Meet the Team
Employees
MIC WERSTUIK - Chief Executive Officer
Mic recently joined the NDC executive team in summer 2021. As a Westbank First Nation Member, he has been actively involved in the evolution and success of WFN and its Corporate Entities. With over 30 years of experience in all aspects of Forestry and Natural Resource Management, Mic is excited to work with WFN Membership and the Ntityix Team to continue to grow future opportunities for both. Since an early age Mic spent most of his time on the land, in 1998 he graduated from Nicola Valley Institute of Technology with a diploma in Natural Resource Management. In 2018, he received his Master of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University. In his 30 + year career Mic has run chainsaw, worked for the Ministry of Forests, been an elected Councillor for WFN, been sole proprietor of his own business and held management positions in WFN and other organizations. Mic’s passion is being on the land and working with our people for the benefit the community.
Jag Barmi - chief financial officer
Jag joined the Ntityix team as the Controller in April 2023, and appointed as CFO in July. He comes with over 20 years of experience with a strong focus on financial excellence, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making. Over time, Jag has amassed extensive financial expertise in various sectors including banking, venture capital, travel, IT, franchising, and aviation. He is a designated accountant with the CGA/CPA, and FCCA designations. Jag is in charge of financial operations, planning, and reporting for the board of directors and to WFN. He is also responsible for the treasury, insurance, and human resources functions. Jag is excited to be part of the executive team monitoring and protecting Ntityix’s business interests. He looks forward to contributing to the strategic vision, developing business plans, and making recommendations for new ventures and policies to the Executive team and the Boards of Directors. Jag’s passion lies in supporting community-based initiatives and organizations. He possesses a keen interest in fostering creative business thinking to address environmental challenges and find innovative solutions.
Nelson Derickson - Business development officer
Nelson joined the corporate group in summer 2011. He is responsible for developing business opportunities, strategic advisory, project management assistance, improvement recommendations, marketing, and identifying potential clients and partnerships. In the past, he held various roles in administration, GIS mapping, and acting management. He contributed to the corporate rebranding projects. He held a WFN Economic Development Commission seat for 6 years, and was Chair for 4.5 years. He was an appointed Director on the Greater Westside Board of Trade, and served on the advocacy committee. He is an active member with the BC First Nation Business Development Association. In 2023, he earned his Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA degree from Simon Fraser University. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Okanagan College in 2013. Nelson is a Westbank First Nation member working to sustainably grow the Ntityix businesses for the benefit of the community.
Board of Directors
Blake Scott - Director
Blake Scott has been an independent board member of Ntityix Development Corporation since 2019. Blake currently holds the position of Board President and serves on several boards for the Westbank First Nation’s shopping centres. Blake comes from the for-profit sector and his professional background includes 20 years working at a senior-management level in manufacturing, exporting, and corporate finance. Blake has a Master of Business Administration from Royal Roads University and uses his work experience and MBA qualification to add value to Ntityix’s team and to the Members of the Westbank First Nation. Blake is a status Indian and believes when Indigenous people actively participate in and receive equitable benefit from Canada’s mainstream economy, Reconciliation in Canada is advancing. Blake looks forward to his continued work with his Ntityix colleagues and the Westbank community to supporting Ntityix’s management in achieving its corporate goal of building and operating the most successful and well-known indigenous corporation in the world.
Dean cherkas - director
With more than 25 years of experience working in the fields of Indigenous and provincial government management, energy sector, land management, business and economic development, emergency response and environmental regulatory, Dean brings a holistic perspective to his management consulting, negotiations and economic development work. Dean understands the political and socio-economic landscape of Indigenous communities and is able to support his clients and employers while bridging relationships to develop a comprehensive understanding of how industry, provincial and federal governments, and Indigenous communities can work together to benefit from resource development projects both on and off reserve.
Grant Lachmuth - Director
Grant Lachmuth had a 36-year career as a senior manager with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and since 2013, he has worked as a Senior Advisor, Intergovernmental Relations in the consulting sector. He brings a unique and in-depth understanding of multi-agency partnerships involving various levels of government and the private sector. Grant’s work over the last 10 years has focused on infrastructure projects (P3’s), such as the William R. Bennett Bridge and the Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project. Grant’s work has taken him throughout Canada as well as assignments in the US, China and Israel. Grant’s educational background is in Civil Engineering Technology at BCIT, and Executive Leadership at Royal Roads University and he has also spent several years as a member of the Council for Leadership Insights, with the Conference Board of Canada and a Board Member with Technology Accreditation Canada. He has appreciated working throughout BC and spending the last 15 years here in the Okanagan with his family. He is particularly looking forward to supporting NDC businesses and the broader community.
Andrea alexander - Director
Councillor Andrea Alexander worked throughout different departments within WFN, such as Inter-Governmental Affairs, Development Services, and Administration, Andrea has had the opportunity to gain a vast amount of knowledge and experience concerning WFN Government operations. Andrea has served on the Community Consultative Group and the Syilx Indian Residential School for the past 4 years where she has found her passion for the health of the community as a whole and community building. She brings along education from her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Indigenous Studies to the role and is in the process of completing her Certificate of Indigenous Leadership, Governance, and Management Excellence through the Banff Centre.
Jordan Coble - Director
Councillor Jordan Coble was one of the original attendees of what was then, the Westbank Indian Band school, now Sensisyusten, attended high school at MBSS and earned is degree from UBCO. Jordan also graduated from the 4 year adult immersion language program at the Syilx Language House while continuing to help grow the Sncewips Heritage Museum into the influential centre it has come to be recognized as today. As Jordan believes in the power of collaboration and the spirit of working together, he sits on various boards including the BCMA, ICHAC, UBCO IEAB, and he can also remember what most of these acronyms stand for. Moving forward requires a balanced approach towards development and progression. We as a sqilxʷ need to set the example in creating a healthy environment that utilizes each other’s gifts in a good way so that our future generations will have the opportunity to thrive. We can continue to be leaders and provide for our community but we must never forget our core values of respect for all, sustainability and reciprocity.