Speaker Biographies

Speaker Biographies

Mark Ashby

Mark is a registered architect and principal of Mark Ashby Architecture. He has over fifteen years' experience in architectural practice in British Columbia, Chicago and Toronto. He participated in the emergent environmental design movement in Chicago in the late 1990's and has subsequently maintained a focus on environmental performance in all his design work.

Mark takes a sensible approach to environmental design. Homes are designed with form, orientation, careful detailing and insulation to reduce energy demand and yield maintenance-free energy savings for the life of the building. Low- VOC materials and finishes are specified for interiors and consideration of lifecycle environmental impact is weighed into every design decision. Homes are sensitively integrated into their sites to make the most of views, summer tree-shading, stormwater infiltration, micro-climates and wind-breaks.

Mark was trained by the Canadian Passive House Institute in Passive House design and construction standard - the world's most rigorous, verified and advanced building energy performance standard today. His current architectural projects include one prototype Passive House on Salt Spring Island and a highly efficient laneway house in Vancouver.

Bruce Fleming-Smith
Oceanside Design

Bruce has been practicing home, cottage, and renovation design for over 25 years. After completing his degree in architecture he moved to Lasqueti Island - the only large island in the Gulf of Georgia not served by B.C. Hydro. Here he and his wife built their own off grid home and during this time Bruce designed numerous island homes and cottages and learned hands on as many alternative energy and off grid technologies grew from their early beginnings. Based now in Qualicum Beach, Bruce has worked with a broad range of clients on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland to integrate sustainable solutions into their homes. Having a breadth of experience planning homes of various shades of green, being LEED BD+C certified and trained in Passive House design dovetails with Bruce's enthusiasm and commitment to sustainable design, green building, passive house, and zero-net energy building.

Bob Burgess

Bob is an advisor and consultant to government and the development community on the feasibility of using rainwater as a water conservation and storm water management tool. This builds on his 30 years of experience as a community planning and housing consultant working with urban, rural, and marine environments in the Lower Mainland, and Vancouver Island. Specializing in affordable housing and public process, his firm, Domain Consulting Ltd. has a reputation for skilled research/interviewing, meeting facilitation and creative problem solving.

Along with work for private clients, Bob consults to the development community, and actively encourages the use of rainwater through public presentations, workshops, and demonstration projects.

Jani Drew

Jani Drew, the Emergency Coordinator for the RDN and the District of Lantzville, is responsible for maintaining the Emergency Program which encompasses planning for preparedness, response and recovery from emergencies or disasters. The Emergency Program focuses on building disaster resilience by identifying local hazards, analyzing risks, mitigation and conducting emergency management training for RDN staff and volunteers. She ensures operational readiness by maintaining eight reception centers around the region staffed by Emergency Social Services and amateur radio volunteers and runs the popular Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program for the Electoral Areas and the District of Lantzville.

Fiona Maclnnes

Fiona is the Program Development contractor with the RDN's Emergency Program. Her mandate is to promote public awareness throughout the RDN and encourage development of disaster preparedness for individuals, neighbourhoods and communities. There are a range of facilitated workshops which are offered at no charge to the residents of RDN electoral areas or the District of Lantzville. The information delivered is relevant to neighbours planning disaster resilience teams, volunteer programs and training for individuals interested in contributing to assisting evacuees at emergency Reception Centres in times of need and guidance for individuals seeking to ensure they are prepared at home.

Scott Fleenor

Scott Fleenor, Principal for TerraTek Energy Solutions has been in the construction industry for over 15 years as a project manager, foreman and safety supervisor. Scott manages the company's Solar Thermal Division. Scott has a Commerce degree from Royal Roads University and is a founding member of the Comox Valley BC Sustainable Energy Association.