STAFF INFORMATION - BIOS



BRANDON THOMAS, B.C.R.
Executive Director
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Brandon has been with Next Step from the start. His education background consists of a Bachelor Degree in Community Rehabilitation from the University of Calgary, and he has been working with individuals with disabilities for 24 years. His passion is playing guitar and he would like to record an instrumental CD in the near future.



JAN OLECHOWSKI, CHRP
Human Resources Manager
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Jan graduated from Royal Roads University, Human Resources Management and holds a designation as a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP). Jan's brother lived his life with disabilities, so Jan has always been a strong advocate for people with disabilities and has been very involved as a volunteer. She is proud to have received awards in both 2007 and 2008 for her dedication to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities on both a personal level and as an employer of people with disabilities.  Jan loves spending time with family and friends and traveling.




ROD DEVRIES, B.A., D.C.S.
Program Coordinator
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Rod graduated from Ambassador University in Pasadena California in 1985 with a BA (Major in Theology) and completed Masters Studies at Regent College in Vancouver BC receiving a Diploma in Christian Studies in 1996.  Rod worked in Pastoral Ministry in California, Vancouver, and Winnipeg for many years then moved into the financial world as an investment and insurance broker.  After several years in private practice, the desire to work more closely with people and serve in the Human Services arena eventually brought Rod to Next Step where he works as an Adult Program Coordinator. Rod enjoys astronomy, palaeontology and ancient hisory. When possible Rod likes to get out to do some fishing or playing a round of golf.



JAIME JANOT
Program Coordinator
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Jaime came to Next Step with over 12 years experience in the field of rehabilitation.  Starting front line and  hands on, Jaime takes pride in putting herself in the shoes of the staff and individuals and always likes to take a holistic approach to developing program plans and setting goals. Jaime likes to be proactive rather than reactive, and takes great pride in showing her genuine personality in her work daily in dealing with staff, guardians and individuals. In her spare time she likes to go camping and ATVing with her family, and to spend quality time with her husband and children.



JENNIFER BOOTH, B.A. (hons) Grad. Dip. Ed.
Behaviour Specialist & Program Coordinator
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Jennifer moved to Ottawa in 2003 where she completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours).  While there she worked as an Intensive Behavioural Therapist with children with autism, starting off as a one-to-one therapist and ending as a Senior Therapist when she moved to Australia in 2008.  She completed her Graduate Diploma in Education in sunny Queensland, Australia in June 2009.  Jennifer also worked as a Program Supervisor for an internatinal verbal behaviour consulting company while overseas.  She arrived in Brooks in June 2009 and started working with Next Step. She is committed to ongoing professional development and has attended various workshops including those on sensory regulation, behaviour management, social skills development and speech development.   Jennifer is an Accredited Triple P Practitioner, Standard and Group Stepping Stones,  for Next Step.  Jennifer enjoys travelling, meeting new people, reading and spending time with her friends and family.




MARINA LYNCH, Cert. MOA
Program Coordinator, Children's Dept
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Marina completed the one-year Medical Office Assistant program through Medicine Hat College and is currently working toward her degree in Psychology through Athabasca University.  She brings experience as a Team Leader and Frontline Staff to her position of Program Coordinator, providing support for children with disabilities. Marina is an Accredited Triple P Practitioner, Standard and Group Stepping Stones, for Next Step.   In her spare time, Marina enjoys traveling, quadding, and playing board games.