Since we began publishing in 2004, The Columbia Valley Pioneer has put together a great team:



Owner and publisher Elinor Florence is a professional journalist with degrees in English and Journalism and three decades of experience with magazines, daily newspapers and weekly newspapers.

Editor Brian Geis hails from south of the 49th parallel. He earned
his journalism degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana—David Letterman’s alma mater. Brian has written for six Indiana
newspapers and has worked in various roles in publishing, public
relations and marketing.

Reporter Rachel Pinder. With an honours degree and postgraduate diploma in print journalism, plus 10 years of reporting experience, Rachel has joined us from the United Kingdom. She is getting to know the valley and exploring the great Canadian outdoors.

Zephyr Rawbon is a talented Graphic Designer who moved to the Columbia Valley after spending seven years at the Canmore Leader and the Banff Crag & Canyon. He graduated from an advertising program at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario before making his way west, where he enjoys the mountain lifestyle.

Advertising salesman Dave Sutherland found his calling as a newspaper man after spending his previous career “behind bars”, working as a bartender. He sells advertising, writes restaurant reviews and operates his own “Dave’s Hot Pepper Jelly” business at 342-0838.

Office Manager Michelle McGrogun. Michele has lived in the valley for many years and has settled down into her full-time job at The Pioneer. In her spare time she enjoys skiing and nachos.

Project Manager, Sarah Turk. Sarah lives in Kimberley and commutes to our office twice weekly. She is in charge of sales in the Cranbrook-Kimberley area, as well as coordinating all The Pioneer's special projects and publications.

Shelly Messerli, Assistant Graphic Designer. Shelley is a busy mother of three who works part-time in our office creating advertisements for our newspaper and other publications.

© 2004-07 The Columbia Valley Pioneer.