Biography

Duane Ophus was born and raised in central Alberta in a farm town where the benefits of hard work and shared community values were instilled from an early age. Duane spent his first career with a major financial institution in many different positions including branch management, financial analysis and commercial account management.

While working and raising a young family he finished a Bachelor of Administration degree, specializing in organizational behavior and finance. In 1995 he and his wife Elaine moved to West Kelowna to start their new business – then called Mail Boxes Etc., now The UPS Store – which is one of the top performing stores in Canada.

Since moving here, Duane has been extensively involved in the community. He is a current member and past President of the Rotary Club of Westbank, past long-time Treasurer of the Gellatly Bay Trails and Parks Society and was President of the Gellatly Nut Farm Society for seven years.

Duane was elected to Westside Council in 2007 with strong support from voters in all neighbourhoods in the District. On Council, he took a leadership role in expediting the transfer of staff and services to the new municipality.

All three children have now completed University; Duane and Elaine live in Lakeview Heights on a property that has been in Elaine’s family since 1954. They feel a strong connection to the whole Westside community, and Duane welcomes all residents to contact him if he may be of service to them in his role as West Kelowna Councillor or Regional District Director.