Dan Salekin
CHAIR
Dan is a co-founder and the President/CEO of Columbia Networks and brings over 25 years of working experience in the computing and data networking industries to his role. Dan has also been employed as a senior manager within Canadian business enterprises during the past 18 years and has developed a solid understanding of the telecommunications business in Canada as an entrepreneur, senior architect and senior director of technology.
Before he co-founded Columbia Networks, Dan was the Senior IP Architect at TeraGo Networks where he developed the commercial services for the launch of TeraGo and was instrumental in growing the client base to over 3,000 customers.
Prior to TeraGo, Dan held a senior role with another startup company, GT Group Telecom, as a Senior Director of National Data Networks. At GT Group Telecom, Dan managed a multi-million dollar budget and a technology department. Dan was successful at developing and launching GT Group Telecom’s commercial services as well as a national data network across Canada.
Paul Burgener
SECRETARY TREASURER
Paul came to KAST in 2006 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) in Waterloo Ontario, on a two-year assignment to take over a local position as an Industrial Technology Advisor.
He was transferred to Calgary in 2009, retired from NRC in 2012 and returned to Nelson. Paul is a Certified Management Consultant, technical business development professional, as well as a registered Ontario and Alberta Professional Engineer, with extensive experience in manufacturing, public and private service sector and R&D project management.
In the past, Paul has evaluated patents and technology for investors; purchased, developed and sold new companies; set up and maintained financial systems; and provided HR management. He has also been responsible for funding proposals, SR&ED grants and audits, new market generation and transfer of businesses to new owners.
In his 13 years with NRC-IRAP, he worked with approximately 400 companies. Paul continues to provide consulting and technology development as well as being actively involved in KAST.
Jason Tayler
After graduating from Vancouver Film School in 1991, Jason worked as a computer modeler and animator in TV, architectural rendering and commercial advertising. Jason started with Selkirk College in August of 1998 and was hired to develop the Multimedia Production and Design program located at the Selkirk College campus in Trail.
In 2002, the program moved to Nelson as part of the School of the Arts where Jason assumed the role of Chair. In 2014, Jason developed the Digital Fabrication division of Selkirk College’s Applied Research and Innovation department. During that year, Jason was invited to support the development and implementation of the MIDAS facility in Trail, BC where he is currently working in applied research, program development and supporting community and industry members.
When not at Selkirk playing, Jason can be found on the golf course, ski hill or in his own workshop making something cool.
Andrea Wilkey
Andrea is the Executive Director of Community Futures Central Kootenay, which supports entrepreneurs to be successful and communities to be economically healthy. As the Co-Chair of the West Kootenay Economic Development Collaborative, a partner in the Nelson & Area Economic Development Partnership and a delivery partner for Imagine Kootenay, Andrea is actively involved in supporting projects to improve our rural economy.
Andrea’s background is in communications and marketing in the tourism, ski and restaurant industries as well as community development. Andrea’s career in the tourism industry involved shaping programs for Tourism Whistler, Sun Peaks Resort and the Canadian Tourism Commission, leveraging the impact of the 2010 Olympics with the U.S. market.
Andrea also spent seven years with Boston Pizza International building marketing initiatives for stores in Western Canada and building strategic partnerships to support regional initiatives.
Prior to joining Community Futures, Andrea worked with the Columbia Basin Trust as Acting Director of Communications. Andrea grew up in Revelstoke, BC and after spending 15 years in the lower mainland, returned to the Kootenays in 2010.
Matt Moor
Matt Moor is an expert technologist and operations manager, and has spent the previous 11 years developing products, designing systems and managing people at growth-stage cloud companies. Matt is passionate about delivery, making the jump into management in order to focus on building culture and process, having realized that no technical solution works in isolation, no matter how elegant it may be.
Matt has a lot of not-for-profit experience, having worked for WWF-Australia and serving on the boards of a number of technology-related community organizations.
Matt currently serves on the City of Revelstoke Technology Steering Committee and as a board member of the Revelstoke Mountain Colab.
Alex Chappel
Alex is the Director of People at the Rossland-based SaaS company Thoughtexchange. She is passionate about recruiting top notch team members and loves connecting people with roles where they excel. Alex is a seasoned communications professional and event planner with experience in both public and private sectors.
Alex served three years on the board of the Osprey Community Foundation in Nelson and also sat on the Communications Committee for the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education in Vancouver, leading the international media relations team for the 2006 visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Alex loves interior design, travel, camping and being outside.
Chris Botterill
Chris Botterill is the President and Founder of Genex Marketing Agency Ltd. He joins the board of KAST in transition as a director from the board of KRIC, the innovation council representing the East Kootenay region.
Chris is an active member in his community, serving as a director on the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce for several years, including a year as VP and President in 2017. With a wide range of skills and experience, Chris started his career in computer networking by working with a tech startup, YourTechOnline.com (now support.com). He then moved into digital marketing at the Internet Marketing Centre coaching entrepreneurs all around the world on how to market, sell and develop online strategy for their businesses.
Chris loves living the Kootenay life with his partner Julie and two children, Lucy and Lena, in Cranbrook, BC.
