team

Mark Abma – Founder & President

Mark grew up skiing at a small resort called Hemlock Valley, located on the outskirts of Vancouver, B.C. As a professional skier, he feels fortunate to travel the world in search of the best conditions and terrain. So far his journey, though fantastic, has revealed a world in peril, suffering the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. With snow packs depleting and weather patterns becoming increasingly erratic, Mark sees that his sport and life on this planet are being threatened. He also realizes that aspects of his own lifestyle contribute to these negative trends and that to affect change he must start with himself.

Mark founded 1STEP with the intention of sharing his learning and experience in lessening his environmental impact and to support individuals and resorts that want to do the same.

Ryan Johnson- Vice President

Ryan Johnson is a two time Olympian Freestyle Skiing: Moguls
Occupation: Project Manager – Whistler Olympic Athletes Village
Education: Associate Degree of Arts w/ Environmental Studies Emphasis – Douglas College, New Westminster, BC. Diploma of Architectural and Building Engineering Technology – British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby, BC

Related Experience:
Head coach & advisor to the Board with the Vancouver Freestyle Ski Club, a non profit organization. Athlete Embassador. Interest & Knowledge in Green Buildings, Technologies and Environmental Stewardship.

James King – Treasurer

Occupation: Private Chef/Entrepreneur: M/Y Oddessa, Equity Interest in.
Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison – BA in Communications. Massachusetts Building Academy- General Contractor. Cornell University – Development and Asset Management- Graduate Studies

Related Experience:

Green Contractor/Owner for the 2010 Green Building Challenge through Light. House Sustainable Building Center. Active in the slow food and organic food movement. Consultant on sustainable building systems and design for restaurant and yacht builds. Interest & Knowledge in Green Buildings, Technologies, Organic Food and Wine, and Environmental Stewardship.

Jesse Crawford- Web Developer

Jesse grew up in Summerland. Graduate of Vancouver Film School where he has studied Classical Animation , and Digital Character Animation. He has worked in the animation industry in Vancouver at Bardel Entrainment . Working on a variety of projects such as Character Animation and FX Animation for Saturday morning cartoons.

1Step has been Jesse’s first website. He has enjoyed working with the 1Step team immensely and would like to work with you on your web project. Contact Jesse.

Kim Slater – Executive Director

Kim hails from Guelph, Ontario, although she is delighted to call B.C. her home. She became acquainted with the West through summers spent planting trees and fighting fires, but prefers to play outside on her bike or snowboard. Prior to working with 1STEP, Kim worked with a variety of groups supporting initiatives pertaining to poverty, the environment and development. She holds a B.A. in International Development from the University of Guelph and an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Toronto. She manages the communication and administration elements of the 1STEP Foundation, identifies new projects and partners and works with existing affiliates. She can be reached at: kim@1stepnow.org.

Nicolas Teichrob

Nicolas is a geoscientist and action sport photographer living in Roberts Creek, B.C.  He is currently finishing up a Master of Science degree studying the effects of salt use on the Horstman Glacier, Whistler, B.C.  Much of his time is spent in the wilderness skiing, mountain biking or surfing.  Throughout his outdoor adventures he continues to see things with a unique eye and protrays that in his images.  Joining 1STEP, Nicolas hopes to provide a scientific mindset into the some of 1STEP’s projects and goals.  He can be reached at:  nicolas ‘at’ nicolasteichrob.com

Jake Cohn

Jake was born in Telluride, Colorado and began skiing in his early years. Skiing has brought Jake to the Northwest and he is currently perusing a degree in Environmental Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Through 1STEP and his education, he hopes to give back to the environment that allows him to ski. Growing up with severe asthma, Jake has also teamed up with National Jewish Respiratory Hospital as a spokesperson and athlete role model for kids who also suffer from asthma.  Jake is excited to be involved with 1STEP to help save our winters.