Dr. David Welch, CEO
David holds a B.Sc. in Biology and Economics (University of Toronto) and a Ph.D. in Oceanography (Dalhousie University). He joined Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 1985 and was appointed head of the High Seas Salmon Program in 1990. During the next decade he was responsible for studying the ocean biology of Pacific salmon, and provided some of the first compelling evidence for a potentially profound impact of global warming on Pacific salmon in the ocean. He served as Chief Scientist for the Census of Marine Life’s project, POST, from 2000-2005. David developed the original concept of building large scale marine tracking arrays, particularly for application to Pacific salmon management. He founded Kintama in 2000 to bring the concept to reality. The resulting, growing infrastructure has true impact for scientific experiment, discovery and important policy decisions worldwide.
David is the author of over 200 primary scientific papers and technical reports. Amongst other awards, he received DFO’s 2007 Prix de Distinction and 2008 Prix d’Excellence in recognition of his outstanding scientific contributions to both national and international climate change research, and the Government of Canada. David speaks fluent Japanese and lives with his beloved family in Nanaimo, on British Columbia’s beautiful Vancouver Island.
John Day, Director, Operations
John joined Kintama in the spring of 2011 to help drive new Product and Service offerings and assist with Kintama’s growth strategies. Previously, John was involved in the technology industry in the Product Management, Solutions Engineering, and Project Implementation areas with wireless software companies in the Vancouver area – Infowave Software, a handheld email and VPN application provider and with WebTech Wireless, a manufacturing and solution provider in the telematics arena servicing large and small scale commercial fleets around the world.
With an Honours Degree in Commerce from Dalhousie University in Halifax, John began his career marketing banking services in Australia then moved into the Retail Food Industry where he ultimately started up and ran a small retail food business in Vancouver before moving into the Technology industry more than a decade ago. John remains a passionate boater and diver having sailed over 10,000 miles on various trips through the Pacific and Atlantic.
Erin Rechisky, Ph.D., Research Manager
Hailing from New York State, Erin has a BSc in Marine Biology (University of North Carolina), MSc in Fisheries and Aquaculture (University of Rhode Island) and Ph.D. in Zoology (University of British Columbia). Erin initially became involved in the marine sciences field in 1993 and has worked in several locations such as the Bald Head Island Conservancy (North Carolina), NOAA’s National Undersea Research Center in Key Largo (Florida), the Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, (California), and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, MA. Between 1998-99 Erin worked as a Graduate Research assistant at the NOAA/NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center, (Rhode Island). Following her master’s degree she was a Research Associate at the Perry Institute for Marine Science/Caribbean Marine Research Center on Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas (2002-2004).
Erin initially started working with Kintama through UBC when she was a graduate student and joined Kintama Research as a staff member in 2010.
Erin currently lives in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island with her husband and young son. Although an avid scuba diver, she currently channels her excess energy into triathlon, backpacking, gardening and exercising her dog.
Paul Winchell, Array Deployment Manager
Paul is our prairie boy gone ocean side. After growing up in a farming community and completing his BSc in Biology and Physical Sciences in Alberta he moved to the west coast. Lured by the excitement of the sea, he started as a senior Research Technician with Freshwater Fish Habitat, DFO (1998-01) and later as a senior technician and biologist with various research labs and stock assessment divisions (2001-04). During this period he took part in everything from study design, executing and managing Field Programs to data analysis and cutting edge laboratory research with High Seas Salmon, groundfish, shellfish and pelagics projects.
Paul joined Kintama in 2005 and his primary duty is to ensure that the acoustic arrays are deployed, recovered and maintained as needed. Paul is intimately involved in the design phases of the arrays and is constantly improving methods and testing new equipment.
Paul lives on Vancouver Island with his wife and two young sons where he enjoys the outdoors and, of course, hockey.
Melinda Jacobs Scott, Tagging Operations Manager
Melinda has a BSc in biology from the University of Victoria. Following graduation she worked for the Department of Fisheries & Oceans Canada in Nanaimo(1998-2003) and subsequently for the Freshwater Fisheries Society in Nanaimo, BC (2004-05) and Mahata Mariculture LTD in Nanaimo, BC, (2000-2001). Melinda worked with David Welch at DFO and subsequently became a Kintama employee in 2004.
Melinda’s main responsibilities are managing all of Kintama’s tagging programs including training, resource management and associated purchasing. She also coordinates Kintama’s broader internal training and certification programs.
Melinda moved from the west coast to New Brunswick on the east coast in 1980, but migrated back after high school to study marine biology. She currently lives in Chemainus on Vancouver Island with her husband and her two border collies, Fiddich and Rascal. Melinda’s favorite past times include photography, scenic tours and hiking. She also enjoys good weather sailing and snowshoeing, though not at the same time.