2013 Board of Director Candidate Slate

Any WCTA member in good standing may put their name forward for open Board positions.  More candidates than open positions will force an election which is a good thing.  If fewer candidates come forward than there are Board vacancies, the positions will be filled through an election by the Board of Directors. 

Nominations for open positions can also be made from the floor during the Annual General Meeting.  Each candidate will have an opportunity to present themselves (2-3 minutes) during the AGM.

 Vacancies
• Four of these positions are two-year terms as Director; Directors at the end of their term who have let their name stand for re-election are shown in middle column above
• Up to three of these positions are one-year Director terms to fill positions being vacated

Also to be elected are the positions of President and Vice President, both 1 year terms.  Candidates put forward are:

President – Keith Lyall, Sun Peaks Resort (current Vice President)
Vice President – Trevor Smith, Keso Turf (current Director with 1 year term remaining)
Past President (non-elected) – Tab Buckner, Township of Langley

KEITH LYALL – INTERIOR - GOLF 
My name is Keith Lyall, Golf Course Superintendent at Sun Peaks Resort.  Originally from Kamloops, I have been in the landscape/golf maintenance industries virtually since I was old enough to push a mower. Working at Sun Peaks has allowed me to continue my education in the golf/tourism industry and learn from a wide range of professionals.

Being the only resort in Canada certified under the ISO 14001 Environmental Standard, and as the Co-Coridinator and Lead Auditor for our Environmental Management System, I am very aware of the current issues and legal requirements we all face. Sun Peaks Resort is also COR Certified and as an internal COR Auditor I am also very aware of current health, safety and risk associated with our industry.

I have sat on the WCTA Board of Directors for the last four years. I have held the portfolios of Government Liaison, Landscape, Research and Professional Development, Finance, Social Media/Website and I am the current Vice President.

My interest in improving the CEC program lead to OFA Level 1 First Aid Certificates being recognized for points and I have been pushing to have Worksafe BC courses accredited as well.  I am actively working on government legislation in regards to environmental and safety issues, and have also acquired a massive inventory of information including pesticides, risk management, health and safety and other best management practices. If elected as WCTA President, I would like to spend the next year beginning the process of creating standards within our industries based on our collective expertise, with the hope of slowing further regulations and reducing risk.

Respectfully; Keith Lyall

 TREVOR SMITH – INTERIOR - INDUSTRY
I have been involved in the Golf business since 1971; I have spent 25 years as a golf course superintendent spread between the Salmon Arm Golf Club, Rivershore Golf Club, Predator Ridge and the Hyde Mountain Golf Course in Sicamous. B.C. I have been involved in Association work through a number of Associations, Served as President of the Interior Golf Superintendents Association, President of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and on the Education Committee for the GCSAA. As well, I have been the Site Superintendent on 3 separate Golf course construction projects. While I was the General Manager of the Talking Rock Golf Resort I also sat on the Board of Golf Kamloops and the board of the BC Golf Marketing Alliance committee. At present I am a business partner in Keso Turf Supplies and Owner of Innovative Golf Management Services located in Kamloops B.C.

I hope to continue bringing my experience to the Board of the WCTA in the role of 2013 Vice President and wish to assist the Association and its members to be successful and aware of the future of the Turf Industry.-

 MIKE SCHELLENBERG – ALBERTA - SPORTSFIELDS
My name is Michael Schellenberg and I have been a director with the WCTA for the past 2 years.  I am currently a Sports field Technician with the Calgary Board of Education and prior to that was involved in the Golf Industry for 12 years.  My time with the Calgary Board of Education has been rewarding and has offered me the chance to explore a new yet related turf grass role.  The School Board has offered me the chance to continue growing by providing me with continued education programs as well as providing me with the means to complete my job efficiently and effectively.  We completed 3 Sports Field construction projects this past summer and I am excited to see the results of our labour this coming spring.  The construction saw the implementation of some new and exciting ideas and innovations and I am thankful to be involved in an organization that prides itself in striving for the best results possible.   I would welcome the opportunity to remain with the WCTA as a 2 year director.  I feel I have only really gotten my feet wet these past 2 years and believe I have more to contribute moving forward.  My stance on the continued Pesticide issue remains firm in that I am in support of the use of Pesticides until science can prove it to me otherwise.  I am proud to be a part of an association that continues to lobby for the safe and effective use of pesticides in our industries.  Thank you for your time and consideration.  I wish all of you the best in 2013!

JASON PICK – ALBERTA - GOLF & TURF
I am currently Instructor and Program Coordinator of diploma, degree and on-line Golf Course Management Programs at Olds College.  A former Class “A” superintendent, my education includes a diploma in horticulture from Guelph University, Bachelor of Applied Science from Olds College, and Masters from Penn State.  I have 28 yrs. experience from seven golf courses across Canada and overseas, including Banff Springs, Chateau Whistler, Glen Abbey, Fairmont Bermuda, and three PGA venues in warm and cool season growing environments. I am an active member of the WCTA, GCSAA, and CGSA, routinely providing association articles, delivering CEU seminars, and lectures for our national associations. I have enjoyed contributing to the WCTA as your director on the Professional Development and Education portfolio since 2010.  My role within the association shares that of my institution, uniquely paired to grow the caliber of education in the field of Golf and Sports Turf Management.  Driving advances through member insight and government support, the professional development portfolio’s recent “on-line” educational milestone, offers evidence that the WCTA is well aligned to achieve their vision, further distinguishing itself in Western Canada.  Olds College strongly supports my ongoing commitment to the WCTA, providing me the resources and flexibility necessary to manage a successful portfolio.

BRETT  LAMONTAGNE – VANCOUVER ISLAND - DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
My name is Brett Lamontagne. I have been in the golf industry for twenty-eight years throughout Western Canada. The last twenty three years I have worked on Vancouver Island. Currently I am self-employed landscape and golf course consultant in Nanaimo. The name of my new company is Mid Island Landscape Consulting Inc I am very excited about the new career direction. The WCTA has given me now it is time for me to give back. Our industry is in a state of flux right now. I feel that I have something to give back to the Association that will be helpful. I have served all the positions with the VIGSA and feel that, if they want me, I would like to serve on the WCTA board

BRETT FINLAYSON – VANCOUVER ISLAND - GOLF
”I started out at an early age of 14 working for my father’s landscaping company to earn some extra money to buy a car. At around the same time I became involved with golf and began to gain a great deal of passion not only for the game, but the work that is put into maintaining a golf course. I started out my golf maintenance career working with Frank Vargas at Point Grey Golf and Country Club. This is where I really became enthused with the industry and decided this was for me. In 2003, we hosted the LPGA Canadian Women’s Open, what an incredible experience watching some of the world’s best women golfers play the course you have maintained. In 2004, I was then hired by Dennis Pellrene at Capilano Golf and Country Club as their Environmental Manager. Part of my role there was assisting in the process of becoming Audubon certified and we achieved this in 2006. After Pellrene’s retirement, I was promoted by new Course Superintendent, Adam Zubek to the 2nd Assistant Superintendent in 2007. In 2008, I moved over to Quilchena Golf and Country Club as the Assistant Superintendent, first working with Gary Bartley and then Jason Hooper. At Quilchena, I gained valuable management and leadership skills allowing me to continue my career advancement. In 2011 I accepted the position of Course Superintendent at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club on Vancouver Island. I continue to have goals of making our industry more united and increase communication amongst its members. Along with golf being one of my interests, I am also involved in softball, beach volleyball and snowboarding.”

STAN KAZYMERCHYK - LOWER MAINLAND - GOLF & TURF
Kaz is the Turfgrass Management Instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.  He spent 3 years as an Irrigation Technician, 2 years as an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent and 10 years as a Superintendent. Stan holds a B.Sc. (Honours) Turfgrass Management from Oregon State University and a B.C. Instructor Diploma.  His Board experience includes WCTA Research Co-Chair in the 90’s and is presently a member of the Kwantlen Senate.  These posts taught Stan that duty of service is defined as representing the best interests of an organization as a whole rather than specific interests.

CASEY O'CONNOR - LOWER MAINLAND - INDUSTRY
 Growing up as the son of a golf course superintendent provided me with the opportunity to develop extensive practical experience in the turf management field from an early age. Starting in 1990 raking bunkers at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course, I quickly realized by the age of 14 that I had inherited my fathers love for the industry, and would go on to pursue a career in Turfgrass management.  I have since furthered my background through extensive work experience and education. 

In 2000, I graduated from the University of Guelph with an Associate Degree in Horticulture, followed by a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Ryerson University in 2006.  I went on to work as an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at three high end golf clubs over an 8 year period.    In 2010, I accepted an opportunity to become a technical sales consultant with Turf Canada Inc.  This opportunity has allowed me to both utilize and further develop my unique blend of experience relating to both business and agronomics.   I have spent the past 3 years becoming a trusted product consultant and expert in turfgrass nutrition, plant health and soil chemistry.  My focus in business is to provide clients with exceptional service, agronomic support and quality products which aid in their success and ultimately helps to make their high pressure jobs a little bit easier.  Maintaining healthy turf is the key to sustainability in dealing with today's economic and political pressures.

GARETT SQUIRE – INTERIOR - GOLF
My experience with turf grass started in Ontario when my family farm was turned into Deer Creek GCC. I worked on the crew from a young age until I heard the "call of the west".  With my boots and clubs I headed west. My bank account made it as far as Banff. After three years working at The Fairmont Banff Springs GC it was time to head further west. Northview GC was my next stop. After a very satisfying year, the wet climate got the better of me and I moved east to the interior of BC. I have been the Assistant Superintendent at Talking Rock GC for six years now and have watched this property come from seeded soil to a popular destination for Shuswap golfers.

I have been a member of the WCTA for ten years now and have previously put forth my name to the Board of Directors. I am very interested in finding ways to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and exploring new ways to tackle old problems.

Having been in the turf grass industry for more than half my life I have learned two things that everyone should consider.
1) There is always more than one way to do the any job.
2) You are only ever as good as plan "B".

Thank you for your time,