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 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC
Canada, V2C-3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3746 Fax: (250) 371-3997

Chris Hollstedt, Chief Executive Officer
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3929 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Chris.Hollstedt@forrex.org

Chris, the Partnership's founding CEO, is a Registered Professional Forester with over 20 years of experience in research, technology development, extension, governance, and natural resource management. Her diverse work experience includes provincial agencies, forest industry, the volunteer sector, and universities. Chris leads and directs the implementation of the Partnership's business strategy. She works with the Board of Directors to build new partnerships and establish programs to ensure that FORREX develops and shares the best and most innovative knowledge to support decisions and practices that will maintain and enhance the long-term health of our ecosystems and communities. She provides leadership for establishing a knowledge-based natural resource sector.

Gord Austin, Information Products and Services Assistant
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3923 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Gord.Austin@forrex.org

Gord Austin has recently graduated from Thompson Rivers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and theatre. He brings experience and a passion for information management and sharing to the FORREX team in his role as the Information Products and Services Assistant. He hopes to use this passion to support our clients’ access to important information.

Satnam Brar, Website and Corporate Systems Practitioner
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3922 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Satnam.Brar@forrex.org

Satnam joins FORREX as a Website and Corporate Systems Practitioner. Satnam has a Bachelor of Science in Computing Science. With Satnam's diverse background and experience, he works with the Information Technology team to bring innovative solutions to our clients and staff.

Shelley Church, Project Co-ordinator - Corporate Publications
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3998 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Shelley.Church@forrex.org

Shelley joined FORREX in February 2003 to work with the BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management, FORREX Series, and other publications. She has an undergraduate degree in environmental geography from the University of British Columbia, and completed graduate work in forest ecology at Oregon State University. For the last 10 years, Shelley has worked as a forest ecologist with an emphasis on research, including forest ecology, forest entomology, forest pathology, and silviculture. At FORREX, Shelley co-ordinates journal papers and other publications from the submission stage through to detailed editing, as well as managing the newsletter LINK. She finds her background in natural resources and forestry a real asset in meeting the challenges of her editorial duties.

Pedro Lara Almuedo, Extension Specialist, Conservation Biology
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3955 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Pedro.LaraAlmuedo@forrex.org

Pedro joined FORREX in April 2008. He 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 (ON). His work experience includes research on forest fuels and prescribed burning at the CFS-Northern Forestry Centre; two years as climate change policy Advisor with the Technical Secretariat of the Andalusia Climate Change Strategy (Andalusia Ministry of Environment, Spain); consulting work on climate change and Mediterranean forest ecosystems at the IUCN-Centre for Mediterranean Co-operation (Spain); and over two years as Assistant Director with “Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro” Natural Park (Andalusia Ministry of Environment, Spain), where he was responsible for all aspects of integrated forest and natural resources sustainable management and stewardship, including ecosystem restoration, management of endangered fauna and flora species, forest and watercourse habitat restoration, and operational forest management. Additionally, he holds professional status both in Spain (RPF) and BC (FIT). Pedro brings to FORREX a solid background in integrated natural resources conservation and management, together with knowledge on climate change policy development and implementation, and internationally-gained innovative approaches.

Darcy Moshenko, Extension Specialist (FERIC/FORREX)
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3712 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Darcy.Moshenko@fpinnovations.ca

Darcy is a FERIC (Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada) employee working with the FORREX team through a partnership agreement. He started his forestry career with FERIC, and then moved to the Kootenays to become Fibre Procurement Co-ordinator for Crestbrook Forest Industries Ltd. (now, Tembec Industries Inc.). At Crestbrook/Tembec, Darcy also served as Bridge Supervisor, Special Projects Forester, and Environmental Stewardship Forester. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree from the University of British Columbia (1989), and is a Registered Professional Forester in British Columbia.

Sandra Ramunno, Administrative Assistant
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3746 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Sandra.Ramunno@forrex.org

Sandra joined FORREX following 2 years of service with Forest Renewal BC. She provides administrative support to the Chief Executive Officer and team, and assists the Finance & Human Resources Officer with accounting procedures and records. Sandra manages FORREX's filing system, and guides the staff in regular and accurate management of their project documentation. Her responsive, positive approach contributes to the smooth operation of the organization whether she's assisting a colleague, a FORREX partner or client, or the general public.

Julie Taylor Schooling, Corporate Publications Specialist
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3995 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Julie.Schooling@forrex.org

Julie has Bachelors degrees in both Science and Landscape Architecture from the University of Toronto. As the Managing Editor of the BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management, Julie has overseen the rapid growth of the journal from eight articles submitted per year to more than 50. Julie chairs the Natural Resource Communications Working Group and offers leadership support to the Information Products and Services cluster. With her 10 years experience in publications design and project management, Julie assists the FORREX team with special projects and co-ordinates production of the FORREX Annual Report. Julie is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of FORREX publications and providing FORREX’s clients with high-quality, accessible, relevant, and timely information.

Ajit Krishnaswamy, Extension Specialist, Socio-ecocomics
c/o School of Resource and Environmental Management,
Simon Fraser University,
Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6
Phone: (778) 782-8080 Fax: (604)-291-4968
Email: Ajit.Krishnaswamy@forrex.org

Ajit has a PhD in Forest Resources (Social Sciences) from the College of Forest Resources, University of Washington at Seattle, and a Master’s in Forest Management from the Indian Forest College in Dehra Dun, India. Prior to joining FORREX in September 2006, Ajit was the Director of the National Community Forestry Center at the National Network of Forest Practitioners in Providence, RI for 5 years. 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. Ajit has published several papers on community forestry, land use planning, and international forest policy. Ajit will be providing extension services that assist FORREX clients and partners to access research in the human dimensions of resource management.

Todd Redding, Extension Specialist, Watershed Management
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 713-1184 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Todd.Redding@forrex.org

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 is currently completing his PhD in forest hydrology at the University of Alberta. Todd is a Registered Professional Agrologist with background and interests in forest hydrology, soil science, and watershed management.

Kathie Swift, Corporate Team Leader, Extension Services/Early Stand Dynamics
360-1855 Kirschner Road
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4N7
Phone: (250) 860-9663 Fax: (250) 860-0009
Email: Kathie.Swift@forrex.org

Kathie provides extension services in the area of forest resources dynamics and brings to the Partnership diverse experiences—everything from conducting research to running forestry education programs in her local school district. With a background in forestry, and an avid interest in planning and problem-solving, Kathie strives to put context around forest management issues so that the solutions developed are practical and effective in their application. Kathie’s extension program focuses on enhancing our clients' ability to improve their decision-making in the area of early stand dynamics. Collaborating with forest management professionals, technical experts, and other members of the FORREX extension agency, Kathie uses a team approach to address regeneration issues.

Ed Proteau, Extension Specialist (FERIC/FORREX)
3716 - Bishop Crescent
Port Alberni, BC, V9Y 7W4
Phone: (250) 724-6070 Fax: (604) 228-0999
Email: Ed.Proteau@fpinnovations.ca

Ed Proteau is a FERIC (Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada) employee, who is working with the FORREX team through a partnership agreement. Ed graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in 1971 with a diploma in forest technology. He began a 31-year career with MacMillan Bloedel (now Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.) in Kelsey Bay as a compassman. From there he transferred to Estevan Division, where as a Field Engineer he was involved in starting up many operations on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Later, at Franklin River Division, he served as Field Engineer and Area Engineer, and was involved with Stumpage Appraisal, Bridge Construction, Salvage, and Grade Supervision. Eventually Ed became Contract Supervisor where his duties included looking after all aspects of conventional, helicopter, and salvage logging. He also worked at capacity-building with First Nations.

Dan Orcherton, Adjunct Professor and FORREX Extension Specialist, Socio-Economics
c/o Ecosystems Science and Management Program
College of Science and Management
University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)
3333-University Way
Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9
Cell (780) 233-3014, Fax: (250) 563-5421,
Email: Dan.Orcherton@forrex.org

Dan has a PhD in Forest Science (specializing in Cultural Anthropology, Rural Sociology, and Traditional Agroforestry Systems) from the Forestry Studies Centre–University of Pinar del Rio, Cuba (2005) and an MSc in Tropical Agroforestry from the Tropical Agronomic Centre for Research and Higher Education in Turrialba, Costa Rica (1996). Dan received his undergraduate (BSc) degree from the University of Alberta in Forestry (1981). Prior to joining FORREX in February 2008, Dan was Professor and Head of the Forestry Department (The Papua New Guinea University of Technology in Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea), and previous to that worked as a Research Graduate Assistant at the University of Alberta. Dan has over 25 years of professional experience in forest management, agroforestry, and rural development, and has managed bilateral and multilateral development projects and led research teams on 6 continents. Dan has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, white papers, and technical notes on tropical forestry, ethnobotany, agroforestry, traditional ecological knowledge and cultural studies. Based in Prince George, Dan will provide extension services and on-the-ground capacity building for FORREX clients and partners in the Northern Interior of BC, will ensure practitioner needs are addressed through accessing human-environment research of natural resource management, and will provide technical guidance on program plans and strategies. Dan is fluent in Spanish and has a working knowledge of French and Portuguese.

Albie Thomson, Extension Specialist (FERIC/FORREX)
Room 204, Enhanced Forestry Lab, University of Northern British Columbia
3333 University Way
Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9
Phone: (250) 960-5869, Fax: (604) 228-0999
Email: Albie.Thomson@fpinnovations.ca

Albie is a FERIC (Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada) employee working with the FORREX team through a partnership agreement. He started his forestry career with Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd. in Princeton in 1973 after graduation from BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology), and continued with a transfer to the Weyerhaeuser’s Lumby operation in 1990. He has 30 years of experience, including contractor supervision covering harvesting, road construction and maintenance, mechanical site prep, and log yard operations. As a member of the Weyerhaeuser Safety and EMS (Environmental Management System) teams, he helped develop these teams, train staff, and contractors. Albie joined the FERIC/FORREX teams in January of 2003.

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

Alan brings to the Partnership a blend of research, extension, and operational experience. Alan has held a range of positions in his career: forest ecologist, Forestry Canada; extension specialist, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; and, most recently, zone forester, BC Ministry of Forests. Alan’s specialties include silvicultural systems, forest ecology and health, vegetation management, and literature database development and management. His program focuses on extending knowledge of research findings and facilitating opportunities for collaborative projects in ecosystems and stand management in British Columbia.

Davide Cuzner, Extensionist - Forest Dynamics
650 7th Ave East
Prince Rupert, BC, V8J 2J6
Phone: (250) 622-7202
Email: Davide.Cuzner@forrex.org

Davide is a Forest Pupil with the Association of BC Forest Professionals with a Technical Engineering Degree in Structural & Chemical Engineering from Thorildplan, Stockholm, Sweden. Davide has over 15 years of combined forest inventory, research, and planning experience focussed on coastal ecosystem classification, growth & yield, timber supply review, wood properties, and end recovery analysis for the Ministry of Forests. As a forest consultant, Davide has been heavily involved with strategic and landscape-level planning, spatial timber economic analyses and research project development, forest policy review, and FRBC/FIA administration and delivery. His knowledge of coastal ecosystems has allowed Davide to negotiate high-level strategic management objectives for the North Coast LRMP on behalf of major forest companies. Davide has completed three Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) operational pilot projects from landscape-level analysis and stand-level design to actual harvesting, including socio-economic impact assessments related to EBM. Davide is currently pursuing his Masters in Forest Ecology on coastal ecosystem recovery.

Don Gayton, Ecosystem Management Specialist
Box 851
Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0
Phone: (250) 494-1858
Email: Don.Gayton@forrex.org

Don Gayton has a wealth of experience working in dry forests and grassland ecosystems. Before joining FORREX, he worked as a range ecologist for the B.C. Ministry of Forests, and prior to that, as a forage specialist for the Saskatchewan government. Don is a professional agrologist, holding a B.Sc. in Agronomy from Washington State University and an M.Sc. in Plant Ecology from the University of Saskatchewan. Long-term ecosystem monitoring, ecological restoration, and the integration of western science and traditional ecological knowledge are particular areas of specialty. Don has substantial practical experience in resolving multiple resource conflicts. He is also an accomplished author, with a number of books, extension bulletins, and technical articles to his credit.

For more information on the Partnership, or information on how to become a partner, please contact:
Chris Hollstedt, Chief Executive Officer
Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue
Kamloops, BC, V2C 3J4
Phone: (250) 371-3929 Cell: (250) 319-2763 Fax: (250) 371-3997
Email: Chris.Hollstedt@forrex.org