BC ASSESSMENT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Deputy Executive Director
Adam Whitcombe is the Deputy Executive Director/Deputy CEO at the Law Society of British Columbia. He was called to the Bar in 1985 and practiced with Davis & Company (now DLA Piper) before joining the Law Society in 1993. Adam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Arts degree from McMaster University, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia. He was appointed King's Counsel in 2018.
In his current position, he has established trust and respect at the board level and provides guidance on strategic direction and planning, policy development, external engagement, and government relations, particularly in relation to legislation and legislative amendments. He has been responsible for the development of the information technology strategic plan and overseen the IT department for more than 2 decades. He also has experience with human resource issues and oversight, having negotiated the first collective agreement with Professional Employees Association for lawyers employed by the Law Society and overseen and negotiated subsequent collective agreements.
He is a past director of Synchro BC (now BC Artistic Swimming) and a past director of Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- VP Finance & Executive Financial Officer
Char is a finance professional with over 25 years of experience helping large public sector organizations navigate the complexities of operating in a politically sensitive, highly regulated, and multi-stakeholder environment. Fifteen of these years have been at BC Assessment where Char has focused on ensuring strong governance, sound financial stewardship, and optimal alignment of resources to achieve strategic, financial, and regulatory outcomes.
Char values teamwork, inclusion, and a culture where all employees can bring their whole self to work. Char is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) and holds a MBA in Executive Management from Royal Roads University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Executive
- Vice President, Information Technology Services & Chief Information Officer
Denise is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in the BC public service leading large professional teams in a complex service delivery and technology environment. Prior to joining BC Assessment in 2021, Denise was the Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer, responsible for the enterprise-wide Information and Technology vision, strategy, investments and service delivery that enabled the business strategies for the five Natural Resource ministries.
Denise has extensive experience in digital service transformation and leading complex technology projects. Denise values relationships and has a fundamental focus on people and culture. Denise holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Victoria.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Assessment
Duane has been with BC Assessment since 1996 holding various appraisal, supervisory, management, and senior management positions and working in six different BC Assessment offices. Duane oversees the operations of all Assessment Regions in the province.
Duane is an Accredited Appraiser with the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AACI) and has a background in Urban Land Economics & Business Administration. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the BC Association of the Appraisal Institute of Canada. Duane holds Management Development and Executive Development certificates from the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia. He has been recognized by the Canadian Society of Training & Development (CSTD) as a "Learning Leader" for his work supporting learning and development at BC Assessment.
Job Titles:
- Principal at ERPIE Advisory Inc.
Emily Lewis is the Principal at ERPIE Advisory Inc. and CEO of Cabriole Leadership. She has more than twenty years of experience in various finance and administrative roles across the private, public and non-profit sectors.
Active in her community, she is a lay Board member and Finance Audit & Risk Committee Chair for Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia and Governance Committee Chair for the Community Energy Association. Ms. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Victoria and a Chartered Professional Accountant Designation as well as an Audit Committee Certification.
Job Titles:
- Information Management / Information Technology Strategic Consultant
Gina Pala is an Information Management/Information Technology Strategic Consultant providing advisory services at BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). Previously, she was the Chief Information Officer at BCFSA/Financial Institutions Commission and the Senior Vice President of Information Technology at British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI).
Active in her community, she is the Board Director and Audit Committee member for Sweet Poison Spirits Inc. (CSE: SPS). Ms. Pala holds a Certificate in Technology and Management from the University of Victoria, a CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional Certificate and an Investment Foundations Certificate from the CFA Institute.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
- President and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO
Jason has served as the President and CEO since his appointment in 2017. He began his career with BC Assessment in 1991, and has held a number of leadership positions throughout the organization, including the role of corporate media spokesperson.
Jason is an Accredited Appraiser with the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AACI). He has been a member of the Real Estate Institute of BC (REIBC) since 1994 and served as their President from 2014-2015.
He has extensive experience with complex appraisal and related legal matters. His 30+ years of expertise in property assessment and taxation continues to shape organizational commitment in supporting communities through independent excellence in property assessments, with over 2.1 million properties valued annually.
During his time as CEO, BC Assessment has implemented large-scale modernizations of critical IT platforms that have allowed the organization to adapt to growing business needs. He is committed to learning investments that enhance the professional development of BC Assessment's people while continuing to offer a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Jason Grant was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective October 2, 2017. The CEO is the most senior executive position within the organization, reporting to the Board of Directors and provides strategic leadership for BC Assessment. The position is responsible for the overall management of BC Assessment's operations, products and services, and for organizational compliance with Provincial Legislation. This position is the primary point of contact for senior provincial and local government officials, assessment organizations, and stakeholders. See BC Assessment's Terms of Reference - President & CEO.
Jason joined BC Assessment in 1993 and has held various appraisal, supervisory and management positions in both the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan. Jason has most recently served as the Director, Assessment Legal and Appeals responsible for leading the development of BC Assessment's assessment legal strategy, appeal management, and the delivery of legal advice and support services. He has extensive experience in complex appraisal and assessment matters. In his current position, Jason has overall accountability for BC Assessment's customer facing activities including the valuation of Industrial, Commercial, and Investment(ICI) properties.
Jason holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Certificate in Real Property Assessment from the University of British Columbia. As an Accredited Appraiser with the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AACI) he also sat as a member on the BC Provincial Board. He has instructed a number of courses including various expert witness, valuation, and assessment case law sessions and has guest lectured at a number of post secondary educational institutions.
Jeremy Trigg has nearly 40 years of experience in various roles in the banking sector prior to his retirement in 2022. This includes working within the branch system, oversight of lending insurance, introduction of and oversight of the debit and credit card portfolios and organizational accountability for: real estate including acquisition, design, construction and maintenance; operational environmental sustainability; business continuity and emergency preparedness; and procurement. Simultaneously, Jeremy created a start-up holding company that acquired the rights to and oversaw the largest surcharge free, deposit taking Canadian Automated Teller Machine network, and worked in various roles, including Board Chair and President.
During his career, Jeremy reduced the greenhouse gas emissions for his organization by over 1/3 while the organization was growing, oversaw the construction and interior design of an 110,000 square foot head office building, and saved the organization material costs through an ongoing energy management program.
Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Science (Geology) from UBC and a Master's in Business Administration (Hon) from City University.
Jeremy has Board experience at the aforementioned holding company, several environmental and real estate related professional organizations (IFMA. BOMA and CaGBC), and two subsidiary/related organizations to his past employer (Dockside Green and Vancity Community Foundation).
John Crawford is a senior business leader with over 30 years of experience in the areas of corporate leadership, board governance, strategy and financial systems. He is a distinguished Chartered Professional Accountant (Fellow) and was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Chief Financial Officers.
He has held numerous executive officer positions, including as the former Chief Financial Officer and past President and Chief Executive Officer for Pacific Blue Cross. His responsibilities and oversight included leading initiatives to improve business processes, implementing major systems changes, long term business strategies, governance and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, including the board, executive, over 750 employees, insurance brokers and government.
He has served as a board and committee member for a number of organizations in the health insurance sector.
In addition to his extensive financial education and certifications, John holds an Institute of Corporate Directors Designation (ICD.D) through the Rotman Directors Education Program. John was appointed as FCPA.
Karen Hoffmann is a seasoned Senior Executive with a broad background spanning business unit operations, strategy development, head office services and governance. Karen served in numerous Executive positions at Canada's largest credit union, supporting a member-elected board and serving as acting Chief Executive Officer during a period of change. She has Executive leadership experience in the areas of strategy, investments, operations, risk management, human resources, compliance, legal, audit and insurance.
Ms. Hoffmann's extensive work on and with Boards provides a deep base of experience as a Director. She has served on six boards in the non-profit, private, and professional governing sectors, with five years' experience as Chair of the Governance Committee for the YWCA Metro Vancouver.
Ms. Hoffmann holds Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa, and holds the Institute of Corporate Directors Designation (ICD.D) from Rotman's School of Business.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for the First Nations Health Authority
Ms. Halbauer is currently a community engagement coordinator for the First Nations Health Authority. Previously, she was a general manager for Kalum Kabs Ltd., a student researcher for Kitsumkalum Social History, and an Aboriginal health collaborative coordinator for the Northern Health Authority. Active in her community, Ms. Halbauer currently serves as Chair of the Board of governors for Coast Mountain College and as a chair person for the Kitsumkalum Economic Development Board.
She previously served as a trustee for the Coast Mountain School District. Ms. Halbauer holds her Associate Degree specializing in Criminology from North West Community College and her Master of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia.
Robert Lapham has over 36 years of experience working with local governments and is a Strategic Advisor on local government initiatives. He has managed a variety of business lines in corporate services and administration, health, capital finance, housing, transportation, planning and emergency services.
His extensive career in local government, includes serving as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Capital Regional District (CRD), Capital Regional Hospital District (CRHD) and Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC). Previously, he was General Manager, Planning and Protective Services Department at CRHC, CRHD and CRD.
He has served as a board and committee member for a number of organizations supporting local governments. He Co-Chaired the Capital Region Regional Emergency Partnership Steering Committee and was a Project Board Member for the Greater Victoria Core Area Wastewater Treatment Project.
Active in his community, he served as Vice-Chair of the United Way of Greater Victoria.
Robert holds Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Victoria and has completed a number of programs in the areas of public sector and local government management and municipal administration, holding a Senior Certificate Municipal Administration, Provincial Board of Examiners. He is a Registered Planner and Member with the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) and Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC). He also holds a Diploma in Real Estate Appraisal.
Susan is a human resources executive with more than 13 years' experience leading the delivery of HR services, initiatives and programs in the public sector. As Assistant Deputy Minister, Workforce Planning and Strategic Initiatives with the BC Ministry of Health, she was responsible for leading organizational culture and engagement, ministry planning, learning and development, HR services, internal communications and workforce planning. She also acted as the Ministry Ethics Advisor and Executive lead for Gender Based Analysis+ (GBA+) across the Ministry of Health and health sector.
Prior to this appointment Susan held several senior leadership roles with the BC Public Service Agency. She has led a variety of HR teams with a strong focus on client service, leadership development and diversity and inclusion.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Victoria and holds Executive certifications in leading change and HR strategy across organizations.
Victoria Chan has an extensive career in finance and accounting holding various leadership roles in the public sector. Beyond financial management and financial reporting, Victoria also has significant senior management experience in corporate services and policy development.
With implementation of considerable senior management initiatives involving strategic planning, truth and reconciliation and equity in action, she has comprehensive knowledge of business operations, including in the areas of financial planning, facility operations, information technology and human resource planning. Victoria also has experience in government relations and has led policy development and legislative and regulatory amendments initiatives.
Applying her legal knowledge, her significant experience in the public sector and leadership roles, she is one of the appointed Bylaw Adjudicators for the Ministry of the Attorney General and is the Board of Director for the National Film Board.
Victoria holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree from the University of Calgary, a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of London and a Master of Law degree from York University. She is also a Chartered Professional Accountant.