Automotive Service Technician
Dale Baumel
Dale has been a certified Red Seal Automotive Service Technician since 1990. He is a commercial vehicle inspector and is also certified in automotive pressure fuels. He has specialized in automatic transmissions and electrical diagnosis at a local dealership, as well as taking extensive factory training courses. He was an auto tech, welding, and metal work teacher at Nanaimo District Secondary School, and has instructed overseas in New Zealand.
Dean Cadieux
Dean has been an instructor at Vancouver Island University since 2000 and is the Automotive department chair. He holds a BC Instructor’s Diploma and has been a Red Seal Automotive Service Technician since 1990. Dean is also Red Seal Certified as a Commercial Transport Technician, Motorcycle Technician, Automotive Parts/Warehousing person and holds a commercial vehicle inspector certification. He has worked as an automotive technician in various automotive dealerships and he keeps current with automotive technology and repair techniques by taking upgrading courses in areas such as hybrid vehicle technology, drivability diagnostics, air-conditioning repair and alignment techniques.
Kevin Carlson
Kevin has been a Red Seal Automotive Service Technician since 1995. He holds a Provincial Inspectors license, Electric Vehicle training as well as taken several specialized training classes while working at a local automotive dealership for 26 years. Kevin started with VIU in 2021 and enjoys sharing all of his knowledge and experiences gained over his career in the automotive trade.
During his time in industry, Kevin has worked with numerous apprentices and overseen their progress in achieving Red Seal certification as well as coaching youth in several sports over the years. His hobbies include music, hockey and gardening.
Jeff Morpak
Jeff has his Red Seal in both Automotive Glass, and Residential/Commercial Glass. He successfully owned and operated a glass franchise in Nanaimo for 22 years. Jeff has been with the VIU Automotive department since January 2023 and enjoys working with customers and watching the students develop new skills for their careers. Jeff's personal interests have been building his custom truck and playing music with his band.
Cory Porter
Cory Porter has a diverse range of interests and experiences. Born and raised in Nanaimo, he has always been driven by a curiosity to explore and learn. He is a Red Seal Certified Automotive Service Technician and Provincial Vehicle Inspector, and attended Vancouver Island University all through his apprenticeship, where he developed a strong foundation in the automotive repair industry.
Throughout his professional journey, he has had the opportunity to work in various roles, allowing him to hone his skills in automotive service and repair, customer service, and shop/business management.
Garry Spannier
Raised in the north country, I have a passion for automobiles and powersports. I moved to Burnaby in 1985 to attend PVI as a Motorcycle Mechanic, after a few years I continued my education in 1988 as a Marine Mechanic at BCIT. Working for several years in the marine sector, I accepted an offer from Finning as a Tool Calibration Technician. Factory trained at LS Starrett and Federal/Mahr, I served 14 years, the last 6 as Leadhand/Chargehand and Safety Chair. In 2018, I started with VIU Marine and Motorcycle trades. A couple of years later I joined the Automotive shop focusing on tooling, shop equipment and safety. My automotive history dates back to being a teacher's assistant in Auto 12, on to restoring muscle cars and now, keeping up with modern technology.
Carpentry
Cam Frenette
Cam attended VIU for all four years of his Carpentry training to achieve his Red Seal in the trade. Before teaching at VIU, Cam had a brief stint teaching elementary school.
The majority of Cam's experience in Carpentry was with a large local contractor. He has worked in residential and commercial framing and concrete forming. Cam has built houses, apartments, cabins, schools, commercial retail space and has worked on many other projects but his favourite thing to build is concrete stairs.
Coming from a family of carpenters, Cam has had an awesome opportunity to be raised and mentored in the trade by his own family. His father and older brother are carpenters and Cam still loves finding time to work alongside them. He also acknowledges that he has been really lucky to mentored by some great carpenters at a local contracting firm.
The Carpentry program at VIU covers so many different topics and aspects of the trade. Every day Cam gets to see new carpenters gain understanding of topics that they have never heard of before. The future carpenters that Cam teaches every day are reaching mental milestones during every class and Cam says that is an incredible thing to be a part of.
Andrew MacLeod
Andrew MacLeod, a Red Seal carpenter, has worked in the building industry since 2001. He has worked for several companies and runs his own construction company, MacLeod Carpentry. Andrew has been teaching carpentry since 2017. He's taught carpentry in the indigenous communities Kyuquot, Ty-histanis and Mowachaht/Muchalaht on Vancouver Island. He now teaches at Vancouver Island University.
Culinary Arts
Jenny Aronson
Originally from Thetis Island, BC, Chef Aronson got into cooking because her whole family loves to cook and eat! She graduated from VIU’s Culinary Arts Program in 2000, apprenticed under Chef Edward Tuson at the Sooke Harbour House, and in 2007, achieved her Red Seal Certification. She has worked in Verduno, Italy. She enjoys teaching and meeting the different personalities of the students, and she loves seeing the look of accomplishment on student’s faces when they achieve success.
Francois de Jong
Raised on the west coast in a food focused family, at an early age, Francois knew he wanted to be a chef. He graduated from the Culinary Arts program at The College of New Caledonia, did his apprenticeship and earned his Red Seal Certification at La Belle Auberge under the watchful eye of Chef Bruno Marti. There Francois learned the joys of culinary competitions and started networking with chefs in Canada around the world. Francois has a wide range of culinary experiences from small farm to table restaurants, Hotels, private chef, opening restaurants in China, to camp cooking for major Hollywood movies. Having moved to Nanaimo in 2006, he enjoys an active outdoor life style with his family and friends where most activities either start or finish with food. Teaching in the VIU Culinary Arts department has been a natural transition from working in restaurants and creates a space for him to work with, mentor and train alongside the next generation of cooks. For more information feel free to contact Instructor Francois de Jong.
Joerg Gabler
Chef Gabler began his culinary career in Germany, starting his pre-apprenticeship training in Realschule Soest. Upon moving to Canada, he followed his goals and finished his apprenticeship in British Columbia, completing the Canadian Journeyman’s Red Seal in 1990. He has worked in Victoria at the prestigious Empress Hotel, and the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort. He was involved in the re-opening of the Latch Country Inn in Sidney BC, the opening of the Water club Restaurant in Victoria, and worked at the Blue Peter Waterfront Pub and Restaurant. He also worked in Germany at the Restaurant La Marie in Wassenberg, and as a chef at the Sport Hotel Muelhausen.
Christine Godlonton
Raised on Haida Gwaii by a family of commercial fishermen, Christine spent many of her days as a young girl foraging for food and learning how to process what she gathered with family and friends. After graduating from cooking school in Vancouver, BC and working in the culinary field for many years, she moved to Salt Spring Island to work at the Hastings House Hotel where she worked primarily as the pastry chef for many seasons. After leaving Hastings House Christine opened a full service catering company on Salt Spring, catering to many different events although weddings were her specialty. Although Christine initially completed her Red Seal certification in the Culinary Arts she also has her professional baking Red Seal as she learned that her passion was in baking. Christine began working at VIU in 2012 and continues to love teaching the culinary and baking students who challenge her to learn ways to always be better instructor. Christine considers it a privilege to have this venue to share her love of food.
Jason Lloyd
Chef Lloyd completed the Professional Cook Training program at Malaspina (now the Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island) in 1993, and received his Red Seal Certification in 1996. He completed his apprenticeship at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver under Chef Ernst Dorfler before moving on to help open the Creek Restaurant on Granville Island as Sous Chef under Corporate Chef and Bocus d'Or competitor Robert Allen Sulatyky. He was the opening Sous Chef at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, and spent more than nine years catering to Vancouver's most affluent business people, politicians, celebrities and world leaders at Vancouver's premier private business club, The Terminal City Club, as Executive Sous Chef along side then Chef and Future CEO David Long, and was eventually promoted to Executive Chef. He had the opportunity to cook for the Canadian Government and their extensive list of world leaders, royalty and celebrities for two months during the 2010 Olympic Games and Paralympics. Chef Lloyd feels Nanaimo and Cowichan are fast becoming equal to other west coast communities because of their exceptional cuisine and emphasis on locally produced products.
Andrea MacLean
Andrea first studied Culinary Arts and Pastry at the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Ottawa, and went on to continue her professional chef training at The Pacific Institute for Culinary Arts in Vancouver. Since graduating Andrea was hired by the Fairmont Vancouver Airport and started her culinary apprenticeship under Chef Iain Rennie. Andrea continued her apprenticeship at the Terminal City Club under Chef David Long and achieved her Red Seal Certification. Andrea worked her way up to Sous Chef and then became Restaurant Chef before moving on to work at many of Vancouver’s’ premiere private member clubs. During her career Andrea competed in several cooking competitions winning the title of Iron Chef in 2004 and 2005. After many years in the industry cooking for Vancouver’s elite, politicians, dignitaries, celebrities and royalty, Andrea started teaching at VIU in 2021. Andrea loves meeting the new generation of chefs and sharing her passion for food and enthusiasm with them.
Daniel Ross
Daniel started his training in Winnipeg where he enrolled in a 3-year food service program in high school. There he had the chance to compete in various competitions and work with Team Manitoba prior to and during the 1998 world culinary Olympics in Frankfurt Germany. Through his high school years Daniel worked at the Old Swiss, Werner’s Restaurant and the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Following graduation, he spent a year working at Chateau Lake Louise and then one year at HY’S Steakhouse in Ottawa before moving to Calgary, where he landed an apprenticeship at the Westin Hotel in Calgary with renowned chef Fred Zimmerman, former Team Canada captain and Manager. Moving west in 2000, he worked in the film industry and later started his own film catering business before moving to Nanaimo, where he took on the Executive Chef role at Berwick Retirement Community. Daniel recently started teaching at VIU in 2021 and loves sharing his knowledge and working with students.
Buddy Wolfe
Born and raised in British Columbia, Buddy attended The Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani College in Honolulu, Hawaii. After graduation he moved to New York where he worked at a variety of French and Japanese restaurants. In 2003 he moved back to Canada where he took on Sous Chef responsibilities at Coco Pazzo, Cardero’s and the Sandbar Seafood Restaurant. Buddy was the Executive Chef at Seasons in the Park restaurant, where he stayed until moving to Vancouver Island in 2011. Buddy continued working for Sequoia Company of Restaurants as purchaser, chef consultant and POS manager. He opened JAM Café in Victoria to critical acclaim. Buddy has been on the TV Food Network and on Breakfast Television. He’s published food articles in YAM magazine. Throughout his career Buddy has cooked for celebrities, athletes, and visiting military and political dignitaries. Buddy began his career at VIU in 2017 where he happily shares his passion and knowledge for cooking with the next generation of chefs.
Electrician
Shane Dalager
Shane is a Red Seal Electrician, completing his training at Thompson Rivers University in 1997. He holds certification as a Class "A" Field Safety Representative, Electrical Inspector, and a British Columbia Provincial Instructor Diploma. Having worked in the Residential, Commercial, and Industrial fields wiring everything from custom homes, hospitals, high-rises, and overhead door controls to top drive units. Having years of electrical instructional experience at both the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and the Electrical Dept at VIU, He enjoys helping students interpret the ever changing and exciting field of electrical installations - everything from transposing formulas, working through complicated code rules to designing motor control circuits and bending conduit.
Terry Fedchuk
Terry completed his Electrical apprenticeship at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology where he received his Journeyman Red Seal Certificate in 1979, and became a Master Electrician in 1988. He has experience in industrial, commercial, and residential projects and has also owned his own electrical contracting company. He has his BC Instructor’s Diploma and is very passionate about the electrical industry – he finds passing his knowledge onto students very rewarding.
Samuel Johnson
Samuel is a Trades Qualified Red Seal Electrician, Provincial Instructors Diploma, and 'B' level contractor. He has extensive work experience in the electrical trade as an electrical contractor, and 17 years’ experience as an industrial electrician, 12 of those years as foreman. He has worked on high rises and commercial projects, in new construction and renovations, done tenant improvements, service work and a variety of maintenance. He enjoys helping people grasp the underlying concepts that make understanding the vast and always evolving electrical field easier, and he likes seeing students come back for the different levels of training and to see their confidence and talent grow.
Richard Kobayashi
Richard is a Red Seal Journeyman Electrician who started his Electrical Trade career in 1988 after over eight years in the Sawmill Industry. With various experiences in the Residential, Commercial and Industrial areas of the Electrical Trade Richard worked as an Installation and Service Electrician as well as an Electrical Contractor. During this time, he worked on various Residential housing, Commercial Addressable Fire Alarm projects and extensively with Programmable Logic Controllers and Automated Control Systems.
Richard began instructing at British Columbia Institute of Technology in 2007, completed his BC Provincial Instructors Diploma in 2012 and has instructed all four levels of the Electrical Apprenticeship Program including Electrical Foundation and evening part time study courses in PLCs and Automated Controls during his over 12 years there. Richard has been a Certified Field Service Representative since 1992 and is a Certified National Advanced Lighting Controls Instructor.
Since joining Vancouver Island University in 2019 Richard continues share all of his vast training, skills, knowledge and experiences with students in the classroom, shop and labs. It is important to him that his students have a great learning experience at VIU and find their way to prosperous and rewarding careers in the Electrical trade.
Damien Miles
Damien is a Red Seal-endorsed Construction Electrician, holding a BC Master Electrician, FSR-B certificate. He began his time in the electrical trade in 2005, completing his Red Seal Certification in 2010 at Vancouver Island University. Over the course of his electrical career, Damien has worked for nearly 9 years as a service technician in and around many Vancouver Island communities. This role challenged Damien to maintain, troubleshoot, retrofit, and build-from-scratch electrical systems in residential homes, banks, grocery stores, medical facilities, and many other commercial and industrial buildings. He also spent 4 years in the Alberta Oil Sands working as an Industrial Construction Electrician and Quality Control Lead Hand. Upon returning from Alberta, Damien spent 3 years as a Human Resources advisor, recruiter, and Safety Coordinator for a Nanaimo-based electrical contractor, hiring over 300 employees as well as coordinating the company to achieve their COR Safety certification. Damien has a genuine passion in mentoring, aiding, and instructing students from all walks of life toward reaching their Red Seal Endorsement.
Deanna Pye
Deanna is a Red Seal Electrician, completing her apprenticeship in the early eighties, and having developed the Electrical Program at VIU Deanna has both chaired and instructed in the department since 2007. She has been involved in co-generation projects in Northern Alberta, electrical preventative maintenance at the Cold Lake Air Force Base, high voltage substation construction, oil field construction in Fort McMurray, high-rise commercial offices in Toronto, fire alarm systems, numerous residential and commercial projects and marine electrical in Brisbane, Australia. Deanna has also conducted Electrical Training Gap Analysis in Mongolia and the Bahamas, is actively involved in the CSA Code development, holds an A FSR (Field Service Representative certification) and a Provincial Instructors Diploma. She finds it rewarding to help students gain the skills they need to become independent, capable, and optimistic about their future.
Esthetics & Spa Therapy
Lesley Osborne
Lesley comes to us with years of experience in the field of Esthetics and Electrolysis. She has owned and operated an esthetics business since 1991 and brings content expertise as well as extensive management and business experience. Her educational background includes a diploma in Esthetics, certificate in Electrolysis, Provincial Instructor Diploma and a Masters in Educational Leadership.
Lesley has been an instructor at Vancouver Island University since 2009, bringing her experience, knowledge and passion for the spa industry to this position. It is extremely important to Lesley that VIU’s Esthetics and Spa Therapy Program is well known for its high quality and excellence. She is excited to share her knowledge in an industry of wellness that offers high job satisfaction and provides flexibility through diverse paths.
Joanne Slocum
Joanne's passion for hair began at a young age with the cutting of Barbies hair to cutting or perming anyone who was a willing participant. It was a natural transition for Joanne to attend Hairdressing school in 1993. Progressing from school to salon, Joanne worked next to amazing mentors and in different capacities of the Salon Business. After working behind the chair and educating for a Global Hair Colour Company, Joanne stepped into an instructor's position in 2013 and in 2019 into the Department Chair position. Joanne's strong belief is that student and graduate success stems from a combination of strong foundational skills, critical thinking, and a continuous learning mindset.
Joanne is a Red Seal hairstylist, holds the Provincial Instructors Diploma, and is a proud recipient of a VIU Provost Teaching and Learning award for Excellence in recognition of: Teaching Design and Practice that Employs Innovative Practices for Student Learning.
When Joanne is not engaging in teaching and learning you will find her boating, or hiking with her family and two rottweilers, Duke and Daisy.
Hairstylist
Gina Easton
Gina, known for her perpetual smile, leads the Hairstylist program at VIU’s Cowichan Trades Center and is no stranger to the notion of mentoring and educating. Upon obtaining her Hairdressing certification through VIU (then Malaspina College) in 1993, she ran her own salon for many years, during which time she mentored many apprentices prior to joining the VIU instructional team in 2013. Gina holds her Provincial Instructor Diploma as well as Red Seal certification. Gina enjoys training and preparing students for competing in Skills Regional, Provincial and National Competitions.
When she’s not teaching, Gina loves spending time with her large Italian family and friends.
Arden Magtiza
Arden is a VIU hairdressing graduate and a Red Seal hairstylist with over 17 years of industry experience. A few years after graduating, she was thrilled to join the VIU Hairdressing Team in 2011, after feeling inspired by her instructors' teaching methods and drive to see their students succeed. Arden holds the Provincial Instructors Diploma and has been working as an instructor in the Hairdressing Department since 2016.
Arden has a passion for education and loves to inspire and share her knowledge and experience with the fresh faces of the industry. Seeing students grow and thrive to become successful in such an exciting career is what motivates her every day.
Arden continues to work behind the chair one day per week, continuously honing her skills and working on her amazing clientele at a local boutique salon. She has a love of everything hair colour, especially the science behind the formulations!
On her days off, Arden can be found hiking and exploring the trails around Vancouver Island with her husband, two sons, and two rescue pups. Dogs are her second passion, and she can often be heard talking about her fur babies.
Karly Menzies
Karly is a Red Seal Certified hairstylist, who got her start in the hair industry by volunteering with local photo shoots. When she realized her hobby was a passion, she began her hairdressing journey at VIU in the Hairdressing foundation program in 2008.
Over the past decade Karly became an educator for multiple top professional hair product and color brands, involved with many of industries runway stage shows, and has been recognized multiple times in the Canadian Hairdressing Awards.
In 2022 with 'always further education' mindset, Karly stepped away from hair behind the chair and joined VIU as the Front-End Instructional Assistant and Instructor. Karly has embarked on her teacher's education as she is progressing through the PIDP - Provincial Instructors Diploma. In her spare time Karly loves creating different craft projects, taking photos, biking, kayaking, and hiking on Vancouver Island.
Sonja Park
Zonja began her hairdressing journey over 30 years ago as a salon apprentice. During this time Sonja received the Red Seal in Cosmetology which provided Sonja the opportunity to work abroad in Wales, UK. Sonja has worked with a local theatre company, organized fashion shows, and in 2008 stepped into salon ownership by opening a boutique salon.
With a passion to learn and grow Sonja completed the PIPD Provincial Instructors Diploma and in early 2023, Sonja joined the VIU hairdressing team as a Front-End Instructional Assistant/Instructor. Sonja loves being part of the team at VIU and sharing her knowledge, experience, and fun facts to eager learners coming into the amazing industry. When Sonja is away from the salon, she loves gardening, paddle boarding and spending time with her grand animals. Sonja's moto is when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Joanne Slocum
Joanne's passion for hair began at a young age with the cutting of Barbies hair to cutting or perming anyone who was a willing participant. It was a natural transition for Joanne to attend Hairdressing school in 1993. Progressing from school to salon, Joanne worked next to amazing mentors and in different capacities of the Salon Business. After working behind the chair and educating for a Global Hair Colour Company, Joanne stepped into an instructor's position in 2013 and in 2019 into the Department Chair position. Joanne's strong belief is that student and graduate success stems from a combination of strong foundational skills, critical thinking, and a continuous learning mindset.
Joanne is a Red Seal hairstylist, holds the Provincial Instructors Diploma, and is a proud recipient of a VIU Provost Teaching and Learning award for Excellence in recognition of: Teaching Design and Practice that Employs Innovative Practices for Student Learning.
When Joanne is not engaging in teaching and learning you will find her boating, or hiking with her family and two rottweilers, Duke and Daisy.
Janine Vanger
Janine started her career in the hair industry over 20 years ago working as a salon coordinator and bookkeeper. 10 years ago, she decided it was time to join the fun behind the chair and she went back to school and obtained her certificate in Hairdressing through VIU. Janine enjoys that this career is full of continuous learning and loves to inspire and encourage the students to never stop learning and growing. She holds certificates in counselling, conflict management, bookkeeping and her Red Seal Certification along with several certificates from professional brands and educators. She loves building relationships with students and clients to ensure everyone gets the best care and attention and feels welcome. Her passion and knowledge for client care and all things hair have made her a natural fit for the team at VIU hairdressing.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Andrew Coles
Born and raised in B.C., Andrew grew up in a logging family and had three options: school, mill work, or logging. When he was not in school, he was working in a mill or out on a logging block learning the value of a dollar. Working with yarders, skidders, loaders and helicopters at a young age, Andrew grew very comfortable around heavy equipment which pushed him into heavy equipment operation. Working in and around B.C. and Alberta for most of his career, he has experience pushing lease lots, clearing right of way, digging mainline trenches, reclaiming mines, building sub-divisions, digging foundations, building highways/roads, as well as installing, removing, and servicing utilities. Andrew has been both a lead and a member of various crews completing incredible large-scale projects.
Andrew brings 14-15 years of machine operating experience and 8-9 years of training experience from two other training institutions before VIU. Starting his heavy equipment career in the early 2000’s in Heavy Civil Construction, he began running a roller compactor and working on the ground trying to learn as much as he could in the industry. He spent a lot of time watching other operators as well as helping with the pipe crew, ground crew, mechanics, etc. Heavy earth moving machinery became a passion and lead Andrew to different areas of the industry including working with multiple GPS systems, lasers, machine control setups, and simulators.
Andrew has successfully trained hundreds of students of all levels in the safe operation of Excavators, Bulldozers, Graders, Loaders, Articulated Rock Trucks, Backhoes, Zoom Booms (Telehandlers), and Skid Steers in many different environments. Training, inspiring, and helping students meet their goals in the industry is his driving force and he looks forward to welcoming you to the HEO program.
Kevin Levins
Kevin has been instructing Heavy Equipment Operator students for over 15 years and still finds instructing students very engaging. Prior to teaching, Kevin has an extensive background in operating equipment in different industries such as mining, pipeline, Road-building, oil sands, underground utility, and municipalities throughout B.C. and Alberta. He is always passionate to share his knowledge of heavy equipment operating with students.
Kevin’s qualifications include a B.C. Instructor’s Diploma, Heavy Equipment Certificates of Qualification for Grader, Excavator, Backhoe, Loader, and Dozer, as well as Red Seal in Construction Craft Worker. Kevin keeps current with industry trends by continually operating and researching new technology. His favourite part of being an instructor is the interaction with the students and experiencing their enthusiasm for the industry.
Heavy Mechanical Trades
Brad Jannaway
Horticulture
Christine Quist
Christine is a dog-mom, wife, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend. She is a Skilled Trades BC-certified Production Horticulturalist. She holds a diploma in Horticulture with a specialization in sustainable crop production from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. This is where she developed an interest in leveraging technology for sustainable and alternative greenhouse production. In the greenhouse, Christine specializes in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), food production, and native and ornamental plant propagation and production. Christine and her husband have owned and operated a landscape company since 2018, specializing in naturalistic landscape restoration.
Christine holds a Provincial Instructor’s Diploma and has been teaching in the Horticulture Department at VIU since 2018. Currently, she is the chair of the Horticulture Department and is pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. In recognition of her collaborative and experiential work, Christine is a proud recipient of the 2023 VIU Early Career Excellence in Teaching Design and Practice. One of Christine’s favourite parts of teaching is watching students grow alongside the plants they cultivate.
When she’s not teaching, Christine enjoys exploring the stunning naturescapes of Vancouver Island, spending her free time trail running with her dog, gardening, and rock climbing.
Hugo Saint-Louis
As the Instructional Assistant, Hugo brings a unique blend of practical skills and a lifelong love of learning to the VIU Horticulture program.
His studies in Landscape Horticulture in Montreal over a decade ago, combined with his travels and exploration of diverse environments, cultivated a deep appreciation for the natural world and honed his skills in plant care and garden design.
With a diverse career spanning various facets of horticulture, Hugo has cultivated a 'jack-of-all-trades' mentality, always eager to learn and adapt. He possesses a strong work ethic, a creative problem-solving approach, and a passion for sharing his knowledge with others.
Beyond his professional work, Hugo enjoys the warmth of the sun in the summer, savoring delicious food, and exploring the latest advancements in technology and science fiction.
Janis Matson
Janis comes to VIU with over 35 years in the horticultural industry. She has had her own successful residential landscape design and installation company for over 30 years.
Her love of nature, design, plants and the environment have been key to her success in horticulture.
Janis has a diploma in Landscape design and horticulture, is a Certified Red Seal Horticulturist, a certified arborist, a certified floral designer and a certified hardscape installer.
And for the last 13 years, after successfully achieving her provincial instructor’s diploma, she has been teaching horticulture classes and programs at VIU, KPU Langley, Burnaby community education and Van Dusen gardens.
She has also enjoyed public speaking and horticultural presentations in many different venues, from the master gardener programs – both Vancouver and Vancouver Island, to garden clubs and home shows.
She is looking forward to showing and sharing with others her enthusiasm, knowledge and guidance into the world of horticulture.
Kelsey Cramer
Kelsey's love of nature, the outdoors, and gardening has propelled her along her educational and professional paths. She holds a Bachelor's in Environmental Biology, a Diploma in Environmental Science, a Master's in Landscape Architecture, and a certificate in Organic Horticulture.
She has over 15 years experience working locally in landscape architecture, park planning, and garden design and maintenance. She has also dabbled in flower-farming, selling her cut-flowers to florists and at farmers markets in the Nanaimo area.
She currently teaches in VIU's Horticulture Technician Foundation Program and runs a gardening business that offers consulting, coaching, design, and maintenance services. Her focus is on creating gardens that grow food, flowers, and nature - and teaching others to do the same. When she's not at work, she spends time with her two boys (and array of pets)!
Jessica Gemella
Jessica is on leave from leading the horticulture department to act as the Trades and Applied Technology Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Specialist. Jessica collaborates with the Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning at Vancouver Island University (VIU) to support faculty in enhancing their teaching practice. Jessica continues to work with the VIU horticulture instructional team to support instructor professional development and curriculum design.
As a teacher and instructional designer, Jessica aims to design empowering learning environments to provide learners with real-life problem-solving opportunities. In 2020, Jessica was awarded a VIU Provost Award for Teaching Design and Practice that Employs Experiential Learning. The Provost Awards recognise faculty at Vancouver Island University (VIU) for excellence in teaching.
Jessica brings a diverse knowledge of trades and applied technology industries and consulting and facilitation experience to her role at VIU. Her work experience includes the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario, the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, landscape planning in the West Indies, exhibit design at the Metro Toronto Zoo, urban habitat enhancement and natural system restoration. In addition, Jessica led Gemella Design Inc. (2005 - 2021), an award-winning landscape consulting practice on Vancouver Island. Her practice cultivated healthy living by designing restorative, vibrant, and beautiful landscapes across several spatial scales – from home gardens to public parks and open space systems.
Jessica is a registered professional landscape architect (BCSLA #286, under the BC Architects Act) and an International Society of Arborist (ISA) Certified Arborist. She graduated from the University of Guelph’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture honour program. More recently, Jessica completed the Provincial Instructor Diploma (PIDP). Jessica is pursuing a Master of Arts in Learning and Technology at Royal Roads University.
Eugene Touchette
Eugene joins us as a Certified Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist and an Organic Master Gardener. He has been the owner/operator of an environmentally friendly landscaping company in Nanaimo for the past 12 years. He started teaching in the Horticulture program in August of 2020.
He brings us a wealth of knowledge as he grew up in the industry. His father managed a large production nursery, and his mother had a small nursery business growing annuals and creating hanging baskets.
Eugene is excited to share his passion for plants with students. He wants to as instill a good work ethic and encourage transformation and growth within the industry. Eugene is happily married with two daughters, has a passion to grow his own food and is a long-time member of the Search & Rescue Team.
Information Technology and Applied Systems (ITAS)
Michelle Ashby
Michelle graduated from the ITAS program in 2015 and has worked for various mid-island companies. For the past three years they have been with Coastal Community Credit Union, starting as their System’s Administrator but leading Automation Development starting in 2023. They also have several Microsoft Certifications and enjoy anything database related. In their free time (what free time?), Michelle likes renovating, reading, spending time with family, vacationing in Mexico, amongst many other hobbies.
Brandon Britt
Brandon is an alumnus of the ITAS program and has worked for 20+ years in various roles in Information Technology from systems administration, solutions architecture, consulting, and IT management. He has a strong background in datacenter and end-user virtualization, Cloud Computing, Storage appliances, and Microsoft Servers applications. When he’s not plunking on keyboards or staying current in the world of IT, Brandon enjoys many of the outdoor activities Vancouver Island has to offer, such as camping, hiking, and mountain biking.
David Croft
David studied Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He has worked on a diverse range of projects from helping develop a virtual reality helicopter simulator at the Department of National Defence to writing software for building modeling and simulation. David enjoys camping and boating here and there around Vancouver Island in his free time.
Marcello Delcaro
Marcello has a strong background in Cybersecurity for Software Supply Chains (C-SCRM) and Binary Analysis. He has worked on developing malware detection systems, managing complex projects, and partnering with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. As an ITAS graduate, Marcello understands how to help students build the practical skills they need for careers in the tech industry.
Darren Everleigh
Darren Everleigh is a highly accomplished technology professional with expertise in IT management, strategic planning, and Unix/Linux system administration. As the former Co-CIO and Director of Information Technology at Vancouver Island University, he provided visionary leadership, overseeing operations and setting the strategic direction. With a strong track record in rebuilding and optimizing IT infrastructures, Darren’s comprehensive understanding of system administration and technical proficiency in areas like ERP administration, and Enterprise Level IT Systems Management enable him to drive transformative projects. With a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science , Certified as a Red Hat Engineer and ITIL practitioner, he combines technical skills with a strategic approach to change management and IT leadership. Darren’s ability to deliver exceptional results through strategic planning and resource optimization has enabled organizations to thrive. Outside of work, he embraces an active lifestyle, enjoying running, cycling, swimming, and hiking, which further enhances his drive and solution-oriented mindset.
Allan McDonald
Allan studied Computer Science and Mathematics at Western University and has a Masters Degree from the University of Ottawa. As the president of his own company he contracted to a number of both private and public companies in the National Capital Region for more than 30 years. He developed a passion for teaching and taught, developed and administered Computer Science Programs at two post-secondary schools in the Outauais. He moved to Vancouver Island in 2022 and continues to pursue his passion for teaching in the ITAS program.
Chris Oaten
Chris is a graduate of the ITAS program and is currently the Director of Research & Development at ETHOS Career Management Group Ltd. and is responsible for managing both the IT and web development teams. His career has touched on a wide range of IT-related tasks, including small business server and network administration and web development using Laravel and WordPress. Today, his role is largely project management and strategic planning with some web development on the side. He lives in Nanaimo BC with his wife and daughter, and spends his evenings and weekends playing video games and working on D&D campaigns.
Graham White
Graham is an alumnus of the ITAS program and worked for many years as the managing IT director of a 24/7, global online business. His experiences include designing and maintaining datacenter operations in a mixed Linux and Windows environment as well as running network operations and monitoring. Graham is a musician and enjoys performing live and song writing for various projects around the mid-island area.
Motorcycle Marine
Dean Cadieux
Dean has been an instructor at Vancouver Island University since 2000 and is the Automotive department chair. He holds a BC Instructor’s Diploma and has been a Red Seal Automotive Service Technician since 1990. Dean is also Red Seal Certified as a Commercial Transport Technician, Motorcycle Technician, Automotive Parts/Warehousing person and holds a commercial vehicle inspector certification. He has worked as an automotive technician in various automotive dealerships and he keeps current with automotive technology and repair techniques by taking upgrading courses in areas such as hybrid vehicle technology, drivability diagnostics, air-conditioning repair and alignment techniques.
Office Administration
Terri Barber
Terri Barber has over 20 years’ experience teaching in the Office Administration program, teaching both online and in the classroom. She has taught a wide variety of the courses in the program but specializes in Microsoft Office computer applications, as well as human relations and office administration skills. Terri holds a Provincial Instructor’s Diploma from Vancouver Community College and a Masters of Education degree from Athabasca University (Distance Education specialty). She believes strongly in the opportunities and skills the training in Office Administration provides for its students – she too was once a student in the program!
Nisansala Perera
Nisansala Perera is an experienced educator and business professional with over a decade of teaching and leadership experience in Canada and internationally. She is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging learning environments that prepare students with the practical skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s workplace.
Before joining VIU, Nisansala taught at Sprott Shaw College and Avalon Community College and held leadership positions in Sri Lanka’s education sector, including serving as Head of the Business Department at Lyceum International School. Her areas of expertise include curriculum development, technology integration, and student mentorship.
Nisansala holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Vancouver Island University and a Master of Business Administration from Anglia Ruskin University (UK). She brings a strong blend of academic knowledge and industry experience to her role, supporting students in their professional.
Refrigeration Air-Conditioning Mechanic
Deon Lane
Welding
Quinn Ramsay
Quinn is an interprovincial Red Seal Journeyman with a BC Weld “A” ticket and was qualified as a Technical Safety BC Class “A” Pressure Welder. He started out as a Welder’s helper and gold miner before studying welding at Camosun College in 1998. He gained industry experience while working oil and gas infrastructure construction and maintenance in four Provinces before joining the VIU welding program in 2013. He serves on the Trades and Applied Technology workplace safety committee. Committed to lifelong learning, he graduated from the Provincial Instructors Diploma program at VCC in 2018. Quinn feels the modern Canadian welding industry is more diversified than ever with student opportunities in ship building, manufacturing and construction.
David Drury
David is an Interprovincial Red Seal Journeyman Welder with a BC Level A Welder Certification. He has held BCP-100, PWP 10 and PWP 7 certifications through the BC Safety Authority. He has also held ‘B’ Pressure Certification in Alberta, as well as CWB All Position Certification in SMAW and FCAW. He has held pressure tickets in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and BC. He is a CWB Certified Welding Supervisor (W47.1 and W59). David became interested in metalwork in high school but took a detour through a career in Healthcare Facilities Management before retraining as a Welder. He worked as a high-pressure journeyman welder for over ten years, has been at VIU as an Instructional Assistant and Welding Instructor since 2006. He still finds the various processes of cutting and joining steels amazing.
Michael Hallam
Michael trained for welding at VIU (then Malaspina College) from 1987-1991 and has worked at various welding and fabrication shops, as well as most of the pulp mills on the island. He is an Interprovincial Red Seal Journeyman Welder with a BC Level A Welder Certification, and holds certification in PWP 7 and 10 and PP-101. Michael has been a welding instructor at VIU since 2007 and finds teaching an interesting and rewarding job – he enjoys sharing his knowledge with students.
Brad Harrison
Brad is a Red Seal Journeyman Welder with his Level A Welder Certification. He has also been in the fabrication business since 1996. While training at NIC Campbell River, he was given the opportunity to instruct as well and has never looked back. Brad’s diverse background includes Heavy Equipment Fabrication, Mining, Logging, Fisheries, Petrol plant work, Pressure Vessel, processing plants specializing in alloy’s and food grade materials along with Race Car Fabrication. Brad was responsible for designing and instructing the NIC Intro to Welding courses for the general public from Campbell River to Port Hardy until 2010. Brad has also owned a small off road/race fabrication shop since 1996 and enjoys the satisfaction of design, fabrication and racing of his own creations over the years. He discovered early on that teaching was his passion and has enjoyed passing on the knowledge to the next generation of Welder/Fabricators at NIC and VIU since 2007. Brad would like to acknowledge all of his mentors and co-workers who have been with him on his amazing journey and he looks forward to many more years to come. Brad has been with VIU at Cowichan and Nanaimo campuses since 2015.
Ken Parkes
Ken is a Red Seal Welder and Red Seal Ironworker. He started in the trade in 1995 at the age of 18. He attended BCIT and NAIT for his ironwork apprenticeship and SAIT for his welding apprenticeship. He has worked on projects across Western Canada including damns, pulp mills, bridges, stadiums and oil refineries. He currently holds a CWB certification in both stick and wire processes and is also a certified CWB supervisor. When not working, he enjoys kayaking, hiking, camping, hockey, dirt biking and downhill biking.
Julien Savard
Julien is an Interprovincial Red Seal Journeyman Welder with an ABSA "B" pressure certification and has been working in the welding trade since 2003. He has an extensive and diverse welding background. Some of his past experiences have come from hard surfacing welding for down hole drilling; metal core welding for pump jack fabrication; GMAW/SNAW welding in the pipe/tank/vessel, skid fabrications for overseas projects; and some robotic welding.
From industry, Julien became a welding instructor at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (N.A.I.T) where he worked for several years and enjoyed collaborating with fellow instructors. During his time at N.A.I.T. he obtained his B Pressure Welding Certification, Master's in Blacksmithing and his Master Instructor Level 2 certifications. He has taught everything from first-year apprentices to adults in continuing education including preparing welders for their B Pressure test.
In 2018, he left Alberta with his family to pursue and obtain his Bachelors of Education here at VIU and has since achieved his Masters in Educational Leadership. He continues to develop his skills and is thrilled to be allowed the opportunity to collaborate with his fellow instructors here on Vancouver Island.