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Lennard Joe named chair of board at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lennard Joe as its new board chair, effective Nov. 29. A distinguished leader with over 30 years of experience in natural resources and business, Lennard Joe, whose traditional name is Suxwsxwwels, meaning Grizzly Man, is a registered professional forester and a proud member of the Nlaka’pamux First Nation.

Joe brings a wealth of expertise as the owner and CEO of Grizzly Path Consulting, established in 2021, and as the CEO of BC First Nations Forestry Council. His extensive background encompasses roles as an Indigenous professional forester, fostering collaborations with Indigenous governance, provincial and federal government agencies, industry, academia, and forest certification bodies.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Joe was recently awarded the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) presidents award on May 17th, 2022. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being a Selkirk College alumni and received the distinguished alumni award for the academic year 2022-2023.

Joe’s extensive experience and commitment to First Nations’ values position him as an exemplary leader to guide the board of governors and NVIT as a whole. His visionary approach aligns with the institute’s goals, establishing a deeper connection between First Nations, the land, the forest sector, and the environment. NVIT anticipates continued growth and positive impact under Joe’s leadership.