Meet Our Team
Steve Pelkey, CEO
2008 - Onward
Steve grew up in Oakville Ontario but moved to B.C. 30 years ago. The lure and lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest will keep him here forever. Steve enjoys anything outdoors in nature. Trail running, hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, Nordic and downhill skiing. Enjoying a nice glass of wine with my wife while looking at Kalamalka Lake, always puts me in a happy place!
” Control what you can control ”
~ Stoic Philosophy
David Arndt, VP Finance
2013 - Onward
David grew up in good’ ol Vernon BC. David loves picking up his acoustic guitar and playing tunes from the 60’s/70’s as well as worship music. During our beautiful Okanagan summers he enjoys the freedom riding his motorcycle.
” If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room ”
James Aprile, VP Operations
2018 - Onward
James grew up in California. He relocated to Canada to join our Universal team! He enjoys spending his free time exploring the outdoors with his beautiful family.
” The mountains are calling and I must go! ”
~ John Muir
Richard Christianson, VP Production
1987 - Onward
Richard is continuing to grow up right here in the Okanagan! He loves hanging out with his grandchildren, spending time in the backcountry on his SXS as well as doing some hiking and paddleboarding.
” No ”
~ rc
Chelsey Hill, Sales Manager
2013 - Onward
Chelsey, is quite cosmopolitan, having spent a 6 year stretch living in Zurich, Amsterdam and London. She moved back to Canada in 2009 and in keeping with her love of things international, she worked exporting Okanagan cherries around the globe, before settling in with Universal Packaging in a Logistics position – and later moving into Sales. At the top of her list of leisure activities is sharing a good bottle of wine, especially at the family cabin on Okanagan Lake.
Ryan Raber, Account Manager
2023 - Onward
Ryan was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. He has over two decades of experience in the wine industry mostly as a head winemaker. In his younger days he was interested in becoming a fine artist but found creativity through winemaking. Ryan enjoys cooking for his family and friends which includes great wine and craft cocktails. He also gets really excited about this silly game called Petanque which is the French version of bocce ball.
” You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take ”
~Wayne Gretzky
Lindsay Lapp, Jr Account Manager
2000 - Onward
Lindsay grew up in Yorkton Saskatchewan. While working for Universal she has worn many hats including: Production Line Worker, Screen Room Supervisor, Account Coordinator and now Jr Account Manager! Lindsay loves walking the shores of any beach in the Caribbean and collecting sea shells. Working to travel as much as she can 🙂
” Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. Its about learning to dance in the rain ”
Tannis Beaupre, Account Coordinator
2009 - Onward
Tannis grew up locally here in Vernon BC. She loves spending time with her family having fun movie nights and taking her dog Gus for walks. Tannis also has a passion for photography, capturing her family, friends and the breathtaking Okanagan scenery. Photos are memories that will last a lifetime.
” Be kind, have courage and always believe in a little magic ”
~Cinderella
Amy Haselman, Creative Director
2007 - Onward
Amy joined the team as a Graphic Artist in 2007 and has been our Creative Director since 2014. Growing up in Victoria during her younger years and still now continuing to grow up right here in Vernon BC. She loves painting in watercolor, spending time on – and in – Kalamalka Lake, traveling with her partner in crime Jason and playing with her cat Pete.
” Be yourself, everyone else is already taken ”
~ Oscar Wilde
Alysha Storms, Sr Graphic Artist
2011 - Onward
Is your screen print & design expert! Alysha grew up right here in the Okanagan Valley. She is a fun loving, free spirit who loves spending time camping with her friends & family in the summer. In the colder months spending her time visiting the area hot springs or curling up on the couch to watch a funny movie.
” Laughter is the best medicine for a long and happy life. He who laughs last! ”
Josh Sawatzky, Shift Supervisor
2017 - Onward
Josh grew up in both Kamloops and Vernon BC. Josh loves spending time with his better half Bonnie and their fur baby Apollo! Josh is also an extremely talented artist. He has been drawing for over 30 years with his expertise being in human anatomy.
” Not my Cabbages ”
~ ATLAB
Adam Nell, Shift Supervisor
2002 - Onward
Adam grew up in Vernon. He enjoys spending his time being an uncle and playing with his fur baby Layla.
” Truly wonderful the mind of a child is ”
~ Yoda
Dewald Dippenaar, Logistics Manager
2022- Onward
Dewald grew up in South Africa, in Pretoria & Cape Town. He moved to Canada 14 years ago. Dewald has many hobbies including paddleboarding, mountain biking, skiing, camping with his doggo’s, friends and family His favorite quote,
” Spread love everywhere you go! ”
Scott Morrice, Inventory/Logistics Coordinator
2020 - Onward
Scott started with Universal in January 2020 as a production teammate. Moved into forklift duty in January 2021. Then over to his current position as Inventory/Logistics coordinator in April 2023. He was born and raised in Vernon, graduating from VSS in 1982. Moved to Dawson Creek BC in 1985, where he worked as a Radio/TV sports broadcaster for 17 years. Moved to Victoria BC for 2 years in 2002. Returned to Vernon in 2005. Was in auto sales for 15 years, before realizing it wasn’t for him..lol In his spare time he and his wife love to kayak and golf in the spring/summer, bowl and ski in the winter. As G-Pop and Oma, they love to spoil their 3 year grandson Sage. Sports fanatic, favorite teams Boston Bruins, Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Reds.
” Huh? ”
~Scott Morrice