About Us
About Us
In 2006, Corry Sandve, Jack Valgardson, and Ben Guthrie took over Vella Radio, a trusted local repeater service company originally founded in 1979. By 2009, combining their extensive expertise, they solidified Vella Radio’s presence with a permanent physical location. Continuing to expand, they launched Vernon Communications in 2018, extending their reach across the Okanagan.
Today, Vella Radio proudly serves the Shuswap, Okanagan, and Revelstoke regions, offering shipping services across Canada. Our diverse team includes electricians, HAM radio enthusiasts, heavy-duty mechanics, and communication specialists—all passionate about delivering top-tier communication solutions tailored to our customers’ needs.
With a focus on quality, innovation, and adaptability, we continuously improve our products and services to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Our dedicated team works collaboratively to provide expert solutions, while actively supporting and contributing to the growth of our local communities in the Shuswap, Okanagan, and Revelstoke regions.
Our Values - At Vella RadioLinks Ltd., our core values are built around a commitment to exceptional customer service, integrity, and community engagement. We prioritize delivering tailored solutions with honesty and transparency, ensuring trust and reliability in every interaction.
Our Team
Jack Valgardson
Owner/Manager - VE7KI0
Beginning his career in the 1980s, Jack excelled as a communications technician in Northern Canada and internationally, playing a pivotal role in resource exploration teams. With over 45 years in the radio communications sector, Jack’s vast expertise continually adapts to technological evolutions. As our General Manager, his profound knowledge in complex radio systems elevates our team’s capabilities. Jack is an invaluable cornerstone of our success.
Ben Guthrie
Owner/Semi-Retired
Ben has been with Vella Radio from its very inception, anchoring the team as our resident prospector. Beyond his rich collection of prospecting tools and literature, he possesses an innate expertise in metal detectors, and passion for radios, perhaps kindled during his tenure as a communications officer aboard naval vessels during the Vietnam War. His wealth of experience and vast knowledge consistently serve as a guiding light, enriching our team and operations daily.
Corry Sandve
Owner/Head Radio Technician
Originally inclined towards heavy-duty mechanics, Corry soon realized his true interest lay in the technical nuances of the job. Transitioning into electronics assembly, he honed his skills in hardware design and repair. Corry is not only our resident car audio expert and remote start installer, but he also leads the team on all our repeater services. His deep knowledge of heavy-duty vehicles and construction equipment, such as excavators and other machinery, gives him a unique edge when diagnosing and solving complex radio communication issues in larger vehicles and industrial environments. Few things Corry cannot fix or solve, making him an invaluable resource when tackling even the toughest technical challenges.
Andrew Brydon
Radio Technician/Installer
Andrew has been a key member of Vella Radio for over a decade. Starting off studying musical performances at Selkirk College, he dabbled in live sound and recording before landing in Kelowna with a Certificate in Audio Engineering. While he still finds time to jam with his band, he’s now best known as our on-the-road technician and can be found out in the field across the Okanagan, and in Revelstoke every Tuesday.
Malachi Sybex
Radio Technician/Installer
Malachi, a pivotal technical specialist at Vernon Communications, brings extensive expertise in telecom, optic fiber, wireless internet, and security systems. Known for his precise wiring and custom mounting techniques, he ensures every installation is accurate and timely. Malachi is also renowned for his exceptional customer service, consistently going above and beyond to meet client needs and provide tailored solutions.
Lynda Vigor
Officer Manager/Administrator
While Lynda would always rather be out at the lake, she instead spends her days with us here at Vella, where she effortlessly bridges the realms of finance and customer engagement. While her primary role centers around managing our financial records and keeping the office running, don’t be surprised if she also expertly assists you in selecting the perfect radio for your needs. She is currently studying for her HAM license as well, so listen for her on the air waves soon.
Duncan Zavislake
Owner - VE7ZAV
Aug 5, 1949 - Dec 21, 2012
Duncan was instrumental in the creation, building, and success of Vella Radio. He co-founded the business with Jack, Ben, and Corry in 2006, and it would not be where it is today without him. Duncan was known far and wide for his technical expertise, his willingness to help others, and his never-ending, captivating stories. He always had the requisite part in his basement—somewhere! His previous oil exploration career took him to countries all over the world, and he was a Lifetime Member of the North Okanagan Radio Amateur Club. He is deeply missed.
Commitment to Community
At Vella RadioLinks Ltd., we take our role in the community seriously and are committed to making a positive impact. We run all of our repeater sites on solar power whenever possible, minimizing our environmental footprint. In addition, we offer battery recycling for both single-use and rechargeable batteries—encouraging our customers to drop them off for proper disposal.
Our dedication to supporting local organizations and events is reflected in our ongoing sponsorships, which include the Salmon Arm Figure Skating Club, Funtastic Sports Society, Larch Hills Nordic Society, BC Golf, Kamloopa Powwow, Vernon Vipers, Bush Babes Trail Running, Shuswap Rowing and Paddling Club, the Annual Salmon Arm Kids Fishing Derby, Shuswap Brewers Fest, and the Salmon Arm Demolition Derby.
We were also proud to support the 55+ BC Games 2024 as Friends of the Games, providing essential radio communications throughout the event, further contributing to the community we serve.
