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Doug Bell | Operating Partner
Doug is the Operating Partner and Developer for Northern Lights as well as the Owner/Operator of Family Fast Foods Ltd.. Doug has been a part of Prince George since 1988, and to say he is invested in his community is an understatement. Doug is committed to excellence in his city and has volunteered his time for a variety of committees at UNBC, coached local high school sports teams, and was a driving force behind the creation of Prince George’s annual Climb for Cancer. Doug also previously served on the Board of Directors for Initiatives Prince George before joining Tourism Prince George to serve on their Board of Directors.
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Pat and Brenda Bell | Development Partners
After meeting at UBC, Pat and Brenda moved back to Brenda’s hometown of Prince George to start a business and raise their family. The pair became franchisees for Wendy’s in 1988, adding a logging company and trucking company to their business portfolio years later. Pat had a lengthy stint in politics, even acting as BC’s Minister of Agriculture and Lands. During this time, Pat and Brenda became interested in wine-making and began investigating the feasibility of a winery in Prince George. By 2013, Pat, Brenda, and their son Doug were ready to begin construction on what would become BC’s northernmost winery.
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Noemi Touchette | Director of Operations
Noemie’s passion for agriculture started in Pemberton in 1999 while working on organic vegetable farms. She later graduated from Laval University in Quebec City with a degree in Agriculture Science to continue pursuing her passion. Noemie’s creativity is inspired by various professional developments in the wine and agriculture sectors. Her motto is to produce excellent quality fruits to create refined fruit wines.
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Jenese Skomedal | Director of Events
Jenese comes to us from the Okanagan where she gained 15 years of Event Industry experience in fast-paced, high-demand properties. She has been able to develop a strong foundation in Wedding and Corporate planning while working in both Winery and Resort settings. Her career has been based around cultivating one-of-a-kind event experiences and continues to do so at Northern Lights. Whether it’s a corporate meeting, a wedding, or anything else, Jenese will ensure that you don’t have to worry about any detail.
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Erin Pearson | Director of Services
Erin brings nearly two decades of experience in tourism and hospitality, with a background in exclusive resorts, restaurants, and hotels across British Columbia. Her career is rooted in delivering exceptional service and memorable guest experiences.
Now based in her hometown of Prince George, Erin is the Director of Services at Northern Lights Estate Winery, leading operations across the Wine Shop, RiverHouse Restaurant, and Events with a warm, professional approach.
A passionate advocate for tourism and small business, she takes pride in showcasing the diversity of Northern BC and elevating the region’s profile locally and beyond.
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Mary Saba | Marketing Manager
Mary’s passion for content creation led her to pursue a career in marketing. She is a proud graduate of the University of Northern British Columbia, where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Marketing. Mary began her journey in the industry as a marketing intern at Northern Lights Estate Winery and has since built experience across the education sector and in managing various digital marketing accounts. Mary’s goal is to craft meaningful and engaging content that resonates with audiences and reflects the heart of the brand.
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Rodrigo Riquelme | Senior Farm Manager
Rodrigo is an agricultural professional with international experience in farm management, crop production, irrigation, and operational leadership. Originally from Chile, he developed a strong foundation in one of the world’s leading fruit-producing regions, shaping his practical approach to efficiency, resource management, and field performance. His work across Chile, Europe, and North America gives him a broad, adaptable perspective on agricultural systems.
As Senior Farm Manager at Northern Lights Estate Winery, Rodrigo oversees daily field operations while supporting long-term goals around quality, sustainability, and continuous improvement. He combines hands-on expertise with strategic thinking, strong problem-solving, and budget awareness, with a particular focus on using innovation and data to improve efficiency and production outcomes.
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Josh Cooper | Wine Cellar Manager