Phil Hein
President
Dave Smith
Vice President
Dave began his avalanche-safety career in 1982 as a seasonal employee with BC Highways. In 1989 he accepted a full-time Avalanche Technician position based in Nelson, where he has been ever since. He became a fully certified Mountain Guide in 1975, and continues to guide in the summer. As a long-time member of the CAA, Dave has had many years of direct involvement with the organization, as the board’s Secretary-Treasurer, and as a member and eventual chair of the Education Committee. Dave is also an active community volunteer. He is the Past President and current Treasurer for the Friends of West Kootenay Parks, and the Treasurer for the Nelson Musical Festival Association. Dave brings wise perspective to the board, as well as years of hands-on experience. His energy, skills and credibility within the community are certain to be helpful as the board faces both challenges and opportunities in the future.
Steve Brushey
Secretary Treasurer
Ken Bibby
Director, Membership Committee
Ken’s exposure to the avalanche industry began in 1995 when he worked as a production assistant on the avalanche awareness video “Beating the Odds”. He soon found himself inspired by the work, community and lifestyle that working in the avalanche industry can provide and began pursuing a career as a ski guide. Since then, Ken has worked as a professional ski patroller, AST instructor and as a ski guide in both mechanized and non-mechanized commercial ski operations. He is certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides as a Ski Guide and works for Big Red Cats as their Guiding Operations Manager. He also teaches for the CAA Industry Training Programs and works for the CAC as a public avalanche forecaster. Ken is excited about the opportunity to participate on the board of directors of the CAA in this pivotal time in the industry. He lives with his wife and three young children in Rossland, BC.
Mike Boissonneault
Director, Professional Members
Mike Boissonneault has worked in the avalanche industry for the past 27 years. Mike’s initial exposure to avalanche work began as a member of the Granduc Mine Avalanche Program in Northwestern BC. In 1985, he began his current career with the BC Ministry of Transportation’s Avalanche Program. He started as an Avalanche Technician in Bear Pass, near Stewart, and soon became a Senior Avalanche Officer. Mike now manages the Avalanche and Weather Programs for the entire province. He also spent eight years as chair of the CAA Explosives Committee, working to establish industry-wide explosive use procedures and training guidelines. His dedication and accomplishments in that position were recognized by his peers, who awarded him CAA Volunteer of the Year in 2001 and Professional of the Year in 2002. Mike is looking forward to continued contributions towards the avalanche industry’s growth and direction.
Debbie Ritchie
Director, Active Members
Debbie Ritchie is a Registered Nurse and works as a Research Coordinator in the Cardiovascular Research Group of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Debbie received her basic nursing education in Montreal and her intensive care nursing training in London, England. She has a Bachelor of Psychology from Queens University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UBC and a Masters in Nursing from the University of Calgary. Originally from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Debbie moved to Calgary in 1980 with her husband Gordon, to be closer to the mountains. She joined the Canadian Ski Patrol System (CSPS) in 1981 and has been a volunteer patroller at Lake Louise ever since. She took her CAA Level 1 in 1996 and now teaches the AST I course to volunteer patrollers. Debbie is excited abut her new role on the board of the CAA and is looking forward to the opportunity to work together with other board members to keep the CAA as a world leader in the avalanche industry.
Janice Johnson
Director, Affiliate Members
Jan Johnson first became involved in the avalanche field in 1977, when she began doing long-term avalanche hazard work for the BC Highways avalanche safety program. Her career there lasted nearly 15 years, and, among many other things, included work on the avalanche safety programs for the Coquihalla highway. In the early 90s, Jan left the government to pursue graduate studies in adult education. She has worked with the Centre for Teaching and Academic Growth at UBC in various capacities since 1992, where she is now a Facilitator and Instructional Developer, working with all members of the UBC teaching community. She is also co-chair of the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) International Advisory Committee, which provides support, guidance and leadership to an international network of instructors, facilitators and trainers. Luckily for the avalanche community, she has continued to stay involved in the field, lending her expertise as an educator to the development of many training programs. As a board member for the CAA, Jan is looking forward to working with a strong team of other directors to meet the challenges facing the Canadian avalanche community as it evolves to meet changing social needs and expectations.
Aaron Beardmore, Director,
Associate Members
