OUR TEAM
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.
Director, Environmental Services
BRAD HARROLD
P.Geo., RG (Wash), PMP
Brad is a registered Professional Geoscientist and Certified Project Manager with more than 26 years of diverse geo-environmental consulting experience throughout British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Royal Roads University.
His project experience includes contaminated sites assessment, remedial planning, remediation, environmental compliance, waste audits and geotechnical assessment. He has completed project work throughout British Columbia as well as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Washington, and Oregon. Clients have included municipal, federal and provincial governments, First Nations and numerous industry sectors including oil and gas, forestry, mining, land developers, banks, law firms and other businesses.
He works with clients to manage and administer projects, including developing project scope, establishing key deliverables and associated cost and project controls. He possesses a comprehensive understanding of environmental and contaminated sites legislation, procedures, and protocols in British Columbia.
civil project engineer
James Rees
p.eng.
James is a registered Professional Engineer and graduate of the University of British Columbia, with a degree in Civil Engineering. He previously completed a Civil Engineering Technology Diploma at Camosun College. James has been working with clients on Vancouver Island since 2008, providing civil engineering design, construction services and project management for municipal linear infrastructure projects, as well as residential and institutional building projects such as schools, recreation centers, and seniors care homes.James’ technical strengths include the design, analysis, and modeling of sanitary and water distribution systems.
His previous work experience includes Engineer of Record duties for several water districts on the island. In this role James produced master planning documents and project prioritization reports, performed feasibility studies for new developments, and reviewed/approved waterworks and as-built drawings of new infrastructure related to new development.
Civil Engineering Technologist
Kyle Anderson
Mr. Anderson was born in Victoria, BC and raised in Shawnigan Lake. Kyle’s family heritage has been rooted in Manitoba for over 200 years. He has Cree, Saulteaux and Swampy Cree blood in his veins. His family was part of the first settlers in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. He graduated from Camosun College in 2021 with a Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology and has now joined Gwaii Engineering as a Civil Engineering Technologist. 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.
JUNIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
MELINA SORENSEN
AAG., MSC.
Melina is a Junior Environmental Scientist and an Articling Professional Agrologist (AAg.) Melina graduated with a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Royal Roads University in 2022, and with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria in 2019. She has an educational background in marine ecology, environmental impact assessment, ecotoxicology, and environmental outreach. Melina has professional experience as a Marine Naturalist & Educator, GIS Analyst, and Stewardship Research Assistant in Government and ENGO organizations. As a Junior Environmental Scientist, Melina is eager to use her interdisciplinary skills to offer innovative and ecologically-sensitive results for clients to make a positive difference for the environment on Vancouver Island and beyond.
Civil Project Engineer
Vanessa quinn
EIT
civil engineering technologist
Logan Silveira
AScT
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.
Office administrator & project Assistant
Katherine Rankin
Katherine graduated from the University of Victoria with a B.A. in Applied Linguistics, and ventured into teaching ESL and Tourism until she began her administrative career in Environmental Engineering in 2008. She has worked in both the private and public sector, including project and administrative assistant work on multiple Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan projects (FCSAP). In 2019, she was contracted to work as a Document Controller and Project Assistant to aid in the construction and commissioning of the CRD’s massive Wastewater Treatment Plant and infrastructure. Born in B.C. and raised on Quadra Island, Katherine has called Victoria her home for the past 28 years. She is the president of her strata council, sings in a soul-gospel choir and is an avid walker and foodie!
project engineer & grant writer
julia barron
EIT
Julia is a registered Engineer-in-Training with a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Victoria. She is Gwaii Engineering’s lead grant writer, heads the company’s capacity building and mentorship programs, and acts as a project engineer on Indigenous projects. She is a non-Indigenous ally and grateful to call Victoria her home on the Traditional Territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples.
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
Indigenous Business Planner
Jennifer Belanger
Jennifer is a proud member of the Upper Nicola Band, part of the Okanagan Nation which is one distinct nation of the Interior Salish First Nations in BC.
Excited to graduate from the University of Victoria in August 2023 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Business, Jennifer brings new perspectives and passion to our team.
She has a proven track record as a government relations and funding strategist, successfully developing business proposals and acquiring grants across industries, and is committed to incorporating traditional knowledge and values into her work, and building strong relationships with clients.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys baking sweet treats for her neighbors and the homeless individuals in her community, as well as exploring new green-spaces with her two dogs.
She is excited to be a part of the Gwaii team and looks forward to creating a positive impact in the communities we serve.
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
CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT ENGINEER
ALYSSA RANDALL
EIT
Alyssa is originally from Northern Ontario, and has Mi’kmaw lineage from South-West Newfoundland. She is a registered Engineer-in-Training with a degree in environmental engineering from the University of Waterloo. Since moving west she has gained experience in both environmental and geotechnical fields.
Alyssa is excited to join the Gwaii Team and work on projects that align with her personal and professional values.
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.
Civil & Environmental Project Engineer
Gabrielle Swann
EIT
Gabrielle is a registered Engineer in Training with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Victoria. The University of Victoria’s Civil Engineering Department maintains a strong focus on the incorporation of environmental engineering into each course. As such, Gabrielle brings an understanding of hydrology, green building design, and drinking water contaminants to her projects.
Her previous work experience includes river and coastal engineering, topographic and bathymetric surveying, AutoCAD Civil 3D design, and environmental monitoring. She has developed strong project management skills while acting as a construction coordinator within the federal government. With the knowledge and skills obtained through these experiences, Gabrielle offers valuable support to both civil and environmental projects, in the office and out in the field.
Environmental Project Engineer
Jane Pirie
EIT
Jane Pirie is a registered Engineer-in-Training with a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering from the University of Guelph. Jane has four years of consulting experience including environmental monitoring, report writing, and data analysis.
COMPTROLLER
CLEA ACHTEm
CGA CPA
