Councillor Linda Sloan
AUMA President

Linda was elected President of the AUMA in September, 2011, and served as an AUMA Board Member for five years, representing the City of Edmonton

She has served on Edmonton City Council for Ward I since 2004, and as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from March 1997 to March 2001.

As a registered nurse who has held leadership roles, she has been recognized provincially and nationally for her work on behalf of the profession and the public. She has served her community through a variety of volunteer positions with the Pilgrims Hospice, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Edmonton Humane Society, Meals on Wheels and various school and sports associations. Linda served as the City of Edmonton representative on the provincial board of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, offering her a broad perspective and deep understanding of the issues facing Alberta’s cities.

Since joining AUMA, Linda has served as a member of AUMA Vice President and Executive Committee; AUMA Board; Environment and Sustainability Committee; AUMA Special Task Force Ambulance Services; Womens Committees. She has also served as the chair of Building Safer Communities committee and the Municipal Government committee.

Councillor Jacqueline Biollo

VP, Director, Towns East Beaumont

Jacqueline’s entrepreneurial skills have been the backbone of her executive management consulting company A Songbird’s Solo; focusing on professional visioning from 30,000 feet, and an emphasis on people, possibility, and potential. Mrs. Biollo’s background is in human resources, management, politics and finance; consulting with medium-sized organizations regarding staff and volunteers; policies and procedures; advocacy with all levels of government, stakeholders and Board of Directors; research and identification of funding sources and a review of compliance agreements to ensure the proper objectives are set or evaluation formats are used; facilitates training and development of the community-at-large regarding societal barriers to name just a few of her portfolio successes.

As an elected official, Mrs. Biollo’s portfolio demands participation within parliamentary legislation to educate and inform herself and her constituents about the issues, advocating for action, and ensuring transparency and accountability, sound judgment, integrity, conviction and passion to inspire, communication skills, and resourcefulness, effective relationship management, influential leadership, empathy and inclusiveness, confidence, patience and flexibility.

Mayor Steve Christie

Director, Cities up to 500,000 Lacombe

Mayor Steve Christie was born in Calgary and raised in Nanton, Alberta. His small town roots are at the heart of his strong community spirit. Steve began a varied and interesting career path with an underground infrastructure supply company. He then worked away from home for many years as a surveyor, but decided he needed to be closer to his growing family. He has owned his own appraisal company, which he sold locally, and is presently working with Sims and Associates Insurance as their Office manager and Commercial and Farm Insurance Broker.

Steve and his wife Cheryl have lived in Lacombe for over 16 years, they have raised their 2 daughters, Lorena (and Eric) and Kathy (and Matt) here. Steve is very proud of his 2 granddaughters, Lylah and Lilly and his grandson Lukus.

Steve Christie has served on Lacombe Council for 2 terms and in October 2010, Steve was elected as Mayor for the City of Lacombe.

Upon meeting Steve, it is evident that he simply loves people and this community. Being involved and being a part of Lacombe is who he is. Steve has been active in many different areas since moving to Lacombe 16 years ago. He has coached softball, been the Chair of the Youth Advisory Committee, served on his church board, is a Rotarian and has served on the Lacombe Fire Department for 12 years and was Lieutenant for 6 of those years.

When he is not attending meetings or participating in community events and projects, Steve enjoys golfing, hockey and camping with his family.

Deputy Mayor North Darling

Director, Towns West Peace River

North Darling was first elected to Municipal office in Peace River in the 2010 election. North has a passion for local volunteering, with an emphasis for organizations which involve and nurture youth participation. He is on the Board of Directors for the Peace Regional Waste Management Company, the Peace Community Events Society, the Curtis Marshall Memorial Skatepark Committee, and is a founding member of The Social.

Mr. Darling owns two construction companies with his wife, Cyprus, in the Peace River region, specializing in insurance work and ecologically sustainable building. His most recent accomplishment is the completion of the Peace Regional Eco Centre—the largest straw bale building in Western Canada.

North had lived in Europe and Australia for ten years before returning home to Peace River in 2001. He is an advocate for regionalization, revenue sharing, and changes to the MGA which would increase the powers of municipalities.

Councillor Cindy Jefferies
Director, Cities up to 500,000
Red Deer

Cindy Jefferies was first elected to the Red Deer Public School Board in 1992 and served for nine years, six of those years as Board Chair. In 2004 Cindy she was elected to the Red Deer City Council and is entering her third term.

Cindy has served on several Council Committees, reflecting her interest in community, leadership, education, collaborative decision-making and active living, e.g., the Central Alberta Regional Trails System Committee (CARTS), the Inter-municipal Affairs Committee, the S.A.F.E. Downtown Initiatives Task Force and the Community Housing Advisory Board.

Cindy has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Calgary. In her spare time she is the Vice-Chair, Tools for School Africa Foundation, coaches as a volunteer with Bumps and Jumps Freestyle Skiing and in 2003/2004 chaired the Leadership Division of the United Way Campaign Cabinet.

She is married to Dan and together they have three sons, Stephen, Collin and Neil and a chocolate lab, Java. Cindy’s leisure interests include gardening and photography, and with her family she enjoys skiing and watching her sons play lacrosse and ski.

Mayor Anita Gillard
Director, Villages West
Village of Clive

Anita was elected to the AUMA Board of Directors as Director of Villages West in 2009.

She is into her sixth year as a municipal politician and has served as Mayor for the Village of Clive for five years. Previous to municipal politics, she served her surrounding community as a public school trustee for Lacombe County/Wolf Creek School Division for sixteen years, being the Board Chair for four years.

Prior to entering politics, Anita was owner/manager of a local hotel and has many years of experience in the hospitality industry. Having a degree from business college, she also worked for the Bank of Commerce head office in Calgary and a legal secretary for a major oil company also located in Calgary.

An avid Stamps and Flames fan, she frequently travels back to Calgary for sports events.

Other hobbies include curling, travel and showing horses.

Anita and her Husband Ken own a trailer repair business in Lacombe.

Councillor Kim Krushell
VP, Cities over 500,000
Edmonton

Deputy Mayor Reg Pointe
Director, Summer Villages
Summer Village of Yellowstone

As Deputy Mayor of Yellowstone since 1989, Reg Pointe has had the opportunity to put his extensive financial background to work for his community. During his career as a chartered accountant, Pointe worked in both the private and public sectors.

In support of his community and municipalities across the province, Pointe has provided guidance and support to numerous organizations including: the Board of Ste Anne Natural Gas, Edmonton Assessment Review Board, Highway 43 East Waste Commission Excel Resources Society.

Pointe was elected to the AUMA Board in 2007.

Councillor Helen Rice

VP, Director, Cities under 500,000
Grande Prairie

Councilor Rice was first elected to Grande Prairie City Council in 1979 and has been a member of the Board since 2001.

Highlights of her time as an elected official include: initiating the co-ordination of over 30 communities participating in a regional recycling initiative, chairing seven active standing committees, sitting as a Board Member for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, leading regional liaison initiatives, and initiating the community input sessions regarding Policing & Safe Cities Programs.

In addition to her municipal service, Rice has provided leadership and support to many governing boards and organizations including: Local Authorities Pension Plan, the Enterprise Development Board Federal Department of Industry and Trade, Beverage Container Management Board, Aquatera Utility Corporation, Legal Aid Society of Alberta, and the Celebrate Canada Committee for Alberta.

Rice’s dedication to her community has been recognized through numerous awards including: June Lundgren Award – John Howard Outstanding Contributions to Alternate Measures Program, Emerald Award – Environmental Leadership, AUMA Distinguished Service Award and the Chamber of Commerce Clem Collins Award – Outstanding Contributions to the Chamber.

Mayor Jenelle Saskiw

VP, Director, Villages East Marwayne

Jenelle Saskiw was elected to the Village of Marwayne Council in 2004, and has been Mayor of Marwayne since 2008. She is passionate about providing leadership within her community, particularly with the non-profit groups, seeking practical regional approaches that promote economic development and sustainability. One of Jenelle’s proudest moments as Mayor was at the 2009 AUMA convention where the Village of Marwayne was awarded the AUMA Sustainability Award and the Founder’s Award.

Jenelle currently serves as the Chair of the Vermilion River Regional Alliance, the Vermilion Region Healthy Communities Coalition, and the Vermilion River Regional Alliance Economic Development committee. She also serves as a board member for the Pioneer Lodge Seniors’ Home, Marwayne Agricultural Society, and Alberta Hub.

Jenelle and her husband operate an agriculture consulting company and are actively involved in the community where they are raising four young children.

Alderman Jim Stevenson

VP, Director, Cities over 500,000
City of Calgary

Jim Stevenson was elected Alderman to represent Ward 3 in October 2007. Prior to his election to Calgary City Council, Jim served the public interest in many capacities, including membership on Calgary’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, President and founding member of the Coral Springs Community Association and, since 1987, as Member of the Board and President of the Northeast District of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Over the last 35 years, Jim has built and maintained a successful business with operations across Canada and 5 other countries.

In keeping with his commitment to serving the interest of Ward 3, Jim sits on the following Boards and Committees:

• Standing Policy Committee on Community & Protective Services
• Standing Policy Committee on Utilities & Environment
• Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
• Inter-Municipal Committee - Rocky View
• Alberta Urban Municipalities Association

Jim’s commitment to public service is reflected in his participation in many NE community projects over the past 15 years including the McKnight & 36th Street interchange, the NE LRT extension, the NE Regional Policy Plan, the North of McKnight Transportation Committee and as Chair of the NE Centre of Communities Fund Development Committee, just to name a few.

Jim is the recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Community Service and the Alberta Centennial Medal for Community Service.