The Kamloops NorthPaws have hired Jenna Forter as the team’s new general manager.

In a statement Wednesday, the team said she will be taking over from interim general manager, Sean Wandler, who will remain with the expansion West Coast League franchise.

A graduate of Thompson Rivers University, the NorthPaws says Forter brings a wealth of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry to the team as well as “a worldwide perspective” as she grew up in Southeast Asia before living in Lake Louise and Revelstoke prior to her move to Kamloops in 2017.

“I have a passion for the Kamloops community and I truly believe in the legacy the NorthPaws want to build. I’m excited to be a part of building this expansion franchise,” she said, in the statement.

Forter becomes the fifth active female GM in the West Coast League.

“We’re excited to have Jenna as the next member of local, homegrown talent on our staff. Sean’s role as GM was always intended to be on an interim basis and he will still be an integral part of our team,” NorthPaws co-owner Jon Pankuch, said.

“We see this as a great addition to our staff as we work toward opening day in May.”

Surrey native Cole Armstrong, who spent his summers growing up around Heffley Lake, was named the team’s inaugural head coach last October, joining Forter and Operations Manager Jamie Shinkewski in rounding out the homegrown talent in the NorthPaws front office.

The NorthPaws are set to play their long awaited home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on May 31, 2022.