Board Member Bios

Samantha is a Development Officer with the University of Victoria and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She has been working in the fundraising and communications sector since completing the UVic Public Relations program in 2004. She previously spent ten years in the Canadian Navy as a Naval Combat Information Operator serving on the HMCS Vancouver and HMCS Protecteur. Samantha has mainly lived in Victoria for 20 years and enjoys contributing to local charitable causes in event planning, communications and building community relationships. An active volunteer with the MFRC since completing her service, she feels it’s a great privilege to serve military families with the Esquimalt MFRC. Samantha and her husband (an AESOP Warrant Officer with 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron) enjoy spending time outdoors on their Saanich Peninsula acreage with their very active young son.

Kathy Cook has been a military spouse for over 29 years. She is employed as a paralegal and has worked primarily in family law since 1991. Kathy and her husband have two children (23 and 27) who were involved in competitive sports for many years. Her husband coached field lacrosse for 10 years as well, so by default she too became involved. Kathy managed his teams for 10 years and held executive positions in field and box lacrosse at the local, regional and provincial level. She was a tournament coordinator for four provincial and two national lacrosse tournaments and was the Zone Coordinator for field lacrosse at the BC Summer Games in 2008 and 2010. She also sat on the executive for the Island Hoppers Precision Jump Rope team for three years. Volunteering is important to Kathy and she likes to stay connected in some way to the community. Being a part of the MFRC Board will allow her to continue to do that and assist military families at the same time.

Pierre is a retired officer who served for 35 years in the Canadian Armed Forces.  In addition to his operational experience, he possesses a wealth of experience in military personnel policy development.  Pierre and his family lived military life to the fullest, with all of its challenges, during numerous assignments that included two overseas postings and a NORAD assignment in the U.S.A.  He is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, deploying for six months in 2006.  He and his wife Terri, who has worked as a DND employee in several locations, have two grown sons; one who proudly served in Canada’s military and the other who continues to do so.  Together with Terri, Pierre enjoys sailing and is also an active volunteer with the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) in Esquimalt.

Emily is a military spouse and mother of two energetic young daughters. She acquired a Diploma in Business Administration at the University of Victoria and graduated from Royal Roads University with a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies in 2015. Emily is currently working as a Civilian Employee at DND. Previously, she has assisted over five hundred refugees and immigrants in their career transition through her 8 years at the Victoria Immigrant & Refugee Centre Society. Emily has been part of the military community since her oldest daughter started at the MFRC daycare when she was one and a half years old. While pregnant with their second daughter and with her military husband on course in Winnipeg and Gagetown for most of a year, the MFRC provided much needed support. Emily and her family love the island lifestyle. She enjoys being active in her community by volunteering at a variety of organizations and events. For the last 3 years she has supported the Esquimalt MFRC in various volunteering opportunities.  She believes that resilience and maintaining a positive attitude can help a military family through even the toughest time. The military community is important to Emily, and by joining the MFRC Board, it will allow her to bring her non-profit organization management and operational skills, as well her community connection.

Leta Martin is currently an employee with the Vancouver Island Health Authority where she works as a Coordinator in Quality and Patient Safety.  In this role she is responsible for working with a wide range of stakeholders to help resolve patient safety concerns as they arise.  This work includes conversing and consulting with those involved in safety events as well as gathering and analyzing historical data to create forward thinking quality improvement plans.  In addition to her work at the Health Authority, Leta also has 8 years of banking experience working at Coast Capital Savings and has worked for the Department of National Defence doing policy and procurement work at Base Logistics.  Her formal education includes a Bachelor of Commerce and an MA in Dispute Resolution.  Leta’s volunteer history includes coordinating volunteer teams of 15 -20 people annually at Operation Track Shoes for the past 9 years, holding an Executive Member position on the University of Victoria Commerce Student Society, and coordinating and planning multiple formal banquets and networking events for upwards of 200 attendees for the students of the Gustavson School of Business. Leta’s husband is in the Navy, and this first-hand knowledge of the military family lifestyle will be a great asset on the Board of Directors for Esquimalt MFRC.

Katelyn has worked in public affairs at the Base since 2015. First for Maritime Forces Pacific, where she helped to support the Royal Canadian Navy’s communications activities on the west coast, and most recently at CFB Esquimalt, where she works to enhance engagement between the Base and local community. In addition, Katelyn has volunteered for numerous organizations, most recently serving as co-manager of GovernexxVI – a regional network for federal public servants on Vancouver Island. As both a military spouse and civilian employee, her personal and professional experience with the military are a great addition to the board. In her spare time, Katelyn enjoys reading, crocheting and exploring Vancouver Island’s beautiful beaches and hiking trails. She is proud to be able to give back to the military community as a member of the MFRC Board of Directors.

Jennifer is part of the Private Equity team at BC Investment Management Corporation (BCI) in Victoria.  Originally from the Philippines, she moved to southern Ontario in her early childhood and has lived on southern Vancouver Island for over 20 years.  Jennifer obtained her third level of CGA studies at Camosun College and completed the Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation through the Canadian Payroll Association in 2008.  Jennifer has an extensive background and experience in finance, payroll and benefits, HR and Administration.  She continues to enjoy working in finance and with people in all capacities.  For fun she enjoys playing sports, volleyball, dragon boating, kayaking, and walking the trails and walkways of the beautiful surrounding areas of Victoria.  Volunteering and giving back to the community in some form has always been very important to Jennifer.  She has worked with and volunteered for many non-profit organizations, volunteered for various local charitable events, coached many sports teams, various Director Boards, several Strata councils, the Victoria Women’s Volleyball Association and several Ship family networks. Jennifer and her spouse (in Avionics with 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron) enjoy spending time with family and friends and living the southern Vancouver Island lifestyle.  Being a military spouse, Jennifer looks forward to working with the MFRC again as it is a way to connect with so many military families and working towards supporting them through the military’s ever changing way of life.

Braden is a Lawyer with Stevenson Luchies & Legh in Downtown Victoria. His practice includes Family law, Wills and Estates, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury, and solicitors work. He received his JD from the University of Victoria and completed his articles with his current firm. He retired from the Canadian Forces in April 2016 after completing 12 years of service within the Canadian Army, the last three as a reservist while completing law school. The Highlight of Braden‘s career was his deployment to Afghanistan as part of the 1er Battalion R22eR Battle Group in 2010-2011. Braden‘s spouse is an Officer in the Navy, with whom he has a young son. In his law practice, Braden gives back to the community at large through his work with legal aid, assisting people in need with their Family law issues including those who have had their children apprehended by the government. For Braden, volunteering with the MFRC was a natural decision that will allow him to support military families outside of the legal realm. Braden is excited to bring his knowledge and experiences as a veteran, military spouse, and lawyer to the Board and give back to the community.

Sylvain retired from the regular force in 2019, after 37 years of service. He transferred to the primary reserve where he is currently the Commanding Officer of 39 Service Battalion, a unit spreading from Victoria to Chilliwack. He has 10 years of Board experience having previously served on the National Capital Region and on the Kingston MFRCs Board of Directors on various committees and initiatives, including the national accreditation program as an advisor to the Directorate of Military Family Services. He has completed the DMFS/Telfer Certificate in Non-Profit Society Governance.  In 2016, he was presented the Spirit of Military Families Award and Coin for his efforts and involvement with MFRCs. He officially joined the Esquimalt MFRC in 2018. Sylvain has served in four provinces, five countries, and moved with his family 12 times due to his military career.  He has served on UN, NATO, and EUCOM missions. He lives in Colwood and actively volunteers with the Metchosin Ground Search and Rescue Society and with the “francophonie” of Victoria. Sylvain is a lifelong learner and insatiable traveler (95 countries, 45 US states, 10 Provinces, & 1 territory), grabbing on every opportunity to learn more about life and cultures. He is married to Suzie a retired school teacher and they have two wonderful adult daughters (one being a Board Director for the BC Main Land MFRC).

Daniel spent his early years travelling between Regina, Calgary and Toronto, before joining the Royal Canadian Navy in 2009 as a Naval Communicator.  He has served on 5 warships, HMCS Calgary, HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Regina, and HMCS Vancouver, where he deployed as part of Operations MOBILE and ACTIVE ENDEVOUR in 2011/2012. He is currently working onboard HMCS Whitehorse as the Senior Naval Communicator.  Daniel believes that the strength of the Military Family comes from its diversity and community.  When not in uniform, he likes to keep himself busy by reading, running and spending too much time on social media.

CPO1 Alden ‘Al’ Darragh grew up in Calgary, Alberta and joined the Royal Canadian Navy in June 1988, as a Marine Engineering Mechanic. On completion of Basic Training in Cornwallis, NS, he was posted to the Marine Engineering Technician Training Plan (METTP) in Cornwall, Ont., to complete a Diploma in Marine Engineering. During his training he sailed on his first ship HMCS Fraser and successfully completed his AMOC. He then completed the TQ5 portion of the course in Halifax and was posted to the west coast. CPO1 Darragh spent time on steam destroyers completing a Certificate 2A serving on both HMCS Kootenay and Restigouche. He then switched over to the IRO Class destroyers including; HMCS Huron (x2), Athabaskan and Algonquin (x2) completing a Cert 2D, 3D and Cert 4. He served as the Chief Engine Room Artificer (CERA) onboard HMCS Algonquin 2007-2010. During his time at sea he completed several named operations and university courses transforming his love of Canadian history into a Baccalaureate of Arts. The time between sea postings was spent at Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt – MSE Div (x2) and Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (x2). In 2012 CPO1 Darragh was promoted to his current rank and posted to DNR 7 in Ottawa, working on the requirements team for the Canadian Surface Combatant. Returning to Victoria for second language training in 2015. On completion he was appointed as Coxswain of HMCS Ottawa. A very challenging tour as Coxswain ended with a deployment to Indo-Asia Pacific. He was then posted to AJAG Pacific as the Regional CPO1 in 2017. He assumed his current role as Base Chief CFB Esquimalt in June 2020. CPO1 Darragh lives in Langford, B.C. with his wife Tamara. He enjoys spending time with the family which continues to grow with the addition of new grand-children.

Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Jaquemot enrolled in the CAF in the fall of 1987 and completed basic training in St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec in early 1988. He joined as a Naval Electronic Sensor Operator (NESOP) and has served the great majority of his career in Esquimalt, BC. During the first part of his career, CPO1 Jaquemot progressed through the ranks as a NESOP aboard HMCS QU’APPELLE, HMCS MCKENZIE, HMCS KOOTENAY, HMCS ALGONQUIN, HMCS OTTAWA (Commissioning Crew) and finally as Above Water Warfare Director on HMCS WINNIPEG from 2003 to 2006. CPO1 Jaquemot deployed on OP FORWARD ACTION (Haiti) in 1994, OP APOLLO (CTF 150) in 2002 and OP ALTAIR (CTF 150) in 2005. In 2008, he joined the Canadian Fleet Pacific F3 OPS Staff, as Chief NESOP. During his time in Fleet Staff he participated in multiple national exercise such as TRIDENT FURY and international exercises including RIMPAC ‘08 onboard USS KITTY HAWK (last voyage) and as part of the Maritime Component Commander Battle Watch for OP PODIUM in 2010. In 2012, he was posted to the VCDS group in Ottawa in the Director General of Capability and Structure Integration (DG CSI) as a Strategic Capability Analyst for joint capability projects, involving Space, CBRNE and other joint projects. During this time he also participated in JOINTEX ’13 in Kingston, ON as the staff officer for CFWC/J6 lessons learned. In 2014 he was posted back on the west coast as the Primary Leadership Qualification – Chief Instructor in the Leadership Division of Naval Fleet School – Pacific. Promoted to his current rank in 2015, he remained at NFS(P) overseeing the NCM PD for the west coast for the Junior-Intermediate-Advance Environmental Leadership Programs. In 2016 he was appointed as Coxswain of HMCS WINNPEG. During his time as Coxswain, CPO1 Jaquemot deployed to the Indo-Asia Pacific region for OP POSEIDON CUTLASS. CPO1 Jaquemot is a graduate of the KEYSTONE program for United States Military Senior Enlisted Leaders and other selected members from the FIVE EYES community with emphasis on Joint Strategic Command. CPO1 Jaquemot was appointed to his current position as the Canadian Fleet Pacific – Fleet Chief in May 2018.

CPO1 Tim Blonde grew-up in Woodstock Ontario and in June 1991, he joined the Navy as a Marine Engineer Technician. After completing recruit training, he spent his first three years in the Navy attending St. Lawrence College in Cornwall Ontario under the Marine Engineering Technologist Training Program (METTP). In 1994, after successfully completing METTP and having obtained his Marine Engineering Technologist Diploma, Tim was posted to CFB Halifax in order to complete the hand-skills phase of the METTP Program. In December 1994 he was posted to the Esquimalt area where he would spend the next five years sailing on HMCS KOOTENAY and HURON and working in Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton. In May 2000, Tim was posted to HMCS CATARAQUI in Kingston, Ontario as support staff to the Naval Reserve unit. After spending 4 years there and being promoted to PO1, he returned to the west coast and was posted to HMCS ALGONQUIN. In 2007 Tim was posted to Ottawa, Ontario and spent the next 4 years with DPGR and one year with DGMEPM. Tim returned to the west coast once more as a CPO2 and was posted to HMCS CALGARY as the Chief Engineer, where he brought the first post-Halifax Class Modernization Integrated Platform Management System ship out of refit and into operation. He was promoted in Oct 2013 to his current rank and subsequently posted to Director New Capability Introduction. After attending a yearlong French course in Victoria B.C., he was appointed as Coxswain of HMCS VANCOUVER in July 2016 where he deployed to the South China Sea. In June 2018, he was appointed as the Canadian Fleet Atlantic CPO1 in Halifax, NS and in May 2019, he was appointed into his current position as Maritime Forces Pacific, Formation CPO1.