Board of Directors

 

Jamey Paterson, Chair

Service on Board: Jan 2017 - June 2023

Hometown: Langley

 
   
In 1979 Jamey Paterson started his own Sales Agency, Paterson Products Ltd. This now extends across Western Canada. They sell Building Supplies, Plumbing, Electrical, Industrial and Safety Supplies markets.  In 2000 Mr. Paterson was the assistant to the Chairman for the BC Games with a Disability; 2005 he chaired the Communities in Bloom Committee; 2012 he Chaired the 50th Anniversary of the Langley Walk Committee; 2010 he was the Vice Chair of the 2010 BC Summer Games, and in 2013 he was Vice Chair for the 2013 BC Special Olympics.  Active in his community Mr. Paterson has served on the Building Supply Industry Association for 10 years. He also served on the Sharon Village Seniors Housing Society for 6 years, and was Vice Chair of the BC Challenge Drug and Alcohol Recovery Centre's for Men and Women for 8 years. Mr. Paterson was appointed Chair of the BC Games Society's Board of Directors in 2017.  
   

Charles Bruce

Service on Board: Jan 2019 - June 2022

Hometown: Kamloops

 
Charlie is deeply committed to health, fitness, recreation, sport and education. He has supported his passions by being involved in related organizations, events and activities over the past thirty years. Personally dedicated to pursuing his own goals and objectives in triathlon, cross-country skiing, running, swimming, cycling, Charlie also finds tremendous satisfaction participating at an organizational level. Over the past fifteen years, Charlie has been involved in sport and recreation ranging form the Local, Provincial, National and International levels. Most recently, Charlie served as Race Director for the Sport Chek Kamloops Marathon, a qualifying race for the prestigious Boston Marathon.

Among his many sport and multi-sport commitments, Charlie has had the privilege to serve as President of the 2013 BC Senior Games, which received accolades as being “one of the most successful Senior Games ever!” He also served as Chairperson/Director for the Canadian Masters Cross-Country Ski Championships, which drew skiers from across Canada for the four day event.

Committed to extoling the lifelong benefits of health and fitness, Charlie is a certified Yoga instructor teaching a very active class on a weekly basis through the YM/YWCA. For his enthusiasm and dedication to health, Charlie was awarded the YM/YWCA Peace Medal Recipient in 2016.
He presently serves on the Board of the Kamloops Sports Council and is on the Board of the 2020 Canada +55 Games, which will be hosted by Kamloops in August 2020.
 
   

Joni Frei

Service on Board: June 2021 - June 2022

Hometown: Port Hardy

 

Joni Frei is a Chartered Professional Coach and NCCP Competition Development coach through the Coaching Association of Canada. Joni serves as an NCCP Master Learning Facilitator and Coach Evaluator for Softball BC as well as Head Coach of University of British Columbia Okanagan’s Softball team.

Joni earned an undergraduate degree from Georgia College and State University’s Department of Health Sciences in 2005, where she received numerous honours for her high achievement as a dual-sport athlete in softball and soccer. Upon the end of her playing career in the Dutch Softball league, Joni returned to North America to pursue her Master of Public Administration and a career in coaching. She has since coached at all collegiate levels as well as internationally and for Team BC at the 2014 and 2017 North American Indigenous Games, winning gold and bronze in Regina and Toronto, respectively.

Joni is the owner of Beyond The White Lines Softball, a training academy that uses softball as a vehicle to inspire and impact lives beyond the playing field, head coach of the “Canada Futures” collegiate prospect team, CEO and founder of the Institute of Women In Leadership (IWIL), and founder of “Grow The Game Uganda”. In January of 2020, Joni and her team traveled throughout Uganda providing player, coach, and umpire development clinics, while competing in the “East Africa-Canada Exhibition Series”.

Serving as the Director of Coaching for Softball BC, Joni’s mission is to advance coach development, communication, and promote women in coaching within the province. She created the Provincial Coach Development Program now represented in nearly all minor softball associations in B.C.

 
   

Jim Martin

Service on Board: Jan 2017 - June 2023

Hometown: Prince George

 

Jim Martin has been a resident of Prince George since 1993. Jim started working with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George in 1994 when the new regional solid waste management service was introduced. Early in his career with the Regional District Jim was involved in a number of environmental programs and services in the areas of solid waste management, utility services, regional parks and air quality. He has progressively advanced in the Regional District and became the CAO in 2007.

Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Simon Fraser University in 1990. Over the years he has enhanced his academic education with additional studies in the fields of leadership, executive management and local government administration. Prior to working with the Regional District Jim worked with the Federal Government, Provincial Government and the private sector on environmental management related projects.

Jim has also been very active in participating on the Boards of a number of organizations ranging from small non-profits where the board is operationally oriented to large boards where the focus is policy and governance. Jim was a founding director and Chair of the International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition Society and was Vice-Chair of the Prince George Canada Winter Games Host Society. Currently Jim is a director for the North Sports Centre Inc, Vice-Chair of the Northern BC Community Sport Development Society and a member of the Prince George Community Foundation Investment Committee.

On weekends and depending on the season Jim can be found skiing on the local mountains or mountain biking on the local network of trails with his family.
 
   

Wayne Naka

Service on Board: Jan 2019 - June 2023

Hometown: Nelson

 

Wayne Naka recently retired as a School Administrator after running K-12 schools in 4 districts throughout the province over the past 35 years. He has had a lifetime commitment to sport as an athlete, a coach, an administrator, and a volunteer. During his first ten years of teaching, he was also the head coach for the Dawson Creek Kodiaks of the PCJHL (one year), and head coach of the Kelowna Buckaroos of the BCHL (8 years). From there he coached four years in the Western Hockey league for the Victoria Cougars. During those hockey years, he also helped develop the Program of Excellence for BC Hockey and Hockey Canada. He has coached the Pacific Region U-17 team, the National U-18 Team, written curriculum for Hockey Canada, and was a presenter for Advance I and II Seminars across Western Canada. From 1986-1989 he also served as a Master Coach for the National Coaching Institute at the University of Victoria.

Over the past twenty years Wayne has volunteered time to multi-sport events in BC. He has been the Director of Sport for the BC Summer Games (Trail/Castlegar), the Director of Sport for the BC Winter Games (Trail/Rossland), the Director of Sport for the BC Seniors Games Society (Trail/Castlegar/Nelson) and has just finished five years as the Vice-President and President of the BC Seniors Games Society.

Wayne is an avid outdoorsman, and fishing has been a passion throughout his entire life. He has also been a kayak guide for the past 25 years and has taken numerous expeditions to his favorite destination in Belize. He is very excited about the opportunity to work with the BC Games Society, and contribute to sport, recreation and healthy lifestyles in the province.

 
   

Breeanne Parisien

Service on Board: May 2018 - June 2022

Hometown: Elkford

 

Bree Parisien has spent the majority of her life in the outdoors of the East and West Kootenays which lends itself well to her families’ lifestyle. Ms. Parisien completed a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in human resources and marketing, is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CPHR) and completed a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University. Ms. Parisien has held progressively more senior roles in Human Resources, predominantly in the mining industry. In the various towns she has lived, she’s looked for opportunities to be involved in various volunteer activities such as the Advisory Council with the BC HR association, the BC Special Olympics Board of Directors as well as developing young females as part of the local communities’ Ambassador Programme.

 
   

Richard Peter

Service on Board: Jan 2019 - June 2022

Hometown: Vancouver

   
Bio to come.    
   

Veronica Planella

Service on Board: Jan 2019 - June 2023

Hometown: Victoria

 
Veronica is an educator, mental skill practitioner, field hockey coach and master level athlete. She works at the University of Victoria, is a professional member of the Canadian sport psychology association and international society of sport psychology. Veronica is also a certified level 4 coach with the Canadian coaching certification program as well as a trainer coach for the Pan American field hockey association. Veronica’s areas of research interest include coaching expertise, athlete career development and transitions, learning and performance analysis, sport diversity and motives for engagement. Veronica’s passion lies in the collaboration with individuals, fostering the exploration and discovery of what drives action and reflection. Those who have worked with Veronica attest to her ability to craft the conditions that inspire individuals to ascertain their sense of purpose. Veronica insights are enriched by working with and learning from diverse individuals contributing to her innovative approach to academia, research and coaching.

Veronica was a field hockey squad member for the 1992 Olympic Games, Bronze medalist at the Pan Am games in 1995, named Canadian MVP and Academic All Canadian in 1998-1999, and continues to compete at the World Masters level. Veronica volunteers with the local junior field hockey league and Victoria therapeutic riding association. Veronica is a strategist in sport, leadership and coach education.  She has attended Olympic Games, Paralympic World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Pan-American Games, Special Olympic Games, and Masters Games.
 
   

Pamela Rai

Service on Board: May 2018 - June 2022

Hometown: Nanaimo

Pamela Leila Rai is a teacher, social justice activist, volunteer and owner/operator of Silent Motion Yoga. She was a member of the Canadian National Swim Team from 1980-1987. Highlights of Rai’s athletic career include World Championships, Pan-American Games (silver), Commonwealth Games (gold) and Olympic Games (bronze). She is the first woman of Indian descent to win an Olympic medal (1984) and was inspired by her father’s athletic talents which trailblazed him to be the first Indo-Canadian to make on Olympic team (field hockey 1964). Amongst many awards and honours, she is an inductee into the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum &  the Delta Sports Hall of Fame. 

Rai has degrees from both UVic and UBC and is graduate of yoga studies from the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy in Rishikesh, India. In addition to teaching high school math and social justice, Rai has spent many years mentoring and coaching youth, volunteering and leading various community organizations involved in areas of environmental sustainability, women’s rights, First Nations advocacy, animal rights, and multi-cultural inclusivity.
 
     

Niki Remesz

Service on Board: June 2020 - June 2023

Hometown: Kamloops

 

Niki Remesz is the founder and owner of Uniquely Inspired Marketing, a full-service marketing and consulting firm in Kamloops, BC. Niki was the president of the 2018 BC Winter Games and received the Sports Person of the Year award at the 2019 Sports Council Awards banquet for championing the best BC Winter Games ever. She is a member and volunteer with 100 Women Who Care and Chair of the Kamloops Arts & Culture Engagement Group. Niki sits on the board of the Kamloops Blazers Advisory Board and is Past-Chair of the Thompson Rivers University Board of Alumni and Friends Association. Niki is also a Canadian Women & Sport facilitator for leadership advancement of girls and women in sport.

 
   

Hunter Sones

Service on Board: June 2021 - June 2022

Hometown: North Vancouver

 

Hunter currently works in business development at a Vancouver-based technology firm. Here, he contributes to the growth of North America’s fastest growing technology-sector ecosystem.

Throughout the 2020/21 post-secondary academic term, Hunter served as the President of the BCIT Student Association (BCITSA) and as a member of BCIT’s Board of Governors. Prior to serving as the President of the BCITSA, he served for one year as the organization’s Chair for the School of Business.

Hunter holds a diploma in Marketing Management with a specialization in Entrepreneurship from BCIT and he is currently completing his Bachelor of Business Administration.

Prior to pursuing post-secondary education, Hunter competed at the national level in biathlon and at the international level - on Team Canada - in the sport of mountain running. In 2012, he competed at the BC Winter Games in Greater Vernon where he was presented with the W.R. Bennett award for athletic excellence. To this day, Hunter continues to be an advocate for organized sport in BC.

 
   

Kyle Todoruk

Service on Board: June 2020 - June 2022

Hometown: Victoria

 

Bio to come.

 
   

Christine Ulmer

Service on Board: June 2020 - June 2022

Hometown: Vancouver

 

Christine Ulmer is an experienced senior marketing and communications professional with more than 15 years of public sector service, as well as unique contract experience in communications, brand development, and venue and event management.

She is the Principal of Christine Ulmer Public Relations, a full service communications agency. Christine has previous experience at the director level working for the City of Vancouver, where she provided integrated and strategic marketing, communications, and public engagement leadership for the Board of Parks and Recreation.  

Prior to joining the City, Christine was the Director of Marketing and Communications at BCIT and before that, managed the Public Affairs division of Okanagan College for a decade. 

She holds a master's degree in journalism from Boston University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in political science from UBC, where she also played varsity field hockey. 

Christine brings a depth of experience across the public sector in the areas of education, municipal government, not-for-profit sport, and is passionate about building relationships. 

 
   

Michelle Webster

Service on Board: Jan 2017 - June 2022

Hometown: Kelowna

 
Michelle Webster is currently the Interior Region Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator for the Indigenous, Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council. Active in her community, she is an elected member of the Board of Directors for Pacific Sport Okanagan as well as the Technical Director for Kelowna Minor Fastball. She holds her Masters Degree in Business Administration and her Bachelor of Arts in Health Physical Education and Recreation from the Kansas Wesleyan University.  
   

Pansy Wright-Simms

Service on Board: Jan 2019 - June 2022

Hometown: Hazelton

   
Pansy Wright-Simms is from the Gitxsan Nation in Northwestern BC. Her traditional names are Gaypaygw’m Ganauu, Luu’bahlum giitsa and Maas Gwiikxw. She originates from the traditional house group of Luutkudziiwus & Xsimjiitsiin of the Laxseel (Frog) clan. Pansy is fully engaged in fulfilling her role as a Gitxsan traditional song, drumming, and dance teacher to the people in the area in which she resides. She has pursued her education in Criminology and Working with youth in community settings. Her passion and advocacy for children, youth and families has allowed for a history of employment as a Youth Worker, Family support worker with Gitxsan Child & Family Services Society, PCAP with Gitxsan Health Society, First Nations Support worker with CMSD82, and finally her present position as the Education Administrator for the Office of Gitanmaax. Pansy is a director for First Nations Education Steering Committee, First Nations Schools Association, First Nations Council-Coast Mountain College, & the Gitxsan Wet’suwet’en Education Society. Being a Gitxsan woman born and raised in a small indigenous community she has seen the positive impact that Sports has had on her life and those surrounding her. Therefore, she has dedicated a considerable amount of her time volunteering and organizing sports as a Coach and assistant coach in her community and local schools for Soccer, Softball, Basketball and Volleyball all for love of encouraging young people to stay engaged in healthy extra-curricular activity and having positive peer influences. She encourages our young people to “never forget who you are and where you have come from” and “be the voice of those that wouldn’t otherwise be heard”.  We are a resilient people and have a responsibility to model a life showing Love, kindness, respect, and compassion for one another. Hamiiya – Luu Giihl go’odem- all of one heart    
  • Jamey Paterson, Langley, Chair 
  • Charles Bruce, Kamloops
  • Joni Frei, Kelowna
  • Jim Martin, Prince George
  • Wayne Naka, Nelson
  • Breeanne Parisien, Elkford
  • Richard Peter, Vancouver
  • Veronica Planella, Victoria
  • Pamela Rai, Nanaimo
  • Niki Remesz, Kamloops
  • Hunter Sones, North Vancouver
  • Kyle Todoruk, Victoria
  • Christine Ulmer, Vancouver
  • Michelle Webster, Vernon
  • Pansy Wright-Simms, Hazelton

Immediate past Chair

  • Byron McCorkell, Kamloops

Honourary Board Members