Lorri Fehr
CHAIR
Lorri comes to KAST with over 25 years of experience in innovation, administration and system change. She is currently the CEO of the Columbia Lake Technology Center, developing out a large industrial land base to support technology, trades and rural economic development.
With 25+ years in the pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 public education system, Lorri brings a passion for education and community growth. A keen watcher of future facing trends, she is passionate about supporting our Kootenay communities in thriving for generations to come. Lorri has experience in living and working across the Kootenays and envisions a strong future for the Kootenays as a global technology leader. She looks forward to supporting the staff of KAST as together we develop our collaborative, profitable regional technology culture.
When she is not working, Lorri can be found playing or relaxing with her family and her dog either at Kootenay Lake or Columbia Lake, or hiking one of our many amazing Kootenay trails.
Chris Botterill
VICE-CHAIR
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.
Sean Smilie
SECRETARY
Sean Smillie has spent two decades working as a game designer, executive producer, writer, and creative director for video game companies such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Warner Bros., and Walt Disney. After stepping away from the studio system, Sean founded the transmedia creative agency Planet Fiction Studios, currently creating original concepts and freelancing for film, comics, television, and games.
Sean has also lectured, consulted, and taught at Selkirk College, Vancouver Film School, the Art Institute, and the University of British Columbia where he created the Game writing Academy.
When not traveling to meet with his global client list, Sean lives and operates Planet Fiction in Rossland, BC (where he grew up). As a strong supporter and advocate for growth in the region’s tech community, Sean is proud to serve on the boards of Community Futures Greater Trail, the Rossland Mountain Film Festival, and the Kootenay Association of Science and Technology.
Katie Wells
TREASURER
After graduating from Engineering at UBC, Katie worked in pulp and paper and then management with Procter & Gamble. Moving back to B.C., she co-founded Basecamp Enterprises (Rigging for Rescue) and Basecamp Innovations Ltd (Rescue Equipment design). It was here she gained her experience in patents, R&D, SR&ED and IRAP.
When Rigging for Rescue was sold to a US team in 2002, she started her own consulting practice and was later the CEO of KRIC while considering hew next move. Over the past 15+ years, Katie has found a niche using her multidisciplinary skillset with her P.Eng. and her specialties in finance and systems to help entrepreneurs and nonprofits move their goals and dreams forward. Katie has also specifically coached manufacturing and technology firms through IRAP supported Community Futures and KRIC and now her own firm, Turning Point Business Advisory Services Inc.
Katie and Turning Point are based out of Invermere where Katie has lived for the past 26 years. She enjoys family, being outside and tiny house living.
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.
Jason Taylor
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.
Lindsey Neill
Lindsey has been working with Tipi Mountain Eco-Cultural Services Ltd. (TMECS) since 2014, following her graduation from the Anthropology Department at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, BC (BA Anthropology). Since 2018, she has been a permit holding archaeologist at TMECS, working within the Interior Plateau region.
Prior to being an archaeologist, Lindsey spent over a decade in the hospitality industry, working at a variety of establishments in her hometown of Castlegar and in the Lower Mainland. Lindsey’s position at TMECS has provided her opportunities to work very closely with a number of First Nation groups and to conduct in-field archaeological assessments for proponents within various fields of industry, including mining, forestry, municipal development, private subdivisions, fibre optic internet development, agriculture, tourism, hydroelectricity, and commercial/residential development. Throughout her time with TMECS, Lindsey has become very passionate about, and very active in, public education in archaeology, having presented at elementary and secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, technical conferences, career fairs, and community events.
Lindsey is looking forward to being a part of the KAST Board of Directors, as this position will facilitate her ongoing education around new technological innovations in a variety of fields. As well, being a part of KAST will provide her with more opportunities to work within the community and expand her knowledge regarding ongoing development and growing economies in the East and West Kootenays. Lindsey hopes to share her expertise and specializations which will contribute to the already diverse perspective of KAST.
Lindsey spends much of her time between Kimberley and Castlegar, and enjoys travelling, camping, reading (Classic Literature and non-fiction), baking, and attempting to sing and play guitar.
Nate Kube
Nate Kube is the President and CEO of nonDFA, a Canadian based cyber security solution provider for high value targets. In 2006 Nate Kube founded Wurldtech Security Technologies with the mandate to provide cyber security solutions for mission critical systems. In 2014 Wurldtech was acquired by GE where Nate served 2 years GE’s Chief Technology Officer for Cyber Security.
Throughout Nate’s 20-year career in entrepreneurial, research and product strategy roles, he has created an extensive Intellectual Property portfolio, driven key national and international standards, and regularly contributes to industry press and news media. Nate has testified on cyber security standards for the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and currently serves as an expert for the IEC/ISO working group on cyber security standards.
As a well-regarded speaker and presenter on topics such as Industrial Internet of Things, Industrial Cyber Security, Enterprise to shop floor security convergence (IT-OT security convergence) and Digital Innovation, Nate regularly speaks to Boards of Directors on security best practices has been quoted in a series of consumer and security trade publications.
Gaby Zezulka
Gaby Zezulka is the Chair of Academic Innovation and Applied Research at College of the Rockies, based in Cranbrook. She has worked in the consulting and post-secondary fields for 20+ years, specializing in environmental impact assessment, program and curriculum development, multiple-stakeholder and Indigenous consultation processes, and research administration.
In her role at College of the Rockies, Gaby facilitates and supports local applied research projects, new program development, and international projects. Through the Research and Innovation office, Gaby has a broad network of stakeholders throughout the East Kootenay, including College faculty and students, public and private organizations, and small- and medium-sized businesses with interests in science and technology. Part of her mandate at the College of the Rockies is to build relationships with such organizations, and to solicit and coordinate research and pedagogical projects with them. Recent projects have included supporting technical research through the College for small to medium enterprises, with support from the National Research Council’s IRAP program; various roles in advisory boards for regional research and innovation projects; and an ongoing collaboration with Groundfloor Coworking Space to establish a makerspace in Cranbrook.
Gaby is honoured to be a Director with KAST and is looking forward to helping identify opportunities for the College of the Rockies to expand its technical program offerings, with a view to supporting regional economic development.
A huge fan of interdisciplinary learning, Gaby has diplomas in woodworking and furniture design, a Masters in Canadian literature, and a PhD focused on land use policy in parks and protected places. When not at work, Gaby is often hiking or paddling in the backcountry, renovating old houses, or throwing paint at canvasses.
