By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Mark Pendergraft, the current chair of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS), has been recognized for 20 years of public service.
Each year, the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) recognizes elected officials for their years of service to the residents of British Columbia. The award is presented at the annual UBCM convention held in the fall each year, but Pendergraft was unable to attend the presentation ceremony.
Instead, Pendergraft was presented the award at the RDOS Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, by Campbell Watt, RDOS vice-chair.
“On behalf of the RDOS Board, I would like to congratulate the chair on this achievement,” said Watt. “On a personal note, for the last year I’ve had the privilege of spending additional time with Mark, and I think his knowledge base, his dedication, and the leadership he’s shown, this is not just a congratulations but a thank you for what you’ve done for us.”
On December 15, 2005, Pendergraft was sworn in as the Electoral Area “A” director, and he has served continuously in that role since that day. On December 15, 2011, he was elected vice-chair of the RDOS Board in a decision that was ultimately made by the toss of a coin.
From April to June 2013, Pendergraft served as the acting chair while the current chair at the time was on leave to run in the provincial election. Pendergraft was elected chair of the RDOS on July 4, 2013, as a result of the resignation of the previous chair, and he served in that position until November 2016, when he chose not to run for the position that year.
On November 4, 2021, Pendergraft was once again elected Chair of the RDOS and has retained that position to the present.
Sue McKortoff, Osoyoos Mayor and longtime RDOS director, added, “As Mark’s grade three teacher, I saw this happening many, many years ago, and I’m very proud of him.”
