Wednesday, November 20th, 11 AM PT, online BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN) invites you to attend the November West Coast Bioenergy Guild, featuring Special Guest Katie Kachur, Vice President of Government Relations (West) at the Canadian Propane Association (CPA). The CPA is the national association for the propane industry, representing companies in every region of the country and every …
Tuesday, April 9th, 11 AM PDT, online BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN) invites you to attend the April West Coast Bioenergy Guild, featuring our returning special guest, Robert Pinchuk, Director of Low Carbon Strategy at Parkland Corporation. After a successful presentation in November, Rob returns to the spotlight to delve further into Parkland’s innovative processing techniques and particularly focus on …
April West Coast Bioenergy Guild with Returning Special Guest Rob Pinchuk Read More »
Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, 11 AM PST, online BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN) invites you to attend the February West Coast Bioenergy Guild with Special Guest Dr. Qingshi Tu, Assistant Professor, Department of Wood Science, UBC. More about the Guild Here Save Your Seat Here
On Thursday, October 20th, 2022, BC Bioenergy Network announced three recipients of the 2022 BC Bioenergy Sector Award during the virtual ceremony. The awards were presented for outstanding leadership and contribution to the bioenergy sector in British Columbia. Congratulations to the winners of the 2nd Annual BC Bioenergy Sector Awards: Researcher Award 2022 Xiaotao (Tony) Bi …
Congratulations to the Recipients of the 2022 BC Bioenergy Sector Awards! Read More »
October 20th, 2022, 10 -11 AM PDT, online Nominations are now closed and we are pleased to invite you to attend the 2022 BC Bioenergy Sector Awards ceremony, a celebration of leaders in the B.C. bioenergy sector and presentations by previous awards recipients. Register for the Ceremony Here More about the BC Bioenergy Sector Awards Here
We are seeking nominations for leaders who have made meaningful contributions to advance the bioenergy sector in B.C. Please complete this short form to nominate an individual who has made a positive impact in these categories: Researcher (Academia), Champion (Government/Non-Profit), and Changemaker (Industry/Entrepreneur). The awards ceremony will take place on Bioenergy Day on October …
BCBN is Requesting Your Nomination for the BC Bioenergy Sector Awards Read More »
BC Bioenergy Network partnered with FortisBC and the Government of British Columbia to explore the potential production of renewable and low carbon gases in B.C. and beyond. By 2050, the province’s gas system could be completely supplied by made-in-B.C. renewable and low carbon sources. The study was released earlier today, read it here: https://lnkd.in/gdbp2DVJ Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gmqmyMKN
BCBN Presents: 2021 Year in Review. We are pleased to reflect on contributions and highlight accomplishments in the BC bioenergy sector, and thank our partners for a successful year. We look forward to a greener future in 2022. Read 2021 Year In Review Here: https://lnkd.in/g7NQG7eu
Our November Special Guest was Stefan Muller, President of Vyterra Renewables; and Senior Vice President, Project Engineering at Ensyn Corporation. Stefan’s presentation was titled “Accelerating Decarbonization” on Tuesday, November 23rd. Access Slides and Recording Here
We were pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 BC Bioenergy Sector Awards at our online celebration on October 20th. Congratulations to Jack Saddler, David Bennett and Michael Rensing! If you missed it, view the recording here. Learn more here.
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Project Manager
Tasha Booth comes with a strong background in developing and managing educational programs in the non-profit sector. Currently, at BC Bioenergy Network, she leads curriculum development for micro-credential courses, overseeing each project from concept through launch and ongoing improvement. She collaborates with subject matter experts to ensure content quality and manages all aspects of project execution, including partnerships, timelines, budgets, and reporting.
Previously, as a Continuing Education Coordinator at Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Tasha developed programs in environmental sustainability, mining, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her experience spans university and regulatory settings, focusing on collaboration, innovation, and building strategic partnerships. Tasha is passionate about creating impactful learning experiences that support professional growth. She holds a Business Administration degree from BCIT.
Business and Marketing Manager
Petra graduated from the Czech University of Life Sciences in 2016 with a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Rural Development in Tropics and Subtropics. She worked for the Czech Development Agency as a grants administrator for projects in the Czech Republic and partnering countries. In this role, Petra facilitated collaboration among the government, NGOs, and the academic sector, supporting initiatives that promoted awareness of development cooperation and capacity building. Her work took her to Moldova and Zambia.
As an adrenaline and safety enthusiast, Petra completed “Survival Training for Journalists and Humanitarian Aid Workers,” organized by the Czech Armed Forces. She later moved to Vancouver in 2019, where she enjoyed exploring Canadian nature and engaging in sports. Passionate about travelling and animal rights, she continues to seek new experiences.
Currently, as the Business and Marketing Manager at BC Bioenergy Network, Petra oversees marketing and communications, events, finances, reporting, and administration.
Project Director
Growing up on an orchard in the Okanagan, Ralohn cultivated a strong interest for sustainability and natural systems that sparked a seven-year career as an environmental professional in the energy industry. Throughout his experience at a consultancy firm, he built a proven track record of delivering small and large-scale projects on time and within budget for over 30 clients on 50+ projects. He completed a Master of Engineering Leadership in Green Bio-Products from the University of British Columbia in 2017 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Calgary. As Project Director, he will support and deliver on the advancement of renewable and bio-based products through collaboration with BC Bioenergy Network’s community of businesses and innovators.
In addition to his passion for the bioeconomy and sustainability, Ralohn is an avid biker, adventurer and volunteer for a variety of personal and professional interests.
Director
Paul is a Business and Corporate Development Executive in advanced technology enabled infrastructure projects, systems, products and services.
Paul has worked throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia in private and public sectors, as well as not-for-profit organizations. Building international commercial alliances and investment relationships has been his focus while working for the Federal Government of Canada and its affiliates, in addition to executive roles with several foreign multi-nationals and Canadian corporations, including Mitsubishi Corporation, Hughes Aircraft Company, Telus and MDSI Mobile Data Systems Inc. Currently, Paul is with Fort Capital Partners, a Vancouver based boutique investment bank serving clients’ advisory and capital raising needs across a broad spectrum of industries. Prior to joining Fort Capital, Paul served as Regional Director for Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a $1B+ foundation created by the Government of Canada focusing upon demonstration of pre-commercial technologies to deliver cleaner air, water, soil and reduction in greenhouse gases. Paul maintains a global network of corporate strategic, institutional and family office venture capital investors and government agencies and connects investors with private Canadian companies seeking growth capital.
Paul graduated from Queens University in Economics and completed an executive marketing program at UCLA. He loves living and learning in Vancouver, a leading centre for knowledge-based industries that is coupled with unsurpassed variety and access to outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest.
Director
Dr. Scott Stanners has worked for over fifteen years in bioenergy technology evaluation and investment and has grown a 4,000+ network in the bioenergy sector. Scott serves as Executive Director at BC Bioenergy Network, a not-for-profit funding agency that has invested over $20 million in first-of-its-kind bioenergy demonstrations in BC. Scott previously worked for a US-based technology marketing company and a Canadian engineering and management consulting company.
Scott is past-President of Pacific Energy Innovation Association; Managing Director of West Coast Bioenergy Guild; former Board Member at Canada, Australia & New Zealand Business Association; and Advisor at Eagle Energy. Scott has contributed as a mentor in the BC Innovation Council New Ventures Competition and Connecting Environmental Professionals, and as an interviewer for the Doctor of Medicine Program at UBC. Scott was awarded a PhD and a Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Enterprise from the University of Sydney, Australia in 2008, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calgary in 2000, and a professional master of Business Administration from the University of British Colombia in 2022.
Director
David A. Bennett is Director, Renewable Gas and Low Carbon Fuels for FortisBC Energy Inc.
He is responsible for providing leadership to growing our renewable energy portfolio, which is a key component focused on our transition to a low-carbon future. In his former role he was responsible for all corporate and customer communications and public affairs including municipal, provincial and federal government and indigenous relations, including managing FortisBC’s consultation on its major infrastructure projects.
David has been involved in the energy industry for over 30 years, holding positions with Shell Canada, Westcoast Energy and FortisBC. During that time, his roles have included work in marketing and customer service, gas supply, business development, energy efficiency and conservation programs, public affairs and communications.
David is a Director on the Surrey Board of Trade, the Private Sector Co-Chair of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, a member of the Executive Committee and Policy Chair of the National Electricity Roundtable and Chair of the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia.
David holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Victoria with a double major in economics and computer science.
Director
Vivian Kan is a Director in the Cleantech Practice at BDC Capital Inc. Vivian has over 15 years of experience in business development, structuring, risk analysis, and commercial and corporate finance. She has helped some of Canada’s top exporters and emerging global entrepreneurs in sectors ranging from cleantech, oil and gas, mining, transportation, infrastructure, light manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace, forestry pulp and paper, and consumer products. Vivian holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Calgary and has completed the Certificate in Carbon Finance from the University of Toronto’s Centre for Environment.
Chairperson
Dave Schick is the Vice President of the Canadian Fuels Association. He has worked in the downstream energy business for over 30 years, primarily for a major integrated oil company in a variety of government relations, marketing, systems development, planning and finance roles, including his position as the Director of Policy and External Affairs at Parkland Fuel Corporation. Dave is active in the development of environmental policy at the federal, provincial and local levels. Recent activities include technical development of the Clean Fuel Standard and evolving the B.C. Low Carbon Fuel Standard to meet CleanBC targets. He has served as chair of the B.C. Used Oil Management Association for over 11 years.
