VICA Team
Rory Kulmala
Chief Executive Officer
Rory has been working the construction scene throughout Canada for the last 25 years but primarily in the West as a general contractor and owner for both public and private sectors. In addition to his experience, he has accreditation as an Applied Science Technologist and a PMP, including an MBA.
Amie Kilgour
Director of Operations
Amie joined VICA in October 2016 as the coordinator of our then Constructing a Future Program. After developing that program to meet the contractual criteria of the government funder she went on to redevelop it for the second contract. Amie is excited to return to VICA in her new role combining her past experiences in accounting, social work, employment services and human resources.
Dawn Charity
Manager, Member Services (Nanaimo)
Dawn is a familiar face to many in the construction industry, as VICA’s longest staff member of 20 years. With her extensive knowledge and experience, she is always ready to assist members and future members alike.
Chenelle Falconer
Manager, Training & Education
Our education mastermind since 2015, Chenelle is a resource ninja too: email for help and she will track down an answer with list of resources for you as long as your arm. She keeps a not-so-secret stash of dog treats in her office – pop by with your furry friend and say hello!
Sarah Bartfai
Manager, Events & Administration
Sarah has been with VICA since 2009. If you haven’t already met her at the office or at one of our member events, she’s the woman with the unfaltering, genuine smile on her face. She’s a jack of all trades who claims to be the hammer of the world of tools: simple yet reliable.
Owen O’Rourke
Manager, Marketing & Communications
As VICA’s Communications Manager, Owen is always looking to promote the VICA brand as well as our products and services to current and potential members. Joining the team in 2019, he enjoys the challenge of blending his creative intuitions with his professional life.
Colby Young
Harm Reduction Project Lead
Colby joined VICA in May, 2021 as a practicum student supporting the development of the Tailgate Toolkit Project, a harm reduction project funded by the Vancouver Island Health Authority, and his now proud to be the Project Lead. Coming from a background of supporting people experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and addiction, Colby is passionate about addressing substance use within our industry.
Kendra Renaerts
Project Services Coordinator (Nanaimo)
Kendra is our purveyor of project updates. She knows the ins and outs of BidCentral and is in constant contact with planning departments throughout the Island on a hunt to find you prebid data for our weekly, exclusive-to-members PreBid Report that accompanies our Project Bulletin.
Gina Butts
Administrative & Education Assistant
Gina joined VICA in 2021 as Admin/Education Assistant after spending several years in health care.
Gina loves to travel, camp, play slo-pitch and spend time with family, especially her two (almost three) grandchildren. On days off you’ll find Gina gardening and enjoying a cold bevvy in the backyard.
Come by and say hi to Gina, it’s like trick-or-treat at the VICA front counter!
Tia Gilmour
Communications & Event Assistant (Co-Op)
Tia is our co-op student from the University of Victoria. With a passion for problem-solving and connecting with others, she can’t wait to engage with VICA members during her four-month term. Outside of work, you can often find her on the soccer pitch or planning her next camping trip!
Bianca Brown
CYF, Job Developer
Bianca joined VICA in January 2022 initially as the Harm Reduction Coordinator with VICA’s Tailgate Toolkit program, pivoting to CYF in 2023. With her 11 years of experience in working with youth with varying abilities and structured youth program settings, she brings her knowledge of mental health, employment development, and communication skills to our youth in the CYF program. Her passion for helping people grow to find their lifelong careers in the trades as well as her compassionate, hardworking, and energetic personality blends well with the rest of the CYF/VICA team.
Greg Hemminger
Harm Reduction Coordinator, Vancouver/Lower Mainland
Greg Hemminger is the new Harm Reduction Project Coordinator for the Lower Mainland representing VICA out of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association office. Over the last 4 years Greg has been an active part of the mental health and addictions community across the greater Vancouver area. He has served as a board member for the Maple Ridge Treatment Centre running biweekly support groups for men in early recovery. He also helped create the Fun in Recovery Program which accompanies clients to community outings such as sporting events to show clients that there is a new world awaiting them outside of addiction. Greg looks forward to contributing to the Harm Reduction program and bringing this essential project to the lower mainland.
Lorne Sobczyk
Harm Reduction Coordinator, Northern BC
Lorne joined the VICA team as a social work practicum student in January 2022. After completing his final practicum with VICA and being awarded a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Victoria he stayed on with VICA as a harm reduction coordinator.
In addition to Lorne having a social work degree he also holds a degree in psychology with a minor in women’s and gender studies from Mount Royal University. Lorne has spent 20 years working with children and youth living in shelters, group homes and treatment facilities in Calgary, Alberta.
In Lorne’s free time he enjoys golfing and watching college football.