THE TEAM BEHIND SUN RIVERS

Today, Mr. Martin Zumtobel operates a number of successful companies worldwide. Head offices are located in Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Specializing in decorative candles, electrical appliance retailing, high tech electronics, venture capital financing resorts and other international land and building development. F. M. Zumtobel also owned and sold (1993) a chain of over 120 supermarkets throughout Austria. In 1996, the company sold Koeck, the then market leader in electrical appliance retailing.

In addition to the ongoing expansion of the existing shareholders, the F. M. Zumtobel Group is constantly looking for new opportunities. Its strategic goal is the interest in small and midsize businesses with great growth potential whose products are innovative or unique and can be distributed internationally.

Sandrift Holdings Ltd.Principal: Mr. Georg Schurian (Partner)

Georg Schurian immigrated to Canada from his native Austria in 1975 where he had trained as a cabinetmaker and served as the Assistant Manager of a major Austrian ski resort. Once in Canada, Georg soon put his experience to work at Doppelmayr Lifts Ltd., a well-established and worldwide leader in aerial ropeway technology based in Kelowna, BC. Beginning on the shop floor, Georg rose from the position of Parts Manager to President and shareholder in 1982. During this time, Doppelmayr Lifts grew to become the leading provider of Ropeways’ in North America. Over his 23 year tenure with Doppelmayr, Georg oversaw the marketing, sales and construction of over $200 million worth of ropeway equipment to ski area clients such as Intrawest at Whistler and Blackcomb, Sun Valley, Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hood, Marmot Basin, Fernie, Sun Peaks, Big White, Panorama, Nakiska, Vail, Steambaot, Breckenridge, Squaw Valley, etc.

Georg's position at Doppelmayr also allowed him the flexibility to become involved in a number of successful real estate projects. In 1991, Georg developed the concept and assembled the land for Kelowna's Harvest Golf Club (now owned by Nippon Cable). In 1992, he introduced Nippon Cable of Japan to the outstanding potential of Tod Mountain (now Sun Peaks) near Kamloops. Nippon Cable and others have now invested well over $300 million to develop the mountain into a truly world class resort. Georg was also President and shareholder of Paradise Point Tramway in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, (which was recently sold), a unique sightseeing tourist attraction in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Closer to home, Georg served as the President and shareholder of several local real estate ventures: a successful new commercial shopping area in Westbank and a beautiful, residential development on Okanagan Lake as well as ongoing involvement ownership in several land holdings throughout BC. Georg's experience in heavy construction and real estate led to his involvement in Sun Rivers Development Corporation. Georg has been instrumental in the development of a number of well-known projects throughout British Columbia. Nestled on the benchlands overlooking the City of Kamloops, Sun Rivers is destined to become one of BC's premier residential and recreational resort communities. Given the size and scope of this 460 acre, 2,000 home master-planned golf resort community, Georg left Doppelmayr Lifts in March of 1998, in order to devote his full attention to Sun Rivers. His attention to detail and innovation is what led Georg to consider Geothermal as the exclusive means to heat and cool buildings at Sun Rivers. Not only is this system the leader environmentally but by treating the installation of the system as infrastructure Sun Rivers is able to pass on big savings and benefits to residents from day 1.

Rick Siemens, Chief Excecutive Officer

Mr. Rick Siemens joined the Sun Rivers team in 1999 with a wealth of experience and knowledge in resort development and management. Rick holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and was a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C. for 25 years.

Rick enjoyed public accounting practice and subsequently spent 11 years in senior management positions of Controller and General Manager in the B.C. ski resort industry, where the resorts under his leadership experienced record growth both in skier visits and on hill accommodation. Real estate development and utility planning were key aspects of his tenure in the industry.

Rick brings a multitude of experience in resort development, planning, finance, administration and utilities operations to the Sun Rivers team. His experience and knowledge are a valuable asset to the Sun Rivers team.

Leslie Brochu, Vice-President, Marketing and Public Relations

Leslie Brochu brings valuable experience to Sun Rivers having worked in the housing industry for the past 19 years in a variety of management and marketing positions. Leslie recently left the position of Area Manager - Business Development with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), to join the Sun Rivers team.

Leslie has also served the housing industry in a number of volunteer capacities over the past nine years including Director of the Canadian Home Builders Association, President of the Kamloops and Area Lenders Association, Director of the Kamloops Seniors Citizens Housing Society, the Kamloops Intercare Society, The Kamloops Low Rental Housing Society, and the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Seniors Housing. She is the 1998 recipient of the Presidents Award for Outstanding Dedication to the Canadian Home Builders Association of British Columbia, a prestigious provincial honor awarded once each year. Leslie holds professional certifications in sales and real estate finance and brings extensive knowledge of the residential construction industry as well as the Kamloops market. 

Gary Grono, Residential Construction Manager
gary.grono@sunrivers.com

Gary Grono joined Sun Rivers in January 2006 bringing with him 20 years of constuction experience. Of his 20 years in the field, Gary spent 15 years working as a Finishing Contractor. He was one of the Superintendents of the Four Seasons Residence in Whistler, B.C. and acted as the Superintendent of many larger commerical properties.

Gary holds a Journeyman Carpenter ticket along with an Engineering Civil Tech diploma.

Gary's experience and personality have allowed him to exceed in his field and is a welcome addition to the team at Sun Rivers.

Rex Skarbo, Golf Course Superintendent
rex.skarbo@sunrivers.com

Rex Skarbo joined the Sun Rivers team in the very early stages of golf course construction. Under the guidance of golf course architects Graham Cooke and Wayne Carlton along with the President of Sun Rivers Georg Schurian, Rex embarking on his third championship golf course project for Graham Cooke assembled a strong construction team to build the championship Sun Rivers golf course.

Rex’s golf management and course construction experience has been invaluable in creating a unique “desert’ golf experience for the golfer in the heart of British Columbia. A former golf professional Rex has worked in the areas of golf course management, teaching and turf maintenance at some of the finest courses in B.C. and the U.S.A. His experience ranges from courses such as the University Club in Vancouver to the Harvest in Kelowna to Loomis Trail Golf club which earned the prestigious Golf Digest bronze medal for the Best New Private club in North America. His well rounded golf expertise and customer service focus will help to position Sun Rivers among the top golf courses in BC in providing a challenging golf experience, superb layout and superlative course conditions.

Mr. Ian Henson, General Manager - Clubhouse Sun Rivers
ian.henson@sunrivers.com

Mr. Ian Henson brings thirteen successful years of management experience and eighteen years of overall experience in a service driven industry to the Sun Rivers Team. He has been a member of the PGA of BC for the past 17 years which included employment at Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club and Capilano Golf and Country Club.

Ian has proven to excel in both casual/social and exclusive environments. Ian has also acted on advisory boards and committees for Tourism Kamloops, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, PGA of BC and Golf Kamloops.