GERHARD (GER) SILVIS

Board Chair

Ger oversees a portfolio of capital projects in the northern Alberta energy industry.  He has a background in mechanical and electrical engineering, and is passionate about business and entrepreneurship, with interests in the food and beverage industry, cabinetry and renovations, hospitality and real estate. 

Ger is a proud Canadian and South African dual citizen and enjoys road cycling in his spare time.  He is married to Kassi and has two children.

HEIDI TRATNIK

Board Member

With nearly two decades of experience in the field of accounting within small to medium enterprises, Heidi brings a wealth of expertise to the table. In 2012-2013, she undertook a transformative journey by dedicating a year to Bible school. This experience proved instrumental in dispelling the notion of a "second-class" calling solely based on not being a pastor or on the mission field. During a business-focused mission trip to New York City, which included a visit to the stock exchange, she had an epiphany that her calling resonated strongly with the marketplace. In 2019, she founded a contract CFO consulting firm with a focused aim: to assist entrepreneurs in aligning their business endeavors with Kingdom purposes.

Consequently, her involvement in the community, and subsequently serving on the board, is a logical extension of her commitment to impacting our world for God's glory.

Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in diverse interests, including figure skating, scuba diving, gardening, and camping. These activities provide a well-rounded balance to life, complemented by the enriching companionship of her husband and their dog.

DALE HODGSON

Co-Founder & Education Committee Chair

Dale is a successful entrepreneur.  He has owned or been involved in numerous businesses in printing, technology, resort management and real estate.  One of his interests is part-owner of Kokanee Springs Golf Resort.  Dale grew up on a dairy farm west of Calgary. 

He and Merleen have two boys and numerous grandchildren.  Dale is an avid golfer and is a co-founder of Corpath Business Forums.

JOHN VELDKAMP

Director-at-Large

The most important roles in John’s life are that of husband to his wife, Evelyn and father to his 5 boys. What led him to join Corpath was the way Corpath uses the three gauges to help its members grow their leadership in their faith, family and firm. 

John has been CEO and Corporate Counsel of Christian Credit Union since 2008. The vision of Christian Credit Union is to be the recognized leader in applying Christian values to financial services. To help achieve this vision, John became a member of Corpath a few years after becoming CEO. The advice and support received from the friendly Board of Directors of experienced business leaders in his Corpath Forum has been instrumental in his development as a leader.

ANDREW BURGESS

Accelerator Member Committee Chair

Andrew is an IT risk management consultant and has spent the majority of his career in the Calgary-based oil and gas industry where he has helped facilitate various merger and integration projects.  Andrew is a born and raised Calgarian. 

He is married to Natasha and in his spare time enjoys mountain biking and downhill skiing.

Ross Gilker

Board Member

Ross grew up in Edmonton and graduated from the University of Alberta with a B. Ed (Special Education). He taught in a private school and then in the juvenile detention system teaching kids with behaviourial issues and learning disabilities. He then worked in his father’s construction company managing the landscape maintenance and construction division.

In 1990 Ross made a significant career change joining a career transition organization assisting injured workers to find new careers. He led Job Finding Clubs for several years before transferring to Calgary to lead the Calgary and Lethbridge offices. In 1996 he joined Garth Toombs & Associates as a career transition coach working with laid off employees to help them find new careers, start businesses, return to school or find meaningful work in their professional area of expertise.

After his stroke in 2007, Ross was determined to recover to the point where he could ride his road bike again. He formed a cycle group called CycleTherapy and began raising money for various groups through an annual 100km ride through the Bow Valley Parkway. To date, they have raised over $400,000 with $300,000 going to the Associatiion for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI).