Provincial Executive

Born in Lethbridge Alberta- family moved to Victoria a in 1960 where I attended school and university. My first BC government job was as a summer student janitor while in university. I moved to Toronto to pursue graduate studies at York University in Toronto. Needless to say the then windswept flat barren landscape of Downsview was quite a shock for a West Coast boy and I swore to get back home asap. It took a few years. First professional job was as a federal parole officer. As soon as I could, I transferred to Vancouver. While a parole officer I became a local Union President and got much more interested in labour-management issues than dealing with criminals every day. I switched careers into the provincial public service as an Industrial Relations Officer with the Ministry of Labour including an interesting secondment working at the Labour Relations Board. During my career I was fortunate to have travelled extensively throughout the Province and worked with almost every Ministry as well as Crown Corporations, other Provinces and US states. This has given me a deep appreciation of the variety, scope and richness of our Province and public service in general

Some of my roles include being a labour relations officer with both GERB and GPSD and later on as the Manager, Selection Standards with responsibility for developing new competency based hiring and selection standards ( KSA’s) and representing Ministries in competition appeals . When MCFD was put together I moved there to assist with recruiting and labour relations issues and became involved with the contracted social service sector as Director of Sectoral Relations. After the Campbell government cuts I returned to the Public Service Agency as a senior labour relations officer working with various groups. I managed to purchase my service from my student days so was able to retire very close to the magic “Freedom 55”.

Since retiring I have done consulting work in a variety of areas such as organizational design and job descriptions, performance management, bargaining, investigating workplace issues and working on strategic plans. I enjoy being a bit of a technology geek and an audiophile as well as international travel to Europe and Asia, volunteering with adult ESL students, fundraising and my work within the BCGREA as we move forward.

Born in Sylvan Lake Alberta, February 18th, 1945. Two grown children, Trevor (wife Jennifer) and granddaughter Azure and Christina (husband Darren Ewasiuk). Educated in Alberta and BC with diplomas in both Forest Technology and Public Administration. Ken worked as an Air Force Policeman, a logger and truck driver prior to joining the BC Forest Service in 1965 as Compassman, progressing through the ranks of Forest Cruiser, Assistant Ranger, Deputy Ranger, Operations Manager and finally District Manager from 1984 to 1995. In 1995 Ken was promoted to Regional Director of Forest Renewal BC in the Ominica-Peace Region of the province until he retired in 2000.

In 2000, Ken became a consultant for; “WoodLinks”; “BC Wood” and the “Central Interior Wood Processors Association” or “CIWPA” with responsibilities for assisting with the education, promotion, marketing and lobbying on behalf of the Value Added Industry in central and northern BC. In 2003, Ken became the Environmental Manager for a major pipeline project in south eastern Russia for a three year period.

Since 2007, Ken has worked as a volunteer for many organizations in which he is affiliated. Ken is currently 1st Vice Chair of the Prince George Branch #1600 of the BCGREA; Director for the Nechako Rotary Club; Director for the Prince George Council of Seniors; Director for the Prince George ATV Club; and First Aid Instructor with the Canadian Ski Patrol Program in Prince George.

Ken is an active Ski Patroller in both Nordic and Alpine Skiing on hills and trails around Prince George. Ken has traveled extensively through eastern and western Canada, the Yukon, Alaska, western USA, Georgia and Florida, parts of England, France, Germany, Greece, China, Turkey and Egypt. He has spent extended vacations in Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia, including Tasmania.

Ken has been a Rotarian since 1985, functioning in the capacities of Director, Secretary, President and Past President of both the Fort St John and Prince George-Nechako Rotary Clubs. Ken is currently an Assistant Governor of Rotary’s District 5040 in BC. Ken is the recipient of six Rotary Paul Harris Fellowships.

I grew up in Nanaimo, starting work as an auxiliary employee for the Liquor Distribution Branch while attending Malaspina College. After graduation, I continued my career at the LDB and in 1986 I moved to the Lower Mainland to work as an Assistant Manager and Manager with the LDB. I retired from Government in 2009 after completing 35 years of service.

I was an active BCGEU member for my entire career, starting as a Shop Steward, serving as an elected officer at the Local and Component levels, and in the last few years of my career, working as a temporary BCGEU Staff Representative. I also served as President of the Nanaimo, Duncan and District Labour Council, and was elected three times as a School Trustee for the Nanaimo School District.

In recent years I have been active in the Langley/Surrey Branch of the BCGREA, and most recently have been appointed by the BCGREA as a General Vice-President of the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC (COSCO BC).

I’m originally from Montreal, Quebec, but I grew up in sunny Tsawwassen. I married the love of my life, Ron, and we’re blessed with two wonderful sons, Jason and Cameron, along with our lovely daughter-in-law, Makenna. We also share our home with a very spoiled cat named Lady Stella.

After spending years in various private sector accounting positions, I kicked off my career in government at Vital Statistics. I then moved over to Provincial Revenue, where I took on the role of Office Manager for the Revenue Information Systems Branch. I worked my way up to my final position as Finance/Accounts Manager. In 2005, I took a year off and then took a temporary position at the University of Victoria, where I spent 11 years before retiring in 2017.

Since hanging up my finance hat, I’ve dived into a variety of hobbies that bring me joy. Whether it’s getting my hands dirty in the garden, exploring my artistic side with painting, or enjoying the great outdoors while camping, I love keeping busy. I’m also a fan of games—whether its card games, PC games, or board games, I’m always up for some fun! So much so that I am on the Board of the Langford 50 and Up Club which is centered on social games.

On the entrepreneurial side, I started my own greeting card business, which has been a delightful creative outlet. I was a Toastmaster for 10 years, honing my leadership, writing and public speaking skills and meeting some fantastic people along the way. I’ve also served as the Treasurer of the BCGREA Victoria Branch and later moved to the Western Communities Branch. In 2021, I joined the Provincial Communications Committee, where I’ll continue to work on providing our membership with meaningful articles and human interest stories.

I completed a BA in Psychology and Sociology in 1962 at Victoria College (affiliated to UBC). I married my husband Charles that year and was fortunate to be able to stay at home for 25 years while we raised our four children. True Vancouver Islanders, I was born and brought up in Port Alberni and Charles was born in Ladysmith. During our 50+ years of marriage we have lived in Victoria, Duncan and now Nanaimo.

While I was at home I operated a licensed family child care and advocated for many years for quality child care and quality child care providers.

In 1989 I became a member of the BCGEU when I was hired by the Central Vancouver Island Health Unit to be a licensing officer, monitoring both child and adult care facilities in this region. Over the course of my employment I became a chief licensing officer for the Central Vancouver Health Region and a Supervisor of Licensing for the Vancouver Island Health Authority with responsibility for both Central and North Vancouver Island. It was truly a privilege to be able to contribute to this rewarding work.

I retired in February 2005 (on my 65th birthday) and joined the BCGREA and serve as the secretary of the Nanaimo/Mid-Island Branch #600. I am active in my community as a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women, Community Kitchens, Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes and Brechin United Church. In my spare time I enjoy walking, knitting, reading and visiting with our four amazing grandchildren.

Johanna has a strong background in financial management in both the private and public sector.  She has over 14 years experience in the private sector working for banks and trust companies in a variety of positions including loans officer, internal auditor and assistant manager.

Since joining the BC Public Service in 1990 she has held a number of positions including Investment Manager at the Superannuation Commission, Banking and Cash Management Analyst at Provincial Treasury, Financial Policy Analyst at Corrections Branch, Projects Manager at

HealthLines Services BC, and most recently as Manager, Recovery and Funding Programs for the Emergency Management BC.

From June 2009 to March 2019 Johanna was a Trustee of the BC Public Service Public Service Plan where she also served on the Interplan Audit and Education Committees and chaired the Governance Committee. She was nominated as a trustee by the BC Government Excluded Employees Association and appointed by the Province.

Johanna retired in June 2019 and looks forward to supporting the BCGREA as the provincial treasurer.”

I spent my 35-year career with the Ministry of Forests and retired in Grand Forks in 2008.  My early career had postings in Parksville, Blue River and Hixon before moving to Grand Forks in 1981.  The position I filled was the Resource Officer Silviculture and it required Registered Professional Forester certification.  I took a leave of absence in 1992-93 and returned to UBC as a 41-year-old to complete the remaining 13 courses I needed and passed the registration exam in 1993.   In 1996, I was transferred to the RO Timber position before moving in 2002 (when the Boundary District closed) to Area Forester with BC Timber Sales.  I joined the BCGREA upon retirement and I’m currently a co-chair and the membership chair for Branch 400.

I’ve been married to Deb since 1973 and we have 2 sons who live and work in the lower mainland.  Following retirement, we spent several winters in the southern U.S. with our motorcycles and toy-hauler trailer.  In 2011, we bought a seasonal residence in southern California so we live the “snowbird” life of spring, summer and fall in Grand Forks and winters in California.  My favourite hobbies are motorcycle riding, playing pickle ball and hitting a golf ball around (quite badly I must admit).  I also enjoy computer work, meeting people and helping out with small repair jobs for the neighbours.

The floods that occurred in Grand Forks in spring, 2018 pointed out how fortunate we were to avoid any personal loss and we volunteered with the Red Cross for several months to help people get re-established.  We enjoyed the experience and are now working on the numerous courses that are required to continue as Emergency Management volunteers.  It is training that I hope not to use but want to be prepared if the need arises.

I am very concerned about the BCGREA’s declining membership during the last decade and I believe we can turn this trend around if we reach out to potential new members and make them aware of the benefits we offer.  I sit on the Recruitment and Retention Committee and we are trying to implement new initiatives but we need help from the local Branches and all members.  Please contact me if you have ideas or suggestions about how we can grow our organization or if you want assistance with local problems.

Johanna has a strong background in financial management in both the private and public sector.  She has over 14 years experience in the private sector working for banks and trust companies in a variety of positions including loans officer, internal auditor and assistant manager.

Since joining the BC Public Service in 1990 she has held a number of positions including Investment Manager at the Superannuation Commission, Banking and Cash Management Analyst at Provincial Treasury, Financial Policy Analyst at Corrections Branch, Projects Manager at

HealthLines Services BC, and most recently as Manager, Recovery and Funding Programs for the Emergency Management BC.

From June 2009 to March 2019 Johanna was a Trustee of the BC Public Service Public Service Plan where she also served on the Interplan Audit and Education Committees and chaired the Governance Committee. She was nominated as a trustee by the BC Government Excluded Employees Association and appointed by the Province.

Johanna retired in June 2019 and looks forward to supporting the BCGREA as the provincial treasurer.”