Crystal Fisher | President

Crystal’s family first planted roots in the Burns Lake area in the early 1900’s and she is proud to have been born and raised here. Crystal’s desire to sit on the board of directors came from a feeling that the organization had swayed from its intended purpose, her desire to become involved lead to her appointed by the Village of Burns Lake in 2015.

Her greatest accomplishments during her 8 years as board president are growing relationships with First Nations partners, and ensuring employment opportunities are provided to small, local contractors.

A red seal certified parts person and entrepreneur, Crystal also has an extensive background in bookkeeping and general business management. Though she may wear many hats, if you ask her about her favourites, they would be those she wears as a wife and a mother.

Tony Strimbold | Vice-President

Tony was born in Burns Lake in 1969, however his family has been in the Topley area since the early 1900s. Tony grew up on a farm, but started in the forest industry planting trees after finishing high school. He went on to mechanical site prep, and then started in the logging business. After operating machinery for various employers, he bought his own excavator! He then slowly expanded into contract processing, loading, and trucking. Today, he owns and operates a full stump-to-dump logging operation!

Tony has owned and managed Woodlot WL 1753 in Topley since 1999.

Tony’s wife, Gina, was also born and raised in Burns Lake, and is a dental hygienist. Their children both reside in Burns Lake. Daria is an RN (registered nurse) at the Burns Lake Hospital, and Kian is a heavy-duty mechanic with Shinedown Enterprises.

Tara William | Secretary

Tara is a member of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, who is deeply rooted in Wet’suwet’en traditions and values. She is currently working as the Manager, Settlement Claims Support with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

This work is very rewarding as she works to create safe spaces using Indigenous approaches for healing and wellness.

Tara was appointed by her elected community leadership to be a director on the BLCOMFOR board in 2017. Her favourite part of being on the board is broadening and strengthening the relationship between the shareholders: Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation and the Village of Burns Lake with acknowledgement to the Office of the Wet’suwet’en.

Some of the accomplishments Tara has enjoyed being a part of is, the increase not only for herself, but the business involvement with community events; either it be our physical presence to support & learn, to engage with community, and how BLCOMFOR donations really support the heart of the community with organizations, service providers, or volunteers that really make things happen in this community whether it be a basic need, social events, sporting programs for youth, etc.

Tyler Curtis-Sam | Director

Outside of BLCF, Tyler works for Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Band) as part of the natural resource team. Tyler is also a land-based guardian. Tyler enjoys outdoor activities, like golfing, and going to the shooting range.

While the outdoors are lovely, Tyler can also enjoy relaxing inside, with a good movie or a new video game.

Paul Davidson | Director

Paul is a Registered Forest Technologist (RFT retired) with Forest Professionals British Columbia. In his forestry career, he has worked in northwest Ontario, northern Alberta, and northern British Columbia. In Fort Nelson, BC he worked in various positions for Slocan Forest Products and Canfor including Logging Superintendent and Area Supervisor for nine years. Paul was also, briefly, a part owner in a large logging and hauling company in Fort Nelson where he supervised the forest operations and log hauling. When the mills closed in Fort Nelson, he worked for 9 years with Kledo Construction Ltd as their Health and Safety Coordinator before retiring. In 2017, Paul and his wife, Joan, retired to Burns Lake and have a home on Babine Lake where they can enjoy the natural beauty of the area’s forests and lakes.