Meet Our Team Members
Splatsin Development Corp.
ADMINISTRATION
Grahame Go
CEO
Grahame brings decades of experience in strategic leadership and business development to his role as SDC CEO. Notably, in 1984, he was responsible for starting the first gas bar on a First Nations Reserve in Canada. Outside of the office, Grahame is an active volunteer in the local community.
Don Sager
Financial Controller
Don leads the accounting team, managing financial reporting and optimizing accounting systems and processes. A CPA and CMA, he has extensive experience in manufacturing, property management, and First Nations development. In his free time, Don enjoys cycling, golfing, hiking, and cooking.
Jenna Cool
Human Resources Manager
Jenna serves as Human Resources Manager at SDC, where she is dedicated to fostering a positive work environment while championing employee growth and development. Outside the office, Jenna enjoys exploring her culinary skills, paddleboarding, diving into a good book, and spending time with her family.
Shani Lepp
Health & Safety Coordinator
Shani, originally from Stewart, BC, brings extensive experience in health and safety. In her previous roles, she was the Health and Safety Supervisor for a deep sea port managing copper and gold mining shipments, as well as for a construction company overseeing heavy machinery and a gravel pit.
Brittany Galbraith
Bookkeeper
Brittany is a Splatsin Band Member who has been working in the SDC Accounting department since 2021. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their two children. Brittany is an avid hiker, traveler, and camper. Previously, Brittany managed the Quilakwa Esso (now Canco).
Ken Barnes
Marketing & Communications
Ken is an experienced communications professional overseeing all marketing and PR initiatives for SDC and its divisions. He holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics and an MBA. Outside of work, Ken enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and tennis, and traveling.
Quilakwa Investments
OPERATIONS
Curtis Vadnais
Logistics & Facilities Manager
Curtis oversees the management of the Quilakwa Centre, SDC office buildings and warehouses, and the Quilakwa RV Park & Campground. He brings over 25 years of experience in logistics, including a decade in supervisory roles. Outside of work, Curtis enjoys spending time with his wife and dog and practicing archery.
Janet Willment
Retail Manager
With over 20 years of experience in retail management, Janet Willment brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to her role as Retail Manager at Quilakwa Canco. Outside of work, Janet enjoys skiing, hiking, and spending quality time with her three children, embracing the outdoor lifestyle that the region offers.
Steve Joe
Facilities Supervisor
Easily Splatsin Development Corporation’s longest-tenured employee, Splatsin Band Member Steve Joe has been with Quilakwa for nearly two decades. After providing years of dedicated service as a gas jockey at Quilaka Esso (now Canco), Steve now looks after all the company facilities.
QUILAKWA RV PARK & CAMPGROUNDS
Ash Tarves
Site Operator
Now in a sixth season at Quilakwa RV Park & Campground, Ash has helped shape the campground since joining in May 2020. As Campground Manager, Ash oversees operations, from welcoming guests to organizing events. Outside of work, Ash enjoys hiking, painting, karaoke, and volunteering.
Bryce Tarves
Site Operator
With 25+ years in construction and oil and gas, Bryce takes a hands-on approach to maintaining Quilakwa RV Park & Campground. For him, it’s more than a job—it’s a lifestyle of adventure, connection, and the outdoors. He enjoys scuba diving, hiking, and archery and is filming a camping documentary.
Rob Johnson
Site Operator
Rob relocated to Mabel Lake with his wife in 2021 and manages the beautiful Quilakwa at the Lake Campground, a role he is passionate about. Rob is an avid fisher, boater, ATVer, hunter, and outdoor enthusiast and has been a volunteer firefighter in small towns in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Splatsin Construction Services
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
Doug Thomas
Senior Project Manager
Doug worked in IT for 31 years before being elected to Splatsin Council. He joined SDC in 2024 to lead the Splatsin Construction Services team and enjoys mentoring younger members of the community and helping them to advance their careers. Doug holds a degree in Business Administration
Raphael Clermont
Foreman
As Foreman for the Residential Construction team, Raphael is committed to delivering high-quality work and fostering a collaborative environment. A lifelong resident of the valley, enjoys the outdoors and exploring the natural beauty of the region with his wife and two sons.
Dustin Newcombe
Lead Hand
John Clark
Carpenter
Brett Haskett
Electrician
Clint Felix
Construction Labourer
Clint has been working with the Yucwmenlúcwu Residential/Light Construction department since its inception in March 2023. He is currently enrolled in his Level 1 Carpentry Apprenticeship and will be attending TRU in the winter of 2023 to pursue his first year of carpentry theory.
Patrick Shandrowsky
Construction Labourer
Meet Patrick, a dedicated and hardworking crew member who recently relocated to Enderby with his wife and two children. Patrick’s commitment to his craft is evident in every project he undertakes, as he meticulously ensures that each job is completed with utmost precision and care.
Paul Nicholas
Construction Labourer
Paul has been with Splatsin Construction Services for over a year, bringing valuable experience from the Cultural Heritage and Archaeology department. He values the company’s strong commitment to employee development, including their support in sponsoring his carpenter apprenticeship.
Yucwmenlúcwu
ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION
Aaron Deans
Biologist & Project Manager
Applying his significant expertise and experience in complex ecological resource management, Aaron supports clients and project teams with regulatory reviews and applications, sound project planning, and implementation. Aaron is an avid skier, biker, camper, hiker, and birdwatcher.
Kyle Krahn
Fisheries Biologist
Kyle specializes in salmonid monitoring & enhancement, and has worked on projects throughout BC and across Canada. His work has led to a better understanding of local river systems and how to best conserve threatened fish species. Kyle enjoys kayaking, paddle boarding, and fly fishing
Ashley Christian
Project Support Specialist
A Splatsin Band Member, Ashley joined the Yucwmenlúcwu team in 2020. Ashley assists with the implementation of work plans, coordination of teams, resources, and logistics, and provides support to Environmental Project Managers. Ashley enjoys spending quality time with family, hiking, and kayaking.
Paige Phaneuf
Program Assistant
Paige joined the Yucwmenlúcwu team in 2024 as the Fish and Wildlife Program Assistant. Originally from Alberta, she holds a degree in Biological Sciences and is passionate about environmental conservation. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and exploring the outdoors with her dog, Betsy.
CIVIL CONSTRUCTION DIVISION
Jeromy Schuetze, AScT
Senior Project Manager
A member of the Nuxalk Nation, Jeromy has over 20 years of experience in civil engineering, construction, and forestry and holds diplomas in Civil Engineering and Natural Resource Management. He has led projects of all sizes, collaborating with engineers, contractors, stakeholders, and government.
Jordan Lee
Lead Operator
Jordan is a proud Splatsin member, contributing his skills for the past year. With years of experience operating heavy equipment, he has worked on projects from mines to oil and gas sites. Jordan’s excited to make a positive impact in his community; he enjoys fishing with his wife and three boys.
Tammy Bird
OFA 3 Medic
Tammy joined SDC in June 2023 and serves as a Medic OFA III, providing advanced medical care on job sites. Passionate about her culture, she enjoys attending powwows and dancing. She also loves crafting, beading, sewing, fishing, and camping. Family is at the heart of everything she does.
FORESTRY DIVISION
Frank Joe, RFT
Forestry Manager
Frank is a Splatsin member who possesses over 16 years of professional and educational experience in layout and development, harvest supervision, and forest fuel management. In his role, Frank oversees licenses, license obligations, contracts, and the day-to-day operations of the forestry division.
Kyle Runzer, RFT
Woodlands Manager
A Registered Professional Forester (RPF), Kyle brings 20+ years of expertise in BC's forest industry. He excels in managing forest tenures and balancing economic, ecological, and cultural values. Outside of work, Kyle enjoys exploring the North Okanagan with his wife and three children, skiing, hiking, and biking.
Nick Barry
Forest Technician
Nick has over 13 years of professional and educational experience in the fields of silviculture, permitting, wildfire suppression, forestry field development, and geotechnical assessments. He has worked extensively throughout British Columbia in nearly all the province’s forest districts.
ARCHAEOLOGY DIVISION
Tanya Williams
Heritage Lead
Tanya has been a field technician with Yucwmenlúcwu for more than 10 years. She is a proud Splatsin member and takes her responsibility as a Caretaker of the Land very seriously. Her favourite pastimes are skiing and snowshoeing in the winter and swimming in the Shuswap River in the summer.