The organization is non-hierarchical. A team approach ensures individuals take responsibility for their work and interact collaboratively with others. This model requires trust between the Board and the CEO, and between the CEO and the rest of the Team. The Board supports the staff; however, staff work autonomously from the Board. The Team has established a positive and healthy culture within the organization by working with respect, trust and responsibility.

Our Partners also contribute technical and administrative resources, enabling FORREX to minimize the need for a large administrative infrastructure. Clients are able to access our services, as well as provide services to FORREX, on an as-needed basis.

Operating Model — A Team Approach
FORREX team members are not centralized, but rather are strategically located throughout British Columbia in proximity to partners and clients in order to maintain relationships with them. Team members extend knowledge, facilitate collaborative research and extension projects and solve problems. FORREX’s organizational model allows for unlimited growth. The model is flexible and able to respond to new directives and challenges. The Board gives a high degree of latitude and responsibility to the staff to tap this unlimited potential. The staff values and respects that trust.

Kamloops - Head Office

Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC
Canada, V2C-3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3746 Fax: (250) 314-0360

Chris Hollstedt, Chief Executive Officer
Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3929 Fax: (250) 314-0360
Email: Chris.Hollstedt@forrex.org

Chris is the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of FORREX – a British Columbia based charitable organization dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to support sustainable ecosystems, economies, and communities. With over 25 years of experience, Ms. Hollstedt is passionate about working with resource sector partners to develop strategies that integrate knowledge into sound policies and practical applications. Throughout a career in forest resource management, technology development and research extension leadership she has established a foundation in extension and knowledge management. Ms. Hollstedt is author of several provincial research and extension strategies, the Sustainable Forest Management Network knowledge exchange strategy, and the British Columbia Extension Program strategic and plans. She is editor in chief of the BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management and leads several think tanks on resource management issues. She is past director of the Forestry Continuing Studies Network, the BC Coalition for the Implementation of the National Forest Strategy, and the Coalition of Forest Research Organizations and the British Columbia Forest Science Board. She is a current director of the Canada Land Resources Institute, the Resources North Association, and participates on the member council of Sustainable Development Technology Canada. She is a member of the Association of BC Forest Professionals, the Canadian Society for Association Executives, the Institute for Society and Natural Resources, and the Canadian Institute of Forestry. Ms. Hollstedt holds an Honour’s BSc Forestry from Lakehead University. In addition to her commitment to FORREX, she is actively involved as a mentor and volunteers for local community associations while enjoying quality time with her husband and three adult children.

Pedro Lara Almuedo, Extension Specialist, Conservation Biology
Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3955 Fax: (250) 314-0360
Email: Pedro.LaraAlmuedo@forrex.org
List of selected publications and presentations

Pedro has a BS degree in Forest Engineering from the University of Cordoba (Spain) and a Master of Forest Conservation degree from the University of Toronto (Ontario). His most recent work experience includes: researcher, Canadian Forest Service-NoFC; climate change policy advisor, Andalusia Ministry of Environment, Spain; consultant, International Union for the Conservation of Nature-Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation; and Sierra de Cardeńa y Montoro Natural Park assistant director, Andalusia Ministry of Environment, Spain. His areas of expertise include: climate change policy design and implementation, integrated forest and natural resources sustainable management and stewardship, ecosystem restoration, management of fauna and flora species at risk and conservation programs, and operational protected areas conservation and management.

Karyn Sutherland, Extensionist, Conservation Biology
Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 828-4967 Fax: (250) 314-0360
Email: Karyn.Sutherland@forrex.org

Karyn, a Registered Professional Biologist, brings a strong background in research gained from her work at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Research Station and Pacific Forestry Centre. Karyn has also developed and implemented extension programs in the Prince George School District for BC Parks. In her role as Extensionist, she is an active member of the Ecosystem Management and Conservation Biology team.

Melissa Ligertwood, Project Associate
Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3923 Fax: (250) 314-0360
Email: projectassociate@forrex.org

Melissa plays a key supporting role as the team’s Project Associate. Responsible for corporate event planning, virtual online events, database administration, publications support, and various other logistical and technical aspects of FORREX operations, Melissa brings more than 10 years of experience in community-based team coordination, administration, and management. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Political Science from Thompson Rivers University, has participated in and conducted research, and has worked as a professional technical writer in the medical-legal and mental health fields. Her journey into the realm of Natural Resource Science began with a personal interest in serving the environment and a very rewarding position with the Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia. Now with FORREX, Melissa plans to continue to learn and develop as a member of the FORREX team.

Ben Black, Corporate Systems and Website Administrator
Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3922 Fax: (250) 314-0360
Email: ben.black@forrex.org

Ben's primary role is to maintain the public website and internal infrastructure as well provide general IT Support to all FORREX staff and plan for future technology requirements. Ben has past experience in Customer Service, IT Technical Support and Systems Administration gained in his home country of New Zealand as well as here in Kamloops where he has lived since 2008. Along with his passion for technology and gadgets, Ben enjoys spending time with family, cooking, photography and mountain biking.

Burnaby

Ajit Krishnaswamy, Extension Specialist, Socio-economics
c/o School of Resource and Environmental Management
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6
Phone: (778) 782-8080 Fax: (778) 782-8735
Email: Ajit.Krishnaswamy@forrex.org
List of selected publications and presentations

Ajit provides extension services to help clients access research related to the human dimensions of natural resource management, including public participation, cultural diversity, community capacity-building, climate-change, socio-economic and cultural indicators, non-timber resources and valuation, and certification. Ajit has published several papers on community forestry, land use planning, and international forestry. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University’s School of Resource and Environmental Management. Prior to joining FORREX in 2006, Ajit was the Director of the National Community Forestry Center at the US-based National Network of Forest Practitioners. Ajit also was the Senior Researcher of the Institute for Culture and Ecology located at Portland, Oregon, and the Project Manager of the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development at the International Institute of Sustainable Development in Winnipeg. Ajit worked for the Indian Forest Service in Bihar state for several years. He has a PhD in Forest Resources (Social Sciences) from the College of Forest Resources, University of Washington at Seattle.

Hazelton

Larry Joseph, Extension Specialist - Aboriginal Forestry and Indigenous Knowledge
c/o Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 842-6050 Fax: (250) 842-6050
Email: Larry.Joseph@forrex.org

Larry’s role with FORREX applies his expertise and specific interests in capacity building to support First Nations community-based approaches to natural resources management as well as the use of indigenous knowledge in managing natural resources and climate change. Following 20 years in the pulp and paper industry, Larry became the first Executive Director of the Office of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs in 1992. Larry, a member of the Frog Clan, led Wet’suwet’en self-government negotiations. In 1993–1994, he helped to create Kyahwood Forest Products (JV), the largest secondary wood manufacturing plant in BC. Following completion of his BSc degree in Natural Resources Conservation at the University of British Columbia, he served as a forester for the Gitxsan during reconciliation negotiations with the Governments of Canada and British Columbia in 1999–2000. From 2002 to 2004, he led a strategic assessment of the hydrocarbon potential of Gitxsan Territory. In 2005–2006, through the Assembly of First Nations, he represented the First Nations of Canada during United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change in Montreal and Bonn, Germany. He also served on the Renewable Energy Expert Committee (REEC) in the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Presently, Larry is a Director of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Canada in the Aboriginal Peoples Chamber.

Kelowna

Kathie Swift, Extension Services Business Leader; Extension Specialist, Early Stand Dynamics
c/o Council of Forest Industries
360-1855 Kirschner Road
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4N7
Phone: (250) 860-9663 Fax: (250) 860-0009
Email: Kathie.Swift@forrex.org
List of selected publications and presentations

Kathie is one of the founding extension specialists of the Partnership and continues to provide extension services in the area of forest resources dynamics. She brings to the Partnership a diversity of experiences in her over 20-year involvement in forestry – everything from conducting research to running forestry education programs in her local school district. With an avid interest in problem-solving, Kathie strives to put context around forest management issues so that the solutions developed are practical and effective in their application. One of the practical solutions developed from her extension program include the Stand Establishment Decision Aids, a series of brief practical summaries for practitioners designed to help them address various ecological limiting factors through the use of the latest science and innovations. Kathie also strives to build collaborations with forest management professionals, technical experts, and other members of the FORREX extension team so that forest dynamics issues are addressed in a team approach. Ms. Swift is currently registered with the Association of BC Professional Foresters as a Forester In Training and holds an Honour’s BSc Forestry from Lakehead University and an MSc from the University of British Columbia.

Rob Scherer, Extension Specialist, Watershed Management
c/o Okanagan College
Civil Engineering Technology Program
1000 KLO Road
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4X8
Phone: 250-762-5445, Ext. 4792
Email: interiorwatershedmanagement@forrex.org

Rob Scherer is a Registered Forest Professional and Engineer in BC and has twenty years of experience working in British Columbia forests. His background includes forestry, forest engineering, forest hydrology and watershed management on both the BC coast and interior. Currently, Rob is working part-time with FORREX as a Watershed Management Extension Projects Specialist and is also a college professor in the Civil Engineering Technology Program at Okanagan College, Kelowna campus.

Nanaimo

Todd Redding, Extension Specialist, Watershed Management
c/o Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 713-1184 Fax: (250) 314-0360
Email: Todd.Redding@forrex.org
List of selected publications and presentations

Todd is the Watershed Management Extension Specialist for the coastal region of British Columbia. Todd has a wide range of forestry-related hydrology and soil science experience in montane and boreal environments. Todd has worked as a research technician with the BC Ministry of Forests in Kamloops, assisting on projects in hydrology, soils, and geomorphology. Todd has an MSc in forest soils from Simon Fraser University, and a PhD in forest hydrology from the University of Alberta. Todd is a Registered Professional Agrologist with background and interests in forest hydrology, soil science, and watershed management.

Penticton

Ellen Simmons, Extension Specialist - Aboriginal Forestry and Indigenous Knowledge
c/o En'owkin Centre
RR#2, Site 50, Comp 8
Penticton, BC, V2A 6J7
Phone: (250) 493-7181 Fax: (250) 493-5302
Email: Ellen.Simmons@forrex.org
List of selected publications and presentations

Ellen is based in Penticton at the En’owkin Center, an Indigenous cultural, educational, and creative arts institution. Prior to joining FORREX, her work experience included ecosystem restoration in the Northwest Territories and ongoing working relationships with members of the Dene Nation. Ellen holds a Bachelor of Science in forest management from the University of British Columbia and is a Forester-in-Training with the Association of BC Forest Professionals. She has recently started instructing biology at the En’owkin Centre with a strong emphasis on Indigenous Knowledge and Native Science. Ellen also represents the En’owkin Center on the Board of the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance.

Prince George

Alan Wiensczyk, Extension Specialist, Ecosystems and Stand Management
c/o Council of Forest Industries
400-1488 Fourth Ave.
Prince George, BC, V2L 4Y2
Phone: (250) 614-4354 Fax: (250) 564-3588
Email: Alan.Wiensczyk@forrex.org
List of selected publications and presentations

Alan has been with FORREX for over 9 years and brings a blend of research, extension, and operational experience to his program area. He has a Masters of Science degree in Silviculture from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario and is a Registered Professional Forester in BC. His most recent project has focussed on synthesis and extension of information on the mountain pine beetle infestation. This initiative culminated in a conference in Prince George in June 2008 to discuss key lessons learned about MPB. He is also involved with extension in the areas of silvicultural systems, growth and yield, and vegetation management. Among Alan’s other interests are ecosystem management concepts and application, remote sensing technology, and literature database development and management.

Summerland

Don Gayton, Extension Specialist - Dry Forest and Grassland Ecology
c/o Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 494-1858
Email: Don.Gayton@forrex.org
List of selected publications and presentations

Don Gayton works as an extension specialist in the area of dry forest and grassland ecology, and is based in Summerland. His work experience includes long-term vegetation monitoring, fire ecology, range management, and conservation biology. Don maintains a close watch on the scientific journals, and has published recent literature reviews on climate change impacts on biodiversity in BC, and on ecosystem trends in BC’s Southern Interior. Don received an undergraduate degree in Agronomy from Washington State University, and an MSc in Plant Ecology from the University of Saskatchewan. He is a member of the BC Institute of Agrologists. Don is recognized as an accomplished writer, winning the Canadian Science Writing Award and twice being shortlisted for the BC Book Awards. He is also the recipient of the Roberts-Pichette Award for excellence in ecological monitoring and research. Don was formerly a Range Management Specialist for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

The Partnership

For more information on the Partnership, or information on how to become a partner, please contact:
Chris Hollstedt, Chief Executive Officer
Suite 400, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3929 Cell: (250) 319-2763 Fax: (250) 314-0360
Email: Chris.Hollstedt@forrex.org