Corrie Walkley
Chair
Corrie has been self-employed since 1996 and has an excellent understanding of business development. Corrie has also been working with the Ktunaxa Nation at various capacities since 2009. He has been an elected Councilor, on the Economic and Investment Sector Council, and is now an advocate on the board of St. Eugene Mission Holdings Ltd (HoldCo) as well as on KEL board of directors.
Garry Merkel
Director
Garry has been working with the Ktunaxa Nation Council as a Senior Negotiator since 1994 and has First Nation business development experience from 4 years as CEO at Tahltan Development Corporation. Over the last 40 years some types of things that he has been involved in include creating businesses, schools, various land management arrangements, public policy, foundations, working relationships and governments. I am often sought out to help groups work through difficult situations in unknown territory.
Wally Penner
Director
Wally began his career in the 1960’s doing Geo-technical surveys on the High Arrow Dam. He then transitioned into an Engineering & Design Technician for the Ministry of Transportation and Highways Construction Branch. In the 1980’s Wally began working as the Regional Development Officer for the Kootenay Development Region. In the mid 1990’s Wally began managing the Columbia Basin Power Projects Information office in Castlegar.
John Zimmer
Director
John is a retired lawyer. He was formerly a partner with the Cranbrook BC law firm of Miles, Zimmer & Associates. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in 1976, and a Bachelor of Laws in 1979. He was admitted to the Bar of Saskatchewan in 1980 and the Bar of British Columbia in 1993. John is currently a retired member of both the Law Society of BC, and Law Society of Saskatchewan. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in December 2011. He is an active member of his community having previously served on the Boards of many organizations including the Cranbrook Rotary Club, the Cranbrook Regional Hospital, East Kootenay Crimestoppers, the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia, the Board of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust and the Canadian Mental Health Association, East Kootenay Branch. John’s professional and diverse experiential background brings valuable skill sets to the Board, which compliments and expands current expertise.
