Economic Development Corporation
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors’ primary role is to oversee operations and guide the high-level strategic direction of the Nation’s businesses.
The minimum number of directors is three and the maximum is five. Directors must not be elected Councillors, employees, or agents of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation nor Ha’wiih of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.
Bob MacPherson
board member
Originally from Nova Scotia, Bob MacPherson came to the West Coast to study landscape architecture in the mid-1980s. Following his graduation from UBC, Bob worked for a multi-disciplinary resort planning firm before beginning his municipal career at the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. Later working for the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the District of Tofino, Bob held senior roles including General Manager of Planning and Development, General Manager of Corporate and Community Services, and Chief Administrative Officer.
Since leaving full-time work, Bob has provided advice to local government clients and mentorship to emerging senior managers. Bob also serves on the Board of Directors for WCS Engagement and Planning and was previously on the Board of the Tofino Housing Corporation.
Cherie Williams
board member
Tseqwakus Chérie Williams is from Tofino in Tla-o-qui-aht territory. She is now retired and living in Victoria near her 3 children, 4 grandchildren, nieces and grand nieces, and nephews.
Her father Too-Tah Barney Williams Sr. was originally from Che:k:tles7et'h' and adopted into Tla-o-qui-aht when he started his family. Her mother Tseqwakus Armande Thibaudeau Williams was from Quebec and came to Tla-o-qui-aht as a school teacher.
Chérie was lucky to grow up commercial fishing on the family boat. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce and International MBA while raising her family and working in banking management. She has held positions on various local organizations and boards.
She was on the previous Tin Wis Resort board and is now serving her two year term as a TFNEDC board member.
Mike Achtem
board member
Mike is a senior reviewer/project manager and founding principal of Gwaii Engineering. Mike implements innovative solutions and value engineering to housing and infrastructure projects supported by his more than 30 years of experience in the engineering and construction fields.
Mike is currently the Project Manager (PM) for the Tla’amin Nation for a community housing project, as well as the PM for the Ucluelet FN (YG Government) for a new multi-use pathway and a new sewage pump station. Mike is also the CM and PM for the Mowachaht/Muchalaht (MMFN) for their expansion/renovation of the Gold River Chalet and the development of a new long term rental building and Tourism Centre/Welcome House. Mike is also PM and design engineer working for Sea Bird Island (SIB) Nation for a new boat launch facility on the Fraser River.
Mike was the design engineer for the T'sawout Nation for a variety of current projects including their newly constructed Bighouse. Mike acted as PM to the Te’mexw Treaty Association (TTA) for the Treaty Related Measures (TRMs) to the five First Nation’s TTA represents: T’Sou-ke, Snaw-naw-as, Malahat, Beecher Bay and Songhees. Mike is currently a Board member for the Sqéwqel Development Corporation (SQDC) for 2 consecutive terms. Mike has also served for 3 terms as a BOD for the Seaboard Corporation, a company that O&M a 13 commercial retail units (CRU) and a gas station.
Salman Azam
board member
Salman has an extensive and successful track record working in government, developing and implementing policy and working at the executive level. He has led many successful and large initiatives, including:
Project Executive for several large, multi-million dollar transformation programs
Working & establishing a network with private sector, federal, municipal, regional and local government
Extensive oversight and board governance for Indigenous Economic Development Corporations
Turning around underperforming projects
He also successfully led high-profile, publicly scrutinized events including:
Tourism Task Force recommending & administering $100 million of grant support to businesses
Transit Operations and Security Readiness for the 2010 Olympics
Transit Operations response to the 2011 Stanley Cup Riot
Successful negotiation with Legal Aid Lawyers (2019) that averted a significant labour disruption
Developing nationally recognized training programs for Civilian Police Investigator
Audrey Adelinet
board member
Audrey is a qualified, professional development manager with six years of experience managing capacity building and economic development programs.
She currently is the Development Manager for the Ha'oom Fisheries Society in Tofino.