Associates...

Rick Beauchamp is president of R.A. Beauchamp & Associates, a local government and first nations consulting firm providing expertise in a wide range of professional services focusing on effective executive resource selection and management along with governance and service delivery excellence.

Rick is an accomplished generalist in all facets of executive management with extensive municipal and regional government experience (40 yrs.) in many management disciplines. An advocate of strategic thinking using vision to focus on developing effective corporate business plans that tie into the budget and service delivery performance measurement.

He has worked in 12 different public organizations and held CAO positions for over 10 years in some of the fastest growing local government jurisdictions in BC and has gained experience with five amalgamations and reorganizing of public bodies. He has considerable experience in financial management having held senior financial positions responsible for large operating budgets and major capital projects such as the mega dam project in Revelstoke and a number of multimillion dollar civic facilities projects. He has also been primary lead in many strategic exercises such as the Regional Growth Strategy for the Sea to Sky corridor, development of Corporate Business Plans, Visitor Strategies, Economic Strategies and Long Term Financial Plans.

Rick has worked extensively with First Nations over his career on many partnered initiatives including developing joint service agreements, emergency planning, transportation plans and has been actively involved for 10 years with treaty negotiations both at the rural and urban tables sitting on a technical treaty advisory working group for lower mainland municipalities and has been chief negotiator for developing master service agreements with First Nations.

He has extensive experience in governance and leadership development including participation on special provincial task teams and has been an active student of good governance principles and high ethical standards; instructed various business applications at local government training workshops and at community colleges; and developed local government training programs and championed re-instituting civics in the provincial education curriculum.

Rick also has a strong background in H/R development having re-structured many organizations developing human resource strategic plans which included labour negotiations, hiring practices, job evaluation, performance measurement, succession plans and human capital training development. He has authored articles on leadership and developed training modules for courses and has done training with Capilano College and the LGMA Municipal Administration Training Institute.

He is a lifelong learner who has worked with professional organizations all his life in developing leadership programs and training people within the local government. He is past president and life member of the Lower Mainland Local Government Management Association and an active participant for over 20 years with the parent Provincial LGMA body including publishing their quarterly newsletter and sitting on many committees. In 2008 received the "Distinguished Member Award" from LGMA for exemplary contribution to the local government profession.

Rick has a Masters in Business Administration (Information Management) and a Professional Chartered Secretary designation. He has taken numerous law, emergency planning, finance, and business management courses and completed the Provincial Instruction Certification Program and is a certified facilitator coach.

Alexandra (Sandie) Bradley is the president and the principal consultant for Harwood Information Associates Limited in West Vancouver, British Columbia. She is a librarian and certified records manager.

Harwood Information Associates Limited was incorporated under the British Columbia Companies Act in 1987, and has provided consulting services to more than 150 organizations. The review, diagnosis and implementation of solutions to records and information problems constitute the key areas of corporate activity. As well, Harwood specializes in the development and implementation of information policy for diverse types of organizations. The company also specializes in the provision of training programs in recorded information management.

In addition to the consulting practice, Ms. Bradley is an adjunct professor in records and information management and information consulting at the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, University of British Columbia. She is also an academic co-investigator with the InterPARES 3 Research Project at SLAIS, focusing on the Digital Preservation Needs of Small to medium sized archives and organizations.

She is the author of the Records Management Manual for Local Government in British Columbia, first published by the Municipal Officers Association in 1990, revised 1994, and then updated in 2006 with Stuart Rennie, Barrister and Solicitor. She is the co-author, with Denise Dale, of two trade publications on records management: At Your Fingertips: A Household Filing System that Works for You (Streamline, Richmond, B.C., 1999 and revised edition, 2004) and At Your Fingertips in the Office: Information Management for the Small Business (Streamline, Richmond, B.C., September 2000.) She is a frequent speaker at local, national and international events on records information management issues.

She is an active member of ARMA International, the information management association, and is currently the Mountain Pacific coordinator for the ARMA Canada Region. She is also a member of the Publications Editorial Board of ARMA International. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, and the University of Alberta.

Nancy is principal of NG Consulting (www.ngconsulting.ca), a Chartered Accountant and experienced municipal government Finance Officer with over seventeen years experience. She has worked in both a smaller (City of Pitt Meadows, BC) and a larger municipality (City of Port Coquitlam, BC), with prior experience as a municipal auditor in the private sector.

With the arrival of her second child, Nancy made a lifestyle choice and now provides her expertise to a wide variety of local governments through her consulting firm, NG Consulting. She has a comprehensive understanding of municipal government financial issues, strategic and business planning, performance measurement and financial planning (budgeting). Nancy has led the finance departments in her municipal positions and taught courses in these areas. Nancy developed and delivered in part, The Government Finance Officer’s Association (“GFOA”) of B.C.’s Finance Officers Training Program, and recently developed and delivered webinar training on the new (2009) Public Sector Financial Statements to over 230 participants in BC and Alberta.

“Nancy is one of the most knowledgeable Finance Officers in the Province and certainly one of the best trainers.” Sam Weller, Executive Director, Government Finance Officer’s Association of BC

Jennifer has worked as a communications professional for 16 years. She has widespread experience within the realm of public relations. Jennifer has developed strategic communications plans, helped integrate change management and business strategies with communications activities, prepared written materials for integrated corporate communications initiatives and been a member of the project development teams working with staff in both unionized and non-unionized environments, outside consultants and other interest groups.

Before establishing her own independent consultancy in 2005, Jennifer was the Director of External Communications for Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) one of Canada’s largest health authorities. She was responsible for supporting the board of directors and chief executive officer, overseeing health research communications and government and community relations.

Prior to moving to Canada’s west coast, she worked in senior communications positions at the Department of Mines and Energy with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, with the Lower Churchill Hydro Development Project (Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro/Hydro Quebec) and the Voisey’s Bay Development (Inco Limited).

The latter were both development projects undergoing environmental assessment with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. She supported the development of communication materials, issues scoping sessions, information sessions and public hearings and was involved in stakeholder consultation with First Nations communities in Labrador.

Jennifer began her career as a reporter for a community newspaper and as a journalist for CBC radio.

As a consultant, she has established a client base in both the public and private sectors; including healthcare, health research, public safety, emergency planning and wireless/home entertainment industry.

Jennifer has an honors undergraduate degree in English from Acadia University, an MA in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario, and an MBA from Royal Roads University.

Jennifer is a member and volunteer with the B.C. Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. She also volunteers with the Vancouver Twins and More Group, a support group for expectant parents and parents of multiples.

Jennifer lives in Vancouver with her husband and twin daughters.

Sarah Morden is the founder and Principal Consultant of Defero-West Local Government Consulting. Sarah holds a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Local Government Management (2002) and an undergraduate degree in Sociology (2000), both from the University of Victoria.

Sarah has over 7 years experience in the BC local government sector, including three years as a Research Analyst with CivicInfo BC, and four years in a management position (Corporate Services) with the Town of Ladysmith. In 2005, she was awarded an Intermediate Certificate in Local Government Management by the BC Board of Examiners.

In 2008, after re-locating to Pitt Meadows with her young family, Sarah decided to establish her own consulting business with the goal of delivering very practical and high quality services to mainly small and medium-sized communities. Sarah’s professional focus is in writing and research, and her specialties include the preparation of grant applications, award submissions, citizen satisfaction surveys, communications and corporate officer duties (i.e. election administration and bylaw reviews).

“Sarah is a consummate professional in local government administration. She is trustworthy, innovative, collaborative, thorough and exceptionally positive.” Ruth Malli, City Manager, Town of Ladysmith.

Elizabeth (Beth) McLin has spent over 20 years working as an applied researcher which included contract design and evaluation projects as a private consultant in addition to 11 years working directly with state government and university-affiliated organizations.

As a consultant, Beth has conducted best practice research for community governance and written grants for local government; participated in the development of a national evaluation model for safety training; designed and provided workshops on program evaluation methodology; conducted group facilitation and provided ad hoc assistance with research design and analysis for non-profit entities.

As a senior research and statistical analyst and program manager for the state of Arizona, Beth was responsible for a variety of research projects related to state programming and policy assessment including multiple methodologies such as focus groups, surveys, and community forums in addition to statistical analysis and outcome studies.

Beth began her career as a prevention specialist working for both the Arizona Prevention Resource Center and the Prevention and Intervention Research Center where she participated as a team member in providing support for a large federally funded study on divorce adjustment and coping skills. In addition, Beth provided schools, communities, and state agencies with assistance in planning and designing evaluation strategies for substance abuse and gang prevention programming.

The inclusion of individual and community voices in resolving social challenges remains a passion for Beth who continues to apply her skills toward expanding knowledge about organizational behaviour and relationship management.

Beth has a Ph.D. in Justice Studies from Arizona State University and is a member of the Law and Society Association, the Society for the Study of Social Problem, and the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction. At conferences in 2009 and 2010, Beth presented papers on The Role of Voice in Constructing Fairness and Divorce Collaborative Style. She has published a chapter in Sociology of Crime, Law and Deviance, v. 2 and has just completed the first draft of a forthcoming book entitled Inside Collaborative Divorce.

George is currently President of Community Solutions Incorporated. The Company provides consulting services to a wide range of clients and specializes in the provision of management advice to local governments.

Over the last 35 years, George has worked as:

• Chief Administrative Officer of three Cities and one Regional District;
• Acting Executive Director of the Municipal Finance Authority of BC;
• Administrative Officer for the British Columbia Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

As well, he has provided advice to local government on issues such as Council/Board relationships and roles; organizational structure; recruitment; compensation policy; employee evaluation; and strategic planning.

He is a Past President and Life Member of the “Local Government Management Association of B.C.” As well, George was a founding Director (and Past President) of the “Quality Council of Prince George” and a founding Director of the “Prince George Community Foundation”.

George was the 2004 recipient of the British Columbia Lieutenant-Governor’s Silver Medal for Career Excellence in Public Service sponsored by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada.

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Michael has over 30 years experience as a community planning consultant in the Province. He has participated with local governments in the preparation of numerous Official Community Plans and Zoning Bylaws. As well, Michael functions in the role of Municipal Planner for a number of local governments who do not have a full time planner. For some of his clients he has been providing this service for over 20 years. In this capacity, he advises Council and staff on development issues and all types of development proposals. He is responsible for coordinating the development approval process, collaborating with Council and staff, working with the developer, facilitating the public consultation process, and liaising with senior government agencies. Michael also serves as the Approving Officer for many municipalities coordinating the subdivision approval process.

In addition, he is very involved in his own community having served on and chaired a number of advisory committees and working groups.

One of Michael’s hallmarks is that he is very interested in finding solutions to complex problems, solutions that are ground in sound planning principles that strike a balance between competing interests. Bringing people together to share their views and perspectives on various issues has been the catalyst for finding solutions that are sustainable in content and practical in scope.

Rick Taylor is principal of Results Management Services. He has a senior manager municipal career background with the City's of Edmonton and Vancouver and over the past 8 years has provided consulting services within and/or between all departments in 30 municipalities. A common thread through Rick's career and consulting focus is facilitated process improvement, performance metric-based service delivery, strategic planning, and operational assessments and improvement.

Consulting project focus includes confirmation of core services to current and evolving strategic directions and customer service expectations, improved process design and streamlining with clarified roles and responsibilities, embedded performance metrics, facilitated strategic and tactical direction to provide work planning clarity, and operational assessment and improvement.

The process methodology approach is facilitated and integrated within and across department and division boundaries to ensure solutions developed are supported by key stakeholders and implementation-ready. Input from Finance, IT and other departments is included, as appropriate.

Cost containment and cost avoidance initiatives have been completed with tangible financial benefits during times of challenging economic and development cycles. The intent is to maintain or even enhance service levels through focused management cost reporting supported by cost-containment program initiatives. Cost-containment of payroll costs (e.g. overtime, sick time, call-out) are areas of specialization.

Project samples include, Strategic Plans for Fire & Rescue Services (9), development application process improvement (14), corporate and departmental performance measurement programs (4), and a sample of other areas; fleet driver and equipment operator assessment, environmentally sensitive areas processes, and public works/facilities capital budget construction coordination.

Ted concluded a 31 year career in local government in a variety of management positions that included 15 years as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Chilliwack. He is a team builder and player who strives to achieve value for money in all operations and developments. He has also provided assistance to other local governments on governance issues, labour negotiations and other municipal issues.

During his time in local government he developed and implemented the Comprehensive Municipal Plan which provides a strategic 10 year plan for all aspects of community growth and city operations, both in terms of capital and operating budgets. Ted is also considered an innovator and brought public-private partnership opportunities to the municipal field in the 1990’s. He earned the provincial award from the Municipal Managers’ Association of BC for innovation and also sat on provincial bodies in the development of local government bylaws and the Community Charter.

To allow the City of Chilliwack to realize the maximum opportunities in economic development, Ted was instrumental in developing a private corporation solely owned by the city and Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation to undertake economic development initiatives on behalf of the city. This was achieved in the late 1990’s and has proven to be a huge bonus in terms of economic growth within the City of Chilliwack. Ted served as a chief negotiator for all city labour contracts and was instrumental in strategic property acquisitions.

Ted has given several presentations on public-private partnerships to local government agencies, school boards, and other interested organizations, as well as the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. Ted has written several articles on public-private partnerships and one was published in the Cordillera Institute Journal. Ted has worked with First Nations developing servicing agreements and served as part-time CEO for Squiala First Nation providing assistance in a major retail commercial development on their lands as well as providing guidance in general governance matters.

• Strategic planning
• Project delivery and management
• Innovation in the of delivery of services and projects
• Excellent understanding of local governance issues
• Management development
• Economic Development

• Diploma in Business Administration, B.C. Institute of Technology
• Bachelor and Masters Degree in Business Administration, Northland University
• Fellow in Business Administration, Canadian School of Management
• Senior Certificate in Municipal Administration, Province of British Columbia
• Professional Administrator, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators;
• Certified Municipal Clerk through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks;
• Fellow (FCIS) in the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
• Completed Notary Public Course
• Several course in negotiations and Collective Bargaining

• Served with the Royal Canadian Air Force/Canadian Armed Forces from 1967 to 1975
• City of Chilliwack: 31 years in the roles of Manager Director of Civic Properties and Recreation Commission, Employee Relations Officer, Deputy Administrator, Chief Administrative Officer