Board Member Bios

Marj Eschak, President:  Marj Eschak first attended the Sourdough Rendezvous Festival in 1977 when on a special charter flight from Yellowknife.  She was hooked immediately!  Marj immediately packed her bags and moved to the Yukon and got involved with the festival helping with such things as office administration, Queen Lottery reconciliation, and later on event creation and coordination.  “Lake Lebarge Marj” is a very well known real estate agent with Coldwell Banker and has been President off and on since 1995.  Marj not only oversees the Board of Directors but is also one of the creators of the Snow Shoe Shufflers and therefore performs at a number of venues during the festival including all of the Sourdough Sam events (another event she helped create) and the tent events.  Marj has been named Volunteer and Board Member of the Year as well as an Honorary Lifetime Board Member.  Marj wishes to thank her daughter Katie and son Tom for all of their support and understanding over the years.

Derek Charlton, Vice President-Public Relations:  Derek returned to the Sourdough Rendezvous Society in 2008 and this year has taken on the task of Vice President of Public Relations.  Derek first came to the Yukon to work at a summer job in 1990 and first got to know the festival in 1992 while working at the Westmark Klondike Inn.  That was the year of the 50th Anniversary of the Alaska Highway and while he worked in a very busy hotel, got the opportunity to see the USO show at the Yukon College.  However that was not his first memory of Rendezvous – Derek first got a hint about the festival 1986 when he saw Marj and Mary performing the Snow Shoe Can Can at Expo ’86 in Vancouver.  After working as the Assistant Manager in 1994, he became Executive Director of the festival in 1995- a position he held until May, 1999.  Derek is a past recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award for his efforts.  Derek is now employed with Canada Post, and wishes to send a ‘thanks’ out to all of his friends and family that come out and help with the festival every year.

Reba Parris, Vice President – Development:  When moving to Yukon in 2005, Reba had heard all about the festival, seen the queens’ in period dress, admired the snow sculptures, cheered on the can-can dancers, and laughed with the Sourdough Sams...  in all, Reba got to enjoy some rendezvous fun!  This would plant the seed which would lead her to participating in the Queen Contest in 2009.  Not only did she participate, but she won!  Reba has a great passion for the festival, and as she grows within her new position on the board, she believes she will come to set many goals...  a major goal is to be involved in developing a “branding” plan for the society.  It is with great thanks that Reba recognizes her employer, Yukon Inn, for their support and understanding!  “If I have ever needed time off to fulfill my queen duties or to attend rendezvous related events, they have always allowed me a flexible schedule.  Even better?  All of this support comes with a genuine enthusiasm for my role within the society.”

Kevin Fisher, Vice President – Events:  "Cracker Creek" Kevin has been involved with Rendezvous since the year he came to the Yukon in 2001, when he competed in the Sourdough Sam contest. Without knowing what he'd gotten himself into, he learned quite quickly what it meant to be apart of this infamous festival. Sure it's fun to watch, but being involved is much more rewarding! Kevin has been closely involved with the Sourdough Sam contest ever since, and has been on the YSR board since 2004.
He's now taken an active role in planning many of the events over Rendezvous weekend and is excited to see the festival grow, yet maintain its historical roots. Kevin works for the government's property management division as a project manager and when he is not working or organizing events, he enjoys camping, canoeing and hiking the Yukon's wilderness. He's made some terrific friends through Rendezvous and each year he looks forward to another exciting festival.

Elizabeth Richards, Treasurer:  Elizabeth moved to Yukon in 1986 when her family relocated to Faro where she lived until 1998.  Having left to test out life in Alberta, Liz learned what so many people do, and realized how much she loved the Yukon and returned in 2000.  Liz’s first memory of Sourdough Rendezvous came when a group of Rendezvous characters attended the Ice Worm Squirm in Faro and she remembers how much fun they were to watch.  Liz’s main goal while on the Board of Directors is to see the communities of Yukon come together at the festival once again and has been a steady advocate for this.  In addition to her duties as Treasurer she will be working with Derek on heading up this drive.  Liz would like to thank her family for the support and all the volunteers who come out year after year to make this festival such a success.

Nicole Hebert, Secretary:  Nicole (Niki) has been in Yukon for eighteen months and works at the Royal Bank.  After being recruited to the Board of Directors, Niki was immediately impressed with how much fun people were having as both volunteers and participants and struck by how much work it actually takes to get the festival together each year.  Niki would like to work on getting more communities involved with the festival and will be working on this with Liz and Derek.  Niki would like to thank Derek for chairing meetings, Tiffany for all the hard work and dedication she has put in thus far and all the other executive and board members for their great ideas and passion to see Rendezvous 2010 as a huge success.

Greg Meredity, Director of Economic Development:  Greg has been in Yukon for two years and is a contractor.  While Greg has only had the pleasure of seeing one festival thus far, he is pleased to join the Board of Directors.  Greg hopes to assist where and when he can to help ensure the festival is successful as an iconic Yukon special event and to utilize his skills and experience to help the festival grow and prosper.

Vicky Stallabrass, Director:  “Tricky Vicky” is a well known Snow Shoe Shuffler, and has lived in Yukon for twenty-eight years.  Vicky is a proud mother of two, and is married to Ian.  Vicky’s first memory of the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival is attending the Corporate Challenge and eating pancakes at the Legion.  Vicky works with the RCMP and is pleased to be back on the Board of Directors of YSR, and hopes to bring her experience to help organize the best Rendezvous ever!

Marjie Klein, Director:  Marjie moved to the Yukon in 2001, fell in love with Territory, it's people and my partner. It was at christmas that year, when she heard about the "Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Queen Contest." and thought it would be a fun way to meet people because she didn't really know anyone yet. She had a blast running for Rendezvous Queen and decided to try again in 2004, and then on to become more involved as The Queen Mom since 2006. Marjie loves the spirit of Rendezvous which is what keeps her coming back year after year.  “The Volunteer spirit is huge in the family full of the colourful five percent and I'm lovin’ every minute of it!”

Dale Best, Director:  Dale has been involved with the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Society in one way or another for MANY years.  Dale can always be found at Shipyard’s Park overseeing the park setup, operation, and teardown as well as assisting with many of the events throughout the festival weekend.  Dale also assists wherever he is required, and is quite often the ‘go to’ guy on the board.