Our instructors come with a wide variety of experience from different backgrounds. Have a look at some!
Geri is a retired RN, last working in Oncology in our community of Campbell River where she had many conversations about Advance Care Planning.
Chrystal Arnet is the Community Engagement & Events Manager for Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North. She has lived in Campbell River for 27 years where she has owned and managed a small family business. Chrystal is passionate about her community and has volunteered with a number of organizations and non-profits. Her focus now is to help families live in decent, safe and affordable housing.
Nina is passionate about using technology in everyday life. She has two degrees in the field; has worked with it for over 26 years and is currently the Information Technology and GIS Supervisor for the City of Campbell River.
Rita Balboni started working on her family history in 1978 and hasn't stopped. She does most of her research in Europe. Currently, she is Vice President of the CR Genealogy Society.
Ken is an award-winning photographer who continues developing his photo expertise exploring the techniques of digital artistry. Creations range from high quality photos, painting with light, to blends of reality and fantasy.
Formerly a teacher, Kristin has been writing professionally since 1997 and has 30 published books. When she's not writing, she can be found drawing, painting, watching sports, or working on her family tree. To learn more about Kristin, visit her website -- www.kristinbutcher.com
Mike has 41 years of experience flying bush planes for 25,000 hours. He has flown out of Port Hardy, Bella Bella, Comox and Campbell River.
Steve is a member of the Ripple Rock Gem and Mineral Club and has taught multiple courses.
Steve has been a long-time member of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada and is the president of its BC/Yukon Branch. Steve has earned a licentiate in heraldry and has conducted heraldry training courses and public presentations. He has designed several coats of arms and completed shields for display at Government House in Victoria.
Donna Cox has been a member of the Campbell River Genealogy Society since 1978. She has held a number of positions in the society and also gives beginners' courses to members, usually once or twice each year. She enjoys helping people with their research and teaching them how to organize their research results.
David has served in the financial service industry since 1997 in roles spanning from the training and developing of other advisors to serving as both an independent and institutional advisor. In addition to being a Certified Financial Planner, he holds two senior specific designations as well as an advanced tax and estate designation.
Quentin has lived & worked in Campbell River for more than 50 years. He is a retired journalist and ElderCollege presenter for 10+ years.
After twenty-seven years, Bruce Dunn has recently retired as Conductor and Music Director of the Kamloops Symphony. Under his artistic direction the orchestra expanded it’s repertoire, maintained a large, supportive audience, and provided an enjoyable environment for many musicians. Music is in his DNA.
John Elson is a retired educator and an avid cyclist. As a member of the Cycling Advocacy Committee of the River City Cycle Club, he takes a keen interest in promoting improved cycling infrastructure in Campbell River. As someone who rides thousands of kilometers a year at home and abroad he takes a keen interest in the strategies that promote safe and enjoyable cycling! John has completed the “Ride Right” instructor training through Cycling BC.
Kim is a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones in Campbell River. She was born and raised in Williams Lake, BC. Her mom and late father were self-employed and operated a mobile home and log hauling company. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and identifies with business owners largely due to the values her parents instilled in her from an early age. She has two loyal Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Nala and SeaTac, and her hobbies include fitness, nutrition, hiking, biking, and hockey.
Ed joined the Royal Canadian Navy as an officer cadet in 1954. He spent 30 of the next 38 years in the navy, mostly in submarines and retired in 1992.
Marlyne taught painting classes for many years in Orangeville Ontario and Elliot Lake Ontario. She has taught classes for Campbell River ElderCollege since 2015.
Jan is a retired educator and is of Heiltsuk and Lil’wat ancestry.
Jennifer's degree is in Communication with a minor in art. Having dabbled in different kinds of media including scrapbooking she particularly enjoys mixed media. Creating Junk Journals from recycled materials is her passion and she would love to share it with others.
Bob is a retired Merchant Mariner (Union SS of NZ) 25 years; for 10 years was CEO and Owner of a Technology firm in NZ, and was Foreign Affairs Technical Attache -Global Affairs Canada for 10 Years.
Christol is the current President of the Campbell River Genealogy Society. She's been doing her own genealogy for over 20 years and focuses on helping others with their DNA results, as well as working with online trees like Ancestry and WikiTree. She uses Genetic Genealogy techniques to help people answer questions related to adoption or unknown parentage.
Reta was awarded the Sovereign's medal for volunteers from the Governor General in Ontario in 2019 and given a commendation from the Minister of Veteran's Affairs for significant volunteer contributions with veterans.
Tom is a retired teacher who has worked at the Johh Hart Hydro Centre since 2016.
Sandra has been teaching biology at NIC for 20 years. Her graduate degrees are in Neuroscience, but she is now a generalist, naturalist, and life-long learner. Sandra is an environmental advocate and educator, receiving recognition with the Local Environmental Hero Award, Canada 150 Land Trust Honour Roll, and Stewardship Special Recognition award. Sandra loves to share her enthusiasm for the natural world Intertidal walks, human hearts, plant reproduction and gardening.
Michael has lived & worked in the Comox Valley and Campbell River for more than 50 years. He never travelled outside BC until he retired. Remembering the stories about Colditz he had heard them when he was a child and fulfilled a lifelong dream and briefly visited Colditz in 2013 and again for longer in 2015.
Bill has travelled to New Zealand frequently and loves the fact that the Maori culture has more than held its own in the face of colonization. In the world, dawn breaks first in the Eastland region, and is the beginning of a new day for us all.
Robert Noon held leadership positions in a global development foundation developing health and education institutions in Pakistan, South and Central Asia, Africa and the United Kingdom. Before moving to Courtenay, he was president of the Society for Learning in Retirement in Kelowna. Now active with CVEC, he has extensive experience leading classes on a wide range of topics, most recently on the Great Depression.
Jane’s retirement work in community was sparked by a personal experience with a close friend's 70-year-old mother. In her search for supports, she found BC Community Response Networks and the adult guardianship field where she has spent the last 20 years. She is also a member of the United Way's Community Based Seniors Sector Leadership Committee where she can focus on wellness in rural & remote communities.
Jocelyn's husband had Alzheimer's Disease. Through the 15 years of his illness, she was his primary caregiver. She's also a writer and has written several articles about their journey with Alzheimer's for a variety of newspapers and organizations.
Cal is a three-time graduate from the Online Trading Academy and has been trading from home since 2006. He has taught several classes at Selkirk College for the Learning in Retirement program in Nelson BC.
Brad is the Assistant Agency Manager at Coastal Community Insurance Services in Campbell River. He has been employed in the insurance industry for over 11 years.
Wendy has worked for North Island College as a Regional Training Officer, scheduling programs, developing curriculum, providing student support, implementing provincially funded programs, and acting as Curriculum Chair for Elder College. She holds a Provincial Instructors Diploma and has taught several courses for Elder College.
Heiner is a retired accountant and business analyst who has used Excel extensively for over 30 years.
Harry has been working with (and on) computers of all descriptions since before Windows and Macintosh even existed. He has kept up with technology and has been a strong advocate of security of information. He has previously taught courses at CREC on Google products.