Xenergie Foundation

The University of British Columbia

University of Toronto

Queen's University

St. Georges School

Upper Canada College

Principal at Central Coast Consulting

Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada

I established Central Coast Consulting in 1989 when I left banking. Since that time, when I have not been working for the provincial government, national and international NGOs, a Norwegian research institute or global consulting firms, this has been where I have put my energy.My focus at Central Coast has historically centred around working with First Nations, companies, NGOs, the provincial government, and communities.  This work has involved extensive economic development, bridging the socioeconomic, environmental and economic challenges and helping facilitate mutually beneficial outcomes.  Experience gained through implementing the Weyerhaeuser Cooperative Working Agreement, Forestry and Economic Development, the Highland Valley Landfill project, Ecotourism Planning, and the Interior Allied Tribes Memorial Structure project have all contributed to a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities First Nations face and how best to work constructively with them and corporations and government.Currently retained by the communities who own Esh-kn-am Cultural Resources Management Services to serve as General Manager and running a staff of ten.I have led the TechnipFMC/KBR First Nations and Public Engagement for the LNG Canada bid, and it was my great privilege to work with Luca Campana on this.  We also worked together on the Technip PNW LNG bid, and did great things with those northwest BC communities. I have been on retainer with one of the largest plastics recyclers in North America since 1989 when I wrote their original business plan, and continue to provide consulting services to the company group.

Central Coast Consulting

Principal

Assumed this position with more of a focus on business development and marketing.  I continue to provide support, as required, for the Human Environment aspects of our business.

Amec Foster Wheeler

Associate Scientist Human Environment and Business Development

This position involved taking the lead in building, managing and leading a sustainable Human Environment practice in the Burnaby Office and working closely with the AMEC group and other offices across the country and internationally.  The team addressed Socio-economic work, traditional and non-traditional land and resource use, public and stakeholder consultation, social license to operate,  and aboriginal engagement.  Through an agreement when I was hired, I ensured that the entire Burnaby HE Team was IAP2 certified.  I was one of the few people in the office to work with multiple Amec divisions, and was a respected member of the cross-division initiatives.  The position involved business planning, marketing, and new business development.  I successful brought in three new major mining clients for the firm and millions of dollars of billable work.  While working at Amec Foster Wheeler, I presented at Minerals Roundup, Minerals North, the BC LNG Conference, and programs out at UBC.

Associate Scientist, Group Lead, Human Environment

The Social and Economic Sciences team addresses all matters relating to social, economic, land and resource use, public engagement and consultation, and traditional knowledge and traditional use with respect to Environmental Impact Assessments.  The team play a key role in transferring and coordinating the integration of traditional and community information across all the disciplines involved in EIA work.

Rescan Environmental Services Ltd

Manager, Social and Economic Sciences

Worked with a number of First Nations communities in addressing the Highland Valley Landfill EA.  All costs were covered by Teck.  Worked closely with EA consultants, Teck and a number or First Nations, eventually the landfill was endorsed by five First Nations subject to economic agreements and the EA Certificate issued.  Hired to take on the proposed Interior Allied Tribes Memorial Structure that commemorated the multiple First Nations meeting in the early 20th century to protect their land and culture.  Hired as project manager and worked with Cooks Ferry Indian Band to choose architect, design, fund raise, and issue RFP for contractor to build.  The beautiful Interior Allied Tribes Memorial Structure is situated at the junction of the Nicola and Thompson Rivers.

Principal Consultant

Senior Socioeconomist responsible for review of ongoing work of socioeconomics staff, business development and engagement in difficult socioeconomic projects such as Point Pelee Environmental Services Evaluation.

Gartner Lee Limited

Senior Socio-Economist

Senior Researcher primarily involved in European Research Projects, the largest of which involved 24 countries.  Business development both internationally and nationally - wrote the business proposal that led to the institute entering into Human Health and Welfare Ministry Services evaluation for the Norwegian Government.

More Research, Volda Norway

Senior Researcher

Hired by the Nicola Tribal Association to complete an Ecotourism Study involving the eight member First Nations.  Hired two ex-government staff to assist.  Also involved in supporting the First Nations in evaluating the proposed Ashcroft Ranch Landfill.  Extensive interaction with multiple First Nations Communities and Metro Vancouver in the Environmental Assessment.

Senior Consultant

Senior Government Manager for a 64,000 square kilometre Management Area, of which 25% were Parks and Protected Areas.  Led planning and managment to protect wilderness and willdlife values while promoting econoimic development.  Controller of Governnment Trust Fund and managed all Trust Fund Projects.  Ex-officio member of the Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board, government spokesperson.

BC Government

Muskwa-Kechika Program Manager

I established Central Coast Consulting to focus on bridging the gaps, real or imagined, between the three pillars of sustainability, namely the environment, people and the economy.  There are many nuances to this work, and politics, power, authority, history, culture, finance, policy, governance, and other variables have to all be considered.  I have years of experience working with International and Canadian NGOs, First Nations from around British Columbia, serving as a coordinator and cooperative working agreement implementer between one of the largest forestry companies in the world and 8 First Nations, and serving as a Tribal Coordinator for a major funding oranisation associated with government.

Managed a portfolio of diverse businesses and involved in business development in both the commercial and corporate banking sectors.  Portfolios were predominantly resource companies, industry and government.  Largest Portfolio I managed had a Cdn$1 billion approved loan mix.  Completed all commercial and corporate credit training.

Bank of Nova Scotia

Assistant Manager, Commerical and Account Officer, Corporate

Over a period of four years, starting as a Junior Naturalist and being promoted to Senior Naturalist, my job was to inform and educate the public about the ecosystem, fauna and flora of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area.  Based out of the Canadian Wildlife Service Interpretation Center, I interacted with a wide range of visitors ranging from school children to professional biologists and researchers. In latter years,I served as the bilingual Senior Naturalist on staff.  One of the greatest jobs in the world.

Paul Mitchell-Banks

Paul Mitchell-Banks