Foundation Board

Herb Pond
Mayor of Prince Rupert and former Administrator of Lax KwÂalaams Band

Herb Pond is a former Administrator of Lax KwÂalaams Band. Previously, Mr. Pond was the Mayor of Prince Rupert and prior to that, Chief Executive Officer of Port Edward Historical Society. Active in his community, Mr. Pond was a member of the North West Regional Hospital District Board, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Northwest Corridor Development Corporation, and the Northern Development Trust. Mr. Pond studied Forestry at the University of British Columbia.

Khalie Genereaux
Deputy Director of Finance, City of Terrace

Khalie Genereaux started her career in accounting in 2004 after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Economics at SFU. In 2008, Khalie moved back to Terrace, where she was raised, to be the Business Manager of Progressive Ventures Group of companies. In 2012, Khalie graduated with honours from the Certified Management Accountants program and her role changed to Finance Manager and then again later to Controller. Khalie holds her CPA, CMA designation and is presently the Deputy Director of Finance for the City of Terrace. 

"I like what the Foundation does for the community and I want to be a leader in an organization that helps others.  I am a strong proponent for continued education and believe that everyone should have access to it if they want it to be part of their future."

Nicole Halbauer
First Nations Health Authority

Nicole Halbauer is currently employed by the First Nations Health Authority, involved in community engagement. She was previously the general manager at Kalum Kabs Ltd. in Terrace, B.C.

Nicole Halbauer is also the current board chair of the Kitsumkalum Economic Development Board. She has also been a school board trustee for the Coast Mountains School District and a member of the Kitsumkalum Band Council for health and education portfolios.

Nicole Halbauer holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Northern British Columbia (Prince George) and an Associate Degree specializing in criminology from Coast Mountain College.

Dr Geoffrey Appleton
Retired Physician and former Northwest Medical Director for the Northern Health Authority

Originally hailing from England, Dr Geoffrey Appleton has dedicated much of his professional career rallying for and supporting rural physicians. Arriving in Terrace, BC on our northern coast in 1974, Dr Appleton figured he’d give this small town a whirl for a few years. Well, 43 years later he’s still there. For 41 of those years Dr Appleton provided full service family practice – that for many years included obstetrics – to the residents of Terrace.

Even though he has now retired from family practice, Dr Appleton is still very much involved in patient care, rural issues, and making a difference. Dr Appleton began his Doctors of BC career in 1985 representing the Skeena district – and for the next 25 years dedicated much time to the Association in many different capacities. He rose up through the ranks – as it used to be done – first as Board Delegate for a number of years, then Honorary Secretary Treasurer, Chair of the General Assembly, until becoming the Association’s president in 2007 - 2008.

Dr Appleton has a keen appreciation of both the challenges and the benefits of practicing in rural British Columbia. He held a number of key positions that included: Chair of the Rural Physicians Committee, Chair of the Northern Isolation Committee, Member of the Provincial Coordinating Committee on Rural and Remote Health Services, Member of the Interview Panel for the Rural Locum Program and Member of the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues.

Dr Appleton was the Northwest medical Director for Northern health for 7 years followed by 2 years as the Physician Lead for the Northwest Division of Family Practice until September 2018.

Sandra Jones

Sandra Jones grew up in Melbourne, Australia, obtaining her teaching degree at the University of Melbourne.  Love brought her to Prince Rupert in 1981 where she worked for SD52 as a teacher, counsellor, school administrator, and finally Superintendent, retiring in 2017  Sandra obtained her M.A in Counselling Psychology from UBC in 1996.   

Last year, she returned to SD52 for 8 months as interim/associate Superintendent and has recently returned to retirement where she enjoys swimming, running, and walking.  She has been active in her community, serving on the Lester Centre Board and the Rupert Runners executive in the past, and currently serves as the President of the Prince Rupert Community Arts Council and the UNBC Community Development Advisory Committee. 

“I am excited to work with others to enhance educational opportunities for students in the north." 

Ken Veldman
Vice President of Public Affairs & Sustainability, Prince Rupert Port Authority

Ken is responsible for leading PRPA’s teams and strategies related to sustainability, environment, communities, governments, and relationships with Indigenous Peoples. His focus is on ensuring PRPA maintains the careful and innovative approach to stewardship that is required to keep growing trade and creating prosperity for our First Nations, our communities, and Canada.
Ken has been a member of the PRPA team since 2011. He has over 25 years of experience in economic development, including senior roles in Terrace, Prince George, Vancouver, and BC’s 2010 Olympic Games Secretariat.
Born and raised in British Columbia, Ken has a degree in Finance and Economics from Simon Fraser University.

Laurie Waye
President and CEO, Coast Mountain College

Message from the President