Board of Directors
Gary Pool, President
Region 1
After working in the oil industry for 35 years (including 20 plus in Fort McMurray) I retired to a property in Sturgeon County. Since retirement I have been an active volunteer with our local seniors centre in Morinville. I am a bridge player and help organize tournaments and events. I help organize casinos for both ACA and the Rendez Vous Seniors Centre.
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Paige Walker, Vice President
Region 4
Paige comes to Alberta Council on Aging with 7 years of healthcare experience in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Clinical Research where she currently works. She is currently a Nursing student at the University of Calgary with a passion for working with older adults. She has volunteered with various Long Term Care facilities both in Edmonton and Calgary as a Friendly Visitor to provide care and meaningful connection to residents. She comes to ACA with enthusiasm to advocate for and provide support to people of all ages. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her fiancé and puppy, spending time with friends and family, figure skating and reading. She is always looking to challenge herself by finding new ways to grow and is extremely excited to sit on the Board of Directors with ACA.
Gail Hiller, Treasurer
Gail works on a part-time basis in accounting. She also has a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Clothing and Textiles of which she taught in College and University. Gail still enjoys “dabbling in that a little”. Currently, Gail is passionate about a project making special needs clothing items for long term care residents.
Ron Rose, Secretary
Region 3
Ron graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Pharmacy. He has forty years of experience in hospital, long term care, corrections and community pharmacy. He is married, with two children and two grandchildren and two granddogs.
Ron has been active with ACA Region 3 for the last 7 years, and on the provincial board of directors for 4 years.
Marion Huggins, Region 1
Marion bring a background in training and safety to the ACA Board. An ambassador of her community (Peers) and active member of the Peers and District Agricultural Society, she joined ACA to listen and amplify the voices of seniors to help initiate change.
Mari-Agnes Cardinal, Region 1
Don Westman, Region 2
Don spent 31 years working as a Corrections Officer at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Facility. For about 11 years he served on the Provincial Executive of Alberta Union of Public Employees, Local 3, including serving on the Finance Committee for A.U.P.E. During that time he served on the negotiating committee for Local 3 and for the Master Agreement for all government employees.
Don served 15 years on City Council for the City of Fort Saskatchewan and served in a variety of roles during that time
Don has been a very active member of the local Lions Club for over 20 years and have served in many executive positions during that time. He is currently the Treasurer of the club, the chair of our Campground Operating Committee and serves on the board of the Fort Lions Transportation Society. As well, he is part of a 3 member team that is renovating and converting an older commercial building that they recently purchased into a community hall that we can use to help ‘not for profit’ groups and other organizations with limited funds in our community.
John Feddema, Region 3
John married Irene in 1965 and together they have raised six children, four boys and two girls. They now have 14 grandchildren. John started farming right out of Agricultural college in mixed farming and eventually specialized to a custom feedlot. Upon retirement John started a unique venture of becoming a weekly vendor at Alberta farmers markets selling roasted dandelion root coffee substitutes and teas. Over the years John has held Board Member positions on many local community groups such at the AG society, Feeder Association, REA, 4H, church groups, etc. The 4H motto “learn to do by doing” has stayed with him for his entire life.
Colleen Dehmke, Region 5
Colleen is a recently retired nurse with a Diploma in Nursing and Health Care Admin. Long-Term Care. She has worked with the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council and led these communities to create their own Coordinated Community Response to Elder Abuse; Hanna, Sylvan Lake, Medicine Hat, and surrounding rural communities.
Colleen is an avid volunteer having contributed thousands of hours in everything from school activities, sports, church, and community events, all while raising four daughters. She looks forward to the service work with the Alberta Council on Aging and for all older Albertans in our Province.
Staff
Mary Benson, Executive Director
I have been fortunate to have experienced several opportunities in life with career and volunteer choices. I spent 25 years in the Dental field. Holding a lot of hands, comforting and reassuring individuals of all ages. I always knew I wanted to help and support others. In 2010 I pursued a career change. Little did I know that Senior Care would have such an impact on my life and become such a passion in my heart. I worked in two very different senior facilities. I provided recreational and support programs for seniors of an independent level of care to working with seniors in Level 4 supportive living and dementia. Offering supports and direction for families to resource and help navigate them through the changes in life of their loved ones. I am a strong advocate always pushing for supports and resources to help our most vulnerable population. I want to continue to be the voice heard for those that can not speak. In my spare time I enjoy most being at the lake, the peace of nature and spending time with family and friends.