Colleen is an invaluable resource to small business persons. Having owned and operated two separate retail businesses, Colleen's financial advice is grounded in years of practical experience. This experience and her comprehensive knowlege of accounting and taxation can often make the difference between success and failure of a small business. Colleen is a past president of the Penticton-Okanagan Rotary Club and continues to be a very active member of the club. She was elected to the Valley First board of directors in April 1998 and, following the merger with Envision Financial, became part of the First West board on January 1, 2010 where she serves as vice-chair.