SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The new president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce says his decade of experience as a business owner will keep him in touch with the needs of Yellowknife businesses as he settles in to his new position.

Jon Liv Jaque, left, was elected incoming president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce at its 62nd annual general meeting and business awards ceremony Friday night. Here, Mayor Gord Van Tighem congratulated Jaque after swearing in the new president. - Katie May/NNSL photo

Jon Liv Jaque, the owner of CasCom, was selected as the incoming president of the chamber at its 62nd annual business awards ceremony Friday night.

After the ceremony, Jaque, who's owned the communications company since 1996, said he's looking forward to polling local business leaders about their needs and becoming a "voice for businesses," particularly in light of new challenges such as rising fuel costs, heightened concern for the environment and a "dynamic, fluctuating economy."

"A lot of the changes are going to have a direct impact on Yellowknife," he said.

"I've got a pretty good history of what people of Yellowknife want."

Jaque presented the Businessperson of the Year award to Greg Boucher, the owner of Yellowknife Chrysler, who credited the success of his business to his employees for stepping up customer service.

"This award belongs to my staff," Boucher said during the ceremony.

Business of the Year went to Tundra Transfer and its owners Peter and Annette Austin.

Peter said the award validated all of the couple's hard work over the years.

They're currently expanding the water cooler/coffee product business and investing around $200,000 for new equipment.

"It'll be worth it," he said following the ceremony.

The Chamber also elected a new board, including first vice-president Tim Zehr, Nunasi Corp.; second vice-president Patrick Doyle, Twilite Security; treasurer Linda Benedict, Yk Daycare Association.

Directors elected to the board include: Jeff Barbutza, Northland Utilities; Pat Thagard, Behind the Scenes; Warren McLeod, FSC Architects and Engineers; Neil McDougall, Tli Cho LandTran; Andreas Tesfaye, CKLB Radio; Stuart Impett, First Air; Dave Monroe, ID Management; Thom Jarvis, YK Inn; and Stuart Wallis, Canadian North.