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Committees.

Unless noted otherwise, all committee members are CAA Avalanche Professionals. Members without professional status are identified by abbreviations listed at the bottom of this page. If you’re a CAA member interested in joining a committee, please complete our Committee Application Form.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee serves as a conduit between the membership and the Canadian Avalanche Association’s leadership, providing guidance to support the membership’s needs, growth, and oversight. The committee implements the membership application process and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) standards.

  • Richard Haywood (Chair / BoD Liaison)
  • Ryan Shelly (Vice Chair)
  • Mike Adolph
  • Bryce Anderson
  • Darcy Chilton
  • Bruce Gardave
  • Colin Garritty
  • Julie Leblanc
  • Keyes Lessard
  • Julie McBride
  • Peter Russel
  • Jordy Shepherd
Education Committee

The Education Committee supports the Industry Training Program by reviewing and recommending educational materials, curriculum, policies, and proposals, in keeping with best practices in the avalanche industry.

  • Sue Gould (Chair)
  • Jenny Citherlet
  • Tim Haggerty
  • Matt Knop
  • Wren McElroy (BoD Liaison)
  • Andrew Nelson
  • Geoff Osler
  • Terry Palechuk
  • Mark Stanley
  • Iain Stewart-Patterson
  • Shena Thomas
  • Roger Yim
Ethics and Standards Committee

The Ethics and Standards Committee maintains the standards of practice of the Association, including Professional Standards, Practice Guidelines and Standards, Code of Ethics, Scope of Practice and Continuing Professional Development, in accordance with industry best practices and current legislation. 

  • Ben Jackman (Chair)
  • Jeff Bodnarchuk
  • Lea Green (on leave)
  • Simon Horton
  • David Kallai
  • Nicole Koshure
  • Adam Mercer (Aff)
  • Scott Thumlert
  • Dave Tracz
  • Brad White (BoD liaison)
Technical Committee

The Technical Committee advises the CAA on technical and scientific aspects of avalanches and related aspects of the mountain snowpack and weather.

  • Scott Thumlert (Chair)
  • Steve Conger
  • James Floyer
  • Scott Garvin
  • Dave McClung
  • Bob Sayer
  • Mark Vesely (BoD liaison)
Complaint Investigation Committee

The Complaint Investigation Committee investigates complaints when allegations are made that a member has breached the CAA’s Code of Ethics.

  • Eoin Trainor (Chair)
  • Kelly Cytko (Pract)
  • Cameron Halliday (Pract)
  • Paul Harwood
  • Patrick Herrmann
  • Steve LeClair
  • Dani Loewenstein
  • Al Matheson
  • Matt Scholl
  • Nigel Stewart
  • Kenzie Wade (Aff)
Governance Committee

The Governance Committee reviews and makes recommendations to continually enhance the quality and future viability of the Board of Directors.

  • Kerry MacDonald (Chair)
  • Robb Andersen
  • Jon Heshka (PR)
  • Bill Mark
  • Wren McElroy (BoD liaison)
  • Eirik Sharp
Explosives Advisory Committee

The Explosives Advisory Committee reviews and recommends best practices for avalanche control using explosives, chemical and gas-based systems, monitors legislation and technology, supports members, reviews incidents, and advises the CAA Board on avalanche control policy and strategy.

  • Darren Saul (Chair)
  • Jesse Percival (Vice Chair)
  • Chris Argue
  • Ross Campbell
  • Tyler Carson (BoD liaison)
  • Eric ‘Chevy’ Chevalier
  • Kyle Hale
  • Andre Laporte
  • Alex Lawson
  • Peter MacPherson
  • Rocket Miller
  • Mark Stanley
InfoEx Advisory Committee

The IAC provides guidance to ensure that the InfoEx is sustainable, relevant, and directed towards future growth that represents the needs of the professional avalanche industry in Canada.

  • Niki Lepage (Chair)
  • Bree Stefanson (Vice-Chair)
  • Kate Devine
  • James Floyer
  • Tim Haggerty
  • Jeremy Hanke
  • Ryan Harvey
  • Mike Koppang 
  • Ben Kwiatkowski
  • Josh Milligan
  • Mike Sadan
  • Mike Smallwood
  • Mark Vesely (BoD liaison)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

The DEI Committee supports the CAA’s objectives for diversity, equity and inclusion by identifying initiatives and providing guidance on integrating Discovery Experience Optimization (DEO) principles into governance and operations.  

  • Keith Robine (Chair)
  • Darcy Chilton
  • Martina Halik
  • Dylan Murray (BAE)
  • Erin Taylor (PR)
  • Kate Snedeker (Aff)
  • Bianca Willard
Discipline Committee
Legend
  • (Hon) CAA Honorary Member
  • (Pract) CAA Avalanche Practitioner
  • (Aff) CAA Affiliate Member
  • (AAE) Advanced Avalanche Educator
  • (BAE) Basic Avalanche Educator
  • (Asc) CAA Associate Member Representative
  • (PR) CAA Public Representative
  • (S) CAA Staff
  • (Ext) External public member who represents the public interest and/or contributes relevant skills, expertise, or perspectives from outside the committee’s primary domain.