Board of Directors

leaders in renewable and alternative energy development.  As a first of its kind organization, Mr. Lonechild heads the organization as our strategic leader and serves the FNPA Board and provides leadership direction to the FNPA Team.

Guy served as Vice-Chief and Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (1999-2008 and 2009-2011), where he oversaw the 25-year Economic Development Strategy highlighting important work in Alternative Energy, Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Tourism, Gaming, Housing and Community Infrastructure, Education, Health and Social Development.

Before entering politics, Guy served in various capacities as band administrator and private consultant to First Nations in Business and Community Development.  He holds a Masters of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from Cape Breton University and Associates Degree in Golf Complex Operations Management. He and his wife Leah have one child, Darian Lonechild and enjoy quality time with friends and extended family.

engagement activities and has extensive experience in the electricity industry, including with regulated utilities and the electricity market.

Akira has over sixteen years of experience in the electricity industry and over ten years in areas focused on regulatory matters, compliance, business development and environmental portfolio analytics in power generation. Mr. Yamamoto has worked on a number of regulatory proceedings before including the facility applications for a number of new power generation facilities and industrial system designations, performance based rate regulation, generic cost of capital and stranded assets, regulated rate option and distribution and transmission tariffs, water rates design, and capacity market design.

Akira has also worked for seven years in the financial industry in equity market research, financial analysis and performance modelling.  He graduated form the University of Calgary with a bachelors of commerce and science degrees and a graduate diploma in business administration.  He is also a certified general accountant, chartered professional accountant, certified internal auditor and energy risk professional.

industries. Andrea has assisted numerous clients engaged in various aspects and stages of renewable energy projects. In resolving complex legal issues and mitigating risk, she emphasizes strategic and practical advice to ensure the efficient advancement of her clients’ projects and assets. As an experienced advocate, she seeks to develop a deep understanding of her clients’ businesses and the circumstances in which they operate in order to align business and legal outcomes. Andrea obtained her juris doctor from the University of Calgary School of Law in 2013. She is called to the bar and regularly appears before courts in both British Columbia and Alberta.

Known for its pragmatic approach to project management, Barkley Project Group works together with communities to provide the technical capacity needed in developing community owned sustainable energy and infrastructure projects from idea to operation. Barkley Project Group brings industry insights, extensive technical expertise, and tireless work ethic in assisting clients who pursue sustainable community development.

Previous to engaging in his current executive management role, Yuho has 8 years of hands-on experience in project management including project development, financing, strategic planning, economic analysis, and business planning for numerous clean energy projects in BC and Yukon. Yuho has also been leading Barkley’s business interests in the Japanese renewable energy market since 2013. He holds a BSc in Natural Resources Conservation from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from Royal Roads University.

Previous to his current position, Matt led commercial transactions at BluEarth, including the negotiation of key agreements and associated due diligence. Since joining BluEarth, Matt has held senior corporate development and finance roles, including responsibility for BluEarth’s project and corporate financings. Prior to joining BluEarth, he worked in corporate banking with Union Bank, managing key client relationships and providing loan facilities to Canadian energy companies.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge and is a CFA charterholder.

financial energy markets. Prior to becoming VP, he led the front office team, comprised of more than 30 traders and energy professionals responsible for Trading in North America. Now with the Evolugen team, Simon is responsible for commercial initiatives, including trading, origination, long-term contracting and regulatory affairs in Canada. He also supports business development, strategy and growth initiatives.

Simon holds a bachelor’s in finance and an MBA with honours from Laval University in Quebec City, QC.

non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening First Nations in BC through capacity building. The NRT implements the $9.5 million BCICEI which provides support and capacity-building funds to First Nation communities working on the development of clean energy projects. To date, the NRT BCICEI has supported 56 projects in First Nations communities in each region of BC. The BCICEI is delivered in partnership with Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Province of British Columbia.

Cole believes in a more diverse and innovative energy future for British Columbia. He draws on his background in political science and Indigenous knowledge to analyze policy options and provide recommendations. He has experience evaluating the viability and benefits of proposed clean energy projects and is familiar with project financing in First Nations communities, including the early-stage development costs.

Relationship building grounds his work. He is an effective liaison between government, First Nations, crown corporation, and industry stakeholders, and he is committed to working with these groups to support sustainable, economic growth in the clean energy industry. He is a strong advocate for First Nations involvement in the clean energy sector and is looking forward to advancing First Nations and clean energy industry partnerships.

the Clean Energy Association of B.C. He has managed the financing of over $750 million for independent power projects in BC and keeps a condo here.

Chris is currently Executive Vice-President and Co-owner of Corpfinance International Inc. (CFI). CFI is a boutique investment bank, which has over $1 Billion in assets under management and has raised over $7 Billion in capital funding since inception in 1985. Chris is also a holder of the Director designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Chris has played a key role in the funding of a number of energy companies including the original financing for both Innergex and Boralex, and is a director of the First Nations Power Authority. As a Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Algonquin Power, he has played a pivotal role in overseeing its growth from $90 Million in assets at it’s inception to over $10 Billion in assets today.

Since 1994, Chris has also been involved in helping many start-up energy projects in BC to become operating facilities including Rutherford Creek, Furry Creek, McNair Creek and Tyson Creek. He has also been involved in over $200 million of not-for-profit housing in BC, providing some 1000 residents with affordable care units.

Chris’s relations and past negotiations with municipal, provincial and federal government agencies across North America will also assist him as a Director to Clean Energy BC.

Director of Housing, Lands & Energy for the Skidegate Band Council. Trent helped create and maintain an Energy portfolio in Skidegate and for Haida Gwaii. 

Trent is also a member of several groups concerning energy and climate adaptation including the First Nations Home Energy Save Advisory, Indigenous Clean Energy Opportunities Electricity Table Advisory Group and current Chair of the Indigenous Services Canada Aboriginal Capital Committee, Indigenous Climate Adaptations Working Group, First Nations Remote Community Energy Strategy Working Group and the Indigenous Coastal Climate Coalition. 

Trent helped the Skidegate Band Council study the needs of the community and Haida Gwaii, created awareness on the emerging technologies and energy efficiency strategies available, and invested in solar hot water and solar PV for community and residential buildings. Skidegate has engaged BC Hydro on many levels and helped create Indigenous pilot programs for B.C. The Skidegate community goal is to become one of the greenest communities in B.C.