VCF Board of Directors 2025

Ainslie Jackman, RPF – Retired President

After many years of dedicated leadership, Valemount Community Forests extends its deepest appreciation to Ainslie Jackman, our long-time President and Chair, who has officially retired from the Board. Since joining in 2008, Ainslie’s tireless volunteer service, steady leadership, and genuine support of our staff have left a lasting legacy within VCF and the greater Valemount community. Under her guidance, VCF has grown stronger, more resilient, and more deeply connected to the people and land we serve. We are incredibly grateful for her vision, integrity, and the care she brought to every aspect of her work. Thank you for everything Ainslie!

Who I am:

  • I am a Professional Forester who has worked in the Robson Valley since 1978. My husband and I manage a local woodlot as a family business with the help of our children. I worked 30 years for Hauer Bros. Lumber doing all their forestry work as well as being the company log scaler. Since resigning from that company, I have worked as a consultant to three local community forests and to other woodlot licensees. What motivates me: Like most forestry workers, I simply like working in the woods. I also like things to be organized and complete and find that I enjoy helping my clients achieve this. My passions: I love gardening, traveling, and nurturing my grandchildren. Volunteer history: Like many forest professionals, I volunteer to help advance new forest professionals. Previously I supported Alana Duncan who now works for the VCF as a Forester (RPF) and is the signing forester for the company. I also spent 25 years as both the president and later secretary of the Tete Jaune Community Club. Over the years, the hard-working executive helped our financially struggling club transition to a tax-payer-supported organization that is run with the help of the Regional District. By applying for grants, fundraising, and devoting many volunteer hours.
    The old hall was revitalized into what it is today. I am currently the chair of the Tete Jaune Cemetery Committee which has developed a new cemetery space out of what was the community club’s old picnic grounds. What do I contribute to the Board? I was asked to join the VCF board in 2008 by the Village administrator, for my practical forestry experience and executive volunteer history.  I believe that my contribution to the board has grown over time as I have learned to appreciate how serious a “job” it is to be a director and president. I believe I am considered to be a fair person who gets along well with people and who can listen and help find solutions to problems. My reward for all the hours devoted is watching the company steadily grow as the board matures and improves in helping direct and support the manager.

 

Dylan Savoie – President/Chair

 

Gerry Piper – Board Member

  • Bio to follow

 

 

 

Zac Ruttiman – Board Member

I’ve called Valemount home for the past 8 years, drawn here by a love of the outdoors and a deep appreciation for mountain living. I’m the owner of Cariboo Trail Creations, a local trail-building company focused on creating sustainable, community-focused recreation infrastructure.

When I’m not working on trails, you’ll find me out enjoying them — biking, snowmobiling, and making the most of every season in the Robson Valley. I’m excited to bring my hands-on experience and passion for the land to the VCF Board, supporting responsible land use and long-term community benefit.

 

 

Malinda Goodell – Board Member

My name is Malinda Goodell but most people know me as Linda. I am a long time resident of the Valemount and Tete Jaune area.

My late husband, Ron, and I for a lesser extent worked as and for logging contractors/companies, road builders, and BC Forestry during the fire seasons when we had fire fighting equipment and a local ground crew of wildfire firefighters.

I have been an active member of the community volunteering and sitting on various committees and boards as well as a parent helper raising funds for the Valemount wrestling team’s out of town trips along with the use of my  van. The van made trips out of town first with the Three Valley Metis Junior Jiggers then the wrestling team. I also worked and volunteered with the Three Valley Metis and sat as their representative at meetings on occasion as well. Calling Bingo and sitting on the TeteJaune Community Board. Being an active  member of The Rocky Mountain Racing Association as well as one of the stock car racers.  I got the nickname “Ice Tea” during my time as a parent helper and Cub pack leader with The Valemount  Boy Scouts. Most recently I have become an active volunteer and board member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 266, Valemount.

I applied to become a Valemount Community Forest (VCF)Board of Directors because of a desire to help make the public aware of the benefits, contributions and grants that they distribute each year. My hope is to see VCF continue to be a success in all areas of a BC Community Forest Company including working with stakeholders, our community, First Nations, local  value added wood products businesses, as well as other local businesses and job creating opportunities that benefit our community and surrounding area. Plus working to offer additional educational opportunities for students and other interested individuals.

 

 

Cameron Bell – Board Member

  • Bio to follow

 

Donnie MacLean – Board Member, Village of Valemount Representative

  • Bio to follow

 

Anne Yanciw – Village of Valemount Representative, non-voting member

  • Bio to follow

 

 

Staff 2025