Pete Mitchell

President & Chief Operating Officer

604.453.5014

Pete Mitchell was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Vancouver Film Studios Group in 2010 following a two year appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and an eight year appointment as Vice President and later, Senior Vice President of Marketing. Widely recognized for his business leadership and environmental initiative in transforming VFS into one of the most successful production facilities in Canada, and the first of its kind to acquire carbon neutral status, Pete is one of the senior officers of the McLean Group. As President and COO, Pete has responsibility for the continued growth and financial management of VFS production facilities. This includes line responsibility for its production equipment house, Pacific Backlot Services, and communications division, Signal Systems. Pete is on the Board of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of British Columbia (MPPIA), comprised of thirty local production companies, unions and other industry organizations. Prior to joining the McLean Group in 1999, he was Director of the British Columbia Film Commission, and before that Business Agent for the International Photographers Guild, I.A.T.S.E. Pete has a Master of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Concordia University. Pete Mitchell is an avid sailor and can often be spotted cruising local waters in his sailboat, “Salacia”.

Natasha Dickson

Vice President, Operations & IT

604.453.5015

Natasha Dickson was appointed Vice President of Operations for Vancouver Film Studios (VFS) in 2004 after serving four years as Executive Assistant to the President. In addition to hiring and supervising the VFS service and building maintenance staff, Natasha is responsible for the operational function, maintenance and building improvement plans at all VFS, Pacific Backlot Services and Signal Systems buildings which operate 24 hours per day 365 days per year. This includes the interior and exterior upkeep of 12 sound stages, 6 office buildings, assorted mill spaces, equipment rental buildings, and other warehouses occupied by up to 1,200 people per day. Natasha also supervises the vehicle fleet. She prepares capital budgets for film and television operations, and as a senior manager is part of the strategic planning and implementation group. Natasha Dickson has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology, 1996) from the University of British Columbia and a post-graduate diploma in Human Resource Management from BCIT. She is currently Chair of The McLean Group Employee Fund and has sat on the board at Collingwood Neighbourhood House since 2013.

Gerry Rutherford

Vice President, Production Services

604.453.5047

Gerry Rutherford joined Pacific Backlot Services in 2007 where he became part of the senior management for the day to day operations and development of its lighting and grip, dolly, lift and locations services departments. Prior to joining PBS, Gerry worked as Director of Marketing and Business Affairs for Scarab Digital Studios. Gerry is also well known for his work as a Labour Representative for ACTRA in Toronto and Calgary, for the Union of BC Performers, and as a business agent for I.A.T.S.E., Local 669. Gerry was a member of the Board of Directors of British Columbia Film for a decade, sat on advisory boards for Capilano University, the Vancouver International Film Festival Trade Forum, the BC Film Commission and the Victoria Film Commission, to name a few. Gerry was a principal in the founding of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of British Columbia (MPPIA) and has represented the BC film industry elsewhere in Canada, the United States and Europe. Gerry Rutherford has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria.

Jennifer Roe Emery

Vice President, Sales & Marketing

604.453.5043

Jennifer Roe Emery worked as a Production Coordinator in British Columbia's film and television industry for over a decade. Her credits include projects for Sony, Columbia Tristar, MGM, Warner Brothers Television, ABC, NBC/Universal, New Line Cinema, Global TV and Turner Entertainment. Prior to that, Jennifer spent four years with Post Modern Sound, where she worked as a Post Production Coordinator. In 2007, Jennifer joined Vancouver Film Studios. In 2008, she was appointed General Manager of our communications company, Signal Systems. In this role Jennifer oversaw the management of data and interconnectivity for VFS and it's customers. In 2013 she was appointed the Acting VP, Sales and Marketing, in 2015 she became our VP, Production, and in 2016 she received the title of VP, Sales and Marketing. In this current role she is working closely with senior management to service the needs of our current customers while also developing and refining new business opportunities. This includes overseeing our production company, 50 Degrees North. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Simon Fraser University, is a past member of the International Marketing Committee and a current member of the Community Affairs Committee of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association (MPPIA) of BC.

Alejandra Sorto

Vice President, Finance

604.453.5018

Alejandra originally began her career with the McLean Group in 2009, when she was hired as Controller for Blackcomb Helicopters LP, quickly moving up to Director of Finance for the McLean Group. In 2018, Alejandra left for a brief sojourn with another company where she expanded her experience in mergers and acquisitions, financial and operational strategy, and people management. In 2020, Alejandra returned in her current role as Vice-President. Alejandra leads the VFS accounting team and provides sound strategic and financial advice for VFS and other McLean Group business entities. Alejandra has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business, and holds both her Chartered Professional Account (CPA) and Chartered Accountant (CA) designations. Alejandra has also worked as a Senior Accountant for Wolrige Mahon LLP. Alejandra is the mother of twin girls and enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family.

Derek Hall

General Manager, Pacific Backlot

604.453.5081