Board of Directors

I have been involved with Funtastic since moving to Vernon in 2004, as a player, volunteer, board member, Vice President, and now president of the Funtastic Sports Society. 

We look forward to seeing all the ball players, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers at this years event. 

Here’s to making 2022 one of the best Funtastic yet. 

I was born on the coast and moved to Lumby as a small child, then to Vernon. I work for the City of Vernon with the Fire Department and have been a firefighter for 16 years full time.

I have been involved with Funtastic on the board of directors for 5 years. 2 years as President and 2 years as Vice President.

I have played in the tournament for years as well as stepping in to ump a few times. Funtastic has been a passion of mine since I was little as my father was President of the society back in the day.

I have been on the Board of Directors of Funtastic since 2015. Over the past several years, as we are a working board, my responsibilities have been doing the Layout, Set-up & Egress (Tear-Down) of the event at the DND grounds.

I have a wealth of knowledge in the events and ball sectors. I have over 40 years’ experience in the arenas, multi-purpose event Centre’s and outdoor events industry. I have procured and hosted major hockey, curling, lacrosse, concerts, stage shows, MMA events at the local, provincial, national and international levels. I have negotiated those agreements and been involved with the production of the events.

I also have a storied history in hockey and fastball/slo-pitch sports as a player and coach for many years at the Provincial and National levels.

I enjoy volunteering on the Funtastic Board of Directors and happy to share my experiences. “It’s a ton of FUN!!!”

“If You Want Something Done, Ask a Busy Person To Do It” … That’s Me!!
Hi my name is Karen Sochan. I have lived in Vernon almost my whole life, going from kindergarten to Grade 12 and beyond here. I work as an Accounts Payable Specialist at Accent Property Management and am happily married to my amazing husband Darryl. I am the proud mom of 1 grown son. I am also a very busy Avon “Lady”.

I have been involved in the community for many years including various volunteer roles for the 55+ Games, Vernon Winter Carnival, and other community events throughout the years. I have volunteered for Funtastic for the past few years in various roles.

My many years of accounting and admin experience have prepared me for my new role with Funtastic. I am very proud to be part of the Funtastic board as their 2021/2022 Treasurer.

Since moving to Vernon, I have become a local business owner, Chamber of Commerce member, and can finally afford to give back to the community. I am a rookie on the board of directors but plan on being a valuable free agent signing.

In addition to being a baseball fan and slow pitch player I bring my past nightclub experience to the table. Helping organize a baseball/concert/beer garden/ event that type of experience will help.

There are so many moving parts leading up to and during Funtastic. “It’s exciting to combine my love of sports and entertainment while doing something productive and beneficial”. “I want to build on past success and introduce new lasting ideas”. “I sure hope we can bring in a DJ for one of the nights”

I grew up in the Village of Lumby and I have been a professional musician for over 37 years. I got my start with Funtastic by playing the dances in Lumby in the 90’s in my band “The Young’uns”. I later started playing the DND in Vernon and was approached by Founder and former President John Topping to help book the entertainment. After a couple years I joined the board. I have now been the Music Director for over 25 years and am still excited to be a part of this organization as it navigates through these challenging times.

For over 25 years, I have been in involved the entertainment industry as a musician, talent manager and event producer.  I have worked in TV and film as well as international tours. I have been hired as a marketing manager and publicist for companies and entertainers and have produced large events and corporate functions from Fortune 500 companies to celebrities.  Upon moving to the Okanagan, a couple of my clients were on tour opening for The Weeknd and the year prior for Ariana Grande.

Since moving to Vernon just over 4 years ago, I have wanted to create attractions for the area.  Co-Producing and hosting a concert at Kal Tire Arena was my initial local stamp.  I then created and produced the annual Vernon Comic Con and the largest talent show Okanagan’s Got Talent. I recently launched Hello Okanagan, a YouTube show (which Castanet and Shaw TV distributes) throughout the Okanagan.  I am producing a local film and am also on the Board as a director with The Vernon Winter Carnival

I moved here 16 years ago from the Fraser Valley and have been working in Dental offices for almost 25 years as a Dental Assistant or Administrator.  My kids and I regularly enjoy all that the Okanagan has to offer outdoors year round, as well as the community of Vernon. I’ve truly enjoyed volunteering for many local organizations to help give back, such as Girl Guides, Scouts, VJH, VPAC or other local events. 

I believe its important for kids to have access to sports or experience being part of a group and we’ve helped so many reach those goals.

I’ve been part of the Funtastic Board since 2015 primarily as the Volunteer  Coordinator and I learn more each year. Its always a tiring but fun & exciting weekend and I’ve met amazing people over the years. Excited to get back to it for 2022.

My name is Craig Baker. I was born and raised in Salmon Arm and started playing ball at three. I’ve never stopped.

After moving to the coast at 18 for 10 years or so, and traveling up to Vernon for many Funtastic weekends. I met my wife and we decided to move back up to the interior.

Vernon it was. Since we moved here I haven’t missed a Funtastic event.

After taking advantage of the tourney for many years I decided to give back and started volunteering. One thing led to another and now I’m on the board

I have lived in Vernon for the past 16 years. I grew up playing many sports, mainly soccer and tennis. I have a passion for all things sports and competition, whether that’s a Playoff Final Game or Family Board Game night.

I have been running The Fig Bistro in Vernon since 2017 and I am also currently the co-host of the TV and Youtube Show, “Hello Okanagan”. I have a passion for business and marketing, that I plan to utilize to help Funtastic continue to grow and succeed.

I moved to Vernon in 2007 with my wife Stephanie, whose family have been in the Vernon area since 1993.  Stephanie and I have one son who keeps us busy all year with his various sports interests.  I also enjoy keeping busy and enjoying skiing, curling, camping and boating. 

As journeyman plumber by trade, I joined an already existing company for many years when I first came to Vernon.  In 2018 I decided to go out on my own and opened Jeff’s Plumbing Ltd. 

My wife’s family have been participating in Funtastic since the early 1990’s and welcomed me onto the team immediately and I have been participating in the tournament for over twenty years.  For the past few years I have enjoyed volunteering my time to assist the Funtastic Society with odd jobs when called upon and was honored to be asked to officially join the board this year.

My name is Leanne Wickenheiser and I am a Director on the board of the Vernon BC Funtastic Sports Society.  I was born in Vernon. Lived in the local area for 6 years before moving to Abbotsford where I grew up. After meeting my husband we moved back to Vernon in 2005 where we currently reside. I have spent most of my professional career in the optical field helping patients with their eye care needs.  I have been involved in slow pitch since 2000 playing locally including the Funtastic ball tournament in Vernon since 2006.  It’s great to be involved in such a great tournament and I look forward to being an advocate of the sport in our community

I have been involved with FUNTASTIC since 1994 as a player, board member, Vice President, President and now I am the event manager along with another long time FUNTASTIC board member.  We are looking forward to 2022 and want to thank all our sponsors for their continued support of the event. 

Wanting to be involved in volunteering in the community, I responded to an ad from Funtastic looking for directors, that was in 2000 and I have been involved since then, minus a couple years. 

Throughout the years, I have filled the roles of Director, Secretary, President and now sharing the managerial duties with another previous president.

I have seen many changes over the years from the addition of security, wristbands and technology to the general process of putting on an event to running with a business model.  The support of the ball teams, music enthusiasts, sponsors and volunteers contribute to the feeling of pride I have when we are able to donate funds back into the community. 

After a two year hiatus, I look forward to seeing everyone back for a fun filled weekend.