Our Speaker Lineup

Deputy Minister
Minister of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

Session: Healthy Forests Need a Competitive Forest Sector
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Ida

John Allan was appointed Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) in September 2018.

John has a long history in resource management, including 22 years with the Government of British Columbia from 1977 to 1999. He served as Deputy Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; Environment, Lands and Parks, and Forests. John also led many special projects including establishment of the Environmental Assessment Office.
 
Following the public service, John became a member of the Board of Directors of the BC Forest Safety Council, representing the Council of Forest Industries, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer. He was also President of the BC Lumber Trade Council, Secretary of the Canadian Lumber Trade Alliance and Chair of the Board of the BC Bio Energy Network.

After leaving the private sector in 2013, John undertook a major review of BCTS and served as the Chief Negotiator, softwood lumber for British Columbia, as well as acted as strategic policy advisor for the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
John has a Master of Economics from Queen’s University. He enjoys spending his time at the gym and playing guitar.

Session: Wildfire Aftermath: How Have We Changed?
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Chief Joe Alphonse has been the Tribal Chairman of the Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) since 2010 and elected Chief of the Tl’etinqox-t’in Government since 2009. From 2000 to 2009 Chief Alphonse acted as the Director of Government and Services at the TNG. From 1997 to 2000 he attended Lethbridge Community College for Environmental and Political Science and managed Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society in 2000. Chief Alphonse also acted as a Council member of Tl’etinqox-t’in from 1989 to 1993.

Chief Alphonse played an instrumental role in the Tsilhqot’in Nation vs. British Columbia Aboriginal Title case. As a fluent Chilcotin speaker, Chief Alphonse is a fifth generation Tsilhqot’in Chief and the direct decedent of Chief Anaham, the Grand Chief of the Tsilhqot’in Nation during the Chilcotin War of 1864. Chief Alphonse has brought stability, consistency, and respectability into the many roles he has been honoured to hold within his community and Nation.

Nick Arkle, RPF
CEO
The Gorman Group

Session: Healthy Forests Need a Competitive Forest Sector
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Ida

Nick Arkle is CEO of the Gorman Group of Companies which has operations in West Kelowna (Gorman Bros. Lumber), Revelstoke (Downie Timber), near Salmon Arm (Canoe Forest Products), Lumby (Lumby Pole Division) and a remanufacturing plant in Oroville, Washington State (Oroville Remanufacturing and Reload).

Between 2016 and 2018, Nick held the role of co-CEO of the group following a 25-year stint as the Woodlands Manager/Chief Forester for Gorman Bros. Lumber.

Nick is a registered professional forester who served as a member of the ABCFP Council (1996-2001) and was president in 1999/2000. He is a board member with COFI and served as COFI chair from 2010 to 2015. Nick has also served on numerous regional and provincial committees related to forest industry issues.

He has served on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, UBC-Okanagan President’s Advisory Council, UBC Faculty of Forestry Advisory Board, the board for the United Way Central and South Okanagan/Similkameen, and the non-profit Hope for the Nations.

Nick lives in Kelowna with his wife Louise and is the father of two grown children.

Trish Balcaen
Assistant Deputy Minister
Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Session: Forestry and the Path to First Nations Reconciliation
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Theatre

Trish Balcaen is the Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for negotiations and regional operations with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. She joined MIRR in 2015 as a chief negotiator and had success developing innovative arrangements with First Nations such as the Tahltan - Klappan Land Use Plan and the Lake Babine Foundation Pathway Agreement.
 
Trish began work with BC Government in 2004 and has held a variety of senior management positions in the Ministry of Forests, the Integrated Land Management Bureau, Environmental Assessment Office, and the LNG Project Board before joining MIRR. She has also been the general manager of a medium-sized log harvesting and road building company in Vernon, BC where she was also active in ranching and land development businesses

Brad Bennett, RPF

Session: Healthy Forests Need a Competitive Forest Sector
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Ida

With over 30 years of forest industry experience, Brad Bennett currently holds the position of Woodlands Manager with Interfor Corporation in Adams Lake. Brad has held leadership positions with Pacific Bioenergy and Ainsworth Lumber in the wood panel and wood pellet industries. Brad is the past President of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada and is currently Vice Chair of the Thompson Rivers University Foundation Board and Chair of the Lillooet First Nations Economic Development Board. A UBC forestry graduate in 1986, Brad has been an RPF since 1988 and past Chair of the 2001 ABCPF conference host committee in Kamloops in 2001.

Michael Bragg
Woodlands Manager, Forestry
Tolko Industries Southern Interior Operations

Session: #thisgirlcan
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Room: Salon AéB

Michael Bragg is the Woodlands Manager – Forestry, for Tolko Industries Southern Interior Operations where he is responsible for all activities associated with the planning and development of an AAC of 2M m3. Michael’s responsibilities also include working with First Nations to build partnerships, interfacing with local governments and stakeholders to evolve and enhance our social licence, and bringing together a team of diverse professionals to move our common vision forward across the Southern Interior. 

Prior to joining Tolko Industries 18 years ago, Michael spent nine years working for MacMillan Bloedel Ltd in the North Island and Clayoquot Sound operations. His final responsibility with MacBlo was to shut down the Clayoquot Operations and address all outstanding liabilities including roads, silviculture, and camps and do himself out of a job.

Timothy Caulfield
Professor of Health Law & Science Policy, University of Alberta,
and Author of Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?

Session: Why Do People Believe Celebrities and Not Experts?
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Room: Ballroom A/B/C

Professor Timothy Caulfield is an unrivalled communicator who debunks myths and assumptions about innovation in the health sector — from research on stem cells to diets to alternative medicine — for the benefit of the public and decision-makers.

Professor Caulfield is a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy and a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. He has been the Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta since 1993.

Over the past several years, he has been involved in a variety of interdisciplinary research endeavours that have allowed him to publish over 300 articles and book chapters. He is a Fellow of the Trudeau Foundation and the Principal Investigator for a number of large interdisciplinary projects that explore the ethical, legal and health policy issues associated with a range of topics, including stem cell research, genetics, patient safety, the prevention of chronic disease, obesity policy, the commercialization of research, complementary and alternative medicine, and access to health care.

Professor Caulfield is and has been involved with a number of national and international policy and research ethics committees, including the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee; Genome Canada’s Science Advisory Committee; the Ethics and Public Policy Committee for International Society for Stem Cell Research; and the Federal Panel on Research Ethics. He has won numerous academic awards and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

He writes frequently for the popular press on a range of health and science policy issues and is the author of The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness (Penguin, 2012)  and his most recent book, Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash (Penguin, 2015).

Session: Healthy Forests Need a Competitive Forest Sector
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Ida

Kukpi7 (Chief) Wayne M. Christian is of Secwepemc ancestry. His Indian name is Wenecwtsin. It comes from his great grandfather. He is a proud father of seven children and twenty-seven grandchildren. On January 10, 2018, Kukpi7 (Chief) Christian was re-elected for his seventh consecutive election with a term for four-years as Chief of Splatsin. Kukpi7 Christian has worked for over 40 years in establishing healing and health systems for the Indigenous Nations of BC. Kukpi7 Christian is currently one of the Tribal Chiefs of the Secwepemc Nation, representing nine of the 17 communities of the Secwepemc Nation, with responsibilities for Stsmamlth (Children) and Aboriginal Title and Rights.

Kukpi7 Christian, in his first role as Chief, lead two major initiatives in fighting for our rights; the Indian Child Caravan 1980 and the Constitution Express 1980 and 1981 – fighting for recognition of our laws and jurisdictions for our lands, resources, and people. He is committed to unravelling the legislative genocide that removed our governance from our territories and our families; to rebuild the Secwepemc Nation.

One of Kukpi7 Christian’s greatest strengths is his commitment that is firmly rooted in the values, principles, and traditions of the Indigenous Nations. His leadership philosophy is based on inclusiveness, spirituality, traditional knowledge rooted in our oral history, a strong belief in our Sovereign land title and rights that are governed by our laws, our values, culture, traditions and our connection with all of creation. He believes strongly that the solutions to the issues in the communities are rooted in the minds, hearts, and spirits of the People who will deal with the Government’s legislative genocide.

He is known as a tireless and passionate advocate for recognition of Aboriginal Title and Rights at the political and grassroots levels for the Indigenous Nations and communities and he believes that the children are our future and the future is right now. Whatever it takes the time is now.

Andrew de Vries
Tolko

Session: Climate Change: Moving to Adaptive Management
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Andrew de Vries has more than 25 years’ experience in natural resource management and Indigenous relations, gained in Canada, the US, and internationally. He recently returned to BC to work for Tolko Industries after 16 years in Ottawa. In Ottawa he worked for national industry associations representing mining (MAC), forestry (FPAC), and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), working for forestry organizations across North America. Prior to his work in Ottawa, he worked for forest companies in BC, Washington, and Oregon and an environmental consulting firm in BC. Andrew holds a MA and B.Sc., from the University of Calgary.

Honourable Doug Donaldson
Minister, Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural development

Session: Plenary with BC’s Forest Minister
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Room: Ballroom A/B/C

Prior to becoming an MLA, Minister Donaldson worked for Storytellers’ Foundation, a non-profit organization focusing on community economic development in the region, including local food action initiatives. His previous work in Stikine included jobs in forestry, tourism, education, communications and journalism. He has worked as a biologist with a forestry consulting business, as a reporter and columnist with a weekly newspaper, communications director with the Gitxsan Treaty Office, co-ordinator of the cultural tourism program at Northwest Community College, and instructor with the Gitxsan Wet'suwet' en Education Society. He has also owned and operated businesses in the B.C. Rockies.

Minister Donaldson’s many years in the northwest included living in Smithers and Telkwa before settling in Hazelton, where he was a four-term municipal councillor. He has travelled extensively throughout the Stikine constituency, which overlays the traditional territories of seven First Nations.

Minister Donaldson is married and has two adult children. He enjoys skiing, hiking, running and tending to his chickens, turkeys, sheep and llamas. His formal education includes an undergraduate degree in biology and a master’s degree in journalism.

Ann English, P.Eng.
Chief Executive Officer and Registrar
Engineers and Geoscientists BC

Session: Professional Reliance Legislation: The Road Forward
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Room: Ballroom A/B/C

Ann English has been the CEO & Registrar of Engineers and Geoscientists BC for more than six years.

Engineers and Geoscientists BC is the regulatory and licensing body for these professions in BC, maintaining robust standards for entry and comprehensive regulatory tools to support engineers and geoscientists in meeting professional and ethical obligations. The organization also investigates complaints and takes action when necessary through its discipline and enforcement procedures.

Ann believes that a regulator can be innovative and entrepreneurial in delivering on its mandate, and she supports and encourages a regulatory approach that recognizes and responds to the rapidly changing worlds of engineering, geoscience and technology.

Ann brings together her skills in organizational development, operational excellence, risk management, and effective governance to lead the organization in implementing the strategic directions determined by their Council. She encourages and challenges the highly dedicated collaborative team of Council and staff to constantly evolve and continuously improve to meet the ever changing demands of a highly technical environment.

She is a professional engineer with a degree in mechanical engineering and has significant experience working on projects in the private and public sector. Her most memorable project was as the Director of BC Hydro’s Olympic Initiatives Project, which won many awards for sustainability and innovation. She also has extensive training in corporate governance and enjoys providing service to boards in her community and in industry.

Session: Managing the Land for Caribou
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Salon A/B

Tom Ethier joined the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development in May 2012. He is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister for the Resource Stewardship Division. Prior to assuming his current duties, he was a Chief Negotiator at the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

Previously, Tom held the following positions within the Government of British Columbia:

• Director of Fish and Wildlife,
• Assistant Director of Fish and Wildlife,
• Section Head of Fish and Wildlife – Okanagan,
• Big Game Biologist – Okanagan,
• Species at Risk Biologist – Okanagan, and
• Provincial Biodiversity Inventory Specialist – Victoria.

Tom holds a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria.

Session: Professional Reliance Legislation: The Road Forward
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Room: Ballroom A/B/C

Christine Gelowitz, RPF, is responsible for all aspects of the Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) business operations. As the primary support to ABCFP Council, Christine works closely with the President and elected Council to set the strategic direction of the organization and ensure strong governance practices. In February 2016, she assumed the CEO role with the ABCFP after previously serving on the association’s council for five years, including a term as president in 2013.

A graduate of the University of Northern British Columbia, Christine has a degree in Natural Resources Management - Forestry. Christine has been a Registered Professional Forester since 2003.

Prior to joining the ABCFP, Christine spent nearly 20 years with the British Columbia Provincial Government, in a number of natural resource sector ministries and Crown Corporations. In her last role with government, Christine headed the Corporate Initiatives Division of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operation where she led the development of the ministry’s strategic agenda and was responsible for the ministry’s legislative plan and program.

Paul F. Hessburg, PhD
Affiliate Professor
University of Washington

Session: Climate Change: Moving to Adaptive Management
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Session: Providing Healthy and Resilient Forests
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Paul is a Research Landscape Ecologist with the USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station (PNWRS). He has worked for the PNWRS, since 1993, researching the landscape and disturbance ecology of western forests.

Paul leads a research team to explore climate change effects on forests and rangelands, landscape resilience mechanisms, fuel and forest succession influences on wildfire behavior, and decision support tool development for landscape management applications. Paul holds a PhD in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University (1984), and a BS in Forestry from the University of Minnesota (1978).

In 2017, Paul received the PNW Research Station and USDA Forest Service Chief’s Distinguished Scientist awards. He lives in Wenatchee, WA, is married with grown kids, and he and his wife Mary have five nearly perfect grandchildren.

Session: Resource Road Infrastructure: The Policy and Practice of Ownership and Maintenance
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Salon A/B

Marty Hiemstra, MBA, RPF, is currently Business Manager at Lo-Bar Log Transport Co Ltd. His primary responsibilities fall in the realm of safety, operations, and human resources. As a large integrated stump-to-dump contractor, Marty manages all aspects of the business including road construction and maintenance.

A UBC grad and a professional forester for the past 20 years, Marty began his career with a major licensee and worked in various forest management roles prior to gaining a business degree and joining the logging contractor workforce.

Marty has and continues to serve on various boards and committees. His past volunteer work with the ABCFP includes exam invigilator, Finance Committee member and Chair, Professional Practice Committee member, and Finance chair for the 2017 AGM Host Committee.

Session: Professional Reliance Legislation: The Road Forward
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Room: Ballroom A/B/C

Christine Houghton has been the CEO of the College of Applied Biology since February 2017. She has previously led numerous environmental initiatives both inside and outside government. Her work includes the successful delivery of critical environmental programs, delivery of complex policy and legislative packages, and effective management of resources.

Originally from Manitoba, Christine has lived, worked, and studied in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan prior to coming to British Columbia in 1999. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Diplomas in Management and Administration and a Certificate in Executive Leadership.

Session: Water Woes: Whose Risk is it Anyway?
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Theatre

Matthias Jakob, PhD, P.Geo (BC/AB), LG, has a MSc from the University of Heidelberg on rock glaciers in the Himalayas and did his PhD on debris flow frequency and magnitude at the University of British Columbia (UBC), followed by a Post Doc on rock fall hazards for CP Rail.

Matthias has worked in the consulting industry since 1996 and specializes in flood and landslide hazard and risk assessments, which have brought him to exotic places such as Kyrgyzstan and Patagonia. He has also worked extensively in various places in BC, primarily focused on debris flow, debris flood, and outbreak floods on small streams. His work also entails expert witness assignments and he occasionally teaches at the Geography and Earth and Ocean Science departments at UBC.

Session: Wildfire Aftermath: How Have We Changed?
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Jamie Jeffreys, RPF, is the Director of Partnerships and Indigenous Relations with BC Wildfire Service. She has held the role since June 2018. The role is new for BC Wildfire Service and Jamie’s focus is on how BC Wildfire can strengthen its partnerships with stakeholder groups, industry partners, First Nations, and partner ministries/agencies through all phases of emergency management. The goal is to strengthen and leverage partnerships consistently across the province through a framework that is applied in all Fire Centers and Zones.

Jamie graduated from the UBC Forestry Program in 1999 and has since worked for various groups across BC. Jamie’s variety of experiences in forest consulting, the forest industry, working for and with First Nations, and for the Natural Resource Ministries has provided her with opportunities to grow as a Professional Forester. Jamie lives in Kamloops and during her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters riding their horses, hiking, skiing, and hunting. Jamie and her family have a small hobby farm with a variety of animals and she is involved in the local 4H club showing cattle.

Session: Is the Timber Supply Review Meeting Our Needs?
Time: Thursday February 7, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Salon A/B

Lennard brings over 29 years of forestry and business experience into his current roles. He is a Registered Professional Forester and a member of the Nlaka’pamux First Nation and General Manager of Stuwix Resources Joint Venture, a First Nations owned and operated timber harvesting company established in 2004. Lennard is actively involved in developing new businesses and opportunities in the forest sector within his territory and throughout Canada and the world.

Lennard served on the Shackan Indian Band Council from 2008 - 2010 but has devoted much effort behind the scenes developing capacity and opportunities. He currently sits as an Advisor to the current Chief and Council, and represents the Shackan Band as a Director, and President, of the Nicola Tribal Association.

Lennard has and continues to serve on many boards of societies and companies, including;

• President – Nicola Tribal Association (2015 – Present)
• President – Chawathal Axwest Forestry LPP (2017 – Present)
• Director - Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) (2012 – Present)
• Director – Interior Logging Association (2018)
• Aboriginal Affairs Committee – Truck Loggers Association (2018)
• Director – KenTem Management Corporation (2017 – Present)
• Director BC Board Rep. - National Aboriginal Forestry Society (2015- Present)
• Director - Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition (SIBAC) (2008 – 2018)
• Director - BC Rural Center Board (2018)
• Advisor - First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) Strategic Advisory Group
• Director – BC Aboriginal Business Investment Council (2015 – 2018)
• Director- Nicola Similkameen Innovative Forestry Society (2006-Present)
• Committee Member - UBC Faculty of Forestry First Nations Council of Advisors (2008-Present)
• Advisor- Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Faculty of Forestry (2005 – Present)
• Fire Chief – Shackan Band Volunteer Fire Department (2010 – Present)

Session: Resource Road Infrastructure: The Policy and Practice of Ownership and Maintenance
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Salon A/B

Justin Kumagai, RPF, works for Western Forest Products Ltd. as Manager, Contract Services out of Western’s Port Alberni Forest Operation.

Justin graduated from the University of Toronto with a BSc Forestry in 1988, also obtaining a Diploma in Forest Engineering from the University of British Columbia in 2000 (i.e. IFEBC graduate).

Justin started his career working for a consultant out of Prince George, BC for about 5 years, with 24 years working for various industry companies on the North Coast and Vancouver Island. Justin has been involved in forest road engineering and construction for most of his industry work experience. Justin was also a Joint Practice Board member (ABCFP/EGBC) from 2005 to 2011.

Werner Kurz, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Pacific Forestry Centre

Session: Climate Change: Moving to Adaptive Management
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Dr. Werner Kurz is a Senior Research Scientist at the Canadian Forest Service (Natural Resources Canada) in Victoria, BC. He leads the development of Canada's national forest carbon monitoring, accounting and reporting system, and the Forest Carbon Management Project of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions. His research focuses on carbon dynamics in forests and harvested wood products and the opportunities of the forest sector to contribute to climate change mitigation. Dr. Kurz co-authored eight reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published over 135 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and many other reports. He serves as adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and at Simon Fraser University. He obtained his PhD in Forest Ecology from UBC and an honorary doctorate from the Swedish Land University. He is an International Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry.

Session: Wildfire Aftermath: How Have We Changed?
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Fire Chief Dan Leighton is a thirty-five-year veteran of BC Fire Service. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter and has risen through the ranks to become a full time Fire Chief/Emergency Coordinator. Chief Leighton holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency and Security Management as well as certifications as Chief Fire Officer, Fire Inspector, Fire Educator, Fire Instructor and he is the Logan Lake Wildfire Specialist for FireSmart Canada. As Fire Chief for the District of Logan Lake Fire/Rescue, safety for the residents and their homes is Dan’s main concern. Collaboration between local and provincial governments, and Logan Lake’s own Community Forest Corporation, has given Chief Leighton the resources necessary to mitigate the fire risks created by the mountain pine beetle. Chief Leighton became the driving force behind Logan Lake’s wildfire mitigation program and established Logan Lake as the first community in Canada to become FireSmart.

Session: Providing Healthy and Resilient Forests
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Lorraine Maclauchlan, PhD, RPF, is the Forest Entomologist with MFLNRORD, in the Forest Health and Research Sciences Program, Thompson Okanagan Region, holding the role since 1987. Lorraine studied forest entomology at Simon Fraser University after a taste of “spruce beetle reality” working in Revelstoke in the early 1980s. Lorraine is based in Kamloops and is well known for her work around the southern Interior and beyond. Lorraine provides technical and professional guidance to government, licensees, and other researchers on many diverse forest entomology issues.

Lorraine’s long-term research has provided valuable insight into the impacts and population dynamics of pests in young stands and how early stand development relates to future survival and form. Lorraine also developed BC’s integrated management strategy for defoliating insects. Some of Lorrain’s other research is focused on high elevation forests and stressed environments, with a focus on bark beetle and defoliator response to drought-stress and post-wildfire settings.

Session: Species at Risk Act: Developing a Successful Provincial Strategy
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Room: Salon A/B

Dr. Tara Martin is a Professor of Conservation Decision Science in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia. Tara is a pioneer in the field of conservation decision making, combining ecological data with decision science to bridge the gap between research and on-ground conservation action and policy. Her current research interests include prioritizing threat management for biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and mitigation under global change, understanding shifting baselines and informing eco-cultural restoration, and decision-making under uncertainty. Tara was recently awarded The Nature Conservancy Professor in Practice Award, Thomson Reuters Citation & Innovation Award for her work in Climate change decision making and a Wilburforce Conservation Fellowship. She co-leads the Climate Adaptation theme within the IUCN Climate Change Specialist Group.

For more on her research visit www.taramartin.org or email Tara.Martin@ubc.ca.  

Session: Water Woes: Whose Risk is it Anyway?
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Theatre

Rhona and her spouse Brian have owned and operated a family restaurant in Malakwa for over 30 years. She has five children, 17 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Rhona has a long history of community involvement and is currently the President of the Eagle Valley Senior Citizens’ Housing Society, a society that provides a range of housing options from low-income housing to assisted living.

Rhona enjoys people and a good day is spent with new acquaintances, old friends and family. Rhona is currently in her 10th term as Electoral Area Director on the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Board, and is currently the Board Chair. She is a past President of the Southern Interior Local Government Association, Past President of the Union of BC Municipalities and a current Board member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Kevin Mason
Managing Director
ERA Forest Products Research

Session: Healthy Forests Need a Competitive Forest Sector
Time: February 8 at 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Ida

Kevin Mason is the Managing Director of ERA Forest Products Research, which provides economic and investment research on the forest-product industry to over 150 clients in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. The firm's clients include leading forest-products companies and governments, as well as institutional investors managing nearly $10 trillion in assets. Starting his career in finance, Kevin progressed through various banking and consulting positions, providing services to Canadian and American companies involved in a variety of industries ranging from biotech to retail. In 1997, he joined Equity Research Associates (renamed ERA Forest Products Research) and proceeded to attain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. His focus at ERA Forest Products Research has been to enhance and expand the company's analysis of global industry dynamics and to provide investment coverage on various Canadian, US, and European companies.

Session: Forestry and the Path to First Nations Reconciliation
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Theatre

Nathan Matthew is chancellor of Thompson Rivers University. He is a highly-regarded educator and advocate for Indigenous education, at the local, provincial and national level.

Nathan received his formal education from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Recreation Education in 1972, and in 1990, he received his Masters of Education from the University of British Columbia. In 2006, he was presented with an honorary degree from Thompson Rivers University.

Nathan lives in the Simpcw community of Chu Chua. As past Chief in his community for over 20 years, Nathan Matthew has supported and led many community-building initiatives in strategic planning, schooling, economic development, health and social development and governance.

In addition to his political roles, Matthew has had a strong career in education. He has held significant roles in many institutions, including Director of the UBC Short Course for Principals of First Nations Schools from 1986 to 2005 and Executive Director of Aboriginal Education at Thompson Rivers University from 2008 to 2012. Nathan was also a member of the First Nations Forestry Advisory Council from 1996 to 2001. He has been a leader in the local, provincial, and national dialogue on self-determination for Indigenous education.

Jim McGrath, RPF
Forestry Manager
Tk’emlups Forestry Development Corporation

Session: Forestry and the Path to First Nations Reconciliation
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Theatre

My grandmother had a word for me in Secwepemstin (Shuswap) that means ”walks on water.” Apparently she used that sarcastically. For the past 13 years, I have worked with Tk’emlups Forestry Development Corporation where I am currently the forestry manager. I graduated from the University of Alberta and have worked in forestry for 18 years. My current focus is operations and management, as well as planning.

Sandy McKellar, HM
Partner
Wood N Frog Communications Ltd.

Session: Are the Kids Alright? The Role for Forest Professionals in the Classroom
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Room: Ida

Sandy McKellar is a partner in Wood N Frog Communications Ltd., and publisher of the Tree Frog Daily Forestry News. Sandy received her forestry degree from the University of British Columbia, and was bestowed honourary membership into the Association of BC Forest Professionals in 2007.

Sandy has worked in forest industry recruitment and communications for more than 20 years. She has participated in a variety of government and industry working groups addressing forest awareness and recruitment, both in BC and across Canada.

Communications and recruitment career highlights include the UBC Faculty of Forestry, the national Wood Manufacturing Council, and the BC Truck Loggers Association. She also evaluated and implemented outreach programs at Vancouver Island University and the College of New Caledonia.

Sandy is an active volunteer. Of relevance to her presentation is:

• Festival of Forestry: providing hands-on forestry tours for teachers (past chair, and board member since 2002);
• Canadian Women in Timber—bringing forest awareness through education to communities and youth in BC (current chair, and board member since 2002);
• ForestED West—a western Canadian conference for forest educators (conference chair in 2008 and conference member since 2003);
• Forest Resource Educators’ Network—enhancing and fostering forest education in BC (chair, 2001 to 2006); and
• Evans Lake Forest Education Society—operating the Evans Lake Forestry Youth Camp (board member from 2003 to 2009).

Robin Modesto, RPF, PEng

Session: Professional Reliance Legislation: The Road Forward
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Room: Ballroom A/B/C

Robin Modesto is the manager, supply chain and land use at Interfor Coastal Woodlands division where he manages the transportation and sorting of their coastal log production while balancing inventory levels and meeting mill requirements. Robin joined Interfor in Campbell River as an assistant engineer in 1995 and has held various planning and operational roles since then.

He is a Registered Professional Forester as well as a Professional Engineer. He holds a Master’s of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Science in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick.

Throughout his career, Robin has served on many government and industry committees representing both Interfor and the Coast Forest Products Association. He served on the Association of BC Forest Professionals’ Board of Examiners between 2005 and 2009 and has been a member of ABCFP council since 2014.

Session: Is the Timber Supply Review Meeting Our Needs?
Time: Thursday February 7, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Salon A/B

Jeff Mycock, RPF, is the Chief Forester of West Fraser’s BC Operations. Jeff graduated in 1994 with a forestry technical diploma from Selkirk College in Castlegar, and later completed the ABCFP forest pupil program and became an RPF in 2006.

Jeff started his forestry career in the central Cariboo in the early 1990s and then moved to Cranbrook for six career-forming years with a progressive forest consulting firm in natural resource management. Jeff returned to the Cariboo in 2000, and started his career with West Fraser in 2001, and in 2015 moved to a corporate forestry role at West Fraser’s Quesnel office. Jeff became the Chief Forester in 2016.

Jeff has spent most of his career as a field forester working across a variety of disciplines including silviculture, operations, and forest planning. Jeff is passionate and optimistic about the forest industry and is a strong advocate of sustainable economic development balanced with sustainable forest resource management. Spending many years in operational programs with boots on the ground, working with First Nations, and a cross section of resource stakeholders and other qualified professionals has given Jeff a broad perspective with unique and articulate linkages between policy and practice.

Session: Resource Road Infrastructure: The Policy and Practice of Ownership and Maintenance
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Salon A/B

Jim Neuman, RFT, is a forest professional with extensive industry and government experience in the full cycle of resource road management, harvest operations, forest stewardship planning, and other natural resource projects in BC. He applies strong communication and proven technical skills to complete projects using traditional and innovative methods. He keeps himself current with respect to environmental, safety, regulatory, and technical development, as all are relevant to areas of responsibility, including providing leadership in working groups and participating in conferences, seminars, and continuing education. His kids are adults now, but he still continues promoting sustainable natural resource management to grade school students during annual Forestry Week.

Jim worked in BC’s forest harvesting and road building industry prior to joining which was the Ministry of Forests and Range at the time, as an Engineering Officer and is currently with Engineering Branch as Senior Policy Analyst for Resource Roads. Jim gained a passion for resource management as a kid and loves the smell of dirt and diesel. He’s wholly engaged with the people he works and communicates with and driven by motivation for diversification and the gain for more knowledge in natural resource management.

Session: Is the Timber Supply Review Meeting Our Needs?
Time: February 7, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Salon A/B

Diane Nicholls, RPF, has been the appointed ADM, Chief Forester for British Columbia since February, 2016. A Registered Professional Forester, Diane began her career as a forest technician from BCIT. She then continued her studies at the University of Alberta and completed at the University of British Columbia. Diane’s background working as a consultant and in the private and public sectors has given her a great deal of experiential knowledge of the forest industry and the collaborative work that must go hand in hand with forest management. Always looking ahead — for new ideas and solutions — Diane’s vision for the forests of BC encompasses the needs and wants of the many people who live and work in this great province.

Session: Climate Change: Moving to Adaptive Management
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Greg O’Neill is a professional forester with degrees in biology, forest ecology, and forest genetics. He has worked in industry, academia, and international development. Since 2001, he has worked at the Kalamalka Forestry Centre in Vernon as a climate change adaptation scientist.

Greg’s research seeks to understand how evolution has shaped BC’s tree species’ adaptation to climate. He draws on this understanding to develop new forest and genetic resource management practices that will help ensure BC’s forest plantations remain healthy and productive in new climates.

Alan Parkinson
Senior Advisor, Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada

Session: Managing the Land for Caribou
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Salon A/B

Alan joined the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) in October 2018 as senior advisor in the office of the assistant deputy minister. Alan joined the CWS from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada where he led implementation of agri-environment programs including management of environmentally sensitive areas with species at risk.

Prior to joining the Government of Canada, Alan held a number of executive positions across a broad spectrum of provincial natural resource management agencies in both executive government and Crown Corporation sectors. These experiences included postings with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and Forest Renewal BC. After graduating from the University of Waterloo, Alan held professional positions contributing to environmental assessment, wildlife and forest management programs with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, TransCanada Pipelines and Yukon Department of Renewable Resources. When not at work, Alan relentlessly encourages a Labrador retriever to run in a straight line.

Program and Camp Manager
Silver Lake Forestry Camp

Session: Are the Kids Alright? The Role for Forest Professionals in the Classroom
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Room: Ida

It all started with Junior Forest Wardens; think Scouts meets Cadets with University Forestry Credit. My love of the outdoors was sparked by my family and fueled by the forestry lessons learned in JFW programs. I attended weekend trips, programs and weeknight lessons. My love of camping, all types but we are talking residential camps now, started at the Evans Lake Forestry Training Centre. I attended camp since I was eight, worked as a counsellor and then instructor until another JFW opportunity came along; two weeks paid training with the BCFS rapattack Program. I didn’t return to camp as I was hired full time for the following season as a rapattack and then helitack fire fighter.

My professional career as an erosion, sediment, and vegetation professional (now simply an environmental professional) kept me away from ”camping” programs but my desire to teach became evident as I began teaching erosion and sediment control courses and established the provincial (and later) national ESC professional associations.

I returned to camping and forest education as a volunteer 15 years ago, working to re-establish the Evans Lake program. We run a program called EcoFun that focuses learning opportunities about the environment. Whether campers are canoeing, hiking, or doing a specific environmental forest study, they are always learning about the environment. Three years ago we began to re-establish the Silver Lake Forestry Centre and I jumped into the role of program and camp manager two years ago. I am fortunate to be able to use my years of professional work in the forest and natural resource sectors in combination with my experience teaching professionals and running youth outdoor programs.

I look forward to working with other professionals and facilitating conversations, hopefully leading to opportunities to see the members of ABCFP have the opportunity to connect youth with the forest environment.

Paul Rasmussen, RFT
Assistant Deputy Minister for South Area Operations
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

Session: Providing Healthy and Resilient Forests
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Paul Rasmussen is Assistant Deputy Minister for South Area, Operations with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. His division includes FrontCounter BC, Range, and the Cariboo, Kootenay Boundary and Thompson Okanagan Regions. Paul is a tried and true leader of integrated land and resource management known for his enthusiasm and collaborative spirit.

Session: Providing Healthy and Resilient Forests
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Bob Simpson is in his second term as Mayor of Quesnel, BC’s most forest dependent community. He has a varied background in the forest sector: he tree planted and worked in a plywood plant, developed and taught a forestry curriculum for grade 11 and 12 students, was a corporate manager in a BC-based forest products company, and served four years as the Opposition Forest Critic in the BC Legislature. As Mayor, he is leading an initiative to rethink the future of forestry in his community, from land base to manufacturing to markets.

Bob is an outdoor enthusiast and a national age group champion in triathlon and duathlon.

Mike Simpson, MA, RPF

Session: Forestry and the Path to First Nations Reconciliation
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Theatre

Mike Simpson facilitates multi-stakeholder initiatives addressing complex environmental and natural resource management issues involving all orders of government (local/municipal, provincial, Aboriginal, federal), the private sector and civil society. Mike has experience working with different sectors on diverse issues, including forestry, interface fire, agriculture, mining, trails, recreation, watersheds, water quality, wildlife, Aboriginal title and rights, economic development, fisheries, invasive species, air quality, sustainable development, flood and debris flow. He also provides governance and strategic planning support to small organizations and collaborative initiatives.

Mike has a BScF from University of Toronto (1994), an MA in conflict resolution Royal Roads University (2004), and has been a professional forester in BC since 1996. He lives in Kamloops, BC with his partner Holly, daughter and son.

He is currently Senior Regional Manager with the charitable non-profit society Fraser Basin Council based in Kamloops. The primary mandate of the Fraser Basin Council is to advance environmental, economic and social sustainability in British Columbia with a core focus on the Fraser River Basin, using a collaborative, inclusive, impartial approach.

Before joining Fraser Basin Council in 2006, Mike consulted in the forest industry to forest products companies, provincial governments, woodlot licensees, private landowners and other tenure holders predominantly in the area of pre-harvest planning at the stand and forest level, but also in logging supervision, log sales and silviculture.

He continues to manage silviculture investment and wildfire risk reduction projects on woodlots for several woodlot associations and the Federation of BC Woodlot Associations, and makes a concerted effort to get in the field helping a colleague at least two weeks a year.

Session: Is the Timber Supply Review Meeting Our Needs?
Time: February 7, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Salon AB

Jamie Skinner, RPF, is the Forestry Superintendent for Tolko Industries’ Southern Interior Woodlands Planning department. Jamie has over 25 years’ experience working in the forest industry in BC and has extensive field experience combined with practical knowledge of the timber supply review process and the many challenges and opportunities facing the forest sector. Jamie has lived, worked, and played in Kamloops since 1996 where he and his wife are busy raising two active teenage boys. Jamie has a BSc in Forestry from the University of British Columbia and enjoys getting outside.

Session: Species at Risk Act: Developing a Successful Provincial Strategy
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Room: Salon A/B

Darren Sleep, PhD, focuses on growing Sustain Forestry Initiative’s (SFI) conservation and science credentials and on increasing our capacity to develop and manage conservation projects in Canada and the United States. Darren also draws on a solid background in fieldwork. He has designed and implemented ecological studies and conducted bird banding, small mammal trapping, and radio-telemetry tracking of bats and owls. Darren sits on a Government of Quebec caribou advisory committee and is a member of the Government of Canada’s Species at Risk Advisory Committee. Prior to joining SFI, Darren worked as Project Leader in forest ecology at the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, where he drew on his knowledge of forest ecology and endangered species and his strong connections with the scientific and conservation biology community. Darren holds a PhD in Zoology from the University of Guelph.

Session: Forestry and the Path to First Nations Reconciliation
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Theatre

Chris Stagg, RPF, was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister in 2016. Chris joined the ministry after 25 years in the forest industry, most recently as the Chief Forester for Canfor. In addition to the wealth of knowledge Chris brings in forest management and industry operations in BC, he has significant experience working in a number of BC communities and has served as past Director of the BC Wildlife Federation; rounding out his extensive regional background. Chris grew up in Chetwynd and holds a degree in Forestry from UBC. Chris is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping, shooting, reloading, archery, backpacking, and wilderness camping.

Canadian Forest Products

Session: Providing Healthy and Resilient Forests
Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Room: Theatre

Kari Stuart-Smith, PhD, is the senior forest scientist for Canfor and a Registered Professional Biologist in BC and Alberta. Kari provides leadership and guidance around wildlife and biodiversity issues for Canfor’s woodland operations in Canada. She uses the results of current science to inform and develop innovative and collaborative strategies, plans, and practices, working closely with foresters and biologists from industry, government, First Nations, academia, and ENGOs. She began her career in the forest industry with Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries in 1993, moving to the East Kootenays in 1996 to begin her PhD research into the effects of wildfire and logging on songbirds through Oregon State University. Kari has also studied wildlife–forestry interactions associated with caribou, moose, mountain goats, northern goshawks, and badgers, and used the results to develop best management practices and inform legislation.  Kari lives near Cranbrook with her husband and two teenage children, and likes to hike and ski in BC and bird-watch and dive in the tropics.

Martin Tooms,
Teacher
Charles Bloom Secondary School

Session: Are the Kids Alright? The Role for Forest Professionals in the Classroom
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Room: Ida

Martin Tooms is a certified teacher working for School District 22. He has been the Charles Bloom Secondary School Forestry/Trades Program teacher since 2013.
Martin graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Education in Technology. He also holds two trade certifications as an inter-provincial Red Seal in Metal Fabrication and as a registered ‘A’ welder.

Martin lives in Lumby, BC with his wife and best friend Terrie Tooms.

Doug Wahl, RPBio, CPESC
Manager, Audits & Investigations
Forest Practices Board

Session: Water Woes: Whose Risk is it Anyway?
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Room: Theatre

Doug Wahl, RPBio, CPESC, has worked for the Forest Practices Board since 2008. Before joining the Board, Doug was a consulting habitat biologist based in Summerland, BC. The majority of his consulting work focused on the forest and mining sectors undertaking assessments and providing advice on mitigation, policy, and regulatory matters. At the Board, Doug’s work in audits and investigations has involved examining fish habitat, wildlife, range, old growth, Forest & Range Evaluation Program (FREP), and watersheds used for drinking water.

Doug’s primary interest in natural resource management is achieving the optimum balance between the sustained use of natural resources and the appropriate protection of environmental values. Doug has a Master of Applied Science from the University of Canberra, Australia. He is an RPBio and a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC).

Session: #thisgirlcan
Time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Room: Salon A/B

Tanya Wick is a transformative executive leader who is not content with quick fixes. Beyond her talent for building accountable work cultures and teams, she develops strong foundations in processes and programs to align workforce plans with business requirements. She ensures that organizations and their people are well-equipped and strongly positioned for results and sustainable growth.

As the first female executive in Tolko Industries’ 62-year history, Tanya, who has seen her role expand from Vice President, Human Resources to Vice President, People & Services, partners with executive leadership and the board of directors to shape and execute the organization’s strategic direction.
Tanya’s leadership expertise spans a wide range of operational functions, including human resources, procurement, administration, payroll, and communications. Add to this her many years of leveraging HR metrics to influence corporate decisions and she is a well-rounded business leader equipped and driven to manage critical change and strategic objectives.

In addition to her corporate leadership responsibilities, Tanya is blazing trails in the forest industry, developing a youth initiative and a women’s strategy to promote participation of these key groups. She also shares her expertise and insights on numerous boards and councils, including Chair of Tolko’s Compensation Committee and former Chair of the national Forest Product Association’s HR Committee.

Along with revitalizing departments and teams, Tanya is immensely proud of the people she has developed over the years. She coaches and mentors for success with clear expectations and reasonable timelines. As a testament to her leadership, her team and staff have been recognized with multiple awards.

Tanya’s affinity for acquiring and shaping talent, making complex tasks simple, and holding leaders and teams accountable has grown her a reputation for being dependable, hard-working, and purposeful. Critical change takes investment and focused direction. It also takes perseverance. Tanya has proven her capacity to lead change initiatives in challenging work environments with unique determination — advancing company improvement.

Session: Managing the Land for Caribou
Time: Friday, February 8, 2019 at 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Room: Salon A/B

Steve Wilson, PhD, RPBio, is a registered professional biologist and consultant. He has 25 years of experience working at technical and professional levels in strategic and operational planning for wildlife and ecosystems. He has contributed to the development of provincial management plans for both southern mountain and boreal caribou, and has worked to find solutions to caribou conservation issues with both the provincial and federal governments, ENGOs, as well as a variety of industry stakeholders, including forestry, oil and gas, mining, and adventure tourism. Steve holds a PhD in wildlife ecology from UBC and currently lives on Gabriola Island.