James Utley spent 35 years working in human resources management, from a personnel trainee at an aluminum smelter in northern British Columbia to a supervisor, a manager, and finally a vice president. His work covered all aspects of human resource management including union-management relations, employee and management development, and performance management and compensation. He worked in metal mining and refining as well as telecommunications industries across Canada and in jobs with responsibilities that extended to the U.S, Peru, and Chile. James also served on several community, education and industry boards and committees during his time as a human resource manager. After stepping down from his vice president role at a global natural resource company, for 10 years he taught at the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, teaching students about human resource strategies, policies, and practices. He lives in West Vancouver, B.C. and spends part of each year at a cabin on Kootenay Lake.