Image

OUR 2024 KEYNOTE SPEAKER IS CHRIS CUMMINS




Image

Carmen Andrew

Carmen is the Director of Rural Programming with Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development. The Alberta Agricultural Societies Program is one of the main projects in her portfolio, in addition to the Ag-Info Centre, Agri-News and other key agricultural recognition programs like the Century Farm and Ranch Award and Agriculture Hall of Fame. Carmen is based out of the Stettler office, resides in the central Alberta village of Delburne and is active with her community and family.



Image

Brad Andres

Brad has been an emergency manager in the Alberta provincial government since 2005. He has been involved in the Province’s work on many different events (the 2011 Slave Lake Wildfire, 2013 South Alberta Floods, 2016 Wood Buffalo Wildfire, and 2023 Wildfire). Brad is currently the Director of the Emergency Management Section in the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. In addition to the work on natural disasters, he works closely with the teams from animal health, crop health and food safety branches to ensure that the department has plans in place and is ready to respond to outbreaks in those areas.



Image

Tannis Baker

Tannis brings her knowledge and experience of over 15 years working in beverage-alcohol to the culinary tourism industry at Food Tourism Strategies (FTS), an Alberta-based consulting firm with a passion for growing and sharing the local food scene. Tannis was appointed Executive Director of the Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance in 2014 as a result of her leadership and deep experience in food marketing, wine and spirits, sales and education fields. In 2015, Tannis was named 50 Most Influential Albertans by Alberta Venture Magazine. Previous to this, Tannis was project lead of market research on Food Marketing & Policy at the University of Calgary, and was Brown-Forman’s Director of Business Development for Western Canada. She is a sessional instructor for the hospitality program at Olds College, and sits on the Advisory Committee for the program. Alongside her FTS partner Rheannon Green, their programs have been nominated for and won several awards, including an Alto Award for Collaborative Marketing, and a Canadian Tourism Award for Best Culinary Experience.





Image

Karen Berglund

Karen says she has horticulture in her DNA. Growing up on Vancouver Island, her whole family gardened together. Karen is an Olds College grad, with a Diploma in Vegetable Production. For more than 30 years Karen’s community of Stony Plain has benefited from her horticultural skills- running a horticultural maintenance business, volunteering with the Stony Plain Horticultural Society, teaching a comprehensive school horticulture program, and exhibiting at local fairs. In 2016 Karen became an accredited horticulture judge through the Alberta Horticultural Association. As a board member, she took on the responsibility for coordinating the AHA Judging Program in 2019. Working with bench show convenors, Karen has enjoyed meeting amazing volunteers, travelling throughout Alberta, sharing experiences with fellow judges, and hearing many people’s gardening experiences and challenges.



Image

Elliot Bridgewater

Elliot is a member of the Alberta Law Society and the British Columbia Law Society. He is a Fellow with Sustainable Economies Law Centre in Oakland, California and has taught advocacy focused on Co-operatives at the University of Calgary. He assists clients with incorporation, governance, commercial transactions, securities, employment law, and civil litigation. Elliot is a member of ACCA and BCCA and collaborates with both associations presenting on cooperative start-up formation, board governance, co-operative principles, and community investment. Elliot has been providing independent legal services to co-operatives, social enterprise and community-minded businesses since 2017. Elliot has recently been elected as a Director of Calgary Co-op and is looking forward to contributing co-operative leadership to one of the largest retail co-operatives in Canada.



Image

Marla Calico

Marla is passionate about agricultural fairs and the people who make them happen. She’s often referred to as “The Fair Chick”. Her role as the President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions is the culmination of a life spent involved with fairs – as an exhibitor, a visitor, volunteer, employee and manager.



Image

Joy Cavin

Joy Cavin is a seasoned Relationship Manager with a strong focus on agricultural lending. With over a decade of experience in personal, agricultural, and business lending, Joy has developed a deep passion for working with farmers. In 2021, she joined Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) as a Relationship Manager Lending. Joy is also an active contributor to her community, volunteering and fundraising in Olds for the past 12 years. She looks forward to supporting her customers as they navigate the digital era in agriculture and achieve growth and success in the industry.



Image

Perry Cramer

Perry Cramer Vice President, Client Executive Perry and his firm specialize in providing insurance and risk management services to ag societies in Alberta. Foster Park Brokers, now called NFP Canada, has been providing insurance to Ag Societies since 2004



Image

Chris Cummins

In a world craving inspiration, Chris Cummins stands out. At the helm of Cummins Media Inc for 19 years, he's been the guiding force behind enhanced leadership and communication for Canada's elite, including BMW, FED-EX, Microsoft, The Calgary Stampede Board of Directors, Rideau Hall’s Governor General’s Office, Manulife Bank, Canadian Olympic Committee leadership team, Alamos Gold Mines, CIBC. His expertise isn't just sought after—it's a beacon for transformation in the corporate sphere and beyond.

Using personal stories of adversity and human perseverance, he combines intelligent humour, high-level strategy and (sometimes if you ask nicely) beat-boxing to bring his training sessions to life.

Connect with Chris on linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscummins/



Image

Dom d'Argent

Sr Network Engineer
TechConnect

Dom has always been proud of his prairie heritage, as he was raised on a small farm in Southern Alberta. In addition to school and sports, he was busy operating farm equipment, tending livestock, helping the community and roaming gravel roads for new adventures. He has a great appreciation for community life and rural participation.

Dom pursued further education with a career in Information Technology. His career has included working on large scale networks for campuses, cities, countries and global projects. As a Sr. Network Engineer for TechConnect, he currently applies his 35 years of career experience to helping rural Alberta Agricultural Societies and small prairie communities deploy private broadband networks. He takes pride in being able to give back and support communities in Alberta similar to the ones that supported him as he was growing up. It is the highlight of his career.



Image

Nicola Doherty

Nicola  started working with AAAS in 2019 as part of Alberta Open Farm Days as the marketing coordinator. She has been working in marketing and social media for over 10 years with her own company, Cultivate Digital Media working on social media, marketing, and public relations for local and national brands. When she’s not working, she enjoys hanging out with her family and dogs and is going to thoroughly enjoy travelling again.



Image

Max Fritz

Max brings a unique suite of skills from an extensive business background. His previous senior positions and working with agricultural societies and fairs at the community, regional and national levels have created a passion for advocating for Alberta’s world class landscape, the critical fabric of rural communities and the people that care for it so well. He is approachable and a perceptive individual who enjoys working with organizations in building realistic strategic solutions that advances their relevance and purpose; this blends well in his current leadership position with a regional land conservation organization where he has the pleasure of safeguarding the beauty of our natural landscape in partnership with ranchers and farmers that share those same values.



Image

Larry Golby

Larry Golby has been an Arena Instructors with RFP for over 30 years. He has taught courses all over North America and has a wealth of knowledge in this subject. Larry is currently the Education Representative for RFP.



Image

Colin Gosselin

Colin Gosselin is the Sr. Project Coordinator for the Rural Programming Section at Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. Colin has been focused on the agricultural societies program for the last several years, and has been involved with rural affairs more broadly for over 15 years. He “keeps it rural” with his wife and two children in Lac Ste. Anne County, and is based out of the Department’s Stony Plain field office



Image

Shawn Gramiak

On September 1, 2023, Shawn Gramiak celebrated his 25th year of working with MacEwan University as a computer skills instructor. He started back when it was Grant MacEwan Community College, and along the way, worked with clients such as the Alberta Provincial Government, Enbridge Pipelines and The Capital Health Authority. Shawn is most proud of his work with seniors, having worked with Northgate and Central Lions Senior’s Centres, Edmonton Lifelong Learning Association, The South East Edmonton Seniors Association and a variety of Agricultural groups and Learning Councils in Alberta. He has also worked as a trainer with Metro Continuing Education in Edmonton and has recently been working with Norquest. Shawn is also an accomplished standup comic, a proud Cat Dad and an amateur worm farmer.



Image

Shari Hanson

Shari’s educational pursuits were greatly influenced by her participation with Canada World Youth (having traveled on a youth exchange to India), her rural background, and especially her involvement with “learn to do by doing” (she was a 4-H member for 8 years). Shari has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Anthropology and a Master of Science degree in Rural Extension Studies. Her work and serving on a number of Boards offer valuable lived experience and fuels her life-long learning.



Image

Melanie Harty

Supporting business owners in building their family legacy and successfully transitioning their businesses to the next generation is my area of expertise. As a CPA and certified Family Enterprise Advisor, I continue to leverage my broad experience to guide businesses and non-profits through their tax planning initiatives, estate and succession planning, accounting, auditing, and financial management. I’ve worked with clients across various industries—including agriculture, construction, oil and gas, retail, and family businesses—to assist with specialty tax work, farm succession, corporate reorganizations, and amalgamations. Prior to joining forces with Grant Thornton, I was a managing partner at BVA LLP and, before that, spent time working on my family farm. This experience allows me to provide my clients with a real-world perspective for their businesses. I also believe in giving back to the community where I work, which is why I’m an active Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat. I’m also a board member of the Rotary Musical Festival Society, as well as the Treasurer of the Bridges Family Programs, and participate in 100 Women Who Care.




Image

Ian Hill

Humanitarian, Business Leader, Award Winning Social Innovator, Professional Development Pioneer, and World Record Breaker; these are some of the words often used when referring to Ian Hill.

Today, Ian is CEO of the National Grassroots Media Corporation and its family of networks. These Digital TV networks reach into 87% households across Canada and the US, as well 4.1 billion mobile devices around the world. Currently, Ian is attempting to set his 2nd world record by becoming the oldest man to play NCAA Division 1 college football in the US. This effort is to bring light to the alarming suicide rates in our communities. He just finished playing at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster California where he was the starting Longsnapper.

Ian is also known for his humanitarian effort, “Let Them Be Kids”, of which he is the founder and volunteer CEO. This initiative built 168 playgrounds, skate parks and fitness parks across Canada and the World Leisure Congress named the Let Them Be Kids program one of the foremost innovative social leisure programs in the world.

The National Council for Community and Justice and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, recognized Ian for his commitment to positive change, by naming Ian Humanitarian of the Year. Canadian Business legend, Harry Rosen, presented Ian with the Alder Business Leaders award, and he was nominated for the Prime Minister's “Social Innovator of the Year Award.




Image

Joanne Holt

I started doing preserves early on with a 4-H program. I also had a good mentor. I was trained and food science at the University of Guelph. She led me into all sorts of types of baking, and gave me a great knowledge in basic food handling. Although I did not grow up on a farm, I did grow up in Rural Ontario near Napanee. I did attend Napanee, fair and compete in for age categories, and my teenager years. I went to the University of Guelph, and achieved a BA. From there, I have done many different jobs and getting a lot of experience in many areas. I had the fortune of serving with Evelyne Near on the provincial board for the Ontario agricultural association in those days we had Homecraft separate from the agriculture. There were some absolutely terrific judging mentors in the program. I was able to gain a lot of knowledge, and start judging and qualifying with very experienced individuals, most of who went on to be president of the Homecraft section or take higher positions As for judging, I have done many years and visited many fairs. I am a qualified judge in many categories. Just before Covid, I was finally able to qualify as a judge instructor. I position that I treat as an honour and very much enjoy. I was given the opportunity to be part of the original judging panel review for our home craft judging book. Currently, I am still involved in the judging panel and assist when questions, along with the other panel members.




Image

Heather Karst

Heather Karst grew up on a mixed beef and grain fam in southern Saskatchewan before completing her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. She has then spent almost 20 years in Agriculture lending in Saskatchewan and Alberta. 10 ½ years at RBC, just over 3 years at AFSC, and the last 5 ½ years with Servus.




Image

Eileen Kotowich

Farmers’ Market Specialist, Food Science & Development Section
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation - Government of Alberta

Eileen is the Farmers' Market Specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, managing the government Approved Farmers' Market Program on behalf of the province. In her role, Eileen clarifies the Guideline requirements, develops resources, provides links to other government representatives, offers workshops and coaching to market managers, vendors and sponsors on conflict resolution, market rules, bylaws and regulations. She has conducted more than 800 site visits checking for compliance with government guidelines as well as regulations – and of course shopping. Between farmers' market visits in the summer, Eileen can usually be found on a boat fishing or relaxing in a campsite.



Image

Andrew Lundell

A creative and technically suave alternative energy technologist with valuable experience working on solar photovoltaic projects over the 9 years of industry experience. Andrew has strong understanding and knowledge of key principles for designing and planning solar projects in a streamlined manner. Specializing in agricultural, residential, and commercial installations Andrew is a leader in his field and a big proponent for people and businesses who wish to produce their own power.



Image

Penny C. McBride

Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce

Penny C. McBride is the President & CEO of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, which represents 900+ members through a program of work including workforce development, member engagement, education/training, industry communication and governmental affairs. The Chamber also produces the Light The Night Christmas Parade, which is attended by 24,000 people and viewed live by 17,000 on CBS Austin. She writes a weekly newspaper column, which can be found along with other writings on her blog – ALesserLife.com


Image

Adrian McDonald

Adrian McDonald is the Team Lead – Lending for AFSC’s West Central lending region.  He has been working for AFSC supporting lending clients for 23 years and currently leads a team of lenders in AFSC’s Ponoka, Leduc, Stony Plain, Barrhead, Westlock, and Lamont branches.   Adrian grew up on the farm before joining AFSC and having the opportunity to support our agriculture producers to start and grow their operations.



Image

Chris McKenna

Chris has been an arena Instructor with RFP for over 30 years. He has taught courses all over North America and has a wealth of knowledge in this subject



Image

Seth McVeity

Seth McVeity is the Client Relations Coordinator at Centre for Suicide Prevention. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Mount Royal University, with a major in marketing and a minor in social innovation. Seth supports the Centre’s mission to reduce stigma and increase awareness and uptake of suicide prevention education. The Buddy Up Campaign is one of his main projects, which aims to promote authentic conversations among men and their buddies, while also contributing to the external elements of research and community development projects



Image

Eric Moland

Eric started his insurance career in 1984 by attending a 2 year Insurance Admin course offered at Grant McEwan, Edmonton. He and his wife Susanne then immediately moved to Drumheller where he learned to specialize in Farm & Ag based business insurance. As the years progressed he moved back closer to his family in Edmonton and eventually to Susanne’s family farm north of Bon Accords (AB). He continued to focus on farm insurance as well as larger commercial operations such as dirt contractors, churches & schools, property managers and tourism related operators. Eric has always had a strong focus on building relationships with his clients with the goal of exceeding their service expectations. Surrounded by an exceptional team of dedicated people at All Insurance Ltd. this continues to be his focus. With an industry that seems caught up in the world of technology - Eric still prefers sitting around a kitchen table over a cup of coffee (and pie! hint hint) to learn about his client’s actual insurance needs so he can properly design insurance policies that work for them!



Image

Evelyne Near

Evelyne Near has been a qualified instructor that I have known for more years than we can count. Evelyn is a very qualified Cook, Baker and kitchen aficionado. There are not many people I know That can coordinate a roast beef, dinner with mashed potatoes and more trimmings than you would ever believe for her Fairboard fundraiser. She is not only the potato peeler. She’s also the person in charge of cooking. This background comes to her naturally she grew up on a farm in Arthur Ontario. Evelyne raised a family and has been a huge part of the Arthur agricultural society throughout her life. She’s a qualified judge in all areas, an expert quilter, and also crafter sewer, and anything else involving hands. She had the pleasure of serving with everyone on the provincial Director board, where we both were very involved in our convention and many other aspects of the group. As a judge, Evelyne is in very much demand at fair time. She’s also very experienced exhibitor, and a good person as a resource for those new to judging. Evelyne will bring her expertise and feel free to ask questions. Her sense of humour and dry wet will be included in our presentation. Look forward to a world of experience.


Image

Dan Ohler

Dan is a proud husband, father, life-long entrepreneur and community-builder. He’s a down-to-earth farm boy, dedicated Ag Society Director, and believer in the Co-op model which can fill the needs in any community, including yours.
At home in Sangudo, AB, and concerned about the social and economic crumbling of their rural community, a small, dedicated group incorporated Sangudo Opportunity Development Co-op (SODC) in 2010. As a co-founder, Dan has been instrumental in the six projects they’ve completed, with the seventh ready to launch. Dan will share various co-op types, their uses, and how to mobilize the financial, social, emotional, and intellectual capital which exists in every community.


Image

Brett Pereira

CPA Tax Manager - Grant Thornton LLP


Image

Terra Pombert

Terra is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s Master of Arts in Community Engagement program and a degree in Environmental Studies. Her research is on the Role of Agricultural Societies in the Local Food System. A Beaumont resident, she is the owner of Sunflowers Urban Farm (est. 2019), a small-scale urban farm start-up growing cut-flowers and produce for her community using regenerative and organic practices. She has been a director with the Beaumont & District Agricultural Society for five years and is currently developing a food forest education center at their facility to provide educational programming, increase membership value and community connections. Terra is a passionate advocate for local food and believes that investing in agriculture can improve economic stability in communities and support meaningful employment.


Image

Jason Roy

Jason combines a friendly approach to technology with a deep understanding of what community groups need. With over two decades in the tech world, he has been creating tools that are simple to use and really make a difference.  At FrontDoor+, which he co-founded, Jason’s passion is to make event organizing a breeze, especially for volunteers and agricultural societies. He is dedicated to providing solutions that help your events run smoothly, ensuring that technology feels like a helpful neighbor, not a hurdle. His Mission – to make every interaction with tech as straightforward and rewarding as possible.



Image

Michelle Simoneau

Michelle Simoneau is the Team Lead – Lending for North West region.  She has been a lender with AFSC for 10 years and in her current role leading a team of 9 lenders in LaCrete, Grimshaw, Fairview, Grande Prairie, Falher and Athabasca.  As a farmer and a lender, Michelle is keenly aware of the joys and challenges of farming and financial management.


Image

Dennis Trzok

~


Image

Monika Warring

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Monika Warring and I have been with the Government of Alberta for a little over 8 years. About 3 years ago I joined the Rural Policy and Programming Section as Grant Program Support. I process the Agricultural Societies Annual Grant and Annual Return applications and assist with the review of Bylaws. Those are just a few of the many ways I am available to assist agricultural societies. I can be found in the Stony Plain Office of Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development. An original Eastern transplant I have lived in Alberta for over 30 years and currently live in the Lac Ste Anne County.


Image

Adam Wolfe

~