About Us
Fort Berens Winery, Lillooet | Jonny Bierman
Amy Thacker
CEO
As the leader of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Amy is driven by her passion for rural tourism, agriculture and economic development. She’s had an outsized impact in her role championing award-winning programs such as the Gold Rush Trail, Great Bear Rainforest and Cariboo Reputation Recovery collaboratives. She’s a recognized leader in the provincial tourism efforts, serving on committees as diverse as the provincial Tourism Emergency Management Committee, the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat, Destination BC’s Tourism Marketing Committee and the Minister’s Tourism Recovery Task Force.
Being raised on the land and connected to the land is part of her family culture – and those connections to the outdoors along with her need to be self-sufficient is what makes her who she is – and what fills her up. Born in Kamloops, and at times calling Cache Creek, Horsefly, Windermere, Summerland, Prince George, Savona, and the Yukon home, Amy never planned on making tourism a career. Before tourism she worked in agriculture and retail – including stints as a buyer for Lammle’s Western Wear, as a teller and investment advisor for BMO, and with an accountant providing bookkeeping and audit services.
She didn’t plan to work in tourism but got her start when she was convinced by Cache Creek councillor and long-time journalist Ida Makaro to work at Gold Country Communities Society where her leadership into an award-winning GeoTourism project – the first in B.C.
- You should know:
- Amy has experience raising and showing dogs, sheep, cattle, horses and hogs.
- Favourite thing to do in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast:
- Almost anything outdoors – camping, hiking, riding, fishing, hunting
- Dream Destination:
- Australia, New Zealand and Spain are on the bucket list
- Heroes:
- Her grandmother, who witnessed incredible world changes and guided the family with class and compassion, and her children who are navigating the increasing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity in the world.
JULIA GENTSCH
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR & EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
A traveller since childhood, Julia Gentsch has always taken pleasure from experiencing new places and learning about different cultures. As Office Administrator and Emergency Coordinator at CCCT, she’s bringing her 15 years of experience in tourism business – everything from booking tours, working in travel agencies, and working in resorts and guest ranches – to connecting people to the unique experiences of the land without limits.
For her the tourism industry is like a kind of family – you always meet again, grow strong professional and personal relationships, and every once and a while build new friendships, all while working together to reach the same goals. The sector is wonderful for what it does for travellers, letting them collect many unbelievable and indescribable memories to take home.
- You should know:
- Born in Leipzig, Germany, Julia worked in tourism and for a notary for more than a decade before moving to Canada in 2020.
- Favourite thing to do in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast:
- Horseback riding and enjoying the wilderness
- Dream Destination:
- Making it to the few remaining provinces/territories in Canada she hasn’t visited yet, and Costa Rica and Brazil
- Heroes:
- Stephan, her boyfriend.
