In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Jeff Keen.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I grew up in Coquitlam and have lived in many areas of the lower mainland prior to moving to Kelowna in 2003.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My favourite person to spend time with is my wife Marda. She is a beautiful person on the inside and out, an incredible mom and amazing wife. After 30 years of marriage, we still enjoy doing the same things together from coffee on the patio, walking our dog Max, to skiing, listening to live music and traveling whenever we can.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I am here. Kelowna is the place I want to be right now. It is such an exciting time to be in our community and to have a front row seat to all the positive change that’s happening, is truly amazing. It’s a very different place than it was when we arrived in 2003 and I am very excited about the future here.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I have been known to enjoy the odd cigar so I would have to say the Havana Room and their walk-in humidor.
What is your favourite activity?
Is drinking wine an activity? Since moving to the Okanagan, my wife and I have really loved familiarizing ourselves with the boutique wineries, incredible vistas and enjoying the regions fine wines with friends.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
It has to be burgers. Nothing beats a homemade barbecued burger with spicy sambal mayo, avocado, bacon and cheese.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
It’s hard to narrow down a pretty long list but there are a couple that come to mind. But missing a flight because I was having coffee outside the wrong gate at the airport. The fact that there was no one else showing up at the gate should have been an obvious clue.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I am inspired by entrepreneurs everyday. Being able to spend time with people you really admire and who are out to make positive change in the world is such a privilege.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Spending summers with family and friends at Birch Bay Village. So many great memories of fishing off the docks, swimming in the ocean and playing kick the can at night.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I have been a volunteer coach for minor hockey and youth soccer for 11 years. I am currently a volunteer board member for the Kelowna Innovation Society and have previously volunteered on the board for Accelerate Okanagan and the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC). I was also a volunteer for the BCIC mentor program. I still enjoy spending time with young tech entrepreneurs and being helpful where I can. Ask anyone who has been a mentor and they will tell you they get as much or more out of the relationship than the mentee, it is a very rewarding experience.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
U.S. politics. Make basic education accessible to everyone. It is very sad to see some areas of the world where children don’t have access to basic education and the long-term effects on our society will be extremely detrimental.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Living in the Okanagan, we are blessed with so many incredible activities at our doorstep like golfing in the summer, playing hockey and skiing in the winter are all at the top of my list.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
To get away and clear my head, I like to hop on my bike and ride to the end of Lakeshore Road. Time on the bike is a great opportunity for reflection and relieve stress. It is also one of the most scenic rides in the valley.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Downtown has come a long way but still has a long way to go. More major areas of concern are more affordable housing, homelessness and traffic is also becoming a serious problem.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
There are so many things. Lifestyle, location, people, weather, great airport, Okanagan College, UBC, Okanagan lake, mountains, skiing, wine. Did I mention wine? Kelowna is the land of opportunity.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Travel on the Hyperloop
2. Play Augusta National Golf Club
3. Hike the West Coast Trail
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I went back to school with plans to become an architect but was introduced to computers and technology and the rest is history.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Yes, people can find me on Twitter
What is the name of your business/organization?
Wheelhouse Management and Atrium Ventures.
Why did you get into/start this business?
Wheelhouse is a small company of five very dedicated people that was started to drive the development of the Innovation Centre project and several other community building and investment activities in the Okanagan. Atrium Ventures was started to provide a vehicle to invest in early stage technology companies; we have made our first two investments and will be making 15 more in the next 18 months.
What is the goal of your business?
To help build a robust entrepreneurial eco-system in Kelowna and make the Okanagan the best place in Canada to start and grow a technology business.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
I struggle with the pace at which things get done in business. As an entrepreneur, it’s never fast enough.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would not change much. My journey has been extremely enjoyable and more importantly the people that I have had the opportunity to meet and the privilege of spending time with have been amazing. Although looking back there is one thing, I would have definitely bought that Apple stock in 2002 when I had the chance but decided the Mac was never going to make it big. That 10K investment would be worth over $5M today, who knew?
What do you always find yourself saying?
Should of bought that Apple stock.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Elon Musk. It would be pretty fascinating to understand what a day in his life looks like. I would hopefully learn a lot and maybe benefit from a little proximity osmosis in the brain cell department. He must have a few extra ideas he’s not using.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Local businesses are the drivers of the local economy and the main creators of local employment. If we want to continue to improve our standard of living and job opportunities for our youth then we must support local businesses and the people behind them.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
On a personal level, raising our two beautiful, thoughtful, caring and giving daughters, Lexi and Lauren and celebrating 30 years of marriage with my wife Marda in September, it has truly been an amazing ride. On a professional level, dreaming, planning, developing and opening the Innovation Centre with the Wheelhouse team is at the very top of the list and the highlight of my career, thus far.
Give someone you think that deserves a shout out and explain why!
A big shout out to all the people affected by the crazy fires this year.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Dave Krysko.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
#YLWFTW
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.
