Rodolphe Devillers, Ph.D.

Rodolphe Devillers is a marine Geographer interested in how geographic information sciences can contribute to marine conservation. He is Associate Professor in Geography at Memorial University of Newfoundland where he leads the Marine Geomatics Research Group, an interdisciplinary team exploring looking at how geospatial technologies can be used to improve our understanding of marine environments. His research interest includes systematic conservation planning, marine conservation and marine protected areas, seabed mapping and benthic habitat mapping and fisheries ecology. His research ranges from theoretical questions like the role of spatial scale in marine ecology, to applied research done in collaboration with various government organizations (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, Geological Survey) and NGOs (e.g. WWF)

Mark Zacharias, Ph.D.

Mark Zacharias is an Assistant Deputy Minister with the Province of BC, and he is responsible for Provincial mapping and geographic information programs as well as its ecosystem-based management programs.

Edward Gregr, M.Sc.

Ed Gregr is the Principal of SciTech Environmental Consulting. His consulting work focuses on the development of species‐habitat relationships in marine environments, and the classification of both shelf and oceanic habitats, in collaboration with provincial and federal agencies.

As a researcher at the University of British Columbia’s Marine Mammal Research Unit, Mr. Gregr built decision support systems for clients in government and industry. Mr. Gregr has a Master of Science in Zoology from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Simon Fraser University. He is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at the Institute of Resources and Environmental Science at the University of British Columbia.

The focus of his thesis work is the west coast of Vancouver Island, combining spatially explicit population models of key species and ecosystem dynamics, examining the ecological and socio-economic impacts of different management scenarios.

Heather Coleman, Ph.D. – Secretary

Heather Coleman is a specialist in marine conservation and resource use planning, focused on bridging the gap between multi-disciplinary marine science and policy-making. She is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Ocean Studies Board and the Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, within the Division on Earth & Life Studies at the National Academies. At NAS, she is primarily working on a study to recommend effective approaches for monitoring restoration activities in the Gulf of Mexico and a study to prioritize research directions in Atmospheric Chemistry, as well on a study to evaluate the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives Network. Heather also acted as PacMARA’s Senior Science & Policy Advisor, identifying, designing, and directing innovative programs and projects to inform decision-making, primarily around marine spatial planning (MSP). She engaged policy-makers and stakeholders in learning and sharing best practices for multi-objective MSP and decision support tool use, translates science concepts and results to a broad audience, facilitated workshops and diverse working groups to solve marine conservation and resource use conflicts, supports government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, academia, industry groups, and stakeholders in inclusive decision-making processes, and helped build and maintain an international MSP community of practice. In her years with PacMARA, Heather has built capacity and expanded resources available to conservation planners and managers by strategically developing and co-leading our internationally-recognized Marxan and systematic multi-objective planning training program from its inception, which operates around the world with 13 trainers in both English and Spanish. Heather graduated from UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science and Management in 2009 after completing her dissertation on the effects of natural oil seeps on marine populations and communities. During graduate school she also voyaged in the famous Alvin submarine to access deepwater oil and gas seeps, toured the North Pacific Gyre to examine the extent and ecological effects of marine debris, and traveled to Istanbul to study the history, politics, social dynamics, ecological effects, costs and benefits of restoring the Golden Horn estuary. She has also led scuba volunteers in giant kelp restoration, educated elementary and middle school students in hands-on marine science, and organized coastal cleanups for Los Angeles county.

Contact Heather at hcoleman (at) pacmara.org.

Evert Kenk, R.P.F.- Treasurer

Evert Kenk has recently retired from the Provincial Government, as its Chief Resource Information Officer for the Natural Resource Sector, and as the Executive Director of GeoBC, where he was responsible for delivering information services to natural resource sector ministries and their business and public clients.

Mr. Kenk’s experience includes providing strategic provincial direction, advising legislation, setting policy and standards, leading organizational change, establishing needed governance, and delivering and operating land-related information systems. Mr. Kenk, a Registered Professional Forester, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the PacMARA team.

Andrew Lewin, M.Sc. – Vice President

Jeff Ardron, M.Sc. – President

Jeff Ardron is an Adviser on Marine Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, which provides technical assistance to developing states. He has over 25 years’ experience in marine governance, planning, and conservation.

He maintains his involvement in British Columbia, Canada (where he is from) as President of the Board for the Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association (PacMARA), an organization he co-founded, that provides technical training and workshops internationally on marine planning and related software. He has also been a co-founder / pioneer member of several other organisations, boards and committees. He is currently active in the Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI) and the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI). He is a frequent guest lecturer, and has consulted widely.

He holds an MSc in Environment and Management, from Royal Roads University, Canada, and is currently engaged in part-time PhD studies at Southampton University, UK. With a focus on deep sea mining, his current research is concerning transparency of resource governance. His maritime experience started locally, living in a small fishing village, later moving to the regional conservation sector, then national-level government and finally working within international conventions.