CMTN Foundation Board

Board Members

 

The CMTN Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of 9 volunteer individuals from communities within the Coast Mountain College region. By way of position, the CMTN Foundation Executive Director, along with the Coast Mountain College President, and Board of Governors Chair, each hold a seat.  Each Director brings commitment to achieving the mission, vision, and values of the CMTN Foundation. 

Together the Board strives to achieve the common goal of eliminating barriers for student success. 

Officers

Foundation-20Herb Pond

CHAIR

Herb Pond is Mayor of Prince Rupert and Chair of the CMTN Foundation.  He is a former Administrator of Lax KwÂalaams Band and prior to that, Chief Executive Officer of Port Edward Historical Society.

Active in his community, Mr. Pond Chairs three other Boards and is a Director on the North Coast Regional District Board and Northern Resource Benefits Alliance. Mr. Pond studied Forestry at the University of British Columbia.

 

Steve Bakker

VICE CHAIR

Steve Bakker is a CMTN Alumni, Personal Financial Planner and Personal Financial Counsellor.  He worked at Scotiabank for over thirty years, with his last position being the Bank Manager for Scotiabank Terrace Branch.  

Steve participated in the original concept investigation for the creation of the CMTN Foundation and recognized early on the value CMTN Foundation is to the communities it serves.  

“I have been impacted by the stories I have been told by the beneficiaries of the CMTN Foundation and knew that this was something I wanted to be part of in my retirement.  The Skeena Valley is my home.  I love the outdoor recreational activities this area has to offer and want to help others be educated close to home.” 


Foundation-24

Khalie Genereaux

TREASURER & SECRETARY

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 as valedictorian with honours from the Certified Management Accountants program and her role changed to Finance Manager and then again later to Controller. 

Khalie has worked as an accounting instructor and completed her Public Administration certificate with honours, both at Coast Mountain College. She 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."


Ken Veldman 

PRIVACY OFFICER

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.


Directors

Sandra Jones

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.    

In 2020, she returned to SD52 for 8 months as interim/associate Superintendent and then returned to retirement where she enjoys travel, swimming, 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."  

Kapil Verma

Kapil Verma is a CMTN Alumni who completed the Post-Graduation Business Administration Diploma at the Terrace CMTN Campus.  Kapil came to Canada as an International Student from India, where he had previously studied mechanical engineering.   Since his CMTN graduation Kapil has established his own business and is a partner in a second.  He has a strong desire to help other students, particularly international students facing the same barriers he had and has put this desire into action creating the Uppal Appliances Ltd. Award.   

Clarence Martin

Clarence Martin is a CMTN Alumni and lifelong learner.  He has studied Early Childhood Education, child psychology and ran a daycare, then power engineering, refrigeration and ice making, along with a heavy haul driving license.

Today he is the General Manager of the Upper Skeena Recreation Center in Hazelton.  Known as “Uncle Clarey” to 30+ nieces and nephews, he is an anchor in the community.  His hunting, fishing and foraging supports many local families. Clarey also enjoys golfing and making TikTok videos with his wife Bertha.    

Joining the CMTN Foundation Board is one more way I can contribute to my community, helping and encouraging others to go to school to get where they need to go.”  

George Whitehead

George Whitehead has been a resident of Smithers the past 18 years and worked in the finance field for over 20 years.  He is currently a self-employed financial planner with IG Wealth Management.  George is very involved in his community volunteering on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, the town’s Economic Development Committee, the Salvation Army, the Museum Society, the Trails Foundation and many other groups.  

Volunteering is a rewarding and enjoyable way to make an impact and connection with people and organizations who live and work in the northwest.” 


Taryn Foundation

Taryn Cutler

Taryn Cutler is a CMTN Alumni, and the Community Liaison and Office Manager of Seabridge’s Smithers BC office.  In addition to her full-time job with Seabridge, Taryn has a young family and recently completed a Bachelor Degree of General Studies from Thomson River University. Taryn was the recipient of the Women in Mining-Indigenous Student Trailblazer Award.  She is a role model for young women looking to enter the mining industry.  Taryn belongs to the Wolf Clan of the Tahltan Nation, and she is an active participant in the life of her community.

WIMC: https://www.seabridgegold.com/press-release/seabridge-gold-team-member-announced-as-national-award-winner-from-women-in-mining-canada 

 


Coast Mountain College Positions

Laurie Waye Message from the Interim PresidentLaurie Waye

PRESIDENT & CEO, COAST MOUNTAIN COLLEGE

Message from the President

 

 

 

 


Adelle Cober

BOARD OF GOVERNORS CHAIR

Adelle Cober is a CMTN Alumni, and the current Chair for the Coast Mountain College’s Board of Governors.  Adelle is currently a project manager at Pacific Northwest Division of Family Practice and prior was a constituency assistant to Members of Parliament and a support worker at K'san Society. Active in her community, she is Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for K'san Society. She has been treasurer at Coast Mountain College’s Students’ Union. Adelle was a representative at the University of Northern British Columbia School of Social Work and at Coast Mountain College’s Board of Governors, and Education Council. She was elected Board Chair for Coast Mountain College in October 2023.   

 


Yvonne Koerner 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CMTN FOUNDATION AND EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

Yvonne Koerner is a CMTN Alumni, born and raised in Terrace.  Yvonne completed the Business Administration Diploma at CMTN before continuing on to become a Chartered Professional Accountant. Yvonne holds an MBA in International Business from SFU.  She worked in industry in the northwest, including Terrace, Prince Rupert and Kitimat before transitioning to local government where she held positions with Regional District Kitimat-Stikine, most recently Chief Financial Officer, and the Executive Director for the Northwest Regional Hospital District.  In 2022 Yvonne joined Coast Mountain College to become the Executive Director, CMTN Foundation and Executive Education.  

"Supporting students in their own communities helps everyone; educate students in the Northwest, to stay in the Northwest."

 


Renee Jordan

EVENTS & ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

If you have questions about the CMTN Foundation or would like more information about our fundraising events, contact us: cmtnfoundation@coastmountaincollege.ca