OUR TEAM
Angela & Perry Symes
As the owners of Blackdog Perry and Angela always had a dream of bringing back old school customer service to the retail industry. They do their best to make sure customers feel not only welcome but heard and valued when choosing to shop with them. Angela is extremely community oriented and takes every opportunity to volunteer in the community and welcomes the opportunity to give back as much as possible. Although Perry is mostly all business in the office, if you catch him on the floor, your experience will be a memorable one.
Choosing to move their family to the Kootenays from the prairies was a decision they never took lightly but are so glad they made. They have raised their family here in Kimberley with three graduates from Selkirk that love to come home and appreciate every opportunity building this business has afforded them.
Dave Harder
Dave is not only our Maverick bike mechanic, as of 2023 he is also part owner of Blackdog Cycle & Ski. As our Head mechanic and Ski tuner/ mounter. Dave is always looking for opportunities to get out in the community and promote what Blackdog has to offer. Dave is one of the most talented riders in the Kootenay’s (in our humble opinion) and loves to share the stoke for his craft wherever he goes. From choosing tires to bike components and ski bindings, our customers know when they talk to Dave, they are getting the best options they can for where they are at and what they are looking for.
As of 202, Dave and Sara also expanded their family and we are beyond thrilled to have Felix join our crew.
Tim Wintoniw
Tim is our go to guy and a master of all things Nordic as well as a bike mechanic and ski tuner. Also, with us, since we opened the doors, Tim is always working behind the scenes for the business and it is because of him we are always up to date and on point with our Nordic inventory. We have grown the Nordic section of our store and supported many initiatives at our Nordic Center with Tim at the helm of it all.
As pivotal members of the community, Tim and Kate (a local Dr.) are an active family raising their son in Kimberley and taking many opportunities to give back and promote positive growth and a healthy balanced lifestyle. Tim is a full-time dad with a Nordic habit and we love to support that as much as we possibly can and hope to do so for years to come.
Jonathon HORN
Jonathon moved to the mountains to hit the lifestyle hard and breathe in as much of the mountain air as possible. With over 20 years of outdoor retail experience, we are grateful for Jonathon's customer service background and his wealth of knowledge in inventory and product management. Coming to Cranbrook from Saskatchewan with his wife Michelle, Jonathon loves to ride in the summer and rip the groomers in the winter. Jonathon brings a positive energy to all things computer related which was a welcome addition to our crew. We look forward to drawing from Jonathon's experience growing up in the business and growing and learning together as a team.
Jake FERGUSON
Jake has been with us from the start. When Jake started, he could walk under the bike stand and now at 6'1", he has become one of the most talented and gifted bike mechanics in the community. Jake is a true Mentor to our youth in the biking community and has a trusted network of customers that know what he has to offer. As a pivotal member of the Team since the day we opened, we feel we have learned as much from Jake as he has from us and couldn’t be prouder of the talented mechanic he has become. Dave and Jake have been a solid partnership since day one and we have both of them to thank for the positive reputation we have acquired throughout our beginning years.
Alonso FLORES
If you have been in when Alonso is working, your day defiantly got better. Alonso is a passionate outdoor enthusiast, a PMBI (Professional Mountain Bike Instructor) Level 2 as well as course conductor. Alonso, along with his wife Robyn recently moved into Kimberley with their small children and are looking forward to making Kimberley the best place to raise a family. If Alonso isn’t helping out in the shop, he is coaching, riding with his kids, or working his full-time job as a landscaper in Cranbrook. If you get a chance to learn from Alonso, it will be time well spent.
With a sense of humor and little to no ego, Alonso is the friend your parents always wanted you to have. We appreciate every time Alonso is in the shop as spirits are at an all time high. If you are walking by and hear the Spanish music playing, stop in and say HI, chances are you will leave with a smile.
Sergio SPADAFORA
Sergio is your classic healthy and active retired Kimberley resident looking to stay sharp by keeping busy. Moving to Kimberley in the summer of 2022 to be closer to his daughter and dive into his retired life, Sergio is the perfect asset to a busy bike shop looking for support to stay on top of the service we offer. Sergio is cool calm and collected and appreciates not only the work but the social aspect of his part time role here at Blackdog. Community minded and well versed in giving back you can also find Sergio volunteering to referee local soccer games and is always on board to assist us in all our community initiatives.
Lukas NEMETH
Here at Blackdog we do everything we can to encourage our Team Members to draw from their own passions and incorporate them into their positions here. Lukas Nemeth is a true example of this thought process paying off. Lukas is first and foremost a very talented and passionate film maker. He has the most amazing and creative visions for the business and with a lot of patience and collaboration he brings them to life. Lukas comes from Slovakia and is raising a family here in Kimberley with his wife Aika.
Whether in the front of the shop or on the back computer, Lukas gives the best of himself every time he comes to work. We hope we can create a long-lasting relationship supporting each other in our collective passions and grow together to make all our dreams come true. (And yours too).
Daryl LEHOCKY
Daryl has been with us almost from the beginning. Moving here from Australia with his family, Daryl is the coolest dad we’ve ever met. He is a volunteer coach, true family man and knows everything there is to know about not only your bike but probably your favourite rock band (and has probably seen them in concert. Daryl is also one of our main Ski tuners and is always taking opportunities to learn more and be one of the best (go to guys) for racers and casual skiers alike. As Daryl’s kids get older, we are happy to have him in the shop more and appreciate all he has given as we have faced challenges and changes throughout our growing years. When thinking of our Team going forward, Daryl’s work ethic, drive and commitment to his family and community is a template we want to replicate again and again.