Our Team

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 CEOPaul brings over twenty years of extensive experience in emergency management, operations, training, project management, planning, and team leadership to his role. With a unique background encompassing both the corporate and military realms, he has leveraged his acquired skills and innate abilities to establish Ally Management.Paul holds undergraduate and MBA degrees from Simon Fraser University and honed his business acumen as a commercial account manager at the Bank of Montreal. As a full Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, he currently serves as the Brigade Commander for the 39 Canadian Brigade Group. Additionally, he has held prominent positions such as Commanding Officer of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and Chief-of-Staff for the 39 Canadian Brigade Group. In these capacities, he has overseen up to 1,600 personnel, providing strategic planning, staff training, and spearheading the development and execution of comprehensive emergency management exercises.In his current role, Paul has excelled in developing and conducting large- and small-scale emergency planning exercises for clients across both the private and public sectors.John Perry, CD, ABCP Chief Design Officer John brings a wealth of experience to his role, having served as a senior officer in the Canadian Army. With a strong background in the planning process, training delivery, and exercise design, implementation, and review, he is well-versed in emergency management practices. John has received formal training in Emergency Management from the Justice Institute of British Columbia, and his expertise spans various levels of government, including municipal, provincial, and federal, as well as diverse groups such as transportation authorities, first responders, public schools, and First Nations bands.John has served as a sessional instructor for the Emergency Management program at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC). One of the highlights of his career was providing assistance to the RCMP Integrated Security Unit during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, for which he was honoured with the RCMP Commander’s Commendation for his outstanding contributions to the Exercise Program.John holds the designation of Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) and is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the International Association of Emergency Managers, the BC Association of Emergency Managers, and the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association. Additionally, he has obtained his FAA Commercial Pilot’s License from Comair Aviation Academy, FL.Dave Whittier, CD, MSc  Chief Information Officer With over 30 years of diverse experience in technology, training, operations, and leadership, Dave brings a wealth of expertise to his role. He has played pivotal roles as a telecommunications and technology planner for several major special events, including the ’97 APEC Summit, the ’02 G8 Summit, and the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. During his tenure at the City of Vancouver, Dave responded to numerous Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, assuming positions such as Director or Plans Chief.Dave holds degrees in Science and Computer Science from the University of Victoria and the University of Ottawa. Additionally, as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, he has commanded troops and coordinated telecommunications support for operations both domestically and abroad. Currently, he serves as a part-time instructor at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College, where he imparts knowledge in operational planning.Dave’s extensive experience also extends to the Canadian military procurement system, where he has served as Technical Authority for multimillion-dollar IT and Telecom projects. His multifaceted background uniquely positions him as a seasoned professional capable of navigating complex technological landscapes and leading teams to success.Cam Kowalski, MA Senior Associate Cam brings over three decades of invaluable experience from his tenure in municipal and federal policing roles across Canada. Throughout his distinguished career, he spearheaded some of the nation’s largest and most intricate security operations. Notably, he served as the lead aviation security planner for both the 2010 Olympics and the G8/G20 Summits, overseeing multifaceted efforts involving various agencies and international partners. His remarkable leadership in these endeavors earned him multiple awards, including recognition from President Barack Obama.After retiring from the RCMP in 2018, Cam assumed the role of leading safety and security operations for the Great Canadian Railtour Company, Ltd. (Rocky Mountaineer), where he provided strategic oversight for safety, security, and emergency management initiatives.Cam’s expertise extends to emergency management and incident command, and he serves as a sessional instructor at the Justice Institute of British Columbia, imparting knowledge in incident command and emergency operations management. In addition, he earned his Master’s degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University in 2018 and has contributed his research to the Journal of Business Continuity and Emergency Management.Emma Point, MES, BSc(Env) Administration Emma brings a diverse background in biophysical accounting of food production systems and management of community food security projects. Currently, she oversees the coordination of over 800 volunteers annually at a community farm dedicated to growing food for the local food bank. Her passion for community food systems stems from her extensive experience, including seven seasons managing kitchens in tree planting and fire base camps, as well as 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 addition to her academic achievements, Emma has actively contributed to her community by volunteering as a chef at a youth shelter and serving with a volunteer fire team in a small community on northern Vancouver Island. Her commitment to community engagement and sustainable food systems underscores her dedication to making a positive impact in her community.Greg Johnstone Photographer Greg is a passionate photographer with expertise across various subjects, including portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and urban photography. He utilizes these skills extensively while documenting emergency exercises organized and executed by Ally for a diverse range of clients. Greg’s photography encompasses everything from capturing general audience shots to personal “in-action” photographs and dramatic events during the exercises. His work not only provides a visual record for Ally but is also made available to clients, serving as a valuable photographic journal.Beyond photography, Greg’s interests span aviation photography, railroad and military history, making him a self-professed photography enthusiast with a penchant for capturing compelling images in diverse settings.

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