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?
Ian Roth
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I grew up in Port Coquitlam and move to Kelowna soon after graduating high school to begin my undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering. I've since completed my studies and have lived in Kelowna for nine years.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I love spending time with my husband, Loyal. He makes me laugh at the little things in life which we too often take more seriously than we need to.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would love to see Iceland and its beautiful landscapes and natural features. The combination of waterfalls, ice caves, cliffs, glaciers, and the opportunity to see the northern lights from this northern country would just be spectacular to witness.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
My favourite local store is Loyal Hair Therapy. They provide high-quality hairdressing services and excellent customer service out of two locations in Kelowna. That said, I am biassed as my husband is also the salon owner and director.
What is your favourite activity?
I love to get outdoors and go for a heart pumping run around the city and up our beautiful mountain trails.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Every Thursday night, a few friends and I get together at our local Brandt’s Creek Pub in Glenmore to catch up on the week and take advantage the Thursday burger night special.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
My husband and I were coming back from our honeymoon in Thailand and had a 4-hour layover in Hong Kong. We didn’t realize the time zones had changed until we got to the gate and watched our long-haul flight to Vancouver back out without us!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Observing the law of attraction in that what you give freely to the world eventually makes its way back to you in a way you least expect it to.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Visiting the Seattle Flight Museum and getting to sit inside the decommissioned Concorde jet. It still amazes me today how much air travel and space travel has changed how we connect with the world around us.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
For the past two years, I’ve been fortunate to give my time and energy along with my colleagues to the S.H.A.R.E. Christmas Hamper program. Each year at Urban Systems, we have adopted two families in which we fundraise the purchase of gifts and Christmas day essentials for families in need to enjoy this nostalgic holiday. I have found this program to be very rewarding by being able to give back without any expectation of return.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would like to see a huge shift away from fossil fuel energy in vehicles towards more sustainable alternatives. We are seeing that change happen slowly but I think in the next 10 years we will reach that tipping point and everyone will be either driving electric vehicles, bicycling, walking, or taking transit for their day-to-day trips.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
As many of us Kelownians appreciate, getting out on the lake is one of my favourite summer activities. While I’m not the high-thrill water skiing type, I do enjoy a lounging on a boat and enjoying the good company of friends and family.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I love spending time alone in my backyard at home taking care of plants and flowers. It is a very grounding experience and helps give me perspective on difficult situations.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see Kelowna become the hot bed for advancements in technology, urban design, and community sustainability. We are already doing a lot of that and are seeing a rapid pace of urban development and infrastructure take place.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
I would love to travel the world for a whole year or at least half a year as I never took that opportunity after school or between jobs. You can learn so much from the number of cultures, languages, scenery, cuisine, entertainment, and life on earth.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
When I was a teenager, I always thought I would love living in the big city like Vancouver or Toronto, but Kelowna grew on me and now I love living here and hope to be here for a while.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Urban Systems
What does your business do?
Urban Systems is an interdisciplinary professional practice providing strategic planning, engineering, environmental science, and urban design services to both public and private sector clients throughout Western Canada.
How do people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
@spirit_of_urban
Where can people find your business online?
www.urbansystems.ca
Why did you get into/start this business?
I got into the business of transportation planning and engineering due to my interest and fascination at an early age of the movement of people and goods across cities.
What is the goal of your business?
Spirit in Service for Vibrant Communities is what we deeply believe in and what we are constantly striving for. We bring spirit to every interaction, every day. At 12 offices across four provinces, our 400 employees are enthusiastic, passionate and fun.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
My biggest struggle in life was coming out as gay to my family when I was 16. There were many hurdles in coming out and at first, I had to learn to accept who I was and then I had to learn to stand up and speak for myself.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Part of the journey in life is experiencing both the ups and the downs and I'm grateful for all the ups I've been given. I wouldn't change my journey for the world, at least up until now!
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
By shopping local, I get to meet some great passionate people and learn about why they believe in what they do and help support them along the way!
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Shawn Talbot is well deserving of a shout out. He’s an incredible photographer with a passion for shedding a light (pun intended) on some of the Kelowna’s and the world’s most stunning natural features.
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Shawn Talbot.
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!
