CHAIR
Keith Atkinson is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry from the University of British Columbia. He served for 10 years as the chief executive officer of the First Nations Forestry Council, where he worked to create opportunities for First Nations in forestry. Keith has also held positions as the forest resources manager at the Nisga'a Lisims Government and served as a community trustee for the Snuneymuxw First Nation, of which he is a member. Keith lives in North Vancouver on the traditional and unceded territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
VICE CHAIR
Gerry Grant is a Registered Professional Forester with a degree in forestry from Lakehead University.
Gerry was employed by the BC Ministry of Forests from 1980 to 2011, in various tenure administration and management roles. He served as district manager in the Chilcotin and Quesnel districts from 1993 to 2011. He is currently a self-employed consultant and has recently worked in forest harvesting and engineering, for bioenergy clients and on increasing First Nations involvement in the forest sector. Gerry lives in Quesnel.
APPOINTED BOARD MEMBER
Natasha Caverley is a multi-racial Canadian of Algonquin (Whitney and Area Algonquins), Jamaican, and Irish heritage. She holds a M.Ed in Counselling Psychology and PhD in Organizational Studies from the University of Victoria. Natasha is a Canadian Certified Counsellor through the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association. She is a management consultant specializing in organizational behaviour, career counselling and development, and multicultural counselling.
Natasha has over 20 years of experience in workshop facilitation, management and organizational behaviour, and knowledge product development with an emphasis on Indigenous fire stewardship. She is a co-author of the book Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship and authored publications within professional Canadian and international-based counselling psychology, public administration, natural resource management, Indigenous studies, and human resource management journals/magazines. Natasha lives in North Saanich, BC.
APPOINTED BOARD MEMBER
Rick Monchak is a professional forester with a long history working on the coast of BC. Rick retired from TimberWest in 2017, where he was employed since 1977. Rick has a degree in biology and a degree in forestry from UBC.
A member of the Coast Region Implementation Team and Silviculture Sub-Committee, as well as the CR Forest Education Association, Rick has experience in every aspect of forestry operations and administration. He was awarded the ABCFP Distinguished Forest Professional in 2013 and was the Coastal Silviculture Committee Silviculturalist of the Year in 2016. Rick lives in Campbell River.
APPOINTED BOARD MEMBER
Gail Wallin has worked in the natural resource management field as an outdoor educator, professional facilitator and as an executive with non-government organizations. Gail has served in senior leadership roles with the BC Forestry Association, Fraser Basin Council and is the Executive Director for the Invasive Species Council of BC. For over 25 years, Gail has also had her own consulting business specializing in natural resource facilitation. She has also facilitated many Indigenous initiatives from federal Metis consultation to First Nations strategic planning.
Gail has served as a volunteer to many Boards including BC Rural Network, Canadian Council on Invasive Species and Sustainable Forest Initiative. Gail lives in Williams Lake.
APPOINTED BOARD MEMBER
Phil Burton is a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio) and a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at the University of Northern British Columbia. He also has served as a manager with the Canadian Forest Service during the Mountain Pine Beetle Initiative and has worked as an environmental consultant. Phil's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in biology and land use studies from the University of Saskatchewan, followed by the completion of his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the United States. After his studies, Phil taught various courses in plant biology, silviculture, forest policy, conservation biology, ecological restoration, disturbance ecology, and integrated resource management at UBC, UVic, and UNBC.
Phil’s research program over four decades has focused on the disturbance and recovery of vegetation. The resulting scientific papers and book contributions address the ecology and management of forests and grasslands, emphasizing options to bridge their conservation and use. In recent years, his work has focused increasingly on the impacts of and adaptation to a changing climate. Ongoing research is attempting to better understand the behaviour of wildfires.
Phil divides his time between a home in Terrace and a cabin outside of Smithers.
MANAGER, AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS
Tracy Andrews, RPF, has worked for the Forest Practices Board since April 2018.
Tracy earned her Diploma in the Renewable Resources Forestry Option from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in 1998 and went through the Association of BC Forest Professional’s Pupil Program to become a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) in 2007.
Tracy spent the first six years of her career working for Tembec Industries on TFL 14 in the East Kootenay. She moved back to the Coast and joined the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development at the South Island Natural Resource District where she worked on the review, approval, and implementation of the first forest stewardship plans for the district. Tracy also worked at Resource Tenures Branch leading the FRPA Implementation work for the Province and most recently was the Senior Licensed Authorizations Officer at the South Island Natural Resource District, responsible for oversight of the tenure administration, resource stewardship and First Nations relations business areas. Tracy lives in Ucluelet.
AUDIT SPECIALIST
Tom Bruderer, RPF, PGeo, has worked for the Forest Practices Board since November 2018.
Tom has a Tech Diploma from BCIT, Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Forestry from the University of British Columbia. He is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and a Professional Geoscientist (PGeo) with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC).
Tom has over 14 years of experience on the Coast as a forest engineer for major licensees. Prior to joining the Board, he worked as a terrain specialist consultant for two years and since 2016, worked on Board audits as a contractor. Tom lives in Comox on Vancouver Island.
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Norma Hofsink joined the Forest Practices Board in February 2023.
Norma has worked for more than 30 years for the Province in the ministries of Forests; Environment; Land and Water; Integrated Land Management Bureau; and Forests, and most recently as the regional executive administrator with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. She provides executive support to the Board members and the Executive Director.
MANAGER, AUDITS AND INVESTIGATION
Greg Jorgenson, RPF, joined the Forest Practices Board in December 2023.
Greg received his Bachelor of Science in Forestry at the University of British Columbia in 1999. He became a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) in 2003 and is an accredited silviculture surveyor.
Before joining the Board, Greg spent the last seven years of his career focusing on provincial silviculture improvements within the Office of the Chief Forester in the Ministry of Forests. He has worked as the provincial lead for silviculture surveys and the strategic planning officer responsible for leading and collaborating on provincial silviculture policy initiatives.
Early in his career, Greg spent over a decade owning and operating a forestry consulting company specializing in professional and technical silviculture services in the Cariboo area. In 2013, Greg and his family moved to Vancouver Island where he joined Island Timberlands as an area forester responsible for silviculture programs on Southern Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii. Greg and his family currently live in Victoria.
MANAGER, AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS
Marie-Lou Lefrancois, RPF, joined the Forest Practices Board in May 2022.
Marie-Lou has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography from University of Montreal, and a Master of Science in Forest Ecology from the Centre of Forest Research from the University of Quebec in Montreal. She is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF).
Before joining the board, Marie-Lou worked in forest research, planning, operations and policy for over 16 years. As a consultant she worked on growth and yield, climate change, policy and statistics projects for academia, government and consulting firms. She joined the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources in 2011 working in authorizations, BCTS in 2014 as a planning forester, and the Competitiveness and Innovation branch in 2017 as a forest carbon advisor. She finally joined BCTS headquarters in 2019 as a Wildlife Resource Specialist and a stewardship policy forester, where she lead and collaborated on various partial harvesting initiatives all over the province. Marie-Lou lives in Smithers in the Skeena region.
GENERAL COUNSEL
Nathan Murray, LLB, has worked for the Forest Practices Board since May 2021.
Nathan has a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from the University of Victoria. He provides legal advice to the Forest Practices Board and manages appeals to the Forest Appeals Commission that the Board participates in.
Before joining the Board, Nathan worked at the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development since 2017 as a legal support for ministry representatives. He has also worked in the Vancouver office of the federal Department of Justice where he focused on civil litigation and administrative law.
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB MANAGER
Kairry Nguyen has worked for the Forest Practices Board since 2003.
Kairry looks after the Board's website and social media channels. She also manages the publication of all Board reports, annual reports, and a variety of other communications jobs.
DIRECTOR OF AUDITS
Francis Njenga, PAg, joined the Forest Practices Board in August 2022.
Francis has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Range Management from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and is a Professional Agrologist (PAg).
Francis began his career at the University of Nairobi, before moving to British Columbia. He joined the BC Government as a District Range Agrologist in 2000 and has since worked in the ministries of Forests and Agriculture. Before joining the Board, he was the Rangeland Stewardship Officer in the Range Branch of the Ministry of Forests. Francis has extensive background and experience in range and resource management. Francis lives in Kamloops.
DIRECTOR OF INVESTIGATIONS
Chris Oman, RPF, has worked for the Forest Practices Board since 1998.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF).
Before becoming the director of investigations in 2020, Chris worked in both the audit and investigation programs.He also led several special investigations and reports related to fuel and fire management, bridge planning, design and construction, and compliance and enforcement.
FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COORDINATOR
Shannon Podgorenko has worked for the Forest Practices Board since 2015.
Shannon looks after the budget and finances, as well as office management, records management and human resources support. She makes sure contracts are properly managed and bills are paid.
MANAGER, SPECIAL PROJECTS
Nick Reynolds, RPF, joined the Forest Practices Board in November 2020.
Nick has a Masters in Sustainable Forest Management from the University of British Columbia. He is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) who has worked as a consultant with government, industry, academia, and First Nations over the last 20 years. His early career consisted of work in wildlife biology, growth and yield establishment and re-measurement, silviculture, and forest ecology research.
Before joining the Board, Nick helped lead technical work in land use planning and Land Use Order development, Timber Supply Reviews (Haida Gwaii), and was a member of the 2018 Forest Inventory Review Blue Ribbon Panel. Nick’s experience also included many years as an FSC auditor throughout Canada, as well as conducting forest carbon assessments, wildlife habitat inventory and cultural feature identification standard development and training.
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Tanner Senko joined the Forest Practices Board in August 2024.
Tanner holds an undergraduate degree in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University. He supports the Board by assisting with media relations, stakeholder engagement and report editing and publishing.
Before joining the Board, Tanner was a senior public affairs officer with the Ministry of Children and Family Development where he provided communications and issues management support to the minister and ministry executive. He has also worked as manager of correspondence projects with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, leading a communications team within the deputy minister’s office.
MANAGER, CORPORATE SERVICES, FINANCE & INFO SYSTEMS
Tim Slater has worked for the Forest Practices Board since 2000.
Tim has worked for the FPB for over 16 years, first as a contractor with the Board prior to being a staff in 2000. He looks after IT systems and support for the Board, and also responsible for facilities management and information security matters.
MANAGER, AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS
Daryl Spencer, RPF, has worked for the Forest Practices Board since 2008.
Daryl's education consists of a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of British Columbia, and he has been a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) since 1990.
Prior to working for the Board, Daryl was involved with various board audits as a contractor, with responsibilities including harvest, planning, silviculture and roads auditor. As a generalist, Daryl continues to focus on resource planning, protection, harvesting, silviculture and road construction.
Before joining the Board, Daryl spent 10 years in various forest industry roles including area forester, management forester, harvest manager and district planner in forest companies such as Westar Timber, Evans Forest Products and Tasman Forestry. Subsequently, he worked as a consultant for 10 years, concentrating on resource planning, forest inventory and timber development.
Daryl has worked on these significant projects: Pilot Audit of Forest Soil Conservation; Pilot Range Audit: Compliance and Enforcement Audit on Range Activity in the Horsefly Forest District; Audit of Small Scale Salvage in the Kamloops Forest District; Soil Conservation Planning and Practices in the Quesnel and Vanderhoof Districts; Audit of Visual Resource Management - Headwaters Forest District.
MANAGER, AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS
Matthias Splittgerber, RPF, joined the Forest Practices Board in June 2021.
Matthias holds forestry degrees from a Canadian and German university and is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF). Before joining the Board, Matthias worked for a forest consultancy in the West Kootenays, and later for a professional services firm in Vancouver..
MANAGER, AUDIT AND INVESTIGATIONS
Frank Tiramani, RPF, joined the Forest Practices Board in January 2024.
Frank graduated from the University of Cumbria (UK) in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Woodland Management. Before moving to Canada, he spent time working on the private Cowdray Estate, with the Forestry Commission and as a self-employed falling/arborist contractor.
Frank started working in forestry in BC at the Alex Fraser Research Forest, Williams Lake in 2012 before moving to Vanderhoof in 2013. From 2013 to 2016, he worked as a consultant with Avison Management Services and then as a Planning and Silviculture Forester for Nechako Lumber/Sinclar Group between 2016 and 2021. Frank became a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) in 2017.
Moving to Vancouver Island in 2021, and before joining the Board, Frank worked as an Area Planner for Mosaic Forest Management, focused on public land planning and operations within the Great Bear Rainforest. Frank lives in Campbell River.
MANAGER, AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS
Astrid van Woudenberg, RPBio, has worked for the Forest Practices Board since November 2018.
Astrid has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Forest-Wildlife from the University of British Columbia. She is a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio).
Astrid has 25 years of experience as a consulting wildlife biologist, working for industry, First Nations, government and other clients to integrate wildlife needs into forest and range management. She has been working with species at risk most of her career, as well as mule deer winter range in southern interior BC. Much of her work has taken an ecosystem based approach, integrating what would have been the effects of natural disturbances, such as frequent fires, into her management guidance. Astrid lives in Kamloops, in the traditional territory of the Secwepemc people.
MANAGER, AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS
Doug Wahl, RPBio, CPESC, has worked for the Forest Practices Board since 2000.
Doug has a Master of Applied Science from the University of Canberra, Australia. He is a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio).
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, 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.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Briar Young joined the Forest Practices Board in September 2024.
Briar has over 24 years of experience working in both the private and public sectors, with a significant portion of his career focused on managing complex natural resource regulatory regimes, Indigenous engagement and environmental programs. He has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Resource Management from Simon Fraser University.
Briar spent 10 years working with the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Natural Resources Canada—Northern Pipeline Agency in Ontario, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, and northern British Columbia. Since 2013, he has worked for the Yukon government in various roles, most recently as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment and interim Deputy Minister of Environment.
