past several years she and a partner had a consulting practice working on various assignments involving economic development and community projects.
Susan and her husband David have one adult son in Prince George.
E-mail: susans@cfdc.bc.ca
Eric Bennett, Business Analyst
Eric has a long-time background and experience in credit and financial services, including personal, mortgage and commercial lending, financial planning, insurance and investments. He assists would-be entrepreneurs and existing businesses with business counselling, and in developing their business plans, financial projections and loan proposals.
E-mail: ericb@cfdc.bc.ca
Laurie Hooker, Self Employment Benefit Program
Laurie has been with Community Futures for 12 years originally coming through the doors to explore self employment herself. Laurie’s knowledge of the business community, community service agencies and people provide her with a wealth of information to assist clients. She has a unique focus on marketing and can help entrepreneurs examine innovative ways to get their name out into the marketplace.
E-mail: laurieh@cfdc.bc.ca
Karen Hebert, Comptroller
Karen joined the Community Futures team in November 2003. She brings with her over 30 years of experience working with the local business community through her work with public accounting firms. Karen understands the wide range of financial reporting requirements of Community Futures as a not-for-profit organization. She also works with management and staff in budget preparation, Community Economic Development financial management, and client loan administration.
E-mail: karenh@cfdc.bc.ca
Shirly Prokopchuk, Client Services Officer
Shirly brings more than 10 years of office and administrative experience, has a wealth of community contacts, and has accumulated valuable experience in coordinating and organizing small and large events. She has been involved with a number of organizations throughout the City of Prince George. Shirly has coached youth soccer (All Star and House Leagues), and has served on community board of directors, the Parents Advisory Committee as Vice Chair and Chair and instructed Ukrainian Dancing for 20 years. Shirly has been involved with Community Futures since 2003.
E-mail: shirlyp@cfdc.bc.ca
Rebecca Reid, Initiatives Development Officer
Rebecca joined the Community Futures team in October 2008 after moving to Prince George from the lower mainland where she coordinated the Executive and MBA programs for the Certified Management Accountants of BC. In her role as Initiatives Development Officer Rebecca will be working in collaboration with partnering agencies, community groups and stakeholders on various projects and initiatives in the Fraser Fort George Region. Rebecca has a BA in Communications from Simon Fraser University.
E-mail: rebeccar@cfdc.bc.ca
Rodney Gainer, Business Development Officer
Rodney has a background in business development, group facilitation and product commercialization specific to high tech and creative industries. In his role as Business Development Officer, Rodney will assist entrepreneurs with business plans and financing. He acts as a guide for entrepreneurs as they navigate through the many obstacles that arise between turning an idea into a successful business.
E-mail: rodneyg@cfdc.bc.ca
Marie Patenaude, Executive Assistant
Marie has developed broad office experience working in accounting, consumer credit, and general administration. Marie provides communication, meeting, and administrative support to our Community Futures board of directors, committees, management, and staff. Marie joined the Community Futures Team in July of 2008.
E-mail: mariep@cfdc.bc.ca
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday to Thursday
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Closed Statutory Holidays
