Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board Member Biographies

Note: Tom Briggs and Darrell Regimbald appointments run until March 31, 2009. All other members run until March 31, 2010

Tom Briggs, Chair of the Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board and Executive Committee. Tom Briggs and has wife Karen moved to Mackenzie, BC in 1974 where they raised their two children. Community minded, Tom began his career in municipal politics in 1986. He served 7 years as a Councillor followed by 12 years as Mayor until 2005. During his political tenure, Tom served on many Boards and Committee including Director of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, Chair of the Northern Treaties Treaty Advisory Committee, Chair of the Northern Development Initiative Trust Prince George Regional Advisory Committee and Director of the North Central Municipal Association, to name a few. Tom is Chair of the Muskwa-Kechika Outreach Committee and continues to play an active role in the District of Mackenzie.

Bill Lux, M-KAB Co-Vice-Chair, M-KAB member, represents the Dease River First Nation. Bill is also the Kaska Dena Council Executive Vice-Chair, Lands and Resources. Bill is dedicated to representing the Dease River First Nation's perspective on land use and resource planning and management in the M-KMA.

Jason Lee, M-KAB Co-Vice-Chair, is currently working as a Wildlife Biologist for the Treaty 8 Tribal Association. Previously, he has been employed with various organisations as a Biologist and Technician, with BC Parks as a Senior Park Ranger and Auxiliary Conservation Officer, and with the Canadian Coast Guard as part of the Search and Rescue Unit. Mr. Lee obtained his Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management - Wildlife and Fisheries from the University of Northern British Columbia. He has also completed the Resource Management Officer Technology at Malaspina University, and the Guide Outfitter Course at Northern Lights College.

Barry Holland, a big game hunter, pilot and backcountry traveler, brings experience in petroleum and natural gas technology, as well as occupational safety. Barry actively participated in the Fort St. John LRMP process prior to his appointment to the Board.

Corrine Porter, a member of the Kaska Nation was raised in the Fireside area and currently resides in Lower Post, BC. Corrine has worked for the Kaska Nation for the past 10 years and recently graduated with a Natural Resource Science Bachelors Degree from Thompson River University. Corrine is the Kaska Dena Council Conservation Coordinator and Vice-President of the Dena Kayeh Institute. She also participates on the North Peace Stone’s Sheep Steering Committee, the Yukon Kaska Forest Resource Stewardship Council, and the Watson Lake Citizens on Patrol. Corrine enjoys the outdoors and is active in hiking, horse riding, boating, running, biking and fishing.

Darrell Regimbald is a Strategic Planning Forester with Canadian Forest Products Ltd. Previously, Darrell was a Silviculture Forester and Silviculture Audit/Stand Tending Forester with the BC Ministry of Forests. Mr. Regimbald has been active in ecosystem restoration activities in the Rocky Mountain trench. He was a member and President of the Fort Nelson Historical Society and was a volunteer Fireman for the Radium Hot Springs Fire Department. He was the Chair of the Fort Nelson Timber Supply Area Steering Committee and past Chair of the Invermere Forest District Joint Health and Safety Committee. In 2006, Mr. Regimbald was awarded the Fort Nelson Friend of the Forest award. He holds his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Alberta and diploma in advanced silviculture from the University of BC.

Stephanie Killam, Mayor of Mackenzie and a municipal council member for 9 years, has worked as the senior secretary at Mackenzie Secondary School since 1979. Married for 38 years she and her husband Donald have raised two children. She has served on the Museum Society, Club 55 (senior’s activities), the Chamber of Commerce, the Municipal Emergency Program Committee, the Mackenzie and Area Health Advisory Committee, the Mackenzie and District Hospital Board, Community Health Council, Northern Interior Regional Health Board, and Children’s and Women’s Health Center as well as many others. Committed to the community and region and well-versed in environmental issues Stephanie works to strike a balance betw een conservation and economic development.

Wayne Sawchuk, a widely experienced backcountry horseman and nature photographer, brings perspectives of wildlife and wildland conservation to the Board, as well as extensive knowledge about the forestry and oil and gas industries. With fellow Board member George Smith, Wayne was actively involved in the LRMP and other planning processes that led to the creation of the M-KMA. Wayne is the winner of the 2006 Canadian Environment Award. As a photographer he has captured diverse wildlife and outdoor subjects with skill and artistry, and has donated many photographs for use in M-K publications, including the photos used in the 2005-2006 Annual Report.

Johnny Mikes, started working river rafting trips in northern B.C. as a boy with his father in the early 70's. He has guided wilderness river, hiking and natural history trips for over 30 years and is very familiar with many remote areas of northern BC including much of the Muswka-Kechika as well as portions of the Yukon and Canadian Arctic.

Andy Johnson, is currently the Area Business Leader for Duke Energy (publicly traded as 'Spectra'). Previous to this, he worked as a Small Business Officer and Planning Officer for the Ministry of Forests. Mr. Johnson obtained a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of British Columbia, and he is currently a member of the Association of BC Professional Foresters.

Laurie Montour, is a biologist she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Ecosystem Biology from Eastern Michigan University, and has since been involved in various First Nations as well as Management and Environmental Protection organisations. In 2007 she worked for the Fort Nelson First Nation as their Land Manager

Timothy Trapp, is currently employed as a Station Operator for a Sub-contractor to BC Hydro. Prior to this, he was a Teaching Assistant at the Astse Davie School. In his community, Mr. Trapp has worked as a Negotiator for the Kwadacha Nation.

Peter Stone, is a member of the Kaska Dena Council.

Laureen Whyte, is Vice President, Policy and Sustainability with the Association for Mineral Exploration B.C. Prior joining AME BC, Ms Whyte was the Principal of Arbutus Consulting where she provided strategic planning, community/aboriginal relations, and project management services to various organizations. She led a professional staff to assist in establishment of Spectra Energy. She has taught organizational development and strategic planning courses at the BC Institute of Technology and is the author of "Making the Grade- A Guide to Success in Corporate Aboriginal Partnerships". She is an advisor to the Community Development Education Program of the Social Planning and Research Council of BC, Chair of the Planning and Operation Committee of the Industry Council for Aboriginal Business, and former Chair of the Aboriginal Relations Committee of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association. Laureen holds her Master of Arts in public Policy from the University of Calgary.

James (Leif) Olsen, is the owner and manager of Circle F Cattle Company and Stone Mountain Safaris Ltd. He is a member of the Guide Outfitters of B.C.

Jack Sime, is a Regional Councillor representing council for both the town of Fort Nelson and the Northern Rockies Regional District. He has served as Regional Director from 1996 to 2002 and as an Alternate Director from 2002 to 2005. He represents the new Fort Nelson and Northern Rockies Regional Council by holding the Transportation Services and Communications portfolios and is the council representative to Electoral Area B. He also serves as the primary council representative to the Municpal Finance Authority and Municipal Insurance Association Executive.

Roslyn Mary Pokiak, is the Land Management Administrator with the Halfway River First Nation. She has served in a variety of roles with the Halfway River First Nation and was the Community Liaison with Westcoast Energy.