Meet Our Team!

Team Leader - Kathy Butler

The 2009 Group Study Exchange team is being led by Kathy Butler. Kathy is a resident of Kelowna which she has called her home for the last 24 years. She is a mother of two and is the Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations At Okanagan College. Kathy has been involved with Rotary since 1994 and was the president of the Rotary Club of Kelowna (Downtown) in 2003-04.

Erika Pfahl

Erika, 25, hails from BC's Desert - Osoyoos. She is a high energy, enthusiastic person and is looking forward to Scuba Diving on the Great Barrier Reef. She is a second generation Pharmacist by trade where she does far more than just dispense medication. Erika works closely with other Health Professionals to help her community become more educated on their health and on the importance of a complete and balanced lifestyle. Erika is the youngest member of this years GSE Team and will therefore be the one doing all the laundry.

Erin Snelgrove

Erin, who is turning 31 during the trip, is the lone American on our team. She lives in Yakima, Washington, where she works as a reporter. She is passionate about reporting because every day is exciting and presents new challenges. She also enjoys getting paid to spend time pursuing her interests and writing about fascinating people. Erin is excited about meeting Australian journalists to discuss how they cover news Downunder!

Chad Eliason

Chad is one of two members of the 2009 GSE team who is from Salmon Arm, BC. Chad is not new to Rotary Exchanges, as he was fortunate enough to be selected to go to Brazil on an Exchange in 1996. He spends his days working in the Mortgage Industry, as well as for the City of Salmon Arm where, at 27, he was the youngest to ever be elected to Council. Now 30, Chad is into his second term on Council and is working hard to help Salmon Arm continue to be a strong and prosperous place.

Dave Zirnhelt

Dave, 32, calls Kamloops, BC home. Dave is an innovative person who is not afraid to try new things, even going so far as to create his own Online furniture business. In 2003 Dave, with his business partner Serge, started Wholesale Furniture Brokers (http://www.gowfb.ca/) and they have grown from a 2 person operation to now employing over 20 people! Community is something that is also very important to Dave; he is a founding member of Kamloops' Rotaract club. Dave is looking forward to exploring district 9550 and can't wait to see the Great Barrier Reef.

Andrew Van Dokkumburg

Andrew, 26, is the second member of this year's GSE team to come from Salmon Arm, BC. Not only are Chad and Andrew from the same small town, Andrew is also a Mortgage Specialist too! Might be a little bit tougher to buy a house in Salmon Arm until they get back in May! Andrew spends a lot of his spare time involved in Minor Sports, so he is looking forward to experiencing some Australian sports like Cricket or Rugby.