Mr. Roddick has over 35 years of experience as strategic and legal advisor to more than 20 First Nations and aboriginal organizations in Canada. He is currently negotiator on behalf of several First Nations on various matters related to hydroelectric power developments in northern Manitoba. Mr. Roddick also has extensive experience representing First Nations in the oil and gas and financial sectors.

Ms. Usubiaga has over 20 years experience in marketing, public relations and communications with special expertise in cross-cultural training and professional development, media production and financing, arts and culture policy development, and strategic support for national and international NGOs. As a marketing consultant, policy analyst and business communications trainer, she has worked for national and international non-profit organizations, SMEs seeking new markets nationally and internationally, private and public sector training organizations in Canada and abroad, and the Federal Government of Canada in Cultural Affairs.

Mr. Power has led Hobbs and Associates in developing its international business. He has 10 years experience working in international development projects in more than 10 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. His experience includes enterprise restructuring, business planning, foreign investment marketing, institutional restructuring and regulatory reform, change management and project management in the transportation and energy sectors. He has provided his expertise in commercialization, restructuring, and privatization initiatives as Senior Advisor in Mongolia, Jordan, Iran, Palestine, Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria. He has also served as Senior Advisor to various Cree Nations on the development of private/public sector infrastructure development partnerships, on the implementation of an employment and training program and on micro-enterprise development. Prior to joining Hobbs and Associates, Mr. Power served as Senior Director of the National Transportation Agency of Canada.

Mr. Knippel has over 20 years experience in business and management consulting, with special expertise in impact assessment, community development, culture and communications, and participatory methods. As an economist, analyst, and project manager, he has provided his services in Canada, USA, Europe, Africa and SE Asia, in sectors ranging from energy to transportation to governance to equity. Team building and skills matching are among his leadership contributions.

Mr. Hobbs founded the company in 1984 and built a formidable national consulting business that provides strategic advice, technical analysis and management support to a range of clients, with a particular focus on Aboriginal development and claims issues. He has personally directed the successful completion of consulting assignments related to the establishment of unique First Nations institutions, the negotiation of financial and program settlements with governments and hydro power corporations related to longstanding grievances, and the provision of strategic and operational advice with regard to Aboriginal government development. Key achievements include the negotiation of the Northern Flood Implementation Agreement on behalf of Cree First Nations in Northern Manitoba, and the Agreement in Principle between Tataskweyak Cree Nation and Manitoba Hydro for the joint development of the 600Mw Keeyask Dam on the Nelson River. Mr. Hobbs has also facilitated participation by First Nation clients in CIDA sponsored economic exchange initiatives with indigenous peoples in South America.

Mr. Cobb was appointed President of Hobbs and Associates in 2002. He has over 30 years experience in all levels of business management and development in North America, South America and Europe, with project management and financial consulting expertise in oil and gas, industrial cabling, IT, pharmaceutical and financial sectors. Mr. Cobb is also a Chartered Accountant and has owned successful small businesses in the UK and Brazil. As President of Hobbs and Associates, he is responsible for all functions including strategic planning, marketing, business development, operations and financial administration.

Ms. Challis has been with Hobbs and Associates since 1987. In addition to her responsibilities as Executive Vice President, she has also provided consulting services to a number of School Divisions, First Nations and Tribal Councils in the area of administration of early childhood education and social welfare programs.

Ms. Jackson leads our practice in projects related to the mitigation of socio-economic impacts of large infrastructure projects on indigenous people and is a specialist in cross-cultural communications. Ms. Jackson is the former Acting Director of Inter-Governmental Affairs for Manitoba Region and Acting Chief Federal Negotiator for Self Government for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Government of Canada, and is a member of Sagkeeng First Nation.