The Shift Team

Shift Environmental was spun from the fabric of a lifetime on the coast and built from the experience of its founders and staff, who believe in their authentic approach for a different way to work with First Nation Communities and Ocean Technology. The Shift team is passionate about building and supporting strategic relationships between First Nations, industry and government to build resilience in coastal communities.

James Spencer

FOUNDER & C.E.O

James Spencer is our founder and CEO who has brokered numerous deals and raised over $25M in funding with First Nation partners and technology providers since incorporation in 2018. After training in marine eco-physiology, James journeyed into the natural resource sector—from the Aleutian Islands to the Oregon Coast, from fishing boats to hard rock mines, from a deckhand to a captain—getting to know the land and the seascape, their visitors and inhabitants. During his 20+ years working as a scientist and project manager for top-tier consulting agencies in Canada and the United States, James learned what truly drives development, readiness, and sustainability: a solid knowledge base combined with the ability to see how each part of a project relates to the whole. James holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (University of Victoria) and a Project Management Certificate (University of Toronto). He also holds numerous professional tickets, including Small Vessel Operator Proficiency, Incident Command Training (ICS-300), Hazmat Level 2, and Marine Emergency Duties.

Colin Dobell

VP Technology

Colin Dobell is our Vice President of Technology. He works with growing companies to provide business and technical advice, specializing in software development, prototype manufacturing, and designing remotely operated robotic systems for confined spaces and hazardous environments. Over 25 years of experience has taught Colin that challenging a truly creative group of engineers and technicians with a client’s mission objective will push the limits of technology, leading to custom-tailored solutions. Colin has cultivated new products and new markets in 40 countries, brokered product licensing deals with major international corporations, and negotiated multi-million-dollar contracts. He is a named inventor on two patents, one for a pipe laser profiling system and the other for a magnetic crawler inspection system. Past positions have included:
• CEO of Dobell Technologies, Inc.,
• President and General Manager of Inuktun Services, Ltd. – Purchased by Eddyfi Technologies
Colin was among the recipients of the Business in Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award in 2003.

Melissa Kirby

VP Consulting

Melissa Kirby is our Vice President of Consulting. She runs a team of biologists, planners, and coastal technicians and helps First Nation clients diversify their marine service capabilities. Melissa also seeks out partnership opportunities for Shift, First Nation communities, and business entities that result in environmentally- and economically sustainable development. She comes to Shift with a passion for the water, having been a scuba instructor, a salmon hatchery technician, and an ocean conservation researcher early in her career. Melissa also has an extensive resume of consultation and cooperation with First Nation communities including community consultations and engaging with Chief and Councils during agreement negotiations for a mine project and subsequent hiring and training First Nation environmental personnel. Having spent the past several years as a Project Manager and Operations Manager for residential, commercial, and marine construction in both private and government sectors, Melissa brings her strengths in leaning operations, leading teams, and relationship management to Shift.

Julian Bakker

Senior Coastal Planner

Julian Bakker is our Senior Planner and project developer. He provides First Nations clients with comprehensive location information, spatial data, and planning options to develop and maintain coastal territories, with a special emphasis on sovereignty, technology, community values, and local knowledge. At Shift, Julian combines his hands-on and academic experience with GIS and remote-sensing platforms with his current PhD research in geography (University of Victoria). He shows clients how to use technology and coastal resources (human and natural) to translate community values into coastal planning and implementation initiatives. Julian customizes plans specific to each client’s unique territory, using technology and training to build people-centred economic opportunities that promote meaningful experience, a strong sense of place, and integration with the natural environment. Julian is an inflatable boat enthusiast, an inveterate dinghy sailor, and a Transport Canada–certified drone flight instructor.

Sebastian Berg

R&D ENGINEERING LEAD

Sebastian Berg is our Research and Development Engineering Lead. With a professional background in industrial mechanical design and personal background centered on the ocean, Sebastian leads the technical development of our Nearshore Environmental Response Mobile Command Control and Communications (NERMC3) project and the OceanSled semi-autonomous multi-use vessel. Sebastian coordinates Shift’s technology integration into real-world heavy weather and coastal environments. Sebastian’s extensive experience in mechanical engineering included the design of a new pump for highly abrasive fluids and systemic testing and re-designing existing parts. This, coupled with three years of project management experience at remote worksites in BC’s backcountry, help him translate client needs into the custom tools required to maintain Shift technology long term.

Robert Milne

FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER

Bob Milne is our Field Operations Specialist. He provides our clients with safe, consistent, and highly competent marine operations capabilities for ocean technology and marine management initiatives. More comfortable on water than on land, Bob’s 20+ years of experience in the maritime, fishing, and aquaculture industries included work with governments, industry, and First Nations, through which he has proven his ability to successfully grow and maintain large-scale commercial aquaculture operations (finfish and shellfish) in both Canada and Australia. Bob is particularly interested in sustainable marine fisheries and has consulted on projects related to recirculating aquaculture systems, aquaponics, underwater logging, and fisheries management. He takes a scientific approach to problem-solving and has a deep understanding of the attitude and dedication needed for successful and profitable aquaculture. Bob holds an Aquaculture Technician certificate (Capilano College) and a post-graduate diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture (University of St. Andrews, Scotland).

Aiden Massey

Project Engineering Technologist

Aiden Massey is our Project Engineering Technologist. During his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) degree program at the University of Victoria, he completed three co-op placements with naval architecture and ocean technology companies. Aiden has expertise in designing systems for the marine environment, including platforms for housing oceanographic instruments on Ocean Networks Canada’s underwater observatories as well as designing tools for remotely operated vehicles to perform subsea maintenance work. Aiden has helped maintain cabled observatories on the CCGS John P Tully, a research vessel operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. He was also part of a two-person crew maintaining a cabled observatory in a remote camp in the Canadian Arctic. He has a strong interest in all things ocean. He likes to kayak, fish, and beachcomb on the BC coast.

Adrian Nutt

Financial Controller

Adrian Nutt is our Financial Controller. He fosters business-to-business and business-to-public relationships to create positive personal and professional growth for all involved. He has worked with individuals and business clients in various industries, including seafood processing, accommodation & food services, and amusement & recreational services. Adrian’s background is in administration and accounting, and he has experience in full-cycle bookkeeping, budget & tax planning, payroll, government filings, and the preparation/analysis of financial statements. Adrian holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Vancouver Island University) and is currently studying for his designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).

Ronan Leighton

Product Developer

Ronan Leighton is our Product Developer. His breadth of experience with multiple microcontrollers and computer platforms allows him to contribute valuable insights into the design of custom hardware and software for remotely operated robotics, including the OceanSled. He completed complex robotics and telepresence projects during high school, competing as a member of his school’s VEX Robotics team, including a personal telepresence robot, a mobile cable-mounted security camera, and a wifi-controlled rover. Since then, he has taught intensive workshops on Raspberry Pi programming and implementation for younger students. Ronan has previously worked producing products for local robotics companies, including:
• Crystal Cam Imaging, Inc.
• Inuktun Services Ltd.
• Eddyfi Technologies
Ronan is an accomplished student and programmer, having worked to complete high school early. He is currently working toward his diploma in Computer Science (Vancouver Island University).

Katie Smith

Marine Projects Lead

Katie Smith is our Marine Projects Lead. She is adept at building and managing projects working with ocean technology providers, remotely operated vehicles, remotely piloted aircraft systems, and sensor data. Katie collaborates with academic researchers, government, and coastal communities to facilitate sustainable solutions for marine resource management. Katie’s experience working as a marine educator in the ecotourism industry, along with her background in fisheries management and coastal ecosystem mapping, has taught her the importance of weaving together technology, data, and people to support healthy ecosystems and healthy communities. Katie loves being on the water with her dog and paddleboard. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (University of Victoria) and a Master 60T ticket (Transport Canada), and she is working towards her Master of Marine Studies degree in Fisheries Resource Management (Memorial University).

Tyson Fritz

Senior FULL STACK DEVELOPER

Tyson Fritz is our Senior Full Stack Developer. Tyson’s position involves overseeing and guiding the analyzing, writing, building and deployment of situation-specific software from conception to deployment, then managing and upgrading the software as needed on an ongoing basis. Having led the development of interactive projects for some of Canada’s largest corporations—including banks, energy companies, airlines and car manufacturers—Tyson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Shift. He continually hones his skills by mastering new tools and technology which enable him to deliver intuitive, reliable, secure, performant and scalable systems. With Tyson’s impressive background leading the development of interactive projects for some of Canada’s largest corporations, Shift is proud to have this forward-thinker on Board.