Executive Director for the Economic Development Commission for the Central Okanagan Regional District

 Robert Fine was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After completing a degree in Urban Economics from the University of Toronto and Masters work at York University, Robert brought innovative programming to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario including GASAMO, a $35 million public gas-purchasing program under deregulation. He moved to British Columbia in 1989 where he worked for the Sea to Sky Economic Development Corporation until 1996. His many accomplishments included assisting in the development of Whistler which was named the number one ski resort in North America, development of a booming film industry and the location and permitting co-ordination for the Eco-Challenge, with Survivor creator Mark Burnett, the world's most demanding adventure race. In 1998, Mr. Fine was awarded “Economic Developer of the Year” by the Economic Development Association of British Columbia and the Bank of Montreal.  He was honoured with an honourary fellow from Okanagan College at the June 2009 convocation and was named the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Leader Award Winner for 2009.

 Robert is currently the Manager for the Economic Development Commission for the Central Okanagan Regional District located in Kelowna, British Columbia. He is the past President of the Economic Developers Association of Canada and sits as one of two Canadian representatitives on the International Economic Development Council, based in Washington, DC.  He is a Director with the Okanagan Research and Innovation Centre and board member with the John Howard Society.  He writes a twice monthly column, The Fine Print, in the Kelowna Daily Courier.   

 In his spare time, Robert sings the Great American Songbook, and has performed in Japan, the Caribbean, Germany and across Canada and the U.S.  His 5th CD, a live recording with a 15 piece big band has raised $18,500 for the BC Cancer Foundation.