Members named to Persons with Developmental Disabilities community boards - Friday, Jul 10, 2009

July 10, 2009 Members named to Persons with Developmental Disabilities community boards Edmonton... Following an open recruitment process, 16 board members have been newly appointed or re-appointed to Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) regional community boards across Alberta. “Each of these members will be a valuable addition to the leadership on our community boards,” said Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports. “They will be part of a team that will help the PDD program to continue supporting Albertans with developmental disabilities.” PDD chairs and board members are volunteers who act in a governance role to provide strategic direction in their region on delivering supports to adults with developmental disabilities. Within each region, board members work together to plan and oversee services. Members of PDD boards also play an important role in working with their local communities, to support inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. “As I reviewed the qualifications of each of these individuals, it was easy to see their strong commitment to the disability community in their regions,” said Minister Jablonski. “Their passion and dedication will strengthen their respective boards and help make a difference in the lives of those served by the PDD program.” The PDD program provides staffing supports for approximately 9,100 adult Albertans with developmental disabilities. PDD provides support for community living, employment, and other supports, which enable individuals to live, learn, work and be active in their communities. Persons with Developmental Disabilities board member biographies Northeast Region Treena Lane of Cold Lake is re-appointed, having been first appointed in August 2007. She brings an action-oriented, inclusive approach to the board. Her experience working with people with disabilities in home care, and in hospital and school settings, provides valuable insight on many issues. Kathryn Wiebe of Bonnyville is re-appointed, having been first appointed in August 2007. She has strong mediation skills and is a former municipal councillor and Mayor of Bonnyville. Kathryn is currently a member of the Frog Lake First Nations Peacemaker’s Council. Sherry Young of Elk Point is re-appointed, having been first appointed in December 2006. She is a business owner and tireless volunteer with a broad range of experience in business and the education sector. Sherry is a past Co-Chair of the Northeast Region Persons with Developmental Disabilities Conference Planning Committee and has a child with a developmental disability. Northwest Region Jane Manning of Grande Prairie is a registered nurse with a strong knowledge of the health care field. She is the former vice-president of Regional Health for the previous Peace Country Health region. Jane has served on many boards and committees, and currently sits on the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness, the Alberta College and Association of Registered Nurses’ Continuing Competence Committee and the Wapiti Community Dorm, Grande Prairie’s homeless shelter. Edmonton Region Dr. Denise Armstrong of Edmonton was an independent consultant for many years and is currently with the University of Alberta’s Department of Family Medicine. She has extensive experience in strategic planning and analysis, governance and performance management. As well, Dr. Armstrong has a comprehensive background in board governance at the community and non-profit level. She is also the parent of an individual with a developmental disability. Cathryn Palmer of Edmonton has many years of experience in strategic planning and policy development, assessment of innovative proposals and budgetary responsibilities. She is an active community volunteer who is the chair of the Edmonton Community Services Board and currently sits on the board of the Bissell Centre. Martin Prentice of Drayton Valley is re-appointed, having been first appointed in August 2007. He is returning for a second term as a board member with the PDD Edmonton Region Community Board. Martin is a lawyer who has long been active in his community, working with the Drayton Valley Community Foundation, the Community Hockey Association, the Community Scholarship Trust Society and Beehive Community Support Services. Cam Schwartz of Edmonton is a practising lawyer who will bring his legal expertise to the board. As a former employee of the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Edmonton Community Board, he brings a unique experience of working with the PDD program. Cam is also active in his community and has served as a committee member for Disabilities and Law, chair of Humanlife Matters, director of the Handicapped Housing Association and director of the On-Site Placement Services Association. Central Region Dr. Robert Diewold of Red Deer has served on a number of boards, including previously on the PDD Central Region Community Board, and was a director of the Lacombe Action Group for the Disabled. Until his retirement, Dr. Diewold was a staff anesthesiologist at the Red Deer Regional Hospital for 29 years. He is active in his community, serving as president of the Red Deer Silver Sharks Masters Swim Club and serving as a member of the Masters Swimming Canada Board of Directors. Dr. Diewold also has a son with a developmental disability. Kathy Rooyakkers of Winfield worked for 11 years in the banking industry and has owned and operated a beef farm for the past 26 years. Kathy has served on a number of boards, including the former Keystone Child and Family Services board, the former David Thompson Health Region board, and as a school board trustee. She brings a good understanding of budgets, bylaws, policies and communities. Calgary Region Robert (Bob) Johnson of Cochrane worked for the Alberta government for many years in the social services field until he retired. He continues to teach social work at Mount Royal College. He has extensive experience serving on governance boards, including the John Howard Society, Pathways Community Services and the Alberta College of Social Workers. Bob maintains his contacts with many agencies and service providers in Calgary, including those who offer services to persons with developmental disabilities. Irene MacEachern of Calgary is re-appointed, having been first appointed in January 2007. She is a practising lawyer and returning board member who has volunteered in her profession and in the community for over 20 years. Irene has served as a director and vice-chair of the Calgary Family Support Society and as a director of the Elder Statesmen Group. She has also volunteered with Calgary Legal Guidance, the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter and the Sheriff King Home. Wayne Taylor of Calgary gained extensive experience in business management during a 20-year career with TransAlta Corporation and now has his own consulting firm. He has extensive experience on boards and management committees, including the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and various community groups. Wayne previously volunteered as an advisor to the Audit Committee of the PDD Calgary Region Community Board and has developed a good understanding of the role and issues faced by this community board. South Region Bob Bartlett of Lethbridge has worked for more than 30 years in government and the private sector, including ten years as the city manager with the City of Lethbridge. He is very active in his community and has served on a wide variety of boards and clubs, including serving as a board member and co-chair of the Southwest Child and Family Services Authority, past president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and board member of the Hockey Alberta Foundation. Sandra Moritz of Medicine Hat has 34 years of experience in the teaching profession, from pre-school to grade 12, focusing on program development for the deaf and persons with developmental disabilities. She has served on a number of boards and committees, including the Medicine Hat Rehabilitation Society - REDI Enterprises for eight years as the chair, two years previously as a board member for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) South Region Community Board, and is currently a community member of the PDD South Board’s East Liaison and Community Engagement Committee. Fred Nowicki of Lethbridge has extensive leadership experience, including as the director of Human Resources Development Canada in the Northwest Territories and southern Alberta. He has a background in human services, has designed and taught woodworking and physical education programs at the Christine Meikle School for Disabled Children in Calgary, implemented Aboriginal child care programs, and was a direct service coordinator for Calgary and southern Alberta for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Fred has served on several boards, including the Southern Alberta Community Living Association and as director and campaign chairman of the United Way. Media inquiries may be directed to: Heather Massel, Communications Seniors and Community Supports 780-415-9950 heather.massel@gov.ab.ca To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.