About
Over the past half-century, Ecosign has earned the reputation of being one of the most innovative and experienced mountain resort planning companies in the world. We have completed over 1,000 projects in 46 countries, gaining recognition not only for the design of new resorts in North America and Asia, but also for the redesign and renovation of some of Europe’s most iconic resorts.
Based in Whistler, Canada, our head office is home to our five-person executive team and fifteen associates with expertise in landscape architecture, civil engineering, architecture, management, Geographic Information Systems and AutoCAD technology. To support our global projects, we have agents in the central Asian, Chinese and Japanese markets, and subcontractors in Italy.
Ecosign’s employment culture is to encourage active lifestyles so that staff can immerse themselves in Whistler’s resort experience, instilling a genuine passion and interest in the work we do with our clients around the world.
Mission
Our History
Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners Ltd., was founded by Paul E. Mathews in July of 1975 in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. A contraction of the words ‘ecological’ and ‘design’, the name Ecosign reflects the company’s purpose in contributing to sustainable mountain tourism through excellence in planning and design.
The company has grown through the decades and has earned its reputation as one of the most innovative and experienced mountain resort planning companies in the world. Ecosign has worked on well over 1,000 different projects in 46 countries and has gained prominence, not only in the design of successful new resorts in Canada, the United States and Asia, but also for the redesign and renovation of some of Europe’s most iconic resorts such as Davos, Laax, Grindelwald, Verbier and Zermatt, Switzerland; Courchevel, France and St. Anton, Serfaus and Soelden in Austria.
Paul Mathews' Legacy
Paul Mathews first came to Whistler to ski in 1966, and he was instantly captivated; his affection for this place heavily influenced his ensuing educational pursuits and career. Over the next decade, Mathews balanced his studies at the University of Washington with visits to mountain resorts around the world. Through travel and study, he concluded there was an opportunity to change environmental practices at mountain resorts, particularly through education and design.
Upon completing his undergraduate degree, Mathews moved to Whistler where he became active in community planning and environmental issues. Seeing an opportunity to assist BC municipalities implement the province’s new Commercial Alpine Ski Policy, Mathews founded Ecosign in 1975. In Ecosign’s nascent years, Mathews and his growing team contributed to the design and development of some of BC’s most iconic resorts: Mount Washington, Red Mountain, Silver Star, Panorama, Fernie, Troll Mountain, and most significantly Ecosign’s hometown mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb.
Ecosign’s legacy of developing world class resorts is profound. Mathews particular work with creative designs made him sought after worldwide, giving Ecosign its global reputation of successfully fulfilling its client’s needs. Today, Ecosign’s team of professionals continue to provide practical, innovative designs that exceed client’s expectations and contribute to profitable, high-ranking resort developments worldwide.
Executive
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Paul Mathews
Chairman / CEOPaul Mathews obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Ecology from the University of Washington, USA, where he also studied landscape architecture for two years. In 1975 he fou...
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Ryley Thiessen
PresidentRyley Thiessen is the President of Ecosign, responsible for the company’s daily operations, business development, client relations and resort design. A graduate of the University of Gue...
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Eric Callender
Vice PresidentEric Callender has been a member of the Ecosign team since 1997 and is a graduate of the Architectural and Building Engineering Technology Program from the British Columbia Institute of...
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Adam Schroyen
PrincipalAdam Schroyen is a Senior Base Area Planner, Principal, and Managing Partner at Ecosign. Prior to joining Ecosign in 2007, Adam lived in Wellington, New Zealand, where he obtained his B...
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Emily Amirault
PrincipalEmily Amirault is a Senior Resort Planner and Managing Partner at Ecosign. Originally from Nanaimo, British Columbia, Emily holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the Universit...
Team
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Donald J. Murray
Senior AssociateDon Murray has over 40 years of experience in ski resort management and operation, mountain design, construction management, mountain planning, ski area construction, terrain modificati...
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Dave Felius
Senior Mountain PlannerDave Felius is a Civil Engineering graduate with over 25 years experience in ski area and resort planning. During this time Dave has been directly involved in most of Ecosign’s Mountain...
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Jill Almond
Development ManagerJill Almond is a senior resort consultant with over 35 years of experience in coordinating the planning, approval, design and construction of successful development projects. Jill focus...
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Mieke Prummel
Senior Resort PlannerMieke Prummel studied Landscape Architecture at the Rijks Hogere School voor Tuin en Landschapsinrichting in Holland. She started her career with Ecosign in the early 1980s and became o...
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Nathan Smalley
Mountain PlannerNathan Smalley has worked for Ecosign since 2016. Growing up in Canmore, Alberta, he moved to the Sea to Sky Corridor after graduating from the University of British Columbia – Okanagan...
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Trevor Witt
Junior Mountain PlannerTrevor Witt is Ecosign’s newest team member, joining the head office in February 2024. With a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours) from the University of Guelph, Trevor applies ...
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Shelagh Thiessen
Resort Planner/IllustratorShelagh Thiessen is a Resort Planner and Illustrator at Ecosign. Obtaining her Bachelor (Honours) of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph and Diploma (Honours) in Landsc...
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Josh Stabler
3D Visualization & CAD SpecialistJosh Stabler has been a Resort Planning Technician with Ecosign since 2019. Originally from Scotland, Josh obtained his Associate Degree in Computer Aided Drafting & Design from Car...
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Paula Palmer
Senior AutoCAD / GIS Technician / System AdministratorPaula Palmer joined Ecosign’s team in August 2000. Paula has a diploma in CAD/CAM, an advanced diploma in GIS, and an associate certificate in Web Technologies from the British Columbia...
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Bernard Messeguer
AutoCAD/GIS TechnicianBernard Messeguer began working for Ecosign in 2016. Prior to living in Whistler, Bernard lived in Sydney, Australia (where he obtained his Bachelor of Engineering from the University o...
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Linda Mathews
Graphics Coordinator/AnalystLinda Mathews has worked for Ecosign in Whistler since 1977. She has managed Ecosign’s marketing, advertising and research initiatives since the company’s inception, greatly contributin...
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Adele Ferguson
AccountantAdele Ferguson, a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, joined Ecosign in 2004 as the company’s Accountant and Finance Manager. Originally from England, Adele st...
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Sue Stearns
Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President/Market ResearchSue Stearns is the Assistant to the Senior Vice President at Ecosign. Since joining the team in 1990, Sue has dedicated more than 30 years to the company through administrative services...
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Karen Phillips
Executive Administrative AssistantKaren Phillips is Ecosign’s Executive Administrative Assistant. Drawing from her background in tourism, hospitality and office administration, Karen supports the team with travel planni...
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Louise Buchholz
In Loving Memory 1960 - 2018