CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES

Transcription

1 CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES Haydar Al Dahhan Design Works Engineering & Inspections Ltd. Born in England and raised in several major international cities Mr. Al Dahhan came to Canada in Mr. Al Dahhan received both his Technologist Diploma and Bachelor s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Throughout his undergraduate studies, he gained experience in the electrical and mechanical engineering field by working at Field, Field & Field Architecture Engineering Ltd. as an Electrical Engineering Technologist. During his time, there, he was extensively involved with both the Mechanical and Electrical engineering teams working on various commercial and industrial projects. After receiving his Bachelor s in Electrical Engineering, he joined Process Control & Technology Management Inc. and officially started working as an Electrical Engineer in Training. During his time, there he gained experience in the design of substations, overhead and underground lines in both urban and rural areas. He also planned construction and coordinated operations of facilities for transmitting power from distribution points to consumers. At the start of 2011, Mr. Al Dahhan joined Beairsto Lehners Ketchum Engineering Ltd. as an electrical-mechanical engineer where he dealt with all the electrical-mechanical integration's and designs. Today, Mr. Al Dahhan is one of the founders and a Principal at Design Works Engineering & Inspections Ltd. Also, he also takes care of the electrical-mechanical engineering department. He has taken Design Works from a two-man operation to a 35-man operation with six offices regionally and internationally in a two-year period. Mr. Al Dahhan is also in other businesses and regularly has new and upcoming businessmen and women ask for advice to help grow their own business. It is without a doubt that the Grande Prairie market has bene affected in the past two years however Mr. Al Dahhan has managed to grow a company during this downturn and would help the Chamber grow and encourage more activities and businesses to join. Becky Bozarth Sun Life Financial/Canwest Group Benefits Becky was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised on the military base in Calgary, before moving to Grande Prairie 46 years ago. For 25 years Becky worked in the restaurant industry, with 15 of those years being in management roles. Along her career path Becky has touched many different industries, providing her with a unique perspective and many insights into the business community.

2 In 2002, Becky embarked on a new career in the insurance industry with SunLife Financial. In 2012 she became a Shareholder of Canwest Group Benefits Inc. Becky s professionalism and industry knowledge allow her to be a valuable asset to her clients, many of whom are small business owners. Becky thrives on providing prompt, personalized service to everyone she deals with. Becky would consider it an honour to serve on the Board of Directors for the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce. Being actively involved in the vibrant business community in Grande Prairie, advocating on behalf of local businesses, creating strong community ties and network opportunities for business owners are all important to Becky. She would welcome the opportunity to work through the Chamber to assist in accomplishing these goals. Becky and her husband Jim have 4 grown children, and have just welcomed their first grandchild. She enjoys travelling, slow pitch, as well as shooting sporting clays and volunteering her time for charity shoots. Cheryl Budjak ATB Financial I was born in Edmonton and lived in Legal, a small community outside of Edmonton until my family moved to Grande Prairie in I was always heavily involved in sports, particularly figure skating. I generally spent hours a week at the rink in addition to always having a part-time job and managing to keep my grades up to graduate an honors student in French Immersion from the Grande Prairie Composite High School. After high school, I spent 2 years at the GPRC then headed off to New Zealand to teach figure skating for a couple of years. Once I returned to Grande Prairie I continued my career as a professional coach for 15 years then made the leap to a career in banking. Over the last 10 years, I have worked in almost every area of the financial industry and am currently a mortgage specialist with ATB Financial. I have the greatest job in the world.. I help turn my client s dreams into reality! I have always believed in giving back to the community that has given me so much! Volunteerism is in my blood, my parents instilled that in me at a very young age. I have served on the board of many organizations. Most recently, I was the president of the Swan City Rotary Club. I am very proud of our board s accomplishments during my tenure and am honored to have served such an amazing organization. I am looking forward to new directions and new challenges in how I can next serve my community. In my spare time, I love spending time with my family, travelling, cooking and staying active. I am passionate about participating in local theatre and I love a good conversation about politics or the economy.

3 Eunice Friesen Bear Creek Funeral Home Eunice grew up in Calgary and moved with her parents to the Peace Country during high school. She graduated from Grande Prairie Regional College Nursing Program in 1988 and went on to work in several areas of health care, including serving as Executive Director for a provincial health care initiative. Most her career was focused on business development for companies providing occupational health services to owners, operators, and contractors in oil & gas and industrial construction and plant maintenance. During this time, she consulted to several companies throughout Alberta in development and implementation of workplace alcohol and drug testing policies. In 2012, Eunice s husband, Doug, convinced her to utilize her business development background in their own business. As a Funeral Director, he was prepared to open a funeral home but needed a strong administrative lead with a solid understanding of strategy, branding, and marketing. Late that year they opened Bear Creek Funeral Home. Eunice and Doug have proven themselves to be industry leaders by fundamentally changing the way the funeral service providers interact with their customers and the community in the Peace Country. They recently received the 2016 Business of the Year (under 10 employees) Award of Distinction from the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce. In 2016, Eunice was appointed by the Minister of Human Services to serve as a member of several appeal panels. She is also an executive member of the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie and serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Volunteer Services Bureau. In 2016, she was appointed as Chair of the Revolution Place Advisory Board on behalf of the City of Grande Prairie. She has volunteered at Grande Prairie Live Theatre since 1989, and in 2012 she received the Jennie Tetreau Award for longterm service. Eunice and Doug have three children: twin girls Blythe (Alex Rigler) and Emilee, and son Jackson (Marley Biendarra). Like Doug, Emilee is a graduate of Mount Royal University Funeral Service Education and works in Calgary. Blythe and Alex live and work in Canmore, and Jackson and Marley are studying at the University of Lethbridge.

4 Larry Gibson ATCO Electric Larry Gibson; District Manager; ATCO Electric, South Peace District. Currently manages the Distribution Operations department that encompasses the communities of Grande Prairie, Sexsmith, Wembley, Beaverlodge, Spirit River, Grande Cache, Jasper and surrounding areas. Has 9 years in the management role mostly in the Grande Prairie area, 26 years with ATCO Electric and 30 years in the electric utility business. Larry has lived in Grande Prairie for 14 years served as a board member of the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce from and currently is the president of the local Muscular Dystrophy chapter in Grande Prairie from 2007-? When not at work enjoys spending time with his 2 boy s, attending community events and golfing in the summer. Brooks Hoffos Fuse Realty Brooks Hoffos, Chief Executive Officer and Licensed Associate REALTOR at Fuse Realty is a local Grande Prairie entrepreneur who is always moving and shaking. Brooks started many years ago working at Canfor. From Canfor he started his entrepreneurial career. From the days of Power Engineering, Brooks has worked and owned companies in the areas of commercial development, mechanical, electrical and oilfield industrial. Brooks and his wife Shauna are deeply rooted into the Grande Prairie area, having both been living here since a young age, they deeply pride themselves on the community and are continually blooming relationships within it. Brooks and his wife currently reside on a farm in the County of Grande Prairie with their two dogs, and an array of farm animals. Brooks values his experience of being an entrepreneur as he is constantly reaching out into the community, sparking off new ideas that have continually proven to ignite into something bigger; this is where Fuse Realty s slogan Let s Start Something rings so true. As a managing partner of Fuse Realty, Brooks values fresh ideas and a new set of eyes and is never opposed to doing things differently. Being a tech savvy leader, Fuse Realty s strongest vessel to the community is social networking, branching out into the community and always looking for new deals and networking opportunities.

5 Brooks down to earth personality, sarcastic wit and uncanny skill in Human Relations are the mortar to the foundation that is Fuse Realty. He values his relationships to the utmost importance and thrives on negotiating and connecting with others. His fierce drive makes him appreciate challenges that come his way and he is never opposed to hard work and a new challenge. Lindsay Jones Investors Group Lindsay Jones is a Financial Planner with Investors Group, helping families and individuals plan for their futures. She was born and raised in Grande Prairie and has been working to enrich the lives of others for the past six years initially starting in the Health and Wellness field and then moving onto the Financial Health sector. Lindsay enjoys a number of athletic activities around the city and attending her daughter s games as a devoted soccer mom. Her philosophy in life is when nothing goes right go left. Wade Pilat Unique Home Concepts Inc. - Previous member of the Grande Prairie Library Board, Alberta Home Builders Board, and Grande Prairie Home Builders Association - Have also sat on Grande Prairie Soccer Association Board and have worked with the South Peace Ball Association Other community or business initiatives: - Worked with several not-for-profits on committees over the years and our company donates both money and time every year as part of our companies culture - Have been involved with many Council members during Land use Bylaw and Municipal Development Planning process. Feel I have a good working relationship with most of Council and administration within the City. - As a Builder and Developer in Grande Prairie I feel it is important to work with Council and City administration to help build a sustainable and vibrant community I have lived in Grande Prairie since 1976 and currently have 6 and 7-year-old daughters so I see this as home for many years in the future.

6 Scott Roessler Helix Engineering Director, Project Manager at Helix Engineering Ltd. Education and Professional Affiliation: B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, University of Alberta (with Distinction) Computer Systems Technology, GPRC Member, Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) Member, Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC) Business: Partner/Owner of 3 local businesses (Helix Engineering Ltd., Helix Surveys Ltd., Grain Bin Brewing Company.) Volunteer: Member, Swan City Rotary Club Allocations Committee, Swan City Rotary Club Head Coach, Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Past President, Clairmont Minor Hockey Background: Raised on a farm (Cattle Feedlot) in Sexsmith, Alberta Attended Elementary and Secondary school locally, followed by Grande Prairie Regional College and University of Alberta Engineering career has encompasses multiple roles within varying size corporations Cheryl Weaver Regional EMS Foundation I have worked on the Winter Games, several Curling events, Festival of Trees Gala, and on the Centennial Committee. Current boards: Chair of the Regional EMS Foundation, Chair of the Community Enhancement Advisory Board with the City of Grande Prairie, Vice President Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ambassador for the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce and helped organize Bud Country Fever for 20 years. I was also on the board of Junior Achievement, and of the Home Builders Association for several years & President of that Association for 2 years as well. I have also sat on the board for the Provincial Home Builders.

7 NOMINEES FOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Nominee for Chair of the Board Dennis Bell, HSE Manager Northstar Energy A lifelong resident of Alberta, Dennis grew up on a family farm spending many enjoyable years involved in 4H, hockey and curling. At a young age, he started his working career in the arctic islands for Panarctic Oils. Moving to Grande Prairie 30 years ago to start up his own trucking company, Dennis has garnered a great deal of experience within the trucking industries and oilfield construction. A strong believer in continuing education Dennis is a recent graduate from the University of Alberta in Occupational Health and Safety, he is actively engaged within the safety industry. Volunteer history: - Past Co-Chair, AB Construction Safety Association, Regional Committee - Past Treasurer, Grande Prairie Petroleum Association - Professional member of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering - Heart & Stroke Foundation active volunteer - Many years involvement with Nitehawk Ski Area, including construction of the Maintenance Shop, Water Ramp & Natural Luge Track Hobbies include: - River jet boat racing, sledding, skiing, scuba diving and spending time with grandchildren Dennis looks forward to continuing to bring his experience and support to the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce.

8 Nominee for 1 st Vice-Chair Cris Seppola-Podsada, Founder / Managing Partner Nine10 Incorporated After four years of being a Chamber board member, Cris has further nurtured an increased passion for business and community. She is enthusiastic about continuing to be a part of the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Over the past year, her duties as Second Vice Chair of the Board included chairing both the Membership and Finance Committees. Cris attended both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGMs and policy sessions, where she developed a new interest in policy and policy procedures and aspires to contribute to and/or present policy over the next three years. She has also presented and appealed to various levels of government for Chamber and community initiatives, including the potential assignment of Polytechnic University status for GPRC and the recently released Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Economic Impact Study and Gap Analysis. When not devoting her time to the Chamber, Cris is working alongside her partners and team members at local marketing agency nine10 Incorporated. Cris' primary roles in the company include project management and strategy for both client and nine10 marketing initiatives. The company is just heading into its 11th year of business.

9 Nominee for 2 nd Vice-Chair Dan Wong, P. Eng. Beairsto & Associates Engineering Dan is a design engineer with Beairsto & Associates Engineering. His skills include the design and computerized simulation modelling for the development of commercial and residential subdivisions. Dan graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in He worked briefly in that field before becoming a young entrepreneur and opening his own computer store and I.T. business. The retail outlet served Grande Prairie for 6 years and he continued as an I.T. consultant for an additional 8 years. As a lifelong resident of Grande Prairie, he represented the 3 rd generation of his family to have a business in the city. The time period between his career as an entrepreneur and engineer was used to explore a broad range of other professions. He engaged in politics, serving two terms on City Council, instructed part-time at the Grande Prairie Regional College and was a licensed financial advisor with Morris Financial Group. Dan demonstrates how a person can adapt an education to meet a multitude of career paths. In addition to his work life, Dan has a long list of volunteer commitment both present and past. He has served two years (one term) as a director for the Chamber of Commerce and has been in leadership roles for the following organizations and committees: Swan City Rotary Club (Past President) Public Works Committee (City of GP, past chair) Protective Services Committee (City of GP, past chair) Environment Committee (City of GP, past chair) Combative Sports Commission (City of GP, past chair) Wapiti Corridor Planning Society Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance Community Futures Board Centre 2000 Board GP Regional Tourism Association Board GP Men s Basketball Association Board Chinese Association (Past President) Mission Neighbourhood Association Board of Directors Junior Achievement Regional Leadership Council