Local business owners have a new voice in the community. Tanya Oliver officially took over as CEO for the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce earlier this week.
She replaces Dan Pearcy, who is retiring at the end of June after 12 years as chamber CEO. She says she’s glad their positions overlap for a couple of weeks so she can learn from him directly.
“I’m filling a position not replacing a person so Dan’s legacy is going to be here forever. He’s done amazing things and [his are] definitely big shoes to fill… I’m excited.”
Oliver comes to Grande Prairie from Bonnyville, where she’s spent the last nine years as their chamber’s Executive Director. She grew up in the Swan City and still has family here. She says she’s looked up to the work done by the GP Chamber and is excited to bring energy and passion for the chamber network with her.
“I really enjoy the power of the network with the fact that we are a neutral party that is in it for the best interest of the whole business community and the community at large. I really enjoy connecting people with each other and with the right information and the right contacts that they need.”
Oliver got her first taste of the local chamber when it hosted the Alberta Chamber AGM in May. She plans to spend the next little while meeting chamber members and planning for next year’s Global Petroleum Show and Growing the North conference.