About Us

Welcome to Roe! We navigate the intersection of science, sustainability, and success, ensuring a harmonious balance between progress and environmental responsibility.

The name ‘Roe’ pays homage to our past, acknowledges our present, and embraces our future. While fish science is our origin, our expertise extends to a diverse range of ecological values. Surrounded by the freshwater and marine habitats of British Columbia's south coast, fish remain at the forefront of our society, economy, and ecology—all water leads to fish.

Founded in 2007, we are an independently-owned environmental consultancy with a team of over 25 dedicated professionals. We operate out of offices in Metro Vancouver, the Sea to Sky region, Barrière, and Vancouver Island. Our head office in North Vancouver is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples. As responsible environmental stewards, we champion innovation and facilitate sustainable industrialization and resilient infrastructure, all while minimizing disruptions to our sky, land, and water

We take pride in our successful consultation on some of the largest and most complex projects completed in B.C., consistently upholding legislative, project, and permit conditions that are designed to protect the environmental value and ecosystems of the land.

Our extensive expertise spans fisheries, wildlife, urban and infrastructure development, regulatory approvals, and environmental construction monitoring. This breadth allows us to deliver cost-effective environmental consulting services that propel projects forward while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sound environmental management.

Work with us to create a future where development coexists with the preservation of our precious ecosystem.

Meet Roe

With over 70 years of combined industry-leading experience, our executives have fostered lasting relationships with developers, homeowners, contractors, and regulatory agencies throughout British Columbia and across Canada.

J. Stephen Sims, RPBio

Director, Senior Biologist – Head of Business Operations

  • “I have always loved fish, and I'm proud to be part of a team dedicated to ensuring they continue swimming upstream.”

    Stephen, a co-founder and Director at Roe, is a Registered Professional Biologist with nearly 20 years of environmental consulting experience. Instrumental to Roe, Stephen’s skillset blends environmental stewardship with ever-evolving regulatory requirements and public interests. He is focused on increasing our collective science base, understanding potential impacts of development on surrounding ecosystems, and providing practical and reliable advice to our clients.

    Actively engaged across various project sectors, including residential, utility operations and maintenance, and large-scale infrastructure development, Stephen's expertise lies in triaging complex environmental challenges and understanding biological and construction processes. His contributions to projects require collaboration with interdisciplinary professionals – engineers, geoscientists, foresters, agrologists, architects, lawyers, among others.

    Stephen is schooled in fisheries science, with a deep understanding of the relationship between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. He leads environmental assessments and mitigation planning efforts, acquires permits, develops monitoring programs, and provides advice throughout project implementation. His comprehensive grasp of municipal, provincial, and federal legislation supports project compliance in one of the world’s most rigorous legislative environments, British Columbia.

Chris “Kip” Macmillan, RPBio

Director, Senior Biologist – Head of Proponent Environmental Services

  • “The water and the fish, it's in my blood.”

    Kip brings over 18 years of environmental consulting experience to Roe. Growing up in the commercial fishing industry, Kip developed a deep-rooted passion for fisheries management and ecology. Spending his youth on the water instilled in him a profound appreciation for sustainable resource development and informed decision-making.

    As a co-founder of Roe, Kip is dedicated to facilitating sustainable development for all stakeholders. He specializes in designing and implementing Environmental Management Systems for large-scale construction projects, ensuring compliance with BC's environmental legislative framework. With a focus on collaboration and adaptability, Kip manages diverse infrastructure projects, including transportation, oil and gas, electrical transmission, and hydroelectric generation.

    Kip’s expertise spans environmental impact assessment, biological baseline assessment, and post-construction monitoring. He serves in various capacities, from owner’s rep to Independent Environmental Monitor, ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship. Experienced in environmental emergency response, Kip contributes to spill response and fish stranding assessment.

    Through his work in BC’s run-of-river hydroelectric industry, Kip has led the construction of 15 facilities, enhancing renewable energy while preserving environmental integrity.

McKenzie “Mack” Lee, RBTech, AScT, RTMgr

Director, Senior Biologist – Head of Infrastructure & Major Projects

  • “Everyone on our team possesses an inner naturalist—a passion for a natural element outside of work that informs our dedication to our professional endeavours.”

    Mack embodies a personal approach in his role at Roe. Inspired by a deep connection to the stream outside his childhood home, Mack embarked on a career in environmentalism, driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the natural world.

    Working over 11 years in environmental consulting in BC, Mack has emerged as the go-to consulting professional for run-of-river hydroelectric projects having served on numerous construction projects in and about water. His expertise extends to erosion and sediment control (ESC), anticipating and addressing issues before they arise.

    Beyond his technical qualifications as an AScT, RTMgr, R.B.Tech, and EP, Mack brings knowledge in construction methods applied to land development, infrastructure, and facility construction. He takes pride in his ability to develop adaptive management strategies for project delivery.

    As a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP), Mack has managed construction projects in sensitive stream environments, overseeing permitting, habitat assessment, and wildlife salvages. His role as an environmental manager underscores his commitment to project excellence.

    Beyond his professional undertakings at Roe, McKenzie contributes to the Pacific Streamkeepers, serving as a director for Eagle Creek in Burnaby. An avid outdoorsmen, he can be found recreating in the landscapes where his land development contributions were applied.

Maricruz Alvarado, MBA, CPA, CGA

Director, CFO

  • “I appreciate the trust we have built at Roe, and love the sense of a 'family business' where people are cared for, not just a number.”

    With over 30 years of finance and operations management expertise, Maricruz is deeply committed to driving financial excellence while fostering a flexible and cooperative team environment at Roe. Originally trained as a private accountant at the University of San Marcos in Costa Rica, Maricruz continued her education in Human Resources and Business Administration before immigrating to Canada. She furthered her credentials by completing the Certified General Accounting (CGA) program in Vancouver in 2001, followed by earning her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 2006.

    Maricruz excelled in roles such as owning and operating a public practice accounting firm, serving as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for mining companies, and acting as Controller for firms across Europe, Latin America, the United States, and Canada. Leveraging her expertise, she streamlined operations, drove growth, and enhanced efficiency.

    At Roe Environmental, Maricruz oversees the finance and accounting department, and the Workplace Environmental Management System (WEMS), taking pride in her team's adaptability and collaboration. With solid leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, she cultivates productive relationships with staff and management at all levels.

Thibault Doix, BSc, Certified Taxonomist

Senior Biologist – Wildlife Habitat Specialist

  • “My passion for observing wildlife was ignited in my parents’ backyard in the French Alps and continues to this day. I now strive to protect biodiversity for future generations.”

    Thibault Doix is a senior wildlife specialist and project manager with 25 years of environmental consulting experience, including a 15-year working relationship with Roe. His extensive expertise covers both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and their habitat, with a particular focus on birds, amphibians, and benthic invertebrates. Thibault is a certified benthic invertebrate taxonomist, Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) Project Manager, and has led biomonitoring projects nationwide since 2008. He is also Riparian Area Protection Regulation (RAPR) certified.

    Identifying sensitive habitats and species of management concern potentially overlapped by development projects is where Thibault excels. This step is essential during project planning as it ensures adequate characterization of project effects and the development of relevant mitigation measures. His sound knowledge of federal, provincial, and municipal legislation ensures successful and timely project permitting and completion.

    Thibault is a strong technical writer—he routinely prepares environmental overview assessments, environmental management and mitigation plans, and provides senior report reviews. Having gained a wealth of knowledge from several wildlife experts over the years, Thibault now takes pride in mentoring aspiring biologists and sharing his expertise.

Assunta McCullough, RPBio

Managing Biologist – Development Permitting Lead

  • “My deep love and curiosity for the natural world continues to inspire my work as a biologist.”

    Assunta merges thirteen years of industry expertise with an unwavering dedication to environmental conservation at Roe. She specializes in environmental overview assessments, Riparian Areas Protection Regulation assessments, and Water Sustainability Act permitting applications in the Lower Mainland and the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

    As a skilled liaison, Assunta bridges communication between owners, stakeholders, qualified professionals, and environmental coordinators, embodying professionalism and expertise. Beyond her technical ability, she adds a genuine connection with nature to her work. She takes pride in her team's diverse knowledge, compassion, and continuous investment in learning, recognizing their collective efforts as pivotal in safeguarding ecosystems.

    Assunta's breadth of knowledge in aquatic and terrestrial habitats, invasive species, and critical habitats for species at risk is applied to her work in assessment, environmental monitoring, wildlife surveying, fish salvaging, and erosion and sediment control, giving her a practical advantage when preparing successful permit applications, prescribing mitigation and monitoring requirements. Assunta is not only a biologist but an ally of our environment.

Imogen Chapple, RPBio, CBiol

Senior Biologist – Capital Works Regulatory Lead

  • “Thanks to the wisdom and wonder of our biological world shared by David Attenborough, I embarked on a journey to become a biologist.”

    Imogen Chappel's venture into environmental consulting was fuelled by lofty goals, good intentions, and a profound love for science.

    With over a decade of experience, Imogen has played integral roles in numerous environmental initiatives, from project procurement to conducting wildlife assessments and overseeing environmental monitoring. Her work at Roe reflects a steadfast commitment to professional and ethical environmental consulting, guided by a thorough understanding of legislation at federal, provincial, and municipal levels.

    Imogen holds a Master of Law in Global Environment and Climate Change Law from the University of Edinburgh and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, majoring in Biology from the University of Dundee. Her academic research included regulation around Species at Risk in BC, specifically the Killer Whale and marine impacts of climate change.

    Certifications held by Imogen encompass Indigenous Engagement and Consultation, Electrofishing, and Riparian Area Protection Regulation. Her volunteer endeavours with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and Langley Environmental Partners Society underscore her dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

    Imogen continues to expand her knowledge and expertise to contribute to preserving a sustainable and thriving planet, acknowledging with gratitude and respect the traditional territory of the Líl̓wat Nation on which she lives and works.

Matthew Joyce, RBTech, AAg

Managing Biologist – Field Program Lead

  • "I'm motivated to solve interdisciplinary problems while upholding the highest environmental standards of care while helping clients meet their construction objectives."

    As a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) with over a decade of industry experience in British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alberta, Matthew blends his regulatory permitting expertise with a passion for aquatic biology and mitigation planning. Inspired by his lifelong fascination with fish ecology, Matthew values his role at Roe, where he engages closely with fish and their captivating habitats.

    Throughout a career spanning oil & gas, run-of-river hydroelectric, municipal infrastructure maintenance and forestry, Matthew has skillfully managed environmental risk across various construction activities, from marine demolition to habitat enhancement projects, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable solutions that harmonize clients' needs with environmental preservation.

    Matt is driven to find interdisciplinary solutions for clients with unique permitting and mitigation planning challenges. He takes pride in contributing his diverse expertise to Roe Environmental, protecting and preserving our natural ecosystems.

Blake Aleksich, RBTech, AScT

Managing Biologist – Vancouver Island Office

  • “Give someone a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach someone to electrofish, and they can ensure we meet the conditions of our fish collection permit.”

    Blake is a Managing Biologist and leader of Roe Environmental's growing Vancouver Island division. He blends technical expertise with a love for the outdoors. With eleven years of industry experience, he holds the titles of Registered Biology Technologist (R.B. Tech) and Applied Science Technologist (AScT), along with being a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP).

    As a project manager for environmental monitoring on construction projects, Blake demonstrates adaptability and a common-sense approach to project delivery. His contributions span projects in the green energy, forestry, industrial, and civil construction construction sectors. Focused on regulatory consultation, project permitting, and mitigation strategies, Blake ensures projects meet the highest environmental standards. Blake prioritizes safety, ensuring team well-being while delivering exceptional environmental consulting results.

    In addition to biological services and construction mitigation strategy capability, Blake also has a background and knowledge in contaminated sites. He has conducted site assessments, remediation planning, receiving environment monitoring and assisted with the design and implementation of groundwater/ surface water monitoring programs.

Jeremy Appleton, RPBio, ISA Certified Arborist

Senior Biologist – Vancouver Island Office

  • “I'm here to master the full spectrum of applied biology, whether it’s fish, frogs, birds, and trees.”

    Dedicated to the preservation of our natural world, Jeremy Appleton brings a wealth of experience and a passion for environmental stewardship to Roe. Inspired by the majestic beauty of the North Shore Mountains, Jeremy's childhood fascination with local ecosystems ignited his journey towards becoming a Certified Arborist and Registered Professional Biologist.

    With a Master of Science in Environmental Practice from Royal Roads University and ongoing studies in Counseling Psychology at Yorkville University, Jeremy possesses a unique blend of scientific expertise and a deep understanding of human behaviour. With over a decade of experience in the field, Jeremy has served in various roles, from acting Supervisor of Environment to Field Biologist at Metro Vancouver Regional District in North Vancouver.

    His tenure as a Field Technologist and Forest Worker in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve underscores his commitment to hands-on conservation efforts. Driven by a desire to protect our ecosystems and support the well-being of both people and nature, Jeremy embodies Roe Environmental's mission of sustainability and environmental excellence.

Our Locations

Head Office
North Vancouver

Phone: 604 987 5588

Vancouver Island Office
Qualicum

Phone: 250 410 4998

Sea-to-Sky Office
Squamish

Phone: 604 493 2106

Kind Words

“Innergex has used Roe Environmental (previously Sartori Environmental) for over a decade to provide environmental oversight of critical, sensitive civil works and operational compliance at our fleet of 22 operating renewable wind and hydroelectric projects in British Columbia. We always receive solid advice, support, and solutions from the great group of professionals at Roe.”

—
Julia Mancinelli
Senior Director – Environment
Innergex