Skwlāx Group Ltd.

Jacob Hinton is a proud Band member of Skwlāx te Secwépemcúl̓ecw and a lawyer at Torys LLP, where he practices corporate law with a focus on Indigenous law, major projects, infrastructure, and energy. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia, where his studies included an intensive, community-based course on the resurgence and application of Indigenous laws. Before attending law school, Jacob earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in economics from Vancouver Island University. His legal work is informed by both his academic background and his lived experience across diverse sectors and communities.

Before entering the legal profession, Jacob was a Red Seal electrician with a Master Electrician certificate, working extensively in the oil and gas and forestry sectors. Born on Vancouver Island and raised in part in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Jacob brings a unique perspective shaped by both his technical background, work experience, and education. His transition from the trades to law reflects a deep commitment to community empowerment and economic development through both Indigenous and corporate legal frameworks.

Grant Lachmuth, AScT, RTMgr, and his family live in Summerland, BC and they have resided in the Okanagan since 2004. Grant had a 36-year career as a senior manager and project director with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI), working throughout British Columbia, leading large infrastructure projects such as the W R Bennett Floating Bridge (Kelowna) and the Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project (Vancouver to Whistler). He retired from the BC government in 2013 and since then, Grant has worked several years as a Senior Government Advisor with Urban Systems Ltd. in Kelowna and also spent 2 years as the Director of Canada Operations for GeoStabilization International (GSI). In 2017, he became owner/president of Black Wolf Consulting Inc., a professional services consulting firm serving clients throughout the province, specializing in project management and emergency management.

Over the last 10 years Grant has served on several First Nation economic development corporations and prior to that he served as a board member and vice-chair of Technology Accreditation Canada and also the Conference Board of Canada’s, Council for Leadership Insights. Grant’s educational background is in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering Technology from BCIT and Executive Leadership at Royal Roads University, with a focus on project management and leadership.

Grant is very pleased to be serving on the Skwlax Group Ltd. (SGL) Board of Directors and engaging with the community and supporting their vision and values.

Damian Arnouse is a member of Skwlāx te Secwépemcúl̓ecw, owner of Shuswap Home Detailing, and co-owner of SMRT COFFEE LTD. With 8+ years of small business ownership and many more in various management and leadership positions. He has successfully built up his business from an owner/operator in Salmon Arm only in 2020, to its peak of 8 employees servicing Sicamous to Vernon to Chase and the North Shuswap and everywhere in-between last year (2024). He has learned business ownership firsthand, through a franchise model, sole proprietorship, and LTD corporations.

He excels with statistics, trends, and projections. Allowing him to set business goals, create plans to hit them, and follow them successfully for steady business growth. These statistics and trends also highlight weak points in business models. Showing areas for potential change and positive growth.

Damian is pleased to be selected as a founding Director on the SGL Board.

Julie John joined the Skwlax Group Ltd. Board of Directors on July 6, 2026, as the SteS Council representative, succeeding Dawn Francois. Julie’s first term on Council commenced on March 22, 2024, where she brings a passion for entrepreneurism and business to her role.

Julie is a lifelong learner, continually pursuing opportunities for growth and development. She began her post-secondary journey with a Diploma in Event Management, followed by a Bachelor of Tourism Degree from Thompson Rivers University, where she majored in marketing and minored in entrepreneurship. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Indigenous Business and Leadership from Simon Fraser University.

Julie is a proud mother of three boys (Bruce Jackson, Devon Pearson, and Darian Jackson). She is grandmother to Nova and Madden.

Julie has also recently served as a Board member with Cooperatives First, an organization that supports Indigenous individuals and communities in building businesses through the cooperative model. She is enthusiastic about creating opportunities for SteS Band members to succeed in business and contribute to a strong and vibrant community.

Margaret Anderson’s Grandpa was Pete William and Great GMA Grace William from Skwlax. On her Neskonlith side was Rita Dick and great GMA Minnie dick. Her Dad was Grand Chief John Anderson and her Grandmaon herDad’s side was Emily Andrew. Her mom is Judith Anderson.
Margaret was raised in Skwlax andhas owned and operated Little Bear Giftshop and Gallery for the past 18years. Additionally, she is working as an indigenous education worker for the past 21 years at Norkam secondary school.
Margaret looks forward to her work as a Board member and takes great pride in being a Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw Member.

Adam Oruclar has over 25 years of experience in multiple industries with a focus on sales, marketing, and business development driving corporate growth. Having sold to Fortune 500 companies and serving on several boards, he has led organizations to expand into new markets while minimizing risk and maximizing returns. Adam has attended Mount Royal University as well as an IT contracts course at Osgood Law School. He was appointed to the CSRD Economic Development Society Board as a founding Director and is currently the President of the North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce. Adam is a founding partner of GDS which developed the community of South Shore in Chestermere, AB. as well as Delacour Development Corp. He is the Vice President of Sales for Canada’s largest IT services company that posts annual sales of a billion dollars. Adam is also a certified Fire Service Instructor and has trained to Company Fire Officer standards. He has been with his wife for 26 years and they have 3 boys together. His passions include golf, volunteering, and continuous learning.

Salman Azam brings decades of senior leadership experience across business planning, technology, finance, corporate services, human resources, and labour relations. He joined Legal Aid BC in 2021 as Vice President of Corporate Services and Public Relations, and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2022.

As COO and head of the Legal Operations Division, Salman is responsible for the delivery and oversight of Intake and Referral Services, Parents Legal Centres, Lawyer Services, and Family Law Advice Services. His leadership has strengthened Legal Aid BC’s service delivery through a focus on client-centered innovation, operational efficiency, and strategic collaboration.

Prior to joining Legal Aid BC, Salman held several Assistant Deputy Minister roles in the provincial government, where he was widely recognized for his creative problem solving, strong fiscal stewardship, team-building acumen, and success in driving cross-sector solutions.

He also served as Chief Operating Officer for the Independent Investigations Office of BC, where he led key corporate functions including finance, human resources, information technology, public engagement, policy, training, and project management.