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.
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.
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.
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.
Nick Howald
After graduating from Computer Science from the University of Waterloo, Nick worked in oil and gas, transportation and utilities industries. Nick’s entrepreneurial spirit drove him to start an early web development company (in the 90s!) supporting small business and even streaming live events before it was a thing!
Throughout this journey, Nick has been able to work in a wide variety of roles including tier one support, full-stack developer, project manager and cyber security architect. These opportunities allowed Nick to grow his technical knowledge and business acumen until he was ultimately able to take on more leadership roles.
Nick moved to the Kootenay region in 2005 to raise his family. When not working, Nick can be found tinkering in his workshop, gardening, hiking Kootenay trails or swimming in our many (cold) lakes.
