OUR TEAM

Principal, Civil Engineer

Corey Brown

M.Eng. P.Eng., AScT
Principal, Senior Engineer

Mike Achtem

P.Eng., PMP, CCA
Principal, Civil & Environmental Engineer

Josh Bartley

P.Eng
Field Review & Site Surveys

Dave Aylesworth

Civil Engineering Technologist
project manager/ civil designer

Justin Eagle

 
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

BRANDON DUCHARME

MBA, P.Eng, PE, CPEng, PMP

Greg Gillespie Headshot
Senior Development Manager

Greg Gillespie

BSc, PMP

Marc Biggelaar Headshot
Senior Civil Engineering Technologist

MARC BIGGELAAR

AScT

COMPTROLLER

Clea Achtem

CGA CPA
Civil and Environmental Engineer

joshua anderson

EIT

CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST

KYLE ANDERSON

JUNIOR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST

INDERJOT NOTTA

Civil project Engineer

jared smylie

EIT

Gladia Joy
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR & HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST

GLADIA JOY

PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Sally HODGSON

DIGITAL MARKETING & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

EMMA RENDELL

Headshot of Mahlet Abraha
Junior Engineer-in-training

MAHLET ABRAHA

EIT

Junior Civil Engineering Technologist

Matt Byrnell

Headshot of Kirsten Biggelaar, Office Manager
OFFICE MANAGER

KIRSTEN BIGGELAAR

Principal, Civil Engineer

Corey Brown

M.Eng. P.Eng., AScT
Corey is a member of the Old Masset Village Band, which forms part of the Haida Nation on Haida Gwaii. He is a member of the Sta’staas Eagle Clan and is the nephew of the current serving hereditary Chief 7idansuu. Corey is a registered member of the Aboriginal Professional Association of Canada. After receiving a Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology from Camosun College, in Victoria, BC Corey completed a civil engineering Degree at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario followed by a Master of Engineering Degree specializing in Environmental Fluid Mechanics at the University of British Columbia. Corey has been working with clients on Vancouver Island since 2008 in civil and environmental engineering. Since founding Gwaii Engineering in March 2017, Corey has grown the business significantly, including the addition of three partners. Gwaii Engineering is a registered member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and is currently registered under the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business. Although Gwaii is a relatively new venture, Corey has established the business as a strong and proud aboriginal owned and operated consulting firm that aims to create capacity within First Nation communities on Vancouver Island and throughout BC. Gwaii Engineering will continue to build strength through their relationships effectively creating long-lasting partnerships within these communities.
Principal, Senior Engineer

Mike Achtem

P.Eng., PMP, CCA

As a registered Professional Engineer with a degree in Applied Science from Queens University, Mike has extensive experience consulting on land development and municipal infrastructure projects throughout British Columbia dating back to 1992.

Mike is a certified Project Management Professional as well as a Certified Contract Administrator with the Master Municipal Construction Association.

Taking a value added approach to all his projects, Mike is dedicated to providing clients with a results oriented blend of cost and functionality. Current clients include First Nations, Municipalities, Property Managers, Mining and Forestry Industries, Federal and Provincial Governments, Law Firms, Land Developers and Builders. 

Principal, Civil & Environmental Engineer

Josh Bartley

P.Eng
Josh is a registered Professional Engineer and graduate of the University of British Columbia, with a degree in Civil Engineering with Environmental Option. He previously completed a Civil Engineering Technology Diploma. Working in the industry since 2001 on construction, civil and environmental engineering projects, Josh’s experience has progressively built on the application of innovative solutions to infrastructure, land development, and environmental challenges. Josh approaches projects from both a creative and technically sound perspective and strives to work closely with stakeholders to develop value-added relationships. He believes that a successful project balances environmental and socioeconomic impacts with financial gains of all stakeholders, and that for our industry to continue to prosper we must consider our actions within a framework of sustainability.
Civil and Environmental Engineer

Joshua Anderson

EIT

Joshua Anderson is a registered Engineer in Training with a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Victoria. Environmental Engineering was a large part of many classes at the University of Victoria. This has provided the opportunity to bring sustainable and environmental engineering concepts into his projects. His previous work experience includes hands on construction experience as a pipe layer, civil drafting and design, site investigation, environmental monitoring, soil sampling, and project management. Joshua first joined Gwaii as a coop student in 2020 and has since become a full-time employee expanding on his drafting design and land development experience.

JUNIOR CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST

MATT BYRNELL

Matt joins us as a Junior Civil Engineering Design Technologist. He recently graduated from Camosun College with a Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology and has a substantial background in carpentry. His diverse set of skills will no doubt provide a huge asset to our civil engineering team.

Greg Gillespie Headshot
Senior Development Manager

Greg Gillespie

BSc, PMP

Greg Gillespie is an accredited Project Management Professional and land use consultant with over 16 years of extensive leadership and real estate experience. He delivers end-to-end land management results with success across a broad spectrum of portfolios, including residential housing, telecommunication networks, waste-to-energy facilities and large multifamily/mixed-use developments.

Senior civil design technician

nicholas liberty

AScT

Nick is a member of the Nipissing First Nation and Mattawa/North Bay Algonquin First Nation, and has Ojibwa lineage originating in The Robinson Huron Treaty Territory in Northern Ontario. 

He is a Civil Design specialist with over 10 years of industry experience throughout Ontario, BC, and New Zealand utilizing Civil 3D in land development, local government infrastructure, mining and environmental services. Nick has completed his Certified Engineering Technologist Designation (C.E.T) through the Civil Engineering Technician Program at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario and through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians (OACETT). He currently holds an Applied Science Technologist (AScT) designation with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) and is working towards a Limited Licence with the Professional Engineers of Ontario

CIVIL PROJECT ENGINEER

JARED SMYLIE

EIT

Jared is a registered Engineer-In-Training with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Victoria. As a member the Civil Engineering team, he prepares design drawings for a variety of projects. ⁠ ⁠ Originally from Toronto, Jared enjoys outdoor activities such as canoeing, soccer, and hiking.⁠ ⁠ 

Gladia Joy
Office Administrator & HR Specialist

Gladia Joy

Gladia holds a BSc & MBA in Human Resource Management, and is a member of CPHR BC & Yukon.⁠ Alongisde her role as an Office Administrator & HR Specialist, Gladia also assists with accounting & project management.

Gladia worked in Human Resources and Administration for 6 years in India before making the move here to Canada. ⁠
Headshot of Mahlet Abraha
JUNIOR ENGINEER-IN-TRAINING

MAHLET ABRAHA

Mahlet is an Engineer-In-Training and recently graduated from UBCO with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering.
⁠Originally from Ethiopia, Mahlet has lived in Canada now for 10 years and has finally settled here in Victoria after living in Calgary and Kelowna for school. She has a strong background in project management, technical documentation, infrastructure assessment, and designing software skills, making her a great addition to our team.

Senior Civil Engineering Technologist

MARC BIGGELAAR

ASCT

Marc assists in project implementation and design/drafting. He has been in the Civil Engineering Industry since 2001 and has worked as a surveyor, a design and drafting technologist in Transportation, Municipal, Land Development and Environmental Projects. Marc was previously the CAD Manager in the infrastructure group at WSP Canada Inc. and a Senior Civil Engineering Technologist at Lawson Engineering, implementing CAD standards at both places. Marc graduated at NAIT in the Civil Engineering Technology Program in 2002 and has his AScT with ASTTBC.

PROJECT MANAGER/ CIVIL DESIGNER

Justin Eagle

Justin is a member of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, located south of Saskatoon in an area formerly known as Moose Woods. The WDFN is part of the larger Dakota–Nakata-Lakota Nation whose traditional lands extend into both Canada and the United States.

After graduating from Camosun College with a Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, Justin began working as a Civil Engineering Technologist with Gwaii Engineering. He a registered member of the Aboriginal Professional Association of Canada.

He joined the Gwaii team in 2017 and has since gained experience in land development and environmental engineering. Justin manages junior design / drafting resources, and interns, and plays a key role in maintaining quality standards for many of our deliverables

Field Review & Site Surveys

Dave Aylesworth

Civil Engineering Technologist

Dave has over six years of Civil Engineering experience throughout Southern Vancouver Island. He has worked on projects large and small as a surveyor, field inspector, and construction contract administrator. With his background in various construction and trade jobs prior to his engineering career, Dave is able to provide a practical perspective and communicate cost-effective and direct solutions with clients, contractors, and municipal authorities.

Senior Project manager

BRANDON DUCHARME

MBA, P.Eng, PE, CPEng, PMP

Brandon is an internationally and multi-qualified professional engineer and project management professional skilled in strategic planning, commercial negotiations, and the funding and finance of infrastructure. He brings extensive client-side and local government experience with expertise in integrated water services, asset management and infrastructure investment capabilities to our team. 

Brandon has recently returned to Canada from Aotearoa New Zealand where he was responsible for the long-range planning of integrated water services for a local government.

Passionate about the vital importance and meaning of water to indigenous peoples, Brandon brings a values-based approach to infrastructure planning, engineering and development. The authority, life, and relationship between water and the people of the land are fundamental pillars to maintaining the health of water bodies, freshwater ecosystems, and communities that rely on them. These values are central to his practice in the long-range planning and development of community infrastructure.

COMPTROLLER

CLEA ACHTEm

CGA CPA
Clea graduated from the University of British Columbia and went on to earn her Chartered Professional Accounting designation (CGA CPA) in 2003. Since joining Gwaii Engineering at its inception, Clea has enjoyed managing the day-to-day financial accounting services for both Gwaii and its sister company, Islander Engineering. Her responsibilities include accounts payable and receivable, tracking assets and expenditures, managing payroll and benefits, and GST/payroll compliance. In her free time, she likes spending time with friends and family, reading and working in her veggie garden.
Headshot of Kirsten Biggelaar, Office Manager
OFFICE MANAGER

KIRSTEN BIGGELAAR

Kirsten has a Business Administration/Finance Diploma from NAIT and has been a part of the finance industry for 28 years. She has experience in various roles from being a customer service rep at a local bank, working in the finance department at a large corporation, bookkeeping for a church, to various administrative roles in Interior Health, including the accounts receivable/finance department.

DIGITAL MARKETING & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

EMMA RENDELL

Emma joined the Gwaii team in 2021 as a social media manager, and has since expanded her role into community outreach, digital marketing, and supporting the grant writing team. Originally from a performing arts background, she brings a passion for storytelling & communication to her work, and enjoys getting to share the incredible work Gwaii is doing for First Nations in BC.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

SALLY HODGSON

Sally made her way to Vancouver Island to attend university, quickly falling in love with the island’s breathtaking landscapes and welcoming community. She carried on to pursue a master’s degree while gaining experience in project management in the healthcare sector. Now, as part of the Gwaii Engineering team since February 2024, Sally supports the smooth running of billing and operations, and assists with grant writing, utilizing her organizational skills and attention to detail. Beyond the office, you’ll often find her exploring new destinations, enjoying quality time with friends, and embracing the island’s outdoor adventures.

Civil Engineering Technologist 

KYLE ANDERSON

Kyle is of Cree, Saulteaux and Swampy Cree heritage and has been a Civil Engineering Technologist with us since 2020, while also completing his diploma through Camosun College. Kyle has tended to the environmental aspects of land development contracts around the city of Victoria. His responsibilities include the timely collection of soil and water samples and preparing them for composite analysis, and writing technical reports pertaining to environmental site evaluation. He is also responsible for design drawings on AutoCAD Civil 3D for Civil infrastructure, as well as topographical survey, lay out survey and as-built survey for rural and urban development projects.
Junior Engineering Technologist

Inderjot Notta

Inder moved to Victoria in 2016 from India and took the Civil Engineering Technology course at Camosun College. After moving back to India briefly after the completion of his diploma in 2019, Inder has since been working in Civil Engineering here in Victoria. He will be working primarily as a CAD drafter and looks forward to learning & gaining experience with us at Gwaii!
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