Councillor Linda Sloan
AUMA President

Linda was reelected President of the AUMA in September 2012, a role which she began after the 2011 elections. She served as an AUMA Board Member for five years prior, representing the City of Edmonton.

She has served as an Edmonton’s Ward 1 City Councillor since 2004, and was 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.

Deputy Mayor Cliff Ayrey

Director, Villages South: Longview

Cliff was born in Breton, Alberta and resided there for 15 years before moving to Longview in 1980. His wife, Laurie, was born and raised east of Longview. They have been married 15 years and raised 4 children. Family bonds are very important to both Cliff and Laurie, who feel very fortunate to still have both their mothers living nearby.
Cliff has been employed with the City of Calgary (Water Services Department) since 1992. As an enthusiastic lover of all sports, he is an active skier, water boarder, golfer and enjoys camping. These activities allow him to be involved in his children’s lives.

In 2007 he was elected to the Village of Longview Council and currently sits as the Deputy Mayor of this small municipality located in the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Cliff represents Longview on the FCSS (Family and Community Social Services) Board, the Foothills Emergency Services Commission and the Board of the Longview Volunteer Fire Department, for which he is also an active volunteer firefighter. Cliff has also been a member of the Longview & District Recreation Board since 1993.
Cliff feels fortunate to live in Longview where the residents display a great passion for volunteerism which benefits the local community.

In 2011 Cliff was elected to the strong leadership team of the AUMA as a Direct for Villages South and is a strong believer that goals are achievable through teamwork and open communication.

Councillor Jacqueline Biollo

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.

Alderman Andre Chabot

Director, Cities over 500,000: Calgary

Andre brings to office a long history of community service, having served on the Marlborough Park Community Association Executive for over ten years, the Greater Forest Lawn Enhancement Committee; and the Triple A Land Use Team. Andre also served on the N.E. President’s Association, the Hub Oil Stakeholders Committee and as a District Coordinator for Block Watch.

Andre has volunteered countless hours to several organizations including the Knights of Columbus and Michele’s Dance Works Pure Energy Foundation. He is past president of the Calgary East Constituency Federal Conservatives. In addition, Andre has served as an Alberta Progressive Conservative Campaign and Constituency Volunteer, and a Southern Alberta Constituency Council Member. He continues to be actively involved with Habitat for Humanity community initiatives. His diverse business background both in electronics and the construction industry has provided him with over twenty-five years of success.

Andre and his wife Denyse are long-time residents of Ward 10. They have four daughters – Andrea, Jessica, Jennifer and Deanne.

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.

Mayor Kim Craig

Director, Towns South: Coaldale

Elected to the Director of Towns South position in 2012, Kim looks forward to contributing to this dynamic organization by bringing his diverse business and political experience to the table.

Kim was first elected to Coaldale Town Council in 2004, and has since served consecutive terms as Mayor. During his tenure, he has served and continues to serve on a number of boards and steering committees, ranging from alternative energy solutions to economic development to regional stormwater management.

In August 2010, for example, Kim became Chair of the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association, a coalition of waste management jurisdictions committed to researching, recommending and implementing technological applications for recovering energy from waste materials. Kim is also actively involved as Chair of the Malloy Drain Steering Committee whose mandate is to develop solutions to mitigate damage created by regional flooding problems around the Town of Coaldale and the County of Lethbridge. In his spare time, Kim has been actively involved with the Coaldale Chamber of Commerce since 1993, serving as president for
five terms over the years.

Kim has vast experience in the financial services  industry. Kim is married with three adult children and two grandchildren. Kim is extremely proud of his family and enjoys spending time with them every opportunity he can. In fact, Kim often “voluntells” his family members for various community events, which turns formal duties into “family time.”

Deputy Mayor North Darling

VP & 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.

Mayor Anita Gillard
Director, Villages West: 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

Kim Krushell is an Edmonton City Councillor serving the residents of Ward 2 since first being elected to the position in 2004. For the past 11 years and counting, she has proudly called the area she represents “home.”

She earned her Master's degree in Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta, and during that time was elected President of the Graduate Student's Association. As well, she obtained undergraduate degrees in Political Science and History from Southern Oregon University.

During her undergraduate studies, Kim had the amazing opportunity to study at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea for a year. It was there she met her husband Jay, an exchange student from the University of Alberta.

In her professional life, Kim has worked in politics specializing in the area of communications and as a Librarian. She gained a lot of insight into the workings of Edmonton City Hall when she took a political position as an Executive Assistant with former Edmonton City Councillor Larry Langley.

Kim has previously sat on AUMA’s Assessment and Taxation Task Force, Sustainability and Environment Committee, and Audit Committee, as well as serving as Past Chair of the Safe and Healthy Communities Committee. Currently, she is Vice-President for Edmonton on the Executive Committee, Chair of the Investment Committee, and sits on the Municipal Governance Committee.

During her three terms on City Council, Kim has been involved on numerous Council Boards and Committees and led a number of Council Initiatives including the founding of Edmonton's Next Gen Committee, Council lead on the Communities in Bloom Initiative, Chair of Donate-A-Ride, and Chair of the City Centre Land Redevelopment Stakeholder Committee.

Before being elected, she was very active in the community serving on the Prince Rupert Community League Board, Past President of the Junior League of Edmonton, and as a Board Member on the Glenrose Hospital Foundation.

When Kim isn’t busy being a dedicated public servant and speaking out on the issues that most directly affect residents of Ward 2 and all of Edmonton, she is an avid science fiction and murder mystery reader, and enjoys watching films, jogging, and skiing with her husband and their son, Alex.

Deputy Mayor Reg Pointe
Director, Summer Villages:
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

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.

Mayor Martin Shields

Director, Cities up to 500,000:
Brooks

Alderman Jim Stevenson

VP & Director, Cities over 500,000:
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.