Meet Byron! He's from South Africa and moved to Kelowna 5 years ago. He's passionate about bringing more 'green' initiatives to Kelowna and bringing nature back into the community. ​

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Definitely my wife, Philippa and my kids. My wife and I have been through so many journeys together in our lives, and have so many more to experience, her adventurous spirit and sense of humour is amazing.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I'm not a shopper, so I would have to go with a favourite coffee shop, Pulp Fiction downtown.

Describe yourself in one word.    
Adventurous

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Sossusvlei and Etosha Pan, Namibia. I would love to 4×4 through the desert and bush with our kids and have them experience the wide open space, the wildlife, and adventure that is life in Africa.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?    
Mountain biking in Crawford, or anything on the lake.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I'm sure there have been so many, being a teenager during the 80's with the fashion and hair – I guess the entire 80's was probably embarrassing.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?    
Probably a bit of a cliche, but the birth of our first child had a monumental impact on my life and mind shift, inspiring me to work at being a better person and father every day.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
There were so many, I had an amazing childhood filled with amazing times, but waiting on the breakwater for my Dad's ship was my favourite. He would be away for months some trips down to Antarctica and the southern ocean islands – all the stories and footage from the roaring 40's and hurricanes at sea to the amazing wildlife he experienced on these trips was incredible.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Since I have been here in Kelowna, I have assisted with coaching a few of my son's teams, and currently, I coach his baseball team.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?    
I would have to say the throwaway nature of society, and the impact it has on the environment. More conscious awareness of how everything is connected to one another and the smallest change can build massive momentum.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
A foreign concept right now, but it would be in the mountains or on the lake.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?    
I would like to see more 'green' initiatives and building technologies happening in the City, both through municipal and private development. A focus on creating a culture of bringing nature back into the environment within which we live, this includes food production as it is occurring with the urban farming movement.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The landscape is obviously amazing, who wouldn't love our lake and mountains, but I think the opportunities to be part of creating an amazing City are there right now, and that is exciting.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1.Visit Tibet
2.Being in the Serengeti for the annual migration
3.Swimming with Whale Sharks with my kids

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I was born in a tiny diamond mining town, Oranjemund, in Namibia.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)    
LinkedIn

What is the name of your business/organization?
Ecora Engineering and Resource Group

Why did you get into/start this business?
I had the fantastic opportunity of starting the Landscape Architecture studio with Ecora. The core values of our group, aligned very much with my values.

What is the goal of your business?
To create a studio of designers who are constantly looking at ways to create a more dynamic built environment for us to live in, all the while having a soft touch on the environment and bringing the outdoors back into our day to day lives.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?    
Ar work, it would be saying 'No,' I don't seem to be able to do it yet. Overall, taking some time to relax!

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Wouldn't change a thing!

What do you always find yourself saying?
"Howzit, what's happening" – think it's a Capetonian thing!

Tell us your best piece of life advice.    
"Be true to oneself, never give up, follow your dreams no matter how crazy they seem and don't let negativity impact your life."

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Tough one, there are so many amazing people around having a positive impact on the world. I would have to go with my Mom though; it's been awhile since we have been in the same place and her calm and wisdom has been a great inspiration throughout my life.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Whatever we can do to reduce our impact globally is so important these days, and creating jobs and strengthening our local communities is imperative. Besides as we say in SA, "Local is Lekker!"

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Cliche number two, but becoming a dad twice over and being able to help raise my kids into the wonderful children they are – family is so important!

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I cannot pick one, so the director's at Ecora, specifically Kelly Sherman, Dan Bernier and Dave Myers for supporting this new venture we have just embarked on.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
A close friend and amazing optometrist, Dr. Darren Hatchard who owns Glenmore Optometry.