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Conference Speakers

Honourable Christy Clark
Premier of the Province of British Columbia
Premier Christy Clark was sworn in for her second term as British Columbia’s 35th Premier on June 10, 2013. Since becoming Premier, she has led the charge to protect and create jobs for the people of British Columbia.

She has shown a relentless focus on strengthening the economy through the BC Jobs Plan. The centrepiece of her plan is her natural gas strategy, with a competitive tax structure which gives certainty to investors, ensures British Columbians get a fair share from a resource that belongs to them, protects the environment by building the cleanest LNG facilities in the world, and makes First Nations full partners in economic development.

Through trade missions to priority markets in Asia, she is strengthening trade relationships and opening doors to export B.C.’s abundant natural gas overseas. She is also working to ensure British Columbians have the skills to be ready for the jobs that will come with a growing economy and new LNG investment.

Her vision to grow the economy is supported by a strong foundation of fiscal prudence. Her commitment to strong fiscal management has led to a third consecutive balanced budget, creating confidence for investors around the world that B.C. is a safe harbour for investment.

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Honourable Rich Coleman
Deputy Premier, Minister of Natural Gas Development for the Province of British Columbia
Keynote
In 2013 Rich Coleman was appointed the Minister of Natural Gas Development and Deputy Premier for the Province of British Columbia. Minister Coleman has spearheaded the development of British Columbia’s Liquefied Natural Gas sector and is responsible for upstream development and the BC Oil and Gas Commission.

Minister Coleman has been a provincial politician for more than fifteen years. His previous cabinet positions include Minister of Energy and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Housing and Social Development and Minister of Forests and Range.

Before entering public life, Minister Coleman was governor of the BC Kinsmen, president of the Aldergrove Chamber of Commerce, and a director of several volunteer boards. In recognition of his tireless and long-term work in the community, Minister Coleman has been awarded both Rotary’s top honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship, and the Kinsmen’s highest honour, the Hal Rogers Fellowship. Minister Coleman and his wife Michele live in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia.

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Stewart Beck
President & CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Moderator: International Energy Landscape
Stewart Beck is the President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Prior to joining APF Canada, Mr. Beck served as the Canadian High Commissioner to the Republic of India with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Bhutan and to Nepal. Mr. Beck joined the Department of External Affairs and International Trade in 1982 and served abroad in the United States, Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China. He was consul general in Shanghai and prior to his posting to India he was consul general in San Francisco.

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Duncan Caird
Managing Director, Head of Project & Export Finance for The Americas, HSBC (USA)
Panelist: Financing Strategies for BC’s LNG
Duncan Caird is the Head of Project and Export Finance Americas and Managing Director of Project Finance team in HSBC New York. Duncan joined HSBC in 2006 lead the Americas team in advisory, project and export financing strategy for key clients with a focus on cross border transactions. Duncan has financed a wide range of projects and business, across all sectors: Infrastructure/concession financing (PPP), Transport (ports, roads, bridges, airports), the Oil and Gas sector, mining in copper, iron and gold, extensively in the Power sector with experience in thermal and renewables as well as transmission/distribution, Telecoms (incl. milsatcom) Duncan has spoken at numerous conferences in Europe and the Americas. Previously based in London focused on the European market with senior roles as BofA, CIT, BOTM, Westpac and CIT and expertise in financial advisory, investing and underwriting, acquisition finance, asset finance and predominately project or structured financings (accessing the bank and bond markets). Duncan has an LLB from Victoria NZ, and is admitted to the High Court of NZ as Barrister and Solicitor.

Relevant transactions: Financing of USD3.6bn Freeport LNG Train 3 (2015) Financing of USD 7bn Cameron LNG regasification Project (2014) Financing of USD4bn Freeport LNG Train 2 (North America Oil and Gas Deal of the Year 2014) Financing of Sasol/Lake Charles Chemical Project (2014 Petchem Deal of the Year) USD800m Angamos Project Bond (2014) USD1bn securitization for the construction of new Mexico City International Airport (2014) Financing of USD7.4bn Cameron LNG regasification site (2014) Financing of a USD4.5bn Etileno XXI Petrochemical project (2012 Americas Deal of the Year) Financing of Fenix, a 512 MW net combined cycle natural gas power plant in Peru Financing of Cerro del Aguila, a 500 MW hydroelectric power plant in Peru Financing of EDF Eoliatec del Istmo, a 164 MW wind farm in Mexico Financing of Mareña Renovables in Mexico, the largest wind financing in Latin America Financing of 300 MW Nuevo Pemex plant in Mexico (Latin American Power Deal of the Year 2010).

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Michael Culbert
President & CEO of Pacific NorthWest LNG
Panelist: Global Opportunities in BC
Mr. Culbert has been President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Progress Energy Canada Ltd. and predecessor companies since 2004. In addition, Mr. Culbert has been a Director of Pacific Northwest LNG since 2013 and was appointed as President of the organization in October 2014. Prior thereto, Mr. Culbert was Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development of Progress Energy Ltd. from November 2001 to July 2004 and Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development of Encal Energy Ltd., a TSX and NYSE-listed oil and gas company, from 1995 to October 2001. Mr. Culbert holds a Bachelor of Science degree.

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Greg D’Avignon
President & CEO of the Business Council of BC
2015 Conference Emcee
Greg D’Avignon is the President and CEO of the Business Council of BC, a 260-member driven policy and advocacy organization comprised of the province’s leading businesses and institutions in every sector of the economy. For 25 years, Mr. D’Avignon has held senior private & public sectors leadership positions including with the Prime Minister of Canada, and the federal Ministers of National Defence and Justice. Greg is the current Chair of the BC Cancer Foundation, and a Board member of the YMCA (Greater Vancouver) and the Premier’s Aboriginal Business Investment Council. In 2013, Greg received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

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Alan Dunlop
Vice-President, Chevron Canada Limited & General Manager, Kitmat LNG
Panelist: Global Opportunities in BC
Alan Dunlop is Vice-President Chevron Canada Limited & General Manager Kitimat LNG, a position he has held since January 2013. He is responsible for managing Chevron’s interests in the entire Kitimat LNG value chain, including the execution of the upstream assets in the Liard and Horn River basins, the Kitimat LNG plant and the Pacific Trail Pipeline projects, as well as LNG marketing and commercial matters and external relations. He was previously Vice President and General Manager of Asset Development, and General Manager of Business Development with Chevron Canada.

Mr. Dunlop joined Chevron in 1981 after graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. He has held numerous assignments in engineering, development, production, exploration, LNG, planning and business development during his career, including assignments in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer, Canada; Perth, Australia, and San Ramon, California. Alan is a registered professional engineer.John Lowe
Executive Vice President of AltaGas Ltd.
Panelist: Global Opportunities in BC
John Lowe was appointed President of AltaGas Utility Group Inc. in October, 2011 with oversight of the company’s utility operations. He later took responsibility at AltaGas Ltd. for corporate development, including acquisitions of the Blythe power plant, Petrogas and the Douglas Channel LNG project. Currently, John is Executive Vice President of AltaGas Ltd. His duties include strategy, government, First Nations, law and internal audit across the organization. He has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry as counsel and in business.

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Masayuki Tanimoto
Director General, Oil and Gas Finance Department, Energy and Natural Resources Finance Group for Japan Bank for International Cooperation
Panelist: Financing Strategies for BC’s LNG
Masayuki Tanimoto joined JBIC in 1990. He started his career as an economist covering the former USSR and Eastern Europe, where he closed many financial transactions in the region. Mr. Tanimoto has a wealth of experience in the oil & gas sector, and with the policy & strategy division of JBIC. As of April 2015, he is the Director General of the Oil & Gas Finance Department, leading all of JBIC’s oils and gas projects globally. He also has extensive overseas experiences (Columbia University in NY (1993-1995), Paris as a Senior Representative of JBIC (2003-2005), Washington DC as a visiting fellow of CSIS (2013-2015).

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Eiji Yanagawa
General Manager, Global Natural Gas Development for Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Panelist: International Energy Landscape
Mr. Yanagawa has over 20 years of experience in the energy sector with Mitsui & Co. Ltd., which is one of the largest trading and investment firms in Japan. He started his career in the oil industry in E&P and product trading, and then shifted his focus to the LNG industry in 2006. He has been involved in a wide range of global LNG business areas in the last decade, including project development with Equatorial Guinea LNG, trading both in the Atlantic and Pacific markets and new business ventures based in London and Tokyo.

Day 2: Thursday, October 15

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Honourable Shirley Bond
Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour for the Province of British Columbia
Keynote
Shirley Bond was elected in 2001 and 2005 as the MLA for Prince George – Mount Robson, and re-elected in 2009 and 2013 as the MLA for Prince George – Valemount.

Shirley was appointed Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour on June 10, 2013. In this role, she will lead the acceleration of the BC Jobs Plan, ensure that British Columbians are first in line for the jobs of today and tomorrow by developing a comprehensive 10-year skills training plan, and is working closely with Destination BC to meet the targets laid out in the Province’s tourism strategy Gaining the Edge.

With more than 12 years of Cabinet experience, Shirley has served as Deputy Premier, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Minister of Education, Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy, Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of Health Services, and was the first female to hold the position of Attorney General in British Columbia; a title she held while Minister of Justice.

Shirley currently serves as the Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Strong Economy, Vice-Chair of the Cabinet Working Group on Core Review and is also part of the Treasury Board and the Priorities and Planning Committee.

Before her election to the Legislative Assembly, she served three terms on the Prince George School Board, the last as Chair. She also worked with the continuing education department of the Prince George School District, becoming its business manager. She was given the B.C. Interior, North & Yukon Woman of Distinction Award for her work in public education.

She was protocol director for the 2001 Special Olympic Summer Games and sat on the boards of Carey Theological College, the Personal Living Choices Society, the Trinity Opportunity Fund Grants Committee and the City of Prince George’s Standing Committee on Youth.

Shirley lives in Prince George with Bill, her husband of more than 30 years, and they love spending time with their twin adult children and their families, especially their grandsons Caleb and Cooper.

Lori Ackerman
Mayor of the City of Fort St. John
Panelist: The Upstream Opportunity for BC’s LNG Industry
Mayor Lori Ackerman is a proud resident of the Peace Region who has lived in the area since 1980, moving to the “Energetic City” in 1988. Lori was first elected to City Council in 2005 and started serving as a Director for the Peace River Regional District in 2006. Lori represents the community on many local, regional and provincial boards and committees. Since becoming Mayor in November 2011, Lori has been appointed to the Province’s Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee and was a member of the Steering Committee for the BC Mayor’s Caucus.

In 2009, Lori was nominated by her peers to be one of the elected officials to represent Northeast BC on the Northern Development Initiative Trust Board and continues on that Board still. Lori also presides as the Chair of the Peace River Regional District Over the years, her volunteer work included, Emergency Social Services; Scouts Canada; was a founding member of the United Way Cabinet in Fort St John and chaired the community’s Homeless Shelter committee to name a few.

Lori’s background is in marketing, economic development and small business counseling and she is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors’ Governance Essentials Program. Until 2012, she held the position of Executive Director of Sci-Tech North, a non-profit organization that offered support to entrepreneurs and innovators in the Northeast from 2002 to 2013. Prior to this, Lori was the Family Service Director at the Salvation Army giving her a robust perspective of the community. In recognition of her community involvement in 2002 and 2012, Lori received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and in 2005, she received the Silver Acorn for her distinguished service to Scouting. Lori is a firm believer that BC can harvest it’s natural resources and with the use of innovative BC born technology, doing it more efficiently, effectively and leave a lighter footprint.

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Captain Stephen Brown
President, Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia
Moderator: Marine Innovations
Stephen spent 21 years at sea where he served as Master for the last 5 years, latterly with Gearbulk Shipping. After coming ashore, Stephen worked in various levels of operational management for Gearbulk Shipping in South Africa, China, Indonesia, the UK and Vancouver. Prior to accepting the appointment of COS President, Stephen chaired various Chamber Committees, served on the COS Board for eight years and was Chairman of the Board from February 2007 to July 2008.

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Greg Cano
Director, Project Planning & Execution at TransCanada
Panelist: Technology & Innovation in Pipeline Monitoring
Greg Cano is Director, Project Planning and Execution for the Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project, a 670 kilometre natural gas pipeline from the Groundbirch area near Dawson Creek, B.C. to the proposed LNG Canada liquefied natural gas export facility near Kitimat, B.C. Mr. Cano joined Coastal GasLink from TransCanada’s Corporate Business Development department where he was involved in technology development, project development and other initiatives both across North America and internationally. He has over 35 years of experience in the design and project management of oil and gas facilities, both in Canada and oversees.

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Peter Coleman
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for Woodside Energy
Keynote
Peter Coleman has 31 years experience in the global oil and gas industry, covering Asia, the Americas, Africa and Australasia. Peter has been Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Woodside since joining the company in May 2011.

Born in Sale, Victoria, Peter graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering from Monash University in 1983 and has a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University. He has completed Advanced Management Training from the University of Virginia, Thunderbird Management School, and Columbia University.

Peter began his career with Exxon Mobil following graduation from Monash University and stayed with the company until joining Woodside.

Peter is the Chairman of Australia Korea Foundation and advisor to the Asia Society. He is also a member of the University of Western Australia Business School Board, the Executive Committee of the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Council, Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australia-India Chief Executive Officers’ CEO Forum, Advisory Group Australia-Africa Relations and Monash Engineering Foundation
Peter has been awarded the honorary title of Adjunct Professor in Corporate Strategy from the University of Western Australia, an Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award from Monash University and a Fellowship from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

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Gary Herman
Chief Executive Officer of the Industry Training Authority
Panelist: Post-secondary Leaders
Gary Herman is chief executive officer (CEO) of the Industry Training Authority (ITA), responsible for the governance, expansion and improvement of B.C.’s industry training system. Gary began his career by apprenticing for seven years in three trades and is certified as a Tool & Die Maker and as a Die Sinker (forging). He is also a Certified Manufacturing Engineer and has a Business Administration Diploma and an Executive MBA.

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David Keane
President of the BC Alliance
Moderator: Skills & Training Partnerships: BC’s Blueprint for Jobs
In an energy industry career spanning 33 years David has conducted business in over 16 countries. He has managed various forms of the business and has established a strong external reputation in the energy industry. As BC LNG Alliance’s President, David has responsibility for promoting and developing a robust LNG export industry in British Columbia that is safe, environmentally and socially responsible.

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Kathy Kinloch
President of BC Institute of Technology
Panelist: Post-secondary Leaders
Kathy Kinloch is President of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) — the province’s second largest post-secondary institution — a position she has held since January 2014. Kathy is recognized for leading organizational renewal in complex environments. Through a number of senior leadership and executive roles, she has spearheaded change initiatives in the post-secondary as well as government and health care sectors. AT BCIT she is focusing on efforts to broaden and deepen BCIT’s partnerships with business, industry and community. BC Business Magazine recently recognized Kathy as one of the 50 most influential women in the province.

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Dr. Bryn Kulmatycki
President and CEO of Northern Lights College
Panelist: Post-secondary Leaders
Dr. Kulmatycki has extensive experience in public and private education, both in the K-12 system and at the post-secondary level. In the K-12 dimension he has served as a School Principal and a Regional School Superintendent. In the private post-secondary level he has been a President and Vice Chancellor of a private university, and in the public post-secondary sector he has held positions as an Associate Vice-President Academic, Vice President Academic, and is currently the President and CEO of Northern Lights College. He has considerable background in educational theory and praxis about Leadership, Board Governance and Policy Development. He has been appointed or elected to various executive leadership positions on many boards, agencies, and professional organizations. He has lectured and presented on various leadership topics throughout his career, and has also facilitated workshops in Canada, United States, and New Zealand. Following the events of 9/11, he participated in an invitational International Symposium at Oxford University deliberating post-9/11 topics related to education. He has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Education and Ph.D. from the University of Calgary.

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Jessica McDonald
President & Chief Executive Officer of BC Hydro
Panelist: LNG Facilities – Drivers for Change
Jessica oversees one of the largest utilities in Canada, with 5,500 employees and over $5 billion in revenue. Bringing a future-focused approach to her role as CEO, BC Hydro is structured around five key pillars: customer service, capital project delivery, energy conservation, employee engagement and continued operational improvement. Jessica serves as a Board Director of the Insurance Corporation of B.C. and Powerex, and Board Chair of Powertech Labs. Jessica has been named to Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.

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Susannah Pierce
External Affairs Director for LNG Canada
Panelist: Skills & Training Partnerships: BC’s Blueprint for Jobs
Susannah Pierce is the External Affairs Director, LNG Canada. Susannah leads the Environmental, Regulatory, First Nations and External Affairs functions for the project. Roles prior to this included Vice President, Value Chain Integration, Shell Canada; Vice President, Communications, Upstream International, Shell Canada; and before joining Shell in 2009, Susannah was head of US Public Sector Affairs for TransCanada Pipelines. Susannah has a Masters from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a B.A. from The George Washington University. Born in Canada but living the balance of her life in the US and Europe, Susannah now considers BC home for the long term with her two children.

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Doug Stout
Vice President, Market Development & External Relations for FortisBC
Panelist: LNG Facilities – Drivers for Change
Mr. Stout joined the company in 2001 as Vice President, Gas Supply and Transmission. He has held senior roles with Belkorp Industries Inc. and Husky Energy Inc., and has served as Director for Sultran Ltd., Pacific Coast Terminals and Hillsborough Resources. He is Chair of the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance and a Director of the Northwest Gas Association.