Meet The People Behind Metal Tech Alley
We’re not just producing—We’re transforming.
Through metallurgical innovation, battery and e-waste recycling, and a deep commitment to circular economy principles, Metal Tech Alley is building an industrial future that benefits both the planet and the people who live here.
Our mission is to make environmental protection profitable, providing a roadmap to a thriving, resilient economy that is less dependent on outside forces and more rooted in local strength. By bringing together entrepreneurs, government, and industry partners, we’re proving that a circular economy doesn’t just reduce waste—it drives opportunity.
The result? A smarter, cleaner, and more connected way of doing business—one that makes life better for us all.
What Is The Circular Economy?
A Smarter System for Sustainable Growth The circular economy is a forward-thinking economic model designed to keep resources in use for as long as possible. Built on the 4 Rs—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover—it offers a powerful alternative to the outdated linear model of produce, consume, discard.
Instead of extracting new materials only to discard them after a single use, the circular economy designs out waste by rethinking how products are made, used, and reused. At its core, it aims to:
- Reduce the use of finite resources
- Reuse materials and components wherever possible
- Recycle products at the end of their life cycle
- Recover valuable materials from waste streams
This approach is already reshaping industries such as forestry, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing, and technology, where companies are redesigning business models to minimize waste and maximize long-term value.
Our Vision
To be global leaders in critical metals recovery through advanced metallurgical technology.
Our mission is grounded in comprehensive sustainable development. We are fostering a future where circular economy practices are embedded across every local economic sector—from clean tech to advanced manufacturing.
We believe a truly prosperous future balances environmental responsibility with economic opportunity. Through local innovation, regional collaboration, and global integration, we are redefining what industry can look like.
Championing the Circular Economy
Redefining Growth with the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover
In Metal Tech Alley, we’ve embraced this transformation across industrial sectors such as:
- Forestry & Mining
- Metallurgy & Advanced Materials
- Digital Fabrication & Technology
- Battery and E-Waste Recycling
- Industrial IoT and CleanTech
By recovering and refining critical minerals through hydrometallurgical processes, we’re closing the loop—turning waste into opportunity and creating a more sustainable global supply chain.
Who We Are
A Movement Built by Professionals, Entrepreneurs, and Innovators
Metal Tech Alley is a network of dedicated professionals and ambitious entrepreneurs initiating a regional movement toward circular economy systems for long-term stability and sustainability.
Our members represent a cross-section of industrial innovation:
- Metallurgy & Advanced Materials
- Digital Fabrication
- Industrial Recycling
- CleanTech
- Industrial IoT
But we don’t do it alone.
We work closely with government, academic institutions, economic development agencies, and non-profits to ensure that this movement supports not only the environment—but also the health, vitality, and prosperity of our local communities.
Supported by a strong regional business network and with access to world markets – only minutes from the US/Canada border – the opportunities available in Metal Tech Alley is the foundation upon which your success can be built.
Meet The Team
Karsten Henriksen – Consultant Project Manager
Trail-raised and deeply connected to the Lower Columbia region, Karsten Henriksen steps into the role of Consultant Project Manager with decades of senior executive experience across higher education and the public sector.
Throughout his career, Karsten has held leadership roles including:
- Assistant Deputy Minister
- President & CEO
- Vice-President, Academic / Provost (COO-equivalent)
- Dean-level executive leadership
He has guided complex, multi-site organizations through:
- Strategic planning and implementation
- Operational modernization
- Governance reform and board alignment
- Organizational transformation and revenue growth
- Program expansion and measurable performance improvement
Karsten brings a disciplined approach to execution — aligning vision, funding, stakeholder coordination, and accountability. His experience translating strategy into action will be central to advancing the implementation phase of Critical Metal Tech Alley through 2027.
Paul Bergener, P.Eng., CMC – Strategic Technology Advisor
Supporting the initiative is Paul Bergener, Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Certified Management Consultant (CMC), and Fellow, whose background bridges materials engineering, instrumentation, and global technology commercialization.
Paul’s career spans:
- Founder, seller, and spin-off architect of multiple technology companies
- Patent holder in microwave heating technologies
- Chief Chemist on a CIDA development project in Kenya
- International work across Europe, Africa, and North America
As an Industrial Technology Advisor with the National Research Council’s IRAP program, Paul supported more than 400 companies, universities, and incubators — helping innovators navigate commercialization pathways, scale operations, and secure funding.
Today, Paul continues to provide expertise in:
- Technology commercialization strategy
- Change management and scaling innovation
- Funding proposal review and investment readiness
- Strengthening regional innovation ecosystems
His long-standing commitment to the Kootenay region includes 13 years as Treasurer of the Kootenay Association of Science and Technology.
Dr. Cam Whitehead – Executive Director
Cam moved to the Kootenays in 2011 from Victoria. After finishing his PhD from the University of British Columbia, he was a project manager for the BC Government before transitioning into community development, technology and entrepreneurship. Cam enjoys music, writing, beach volleyball and spending time with his two kids.