Directors & Regional Presidents

It is an honor to serve as the new President of the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Board of Directors. In nearly 10 years of service on the Board, along with my time as Regional President for wildlife conservation in the Kootenay region, I have enjoyed invaluable opportunities to engage in conservation policy, member-led initiatives, and community outreach across B.C.

I am particularly passionate about the growing threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This challenge is more than a scientific or management issue—it is a defining moment for conservation leadership. We must act decisively and collaboratively to protect the health and future of BC’s wildlife populations.

Of course, the concerns affecting BC’s fish and wildlife go far beyond a single issue. As President, I take on these challenges with the confidence that comes from working alongside a dedicated and capable Board of Directors—volunteers who are deeply committed to hearing and representing our members.

I may not have the longest tenure in the field, but I offer a practical, balanced perspective, a strong belief in the power of teamwork, and a steady hand in board governance. I am fully committed to advancing our mission, strengthening our collective impact, and ensuring the BCWF continues to serve both wildlife and people with integrity and purpose.

Rob Chipman has hunted, fished, camped, and generally enjoyed the outdoors from his early childhood, and has been a member of the BCWF on and off throughout that period.  Today, he enjoys hunting and fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and boating throughout B.C. He has a special love for October and November moose hunting – something he was exposed to with his dad more than half a century ago. After more than three decades in the real estate industry, Rob wanted to give back to his community by working to conserve fish, wildlife and habitat for future generations so he began volunteering with the BCWF.  He volunteers because he believes BCWF is the last best hope to preserve our hunting, angling and outdoor heritage. 

Email: treasurer@bcwf.bc.ca

Alli was born and raised in Victoria on Vancouver Island, where she has been cultivating her passion for hunting, fishing, and outdoor pursuits. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and over 5 years of experience in accounting, management, and communication. She is eager to merge her professional experience with her passion for the outdoors and become more involved in our community.

Currently serving as the Treasurer for the Island Rangers Society, Alli has gained knowledge of working with an outdoor-focused organization and Mosaic Forest Management. In her role, she continues to learn how to advocate for the society’s membership and other stakeholders involved.

She looks forward to raising their daughter with a great appreciation for the outdoors and show how each excursion is a chance to bond as a family and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Pat Whittingham believes in giving back to conservation, as fish, wildlife, and habitats have done so much to enrich his life. He has been a member of the BCWF for 40 years. Pat’s family is also involved in conservation, with his father being a club board member in the 1950s and 1960s and his wife Barb served four years on the BCWF board. He volunteers with the SIMDeer Camera Project and has raised funds for the SIMDeer and Southern B.C. Cougar Project. As an avid hunter and angler, Pat has had many memorable encounters with wildlife including close encounters with grizzly bears. Pat is a member of the Oceola Fish & Game Club and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Nicole Currie grew up at Salmon Lake Fishing Camp on the Douglas lake Ranch. She comes from several generations of fishing and hunting guides/stewards, so this way of life is in her blood and she is proud pass this lifestyle on to her children. For the last 23 years, she has lived in Lumby on a hobby farm with her husband and three children.

Nicole is a CORE instructor, and is passionate about encouraging women and children to get their CORE.

Nicole is the Vice President of the Lumby and District Wildlife Association and, upon attending her first BCWF AGM in 2023, was in awe to see what exactly the BCWF does for all of us. Her motto in life is “when we take in this world we need to give back at least times two.”

Darrel was introduced to hunting and fishing by his dad at a very young age. His dad was an RCMP officer so moves all around B.C. were frequent. He was raised in all corners of B.C. and truly appreciates the diverse and stunning landscape that he calls home. He developed a love for adventure and feels at home in the wilderness. Darrel is a father of four children himself and strives to instill in them a sense of wonder and excitement for the wild whenever he can. He and his wife call beautiful Fraser Lake home. Darrel has felt he wanted to give back to nature in a meaningful way and being a member of the BCWF is a fulfilling and effective way to accomplish that.

I am Jim Dewar, my family comes from a long line of people involved in wildlife and conservation. As a multi-generation person from Vancouver Island, I grew up hunting, fishing and involved with forestry and the land. My involvement with BCWF fills a niche in me for giving to the bigger community of members, and making a difference for generations to come. Conservation, and the science of wildlife is part of my family, part of me and I hope to pass on in a better way to my kids and future generations.

Dan Law, MA, is a life-long hunter, angler, and avid outdoorsman and has been involved in teaching outdoor education, skills, and traditional crafts for several decades. Along with numerous other professional and non-profit endeavours, Dan is a director and member of the Pacific Rim Fish and Game Association on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. 

Dan has five children with his wife, Mollie, and is currently serving as the mayor of Tofino.

Dan is proud to be an elected BCWF board member and is committed to helping ensure hunting, fishing, foraging, conservation, and collective access to our shared wild resources is enshrined in both culture and public policy for generations to come.

Chris Albrecht always was an avid fisherman, learned from his grandfather many tricks of the trade. In his early 20’s, he got interested in the hunting side of the outdoors, and took his CORE and got his FAC. He was self taught with the help of a few people along the way, meet the love of his life, Donna, and they both decided together that hunting and fishing were going to be part of their lives.

They decided after a few years of hunting together that it would be a great idea to marry your favorite hunting and fishing partner, so back in 1987 they got married and went on a moose hunting trip for their honeymoon. That was the start of a great relationship, she shot her first moose and Chris learned how to pack out for her.

They were introduced to New Hunter Boot Camp at Ridgedale years later by Dale Vidulich, which was their first time witnessing what giving back was truly all about. Then they were introduced to Fishing Forever, fell in love with the program, and have both been volunteering ever since. Chris is now C0-Chair of the Lower Mainland Region event

Chris has enjoyed helping people get into hunting and fishing ever since; it’s a passion to take out first timers and pass down the knowledge he has learned, as well as to teach them not to make some of the same mistakes he has made.

Chris and Donna both serve on the Lower Mainland Board and still enjoy working together toward common goals.

I have been a resident of the Elk Valley for over 60 years. I was raised in family who valued and respected the land and wildlife of this region and spent every weekend at a special placeclose to home where we have been fortunate to have a cabin since the mid-1950’s. Our family enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and a variety of other outdoor pursuits, most importantly, we enjoyed the time together and the memories this resulted in. My wife Bernie and I raised a family of 2 girls here in the Elk while working for 40 years in the mining industry which is the primary industry of the region.

My outdoor passions include hunting, fishing, hiking, elk bugling, sitting beside a fire with friends and family and spending time at our family cabin.

Terry Hanik loves the outdoors and holds a great appreciation for wildlife, leading to his decision to join the BCWF as a board member. Alongside his family, Terry enjoys hunting and fishing. Terry has been President of the Trail Wildlife Association for 21 years and he is also the President of the West Kootenay Outdoorsmen. 

Lisa is an outdoor enthusiast with a deep passion for nature, conservation, and community. She enjoys camping, kayaking, and spending quality time with family and her dogs. Lisa has been an active member of the Spruce City Wildlife Association for over eight years, serving five years on the board and contributing to the Salmon Support Team. She also holds the role of Vice-President of the Polar Coachmen Fly Fishers Club, where she supports conservation efforts and promotes responsible angling. 

Gerry Paille is a retired educator and a long-time resident of Fort St. John, BC. He has been a volunteer for the B.C. Wildlife Federation for more than three decades serving on regional and provincial wildlife and allocation committees as well as on the board of directors for the Peace-Liard Region of the BCWF and the North Peace Rod and Gun Club. Gerry is currently the chair of the BCWF’s Wildlife and Allocation Committee and president of BCWF Region 7B, Peace-Liard. The BCWF twice recognized Gerry as the most effective regional president and also for his work with then BCWF President John Holdstock in establishing the first BCWF website in the late 1990s.

Nick Kozub grew up under his grandfather’s wing, enjoying many days together hunting, angling, and foraging for mushrooms. Nick’s grandfather taught him the importance of being involved, especially at the Oceola Fish and Game Club. Nick has proudly followed in his grandfather’s shoes, becoming a director and president of the Oceola club, but has now gone even further by serving as director, vice president, and now president of BCWF Region 8. Nick is a firm believer and supporter of science-based decision making when it comes to wildlife management. His concerns about conservation, and for what it will mean for his daughter and future generations, has led him to stand up for our wildlife now.