Gunnar is an Environmental Technician at Columbia. As a company co-owner, Gunnar combines an investment in Columbia’s long-term success with a safety-first approach to field operations. He is a proud member of the snpink’tn (Penticton) Indian Band and brings a combination of technical environmental expertise and strong backcountry leadership to every job site.
Gunnar’s technical background is built on biology and computer science coursework from the University of British Columbia and Camosun College. His field background includes executing Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) surveys and Contaminated Sites investigations for major utilities and public infrastructure sectors, including FortisBC and BC Housing. With Parks Canada in Banff National Park, Gunnar served as a Lead Hand, supervising field units, managing public safety, and collaborating directly with Park Wardens during wilderness rescues. Additionally, his background includes technical work with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), where he assisted federal research scientists.
In his downtime, Gunnar enjoys rock-climbing, hiking with his Australian Shepherd Nala, snowboarding and fishing.