yáqʷa Development Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Piche as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the organization. Richard is a seasoned executive with extensive leadership experience, particularly in the energy sector, and has served on the yáqʷa board since its inception. His deep understanding of the organization and its longterm vision will help ensure strong continuity and steady leadership during this transition period.

Tony Brady will continue to support the organization in a strategic consulting role, providing ongoing guidance across major projects, partnerships, and priority initiatives. His continued involvement will help maintain momentum and ensure continuity across keyareas of the business.

“We are pleased to have Richard step into the role of Interim CEO at this important time for our organization,” said Board Chair Greg Smith. “Richard brings the leadership and strategic perspective needed to guide yáqʷa as we continue advancing our mandate and preparing for the next phase of growth. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Tony for his leadership in helping establish yáqʷan and for the strong foundation he has helped shape through the transformative projects and partnerships we enjoy today. We are grateful that he will continue to provide strategic leadership and advice moving forward.”

As yáqʷa Development Corporation enters its next phase of deliberate and sustainable growth, the organization remains firmly focused on stability, strong governance, and longterm value creation in support of economic independence for Haisla Nation and the benefit of current and future generations. yáqʷa has initiated an executive search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer who will lead the organization through this next chapter of growth and opportunity.

Richard Piche, Biography

Richard Piche is a respected Indigenous leader in the energy sector, with over 50 years of operations experience in Canada and internationally. He is the president of Cascade Projects Ltd., an Indigenous-owned firm that deals with project initiation, management, Indigenous engagement, and consultation. Additionally, Richard serves on the Board of the Alberta Energy Regulator and yáqʷa Development Corporation.

His extensive career includes management roles at prominent Exploration and Production companies, such as ConocoPhillips Ltd. in Indonesia, Niko Resources Ltd. in India, and Northridge Exploration Ltd. (now TC Energy).

As a former Vice President at Keywest Projects Ltd., Richard focused on developing Northeast BC’s Montney field facilities and the O’Chiese Nees-Ohpawganu’ck deep-cut gas plant near Alder Flats.

As a Senior Project Manager at Gas Liquids Engineering, he optimized Canadian and international oil and gas processing facilities. He led significant Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) projects capable of 6575 tonnes/day (125 mmscfd) for deep well sequencing.

Richard also played a key role in facilitating discussions between Finance Canada and 159 Indigenous Nations affected by the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, assisting them with participation models that best suited their communities, whether equity purchasing or revenue-sharing models.

He holds designations from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) and the Project Management Institute (PMP).