INFORMATION RELEASE 

Each year, the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) recognizes elected officials for years of service to the residents of British Columbia. The award is presented at the annual UBCM convention.

Mark Pendergraft, Electoral Area “A” director and current RDOS chair, was acknowledged as a 20-year recipient at the 2025 UBCM convention in Victoria; however, he was unable to attend the presentation ceremony. At the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Campbell Watt, RDOS vice-chair, presented Mark Pendergraft with the award.

“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.”

Sue McKortoff, longtime RDOS director and current Osoyoos mayor, added, “As Mark’s grade three teacher, I saw this happening many, many years ago, and I’m very proud of him.”

On December 15, 2005, Mark 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 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. He served as the chair 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

Congratulations to Mark Pendergraft on his UBCM award and for his many years of service to the community.

-30-

Contact:

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-free 1-877-610-3737

(l to r) Campbell Watt, RDOS vice-chair, and Mark Pendergraft, RDOS chair
- December 18, 2025, RDOS boardroom in Penticton