Judging Panel
The panel members are all BC residents. There is always at least one Technology for Living member on the panel. All other judges have a technical background and can be from a company, non-profit etc.
Judges need to be familiar with the assistive technology field and are advocates and/or users of technology and home automation. Check back at a later date for the 2024 judges panel.
James Hektner
James Hektner is the BC Interior Regional Community Liaison at the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute. After a motor vehicle accident in 1997, James has nearly 25 years of lived experience with a T-6, AIS-A injury.
At Praxis, James works to strengthen partnerships between the community, research, and healthcare systems by engaging the peers and networking with Patient Partner Health initiatives and researchers. These are vital in achieving improved health outcomes and quality of life for persons living with spinal cord injury (SCI). He is currently working with the Emergency Services Network Committee as a patient partner, providing personal and community feedback to ultimately improve emergency care across the Interior Health emergency departments.
James serves as the President & Co-founder of Accessible Okanagan, a non-profit which encourages people with diverse-abilities to reach their full potential. The non-profit helps create and promote exciting inclusive opportunities such as camping, fishing, entertainment, and recreational events for the SCI community. James has instilled a commitment to help people living with SCI improve their quality of life and create an active and thriving community filled with opportunities to network, learn, and encourage in social participation.
His research interests include encouragement of peer support, innovation of mobility devices, physical activity such as hand cycling, waterskiing, traveling, network development, and sexual health. James aspires to support and fundraise for peer programs, SCI health, and rehabilitation development in low and middle-income countries.
At Praxis, James works to strengthen partnerships between the community, research, and healthcare systems by engaging the peers and networking with Patient Partner Health initiatives and researchers. These are vital in achieving improved health outcomes and quality of life for persons living with spinal cord injury (SCI). He is currently working with the Emergency Services Network Committee as a patient partner, providing personal and community feedback to ultimately improve emergency care across the Interior Health emergency departments.
James serves as the President & Co-founder of Accessible Okanagan, a non-profit which encourages people with diverse-abilities to reach their full potential. The non-profit helps create and promote exciting inclusive opportunities such as camping, fishing, entertainment, and recreational events for the SCI community. James has instilled a commitment to help people living with SCI improve their quality of life and create an active and thriving community filled with opportunities to network, learn, and encourage in social participation.
His research interests include encouragement of peer support, innovation of mobility devices, physical activity such as hand cycling, waterskiing, traveling, network development, and sexual health. James aspires to support and fundraise for peer programs, SCI health, and rehabilitation development in low and middle-income countries.
Daniel Behrner
Since November 2019, Daniel has been a Biomedical Engineering Technologist at Technology for Living (TFL). Graduating from BCIT’s Biomedical Engineering Technology Diploma program in 2019, he holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Engineering (majoring in Mechanical Engineering, minoring in Biomedical Engineering) from the University of British Columbia in 2015. Additionally, he obtained an Associate Certificate in Computer Aided Design at BCIT in 2017. Throughout his educational journey, Daniel contributed to the development of fully functional engineering prototype projects at both UBC and BCIT, including the Chameleon, currently utilized at TFL. He has also played a role in creating various assistive devices and 3D printed components at TFL. Daniel is passionately committed to enhancing members’ independence at TFL and as such is looking forward to evaluating competition-developed devices for their potential to improve members’ lives.
Marie Brown
Marie is an Occupational Therapist specializing in Assistive Technology. She currently works with SET-BC providing assistive tech to students across BC. She previously worked with the Assistive Technology Service at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. She is passionate about Inclusive Design and all things Assistive Tech. Marie is looking forward to seeing what solutions the teams produce this year for the Simon Cox Competition.
Jerzy Pacek
Jerzy was born in Poland. He came to Canada in 1991. After graduating from the BCIT Biomedical Engineering program in 2006, he was hired by Technology for Living, then called BCITS, as a biomed technician. In his spare time, he enjoys watching a good movie or reading an interesting book.
Evan Mutrie
Evan has been a member of Technology For Living for several years and he is also serving on the Board of Directors. As a passionate advocate for independence, he sees technology as one of the most valuable tools in the toolkit for someone living with a disability. Evan believes that anything a person can do on their own or that helps to streamline daily tasks can improve the quality of life immensely.
He is alos a coach and board member for the Kamloops Broncos Football Team.
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