About Us
The experience of Ally’s core team spans across military and policing operations, crisis communications, telecommunications security, and commercial finance. Together, we have been extensively involved in all aspects of emergency management and can help ensure you are as ready as possible when the moment comes.
Paul Ursich, CD, MBA
President and CEO
Tel: (604) 816-3944
Email: paulursich@yourally.ca
Paul has over two decades of experience in emergency management, operations, training, project management, planning and team leadership. With a unique background in both the corporate and military worlds, he has combined his acquired strengths and natural aptitudes in creating Ally Management.
Paul earned his undergraduate and MBA degrees from Simon Fraser University and developed his business skills as a commercial account manager for the Bank of Montreal. A full Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, he is the current Brigade Commander, 39 Canadian Brigade Group and has also served as Commanding Officer of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and Chief-of-Staff for the 39 Canadian Brigade Group, responsible for leading up to 1,600 personnel, providing strategic planning, staff training and the development and execution of full-scale emergency management exercises. In his current role, he has developed and conducted large-and small-scale emergency planning exercises for clients in both the private and public sectors.
Paul has over two decades of experience in emergency management, operations, training, project management, planning and team leadership. With a unique background in both the corporate and military worlds, he has combined his acquired strengths and natural aptitudes in creating Ally Management.
Paul earned his undergraduate and MBA degrees from Simon Fraser University and developed his business skills as a commercial account manager for the Bank of Montreal. A full Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, he is the current Brigade Commander, 39 Canadian Brigade Group and has also served as Commanding Officer of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and Chief-of-Staff for the 39 Canadian Brigade Group, responsible for leading up to 1,600 personnel, providing strategic planning, staff training and the development and execution of full-scale emergency management exercises. In his current role, he has developed and conducted large-and small-scale emergency planning exercises for clients in both the private and public sectors.
John Perry, CD, ABCP
Chief Design Officer
Tel: (604) 803-1070
Email: johnperry@yourally.ca
John has served as a senior officer in the Canadian Army and has extensive experience in the planning process, the delivery of training, and the design, delivery and review of exercises. With formal training in Emergency Management through the Justice Institute of British Coumbia, he has had the opportunity to work with all levels of government (Municipal, Provincial, Federal) as well as diverse groups such as transportation (airport/port authorities), First Responders (Police/ Fire/Ambulance), public schools, and First Nations bands. He currently serves as a sessional instructor for the JIBC’s Emergency Management program. A highlight of his Emergency Management career was his assistance to the RCMP Integrated Security Unit in support of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. John was awarded the RCMP Commander’s Commendation for his contributions to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympiic Games Exercise Program.
John is a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, the BC Association of Emergency Managers and the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association. He also earned his FAA Commercial Pilot’s Licence from Comair Aviation Aademy, FL and flies radio controlled model aircraft as a hobby.
John has served as a senior officer in the Canadian Army and has extensive experience in the planning process, the delivery of training, and the design, delivery and review of exercises. With formal training in Emergency Management through the Justice Institute of British Coumbia, he has had the opportunity to work with all levels of government (Municipal, Provincial, Federal) as well as diverse groups such as transportation (airport/port authorities), First Responders (Police/ Fire/Ambulance), public schools, and First Nations bands. He currently serves as a sessional instructor for the JIBC’s Emergency Management program. A highlight of his Emergency Management career was his assistance to the RCMP Integrated Security Unit in support of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. John was awarded the RCMP Commander’s Commendation for his contributions to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympiic Games Exercise Program.
John is a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, the BC Association of Emergency Managers and the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association. He also earned his FAA Commercial Pilot’s Licence from Comair Aviation Aademy, FL and flies radio controlled model aircraft as a hobby.
Dave Whittier, CD, MSc
Chief Information Officer
Tel: (778) 951-2230
Email: dave.whittier@yourally.ca
Dave has over 30 years of experience in technology, training, operations and leadership. He has served as a telecommunications and technology planner for several significant special events, including the ’97 APEC Summit, the ’02 G8 Summit and the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. As an employee of the City of Vancouver, Dave responded to numerous EOC activations as either Director or Plans Chief.
Dave earned degrees in Science and Computer Science from the University of Victoria and the University of Ottawa. A Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, he has commanded troops and planned telecommunications support to operations at home and overseas. He is currently a part-time instructor at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College, teaching operational planning. Dave has extensive experience in the Canadian military procurement system, and has served as Technical Authority for multimillion dollar IT and Telecom projects.
Dave has over 30 years of experience in technology, training, operations and leadership. He has served as a telecommunications and technology planner for several significant special events, including the ’97 APEC Summit, the ’02 G8 Summit and the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. As an employee of the City of Vancouver, Dave responded to numerous EOC activations as either Director or Plans Chief.
Dave earned degrees in Science and Computer Science from the University of Victoria and the University of Ottawa. A Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, he has commanded troops and planned telecommunications support to operations at home and overseas. He is currently a part-time instructor at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College, teaching operational planning. Dave has extensive experience in the Canadian military procurement system, and has served as Technical Authority for multimillion dollar IT and Telecom projects.
Cam Kowalski, MA
Associate
Tel: (778) 580-5276
Email: cam.kowalski@yourally.ca
Cam spent over three decades serving in municipal and federal policing roles throughout the country. During his career, he led some of the largest and most complex security operations in Canadian history, including his role as lead aviation security planner for both the 2010 Olympics as well as the G8/G20 Summits. He served as the airspace security commander for the multi-agency (NORAD, FAA, Transport Canada, NAVCANADA, CBSA, and CATSA), multi-national effort responsible for the execution of both aviation plans. Cam received multiple awards for his leadership of these operations which included a personal letter of thanks from President Barack Obama. Following his retirement from the RCMP in 2018, Cam led the safety and security operations for the Great Canadian Railtour Company, Ltd. (Rocky Mountaineer), which included strategic oversight of all safety, security and emergency management initiatives for the largest private rail company in the world.
Cam has extensive experience in emergency management as well as incident command and is a sessional instructor for the Justice Institute of British Columbia. He instructs organizations in the areas of incident command and emergency operations management. In 2018, Cam received his Master’s degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University and has published his research in the Journal of Business Continuity and Emergency Management. In his spare time Cam sits of the board of directors of Emergency Preparedness for Industry and Commerce Committee (EPICC) as well as the awards committee for the International Association of Women in Policing (IAWP). Cam is an avid reader and painter which are his true passions in life.
Cam spent over three decades serving in municipal and federal policing roles throughout the country. During his career, he led some of the largest and most complex security operations in Canadian history, including his role as lead aviation security planner for both the 2010 Olympics as well as the G8/G20 Summits. He served as the airspace security commander for the multi-agency (NORAD, FAA, Transport Canada, NAVCANADA, CBSA, and CATSA), multi-national effort responsible for the execution of both aviation plans. Cam received multiple awards for his leadership of these operations which included a personal letter of thanks from President Barack Obama. Following his retirement from the RCMP in 2018, Cam led the safety and security operations for the Great Canadian Railtour Company, Ltd. (Rocky Mountaineer), which included strategic oversight of all safety, security and emergency management initiatives for the largest private rail company in the world.
Cam has extensive experience in emergency management as well as incident command and is a sessional instructor for the Justice Institute of British Columbia. He instructs organizations in the areas of incident command and emergency operations management. In 2018, Cam received his Master’s degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University and has published his research in the Journal of Business Continuity and Emergency Management. In his spare time Cam sits of the board of directors of Emergency Preparedness for Industry and Commerce Committee (EPICC) as well as the awards committee for the International Association of Women in Policing (IAWP). Cam is an avid reader and painter which are his true passions in life.
Behind the Scenes Support
Emma Point, MES, BSc(Env)
Associate
Email: emma.point@yourally.ca
Emma has a background in biophysical accounting of food production systems, and management of community food security projects. She currently coordinates over 800 volunteers annually at a community farm that grows food for the food bank. Her interest in community food systems evolved from seven seasons of managing kitchens in tree planting and fire base camps, and remote wilderness lodges.
Emma holds a Master of Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Environmental Sciences from the University of Guelph. In the community, Emma has volunteered as a chef at a youth shelter, and with a volunteer fire team in a small community on northern Vancouver Island.
Emma has a background in biophysical accounting of food production systems, and management of community food security projects. She currently coordinates over 800 volunteers annually at a community farm that grows food for the food bank. Her interest in community food systems evolved from seven seasons of managing kitchens in tree planting and fire base camps, and remote wilderness lodges.
Emma holds a Master of Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Environmental Sciences from the University of Guelph. In the community, Emma has volunteered as a chef at a youth shelter, and with a volunteer fire team in a small community on northern Vancouver Island.
Greg Johnstone
Associate-Photographer
Tel: (604) 866-8118
Email: greg.johnstone@yourally.ca
Greg is an avid photographer who has developed his skills in a broad spectrum of subjects including portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and urban photography. Greg applies many of these skills while capturing emergency exercises designed and conducted by Ally for a broad cross-section of clients. From general audience shots, through to personal “in-action” photographs, as well as capturing dramatic events during the exercises, all of these have served to provide a photographic journal for use by Ally and also made available to the clients.
Greg’s other interests include aviation photography, railroad and military history, and he is a self-confessed photography geek!
Greg is an avid photographer who has developed his skills in a broad spectrum of subjects including portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and urban photography. Greg applies many of these skills while capturing emergency exercises designed and conducted by Ally for a broad cross-section of clients. From general audience shots, through to personal “in-action” photographs, as well as capturing dramatic events during the exercises, all of these have served to provide a photographic journal for use by Ally and also made available to the clients.
Greg’s other interests include aviation photography, railroad and military history, and he is a self-confessed photography geek!