About Us
Community-Led. Regionally Focused. Solution-Driven.
The Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society (LCCDTS) is a collaborative group of passionate community leaders, businesses, and organizations committed to the well-being of all residents in the Lower Columbia/Kootenay-Boundary region.
At LCCDTS, we don’t just support community projects—we help bring them to life. Acting as a concierge service for regional development and an incubator for grassroots initiatives like the IncreEDIBLE Farmers Market, we connect people, resources, and ideas to spark real impact across the Kootenay-Boundary.
We exist to foster regional resilience, innovation, and inclusion—creating a space where ideas can be shared, partnerships formed, and meaningful action taken. Through collective leadership, we work to address community needs and support long-term economic, environmental, and social well-being.
LCCDTS takes on many roles depending on the project and its goals.We may act as:
A Project Leader
initiating and managing community initiatives
A Collaborator
partnering with others to bring ideas to life
A Supporter
lending expertise and resources to projects led by other organizations or volunteers
Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected region.
We are a group of dedicated community members committed to serving the Lower Columbia region for the well-being of all residents.
Who We Are
A group of dedicated community members from many organizations and businesses committed to serving the Lower Columbia region for the well-being of all residents.
Ideas are generated to address community issues, guide projects and ensure information is shared for everyone’s benefit.
What We Do
The LCCDTS fosters community development in the Lower Columbia / Kootenay-Boundary region. It provides a collaborative forum for discussion, support and leadership of a broad range of initiatives that all contribute in different ways to enhancing community and regional well-being.
Ideas are generated to address community issues, guide projects and ensure information is shared for everyone’s benefit.
The LCCDTS works to achieve these goals in three ways by acting, as appropriate, as:
- a project leader
- a project collaborator
- a supporter of projects led by other community organizations or volunteers
Staff
Our staff are dedicated to the development of our region.
Dr. Cam Whitehead - Executive Director
Cam moved to the Kootenays in 2011 from Victoria. After finishing his PhD from the University of British Columbia, he was a project manager for the BC Government before transitioning into community development, technology and entrepreneurship. Cam enjoys music, writing, beach volleyball and spending time with his two kids.
Kristen Walsh - IncrEDIBLE Farmers Market Manager
As Farmers Market Manager, I draw on my background in design, marketing, and small business—honed through my BA in Visual Communications, previous role at the MH Chamber of Commerce, and own entrepreneurial ventures—to strengthen local food systems and build community. This role is a fulfilling convergence of my passion for creativity, collaboration, and contributing to our region's vibrant culture.
Board of Directors
Thompson Hickey (President)
Bill Van Beek (Secretary- Treasurer)
Brent Anhel
Dan Ashman
Morag Carter
Dino Dorazio
Matt Parrilla
Pete Stamper
Kristine Forbes
Karsten Henriksen - Consultant Project Manager
Trail-raised and deeply connected to the Lower Columbia region, Karsten Henriksen steps into the role of Consultant Project Manager with decades of senior executive experience across higher education and the public sector.
Throughout his career, Karsten has held leadership roles including:
- Assistant Deputy Minister
- President & CEO
- Vice-President, Academic / Provost (COO-equivalent)
- Dean-level executive leadership
He has guided complex, multi-site organizations through:
- Strategic planning and implementation
- Operational modernization
- Governance reform and board alignment
- Organizational transformation and revenue growth
- Program expansion and measurable performance improvement
Karsten brings a disciplined approach to execution — aligning vision, funding, stakeholder coordination, and accountability. His experience translating strategy into action will be central to advancing the implementation phase of Critical Metal Tech Alley through 2027.
Paul Bergener, P.Eng., CMC - Strategic Technology Advisor
Supporting the initiative is Paul Bergener, Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Certified Management Consultant (CMC), and Fellow, whose background bridges materials engineering, instrumentation, and global technology commercialization.
Paul’s career spans:
- Founder, seller, and spin-off architect of multiple technology companies
- Patent holder in microwave heating technologies
- Chief Chemist on a CIDA development project in Kenya
- International work across Europe, Africa, and North America
As an Industrial Technology Advisor with the National Research Council’s IRAP program, Paul supported more than 400 companies, universities, and incubators — helping innovators navigate commercialization pathways, scale operations, and secure funding.
Today, Paul continues to provide expertise in:
- Technology commercialization strategy
- Change management and scaling innovation
- Funding proposal review and investment readiness
- Strengthening regional innovation ecosystems
His long-standing commitment to the Kootenay region includes 13 years as Treasurer of the Kootenay Association of Science and Technology.