Michael Hutchison
WHA Board of Directors Chair
Michael was born and raised in Australia . After finishing college in 1982 he set out leaving Australia for world adventures never looking back. After spending several years working and traveling the world, he found himself married to a Canadian gal and settling in Whistler in 1988. Michael spent the past years working in the construction industry as well as a professional ski instructor for Whistler Blackcomb for 18 seasons. Over the years he has also worked as a commercial fisherman , started and operated a local cab business, as well a bed and breakfast.
His passion and commitment to Whistler as seen him serve in many volunteer facets He was the local Justice of the Peace from 1997-2003, a member of Whistler community church board and moderator, a Volunteer firefighter 1996-2000, and a member of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.
Michael as always had a concern to see people have secure affordable housing after building a few homes in Whistler he turned towards Squamish to build some large scale affordable housing projects. It is his desire to see people stay in the sea to sky corridor and enjoy the many wonderful opportunities Whistler has to provide. He enjoys skiing ,sailing and mountain biking with his three children and wife in his free time.
Ken Melamed
Mayor, Resort Municipality of Whistler
WHA Board of Directors
Ken arrived in Whistler in February, 1976 and fell in love with the mountains and the small community of Whistler. He started as a lift operator for Whistler Mountain and became a professional ski patroller two seasons later in 1977, a position he’s held ever since.
In 1978, Ken worked in construction in the off-season and 10 years later started his own artisan-oriented contracting business, Ken Melamed Stoneworks, creating much of the beautiful rock walls throughout the valley.
In 1989, Ken helped initiate Whistler’s grassroots, citizen environmental organization, AWARE, serving as president for six years between 1990 and 1996. He was also a founding director of Smart Growth BC in 1999, serving for six years. He successfully ran for Council in November 1996 and served three terms as councillor before being elected mayor in 2005.
As mayor, Ken’s primary goals are to champion the implementation of Whistler’s long-term sustainability plan, Whistler 2020, which he helped to develop, and to direct Whistler’s planning for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition to the Whistler Housing Authority he serves on numerous boards and community committees, including Tourism Whistler, Fraser Basin Council, and American Friends of Whistler. Married, with two sons, Ken remains an avid skier and mountain biker.
Grant Lamont
Councillor, Resort Municipality of Whistler
WHA Board of Directors
Bio coming soon
Chris Quinlan
Councillor, Resort Municipality of Whistler
WHA Board of Directors
Bio coming soon
Lisa Landry
General Manager, Economic Viability RMOW
WHA Board of Directors
Bio Coming Soon
Brian Good
WHA Board of Directors – Community at Large
Bio Coming Soon
Jon Decaigny
WHA Board of Directors – Community at Large
Before moving to Whistler in 2000 to pursue a career in Personal Financial Services with the North Shore Credit Union, and subsequently RBC Royal Bank in 2002, Jon attended Malaspina University College in his hometown of Nanaimo, B.C. where he pursued a post secondary education in Finance and Marketing. In early Jon 2006 received a professional designation as a Derivatives Market Specialist from the Canadian Securities Institute.
Jon and his family have called Whistler home since 2000, when they rented a WHA property in the Beaver flats building. In 2004 they purchased a Whistler Housing Authority restricted housing unit and hope to call Whistler home for many years to come.
Jon is excited to bring his skills and experience to the board to help the WHA continue to meet its goal of housing 75% of Whistler’s workforce within Whistler while keeping the concerns and priorities of owners, waitlistees and future owners top of mind.
Gord Leidal
WHA Board of Directors – Senior’s Housing Representative
Gord Leidal is a professional engineer, and he has worked on projects in the Whistler area dating back to 1964. In addition to his profession, Gord has contributed to the Whistler community through a variety of volunteer work including the Rotary Club of Whistler, Emergency Social Services, Whistler’s E. Manso Visiting Volunteers, Maurice Young Millennium Place and as a Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Host. Since 2000, Gord has been the President of Whistler’s Mature Action Committee which is dedicated to addressing seniors issues, social needs and housing, such that long term Whistler residents may comfortably age in place. Gord loves to spend his free time skiing, canoeing and enjoying his grandchildren.
Duane Hepditch
WHA Board of Directors – Resident Housing Representative
Duane Hepditch owns and operates a web-based software studio in Function Junction called Create Communications Inc. Duane’s company has worked with many large Whistler organizations from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Whistler Chamber of Commerce, Ziptrek Eco Tours and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Duane has employed up-to 6 employees during the busy winter months and understands their needs when it comes to resident housing. Duane has volunteered for many events and organizations in his 14 years of living in Whistler and currently serves on the Public Art Committee.
His wife and 2 children have lived at Riverwalk, the Spruce Grove development for the past 7 years and have recently moved into a 4 bedroom duplex in the new Nita Lake development project on Alta Lake Road. Duane is currently the strata president of the Nita Lake strata board. Duane understands the commitment involved in joining the board of directors for the WHA and is excited for the opportunity.