Our Team.
Christopher McCurry
CEO, ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises
Chris brings a wealth of experience in Indigenous economic development, business management, sales, marketing and public relations. Christopher has a diploma in resort management plus four years of post secondary studies in education, business and economic development.
He is passionate about living and adventuring in the mountains and has a deep love for the unseeded territory of the Ktunaxa. Christopher is married and busy raising two young children in the community of Kimberley, BC.
Ryan Phillips-Clement
Business Development Manager
Ryan Phillips-Clement was born in Cranbrook, BC and raised in the community of ʔaq̓am. Graduating from Mt. Baker Secondary in 2012, he is now looking to finish his diploma in Business Administration - Accounting at College of the Rockies. Ryan is proud to serve the community that raised him, and looks forward to working with ACE on the variety of projects that are taking shape. With a strong passion for team sports, Ryan brings a great sense of communication, teamwork, and reliability to the ACE workforce.
Marty Williams
Board Member
Graduated from Nicola Valley Institute of Technology - Integrated Resource Management Program, Energy Tipi Pole Holder since 2011, worked in Resource Management, MInistry of Forests - Fire Protection, Silviculture, Archeaology Field Technician, Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement, Hydro Impact Technician, served as ʔaq̓am Councillor - Ktunaxa Nation Executive Council 2012 - 2016, ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises - Board of Directors
Becky Pelkonen
Board Member
Becky comes to us with a wealth of experience in indigenous economic, business and tourism development. She was influential in working with ʔaq̓am Council to establish ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises as previous Director of Community & Economic Development. While also now a welcomed Board Member for ACE, she is the principal of Handspun Consulting where she continues to focus on community and economic development projects as well as in advising and coaching both business and non-profit Boards to strengthen their capacity and impact. She is also an instructor and researcher with the College of the Rockies in both the Business and Tourism/Recreation Management Programs.
Gord Cumming
Board Member
Gord Cumming has been an HR Leader for 35 years. Born in Ottawa ON, he attended Brock University in St. Catharines, ON and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree with First Class Honours, in Sociology. Mr. Cumming has worked in a variety of industries, providing HR leadership to both Senior Leaders and Associates. Mr. Cumming relocated to Kimberley, BC to be close to his two children and two grandchildren. Since 2019 he is the HR Manager and Privacy Officer for St. Eugene Resort. He oversees the HR practices across the resort in addition to health and safety as well as serving on the Senior Leadership Team for the Resort. Mr. Cumming holds the Professional designation as CHRP, Certified Human Resources Professional earned in 1985. In 2011 Mr. Cumming was awarded the Professional designation of CHRE, Certified Human Resources Executive, one of only 275 who have received the designation in Canada. He lives in Kimberley with his golden retriever, Molly.
Aminda Joseph Administrative Assistant
My name is Aminda Joseph, most know me as Mindi. I am the granddaughter of Napolean(Nap) and Ann-Mary(Anma) Joseph and the daughter of Kathy Joseph. I am the new Administrative Assistant for the CEO of Aqam Community Enterprises. I was born in Cranbrook BC and am a member of the Aqam Band. I have a deep love for our Ktunaxa Amakis and for life in general. I am an intuitive card reader, currently studying Level 3 Reiki Healing and I am a mother of two beautiful daughters who love to create through art and stories. I like to view every day as a chance to shine light and love into this world.
I grew up in Revelstoke with my brothers and our dad, until I moved to the Lower Mainland to finish my education. Coming to Cranbrook most summers to visit is some of my fondest memories growing up. I graduated high school from Port Moody Secondary School and carried on right away to Sprott Shaw Community College, where I received my Medical Office Assistant and Administrative Assistant Accelerated Degree. As soon as I turned 16, I was working in the fast-food industry and ever since my first job, I knew that customer relations and interacting with people was what I was most drawn to. I feel a connection to the souls I meet daily, therefore; all my jobs have been of interacting with people in the communities I live in. By the time I graduated from college, I was the Assistant Manager of a Dairy Queen/Orange Julius Treat Center. I was promoted to Manager of my own store and quickly went on to manage 3 stores simultaneously within the Tri-City area. I took some time off work to have my first daughter and when I was ready to re-enter the workforce, I started out as a part-time employee but soon became the Junior-Assistant Manager of La Vie En Rose. I helped open their Outlet store in Queensborough landing and gave many years of service to women looking for confidence and comfort in lingerie and bathing suits. I decided to try my hand at being a single mother, and with that came the position of Head Cashier of Summit Tools. An exciting new store which opened down the street from my home in Port Coquitlam. I spent the next 8 years learning about the trades industry, studying tools and their uses, and creating friendships and an atmosphere in the store that I will cherish for years to come. I welcomed my youngest daughter into the world and learned about PPD/Mental Health and the difficulties that come with it. I spent the next few years working on myself and creating a safe space for myself and my children. My next job was as inside sales support for an up-and-coming PPE supplier in Port Coquitlam. I worked there during the first year of the Covid pandemic and learned a lot about PPE and what it means to be an essential service worker.
I am very excited to be a part of Aqam Community Enterprises. I have always looked to the community for inspiration and guidance, and I can see that the Ktunaxa Nation is growing both economically and emotionally. We are expanding the horizons and reaching new heights of awareness on what it means to be Ktunaxa, and how we can best utilize our strengths. I am so very grateful to be home!