Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement
As a results-oriented, high-performance organization, Science Alberta Foundation thrives in a culture of financial accountability and program effectiveness. Our commitment to continuous improvement is demonstrated through our comprehensive planning, robust performance measurement system and good governance practices.
Financial Accountability
Science Alberta Foundation strictly adheres to budgets. Project-based accounting and performance measurements enable Science Alberta Foundation to provide reliable evidence about how funds are spent and results derived. We have exceeded the BB Charity of Choice standards and Imagine Canada’s code for ethical fundraising.
Planning Processes
Science Alberta Foundation employs a strategic plan, a business plan, a communication plan and a resource development plan. Each year, the Board of Directors revisits the strategic plan, which identifies strategies and sets program priorities and goals. The business plan outlines the work to be accomplished to achieve these goals. Business plan targets are discussed at monthly staff meetings.
Performance Measurement System
Science Alberta Foundation measures outcomes, quality and reach across the province using extensive evaluation tools and processes. We work with Proactive Information Services to improve our performance indicators and instruments. Data from evaluation forms, interviews and observations is analyzed and reported to staff, the Board and Alberta Innovation and Science.
Governance Practices
Science Alberta Foundation operates under the governance of a volunteer Board of Directors composed of accomplished individuals from across the province who hold the organization accountable. Each Board member is a passionate supporter of science literacy and innovation. They share a commitment to developing resources that make science and technology fascinating for the children, youth and families of Alberta. The Board meets throughout the year to monitor progress, discuss the budget and to review new opportunities.
Board of Directors: 2007-2008
Executive Committee
Brad Klak (Secretary/Treasurer)
President and Managing Director
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
Lacombe, Alberta
Tim Schultz (Government of Alberta Representative)
Executive Assistant to the Minister
Advanced Education and Technology
Edmonton
Arlene Ponting (Science Alberta Foundation CEO)
Chief Executive Officer
Science Alberta Foundation
Calgary, Alberta
Directors
Jason Krips
Assistant Deputy Minister, Government of Alberta
Agriculture and Rural Development
Edmonton, Alberta
Paul R. Clark
Independent Consultant
Former Director of Fuel Supply, TransAlta Utilities
Cochrane, Alberta
Vaughn Paul
Chief Executive Officer
The First Nations (AB) Technical Services Advisory Group (TSAG)
Edmonton
Detailed Biographies
C. Douglas Annable
Chair
Mr. Doug Annable is now a principal in C D Consulting Inc., a management consulting firm, and was formerly the President of the Energy & Mining Division at AMEC Americas Limited. Mr. Annable received both his Bachelor and Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. He is a Life member of APEGGA as well as a member of the Chemical Institute of Canada and the Canadian Society of Chemical Engineering. Mr. Annable is familiar with the not-for-profit sector; his experience includes working with the United Way of Calgary, the University of Saskatchewan College of Engineering, SAIT and Keyano College.
Art Froehlich
Vice-Chair
Mr. Art Froehlich has an extensive history in agriculture and agribusiness. He has spent the last 25 years working in primary food production, agri-business and agrimarketing in Canada, United States, Europe, South America and Asia. As a partner in AdFarm, one of North America’s largest agricultural marketing companies, he is recognized as one of Alberta’s 50 most influential people. Mr. Froehlich is still active on the family farm raising cattle and producing wheat, malting barley and milling oats. He is an alumnus of the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business’ Executive MBA program. He has been honoured with a Centennial Gold Medal from the Province for his extensive volunteer service and also received the distinguished Agrologist Award for the Alberta Institute of Agrologists.
Brad Klak
Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Brad Klak currently serves as President and Managing Director of the Agricultural Financial Services Corporation. Mr. Klak worked with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development in various roles, served as Managing Director of Alberta Economic Development’s trade and investment office in Tokyo, Japan and was Assistant Deputy Minister of Alberta Innovation and Science. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta and also holds a MBA from McGill University.
Tim Schultz
Government of Alberta Representative
Mr. Tim Schultz is the Executive Assistant to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. He brings a strong background in process management and experience in the natural gas industry to his current position. Prior to joining the Alberta Government, he worked as a product specialist for Weir Services Canada where he managed procurement and inventory for the Engine Products Division across western Canada. Previously Mr. Schultz was employed with Harmon Oilfield Services, Universal Compression, Tidewater Compression and Cooper Energy Services. Mr. Schultz received his Journeyman Parts certification in 1986 while working for International Harvester before becoming Parts Manager for an Agriculture Equipment Distributor. He also runs his own business as a licensed photographer and is a member of the St. Albert Community Health Council as well as a member of the Sturgeon Valley Cosmopolitan Club which raises money for leading edge diabetes research.
Arlene Ponting
Science Alberta Foundation CEO
Dr. Arlene Ponting has been Chief Executive Officer of Science Alberta Foundation since 1999. During that time she led the creation of a high performance organization that has exponentially increased its revenue base, its programs and the number of Albertans reached. Dr. Ponting has a B.Sc. (Hon) in Pharmacy and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration. Prior to coming to Science Alberta Foundation she was a drug information pharmacist and author of two books; the Director of Continuing Pharmacy Education at the University of Alberta and an Educational Consultant with SAIT. Dr. Ponting received the Award of Achievement from the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association in 1993 and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 in recognition of outstanding service to the people and the province of Alberta. She serves on the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Board of Trustees of the Alberta Ingenuity Fund. She was selected by Alberta Venture Magazine as one of the top fifty influential people in Alberta in 2008.
Brad Ferguson
Mr. Brad Ferguson is the President of Strategy Summit Ltd.—a leading strategy consulting firm that works exclusively with Alberta’s top business, community and political leaders. Brad graduated from the University of Alberta with degrees in both Economics and Business and went to work immediately for Procter & Gamble and then KPMG. Brad has extensive board experience with Alberta Ingenuity Fund, Edmonton Space & Science Foundation (TELUS World of Science—Edmonton) and Rural Alberta’s Development Fund and continues to support both the provincial innovation and rural agendas across the province.
Brian Hildebrand
Mr. Brian Hildebrand operates an 8,000 acre, no-till farm near Skiff, Alberta. His operation produces grain, oilseeds, pulses and hay. Mr. Hildebrand received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Alberta. He volunteers his time with associations such as the Southern Alberta Conservation Association, the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta and the Southern Alberta Research Association.
C.E. (Chuck) Shultz
Mr. Shultz is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dauntless Energy, Inc. (“Dauntless”), which he formed in 1995. Mr. Shultz was as President and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Canada Resources Limited from 1990 to 1995. Mr. Shultz is Chairman of Canadian Oil Sands Trust and serves on the board of directors of Newfield Exploration and Enbridge Inc. He also is a director of several private companies, including Glencoe Resources, Matrix Solutions and Sonoma Resources. He has been primarily in the upstream oil and gas business for over 40 years. Mr. Schultz serves on the Board for the Alberta Economic Development Authority; the Calgary Airport Authority Business Advisory Council; and the Colorado School of Mines Trustee Advisory Board. Mr. Shultz graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in Geological Engineering in 1961 and was named a distinguished graduate in 1986. He also attended the University of Virginia’s Executive Program in 1980; the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program in 1984; and, completed the Institute of Corporate Directors, Corporate Governance program accrediting him with the ICD.D designation in 2005.
Claude Mindorff
Mr. Claude Mindorff has been active in the North American wind industry for the last seven years. He has served as President of West WindEau Inc. With the acquisition of Superior Wind, by Brascan, he assumed the position of VP Wind Development for Brascan Power Wind (Brookfield Power). He was an active member of the Ontario Industry Taskforce in 2000 and also worked with Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) and Ontario Power Authority (OPA) initiatives studying the integration of wind in Ontario. Mr. Mindorff continues to lead the industry in the areas of innovative site development and wind resourcing technologies and applications. As an active member of CanWEA through both the Ontario caucus and Alberta caucus, he has helped to develop and lead a variety of policy and regulatory initiatives with both provincial governments. From 1981 to 1998, Mr. Mindorff owned and operated a design build construction company in Niagara. He is a graduate of University of Waterloo (BSc 2003).
David Lynch
Under Dr. Lynch’s leadership as Dean of Engineering since 1994, the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta has become a leading Faculty of Engineering in North America. Dr. Lynch received his B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick in 1977, and completed his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Alberta in 1982. Dr. Lynch is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Province of Alberta, Canada. He has received numerous awards including the AC Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the 2001 APEGGA Centennial Leadership Award, the 2004 ASTech Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Alberta Science and Technology Community and in 2004 he also was named the Resource Person of the Year by the Alberta Chamber of Resources. Dr. Lynch is a member of the boards of key leadership bodies such as the Alberta Science and Research Authority, the Alberta Energy Research Institute, Climate Change Central, and the National Institute for Nanotechnology Board of Trustees.
Doug Golosky
Mr. Douglas Golosky established his own company, Clearwater Welding & Fabricating Ltd., which is now a part of The Golosky Group of Companies, headquartered in Fort McMurray. The Golosky Group of Companies consists of eight companies and employs 1000 people. His companies provide a wide variety of industrial products and services to various clients in the oil/gas, oil sands, pulp/paper and construction industries. An innovative and creative entrepreneur, Golosky is focused on research and development. One of his companies, Matrix Wear Technologies, designed a robotic computerized machine to produce longer pipe. He supports apprenticeships; more than 200 certified journeymen, who completed their apprenticeships while employed by Golosky, are currently employed in the trades. Douglas Golosky is a recipient of the Regional Aboriginal Recognition “Entrepreneurial Award” and Syncrude Canada’s Outstanding Achievement Award.
Geoff Mackey
Mr. Geoff Mackey is now retired. Formerly he was the President and CEO at Superior Plus Inc. after spending 10 years with the company in various senior roles. He also has extensive knowledge in Human Resources and Administration after working for many years in this field for Norcen Energy, Trilon Financial, Toys R’ Us and two large management consulting companies. Mr. Mackey has volunteered his time with STARS Air Ambulance, March of Dimes and has served on an assortment of Boards of Directors. He earned his undergraduate and Masters degrees in Sociology from McMaster University and is an institute-certified director through the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Geoff Thompson
Mr. Geoff Thompson is an experienced senior executive who has successfully led three software development companies to become market leaders in their respective markets. Mr. Thompson has a Bachelor of Commerce/Finance degree from the University of Calgary. His broad base of experience includes the organization and management of all aspects of a technology business, developing organization’s from start-up to exit, contracting for and delivery of enterprise and international projects, fund raising and strategic corporate planning. His career has been split between public multinational and small private companies. Mr. Thompson currently sits on one Corporate Board and two non-profit governing Boards. He is married with three children.
Gordon Olsen
Mr. Gordon Olsen is the President of Gordon Olsen Associates Inc. in Calgary. Previously he was the Executive Director of the Southern Alberta Office of the Premier, the Executive Assistant to the Premier and Legislative Affairs/Caucus Liaison, as well as a member of the Alberta Government Office in Ottawa. Mr. Olsen graduated from the University of Alberta in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He also received a Certificate en Française for Langue Seconde from Université Laval in the same year.
Jason Krips
Mr. Jason Krips is an Assistant Deputy Minister of Industry and Food Safety with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Prior to this position he served as an Executive Assistant to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology and as a Legislative Manager at the Department of Government Services, Director of Research and Analysis with the Ministry of Executive Council and Executive Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. Mr. Krips has a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction and a Bachelor of Law. He was admitted as a member of the Alberta Bar in 1997 and was an Associate with Wilson & Hurlbert Barristers & Solicitors.
Jennifer Lowry
Ms. Jennifer Lowry works in the Public Consultation Department at EPCOR. Previously she was a Community Investment Advisor at EPCOR Utilities Inc and prior to that the Education Program Advisor at EPCOR where she helped build and expand EPCOR’s presence and resource base for students and teachers in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Key projects Ms. Lowry is involved with are EPCOR’s sponsorship of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Road to Champions initiatives and the EPCOR Employee Volunteer Program.
Ms. Lowry graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education Degree in 2003 and then went on to become an English instructor in Japan, working for Hitachi in 2003-04. Ms. Lowry has been a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters Edmonton for six years as well as a judge for the Edmonton Regional Science Fair.
Kerry Rudd
Mr. Kerry Rudd is President and CEO of Associated Engineering. He has 28 years of experience in the design and construction of municipal services, transportation facilities, and site development projects. Prior to joining Associated Engineering, he was employed by Mott, Hay and Anderson, Consulting Engineers in England, as a civil engineer. Mr. Rudd has a Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering (First Class Honours) from the Southampton University (UK). Mr. Rudd is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C., Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers UK and the Project Management Institute.
Linda Palladino
Ms. Linda Palladino is currently the Director of Human Resources at Enbridge Pipelines. She spent over 18 years specializing in the field of Human Resources and has worked for the Edmonton and Calgary health regions in various human resource roles before moving to the oil and gas sector. Ms. Palladino obtained both her undergraduate degree in Arts and a Certificate in Personnel Administration from the University of Alberta.
Paul R. Clark
Mr. Paul Clark is now retired, and was previously the Director of Fuel Supply at TransAlta Utilities Corporation in Calgary. He previously worked as a Manager of Mine Planning for Montreal Engineering Corporation and held various senior operating positions with northern Canadian companies. Paul graduated from Haileybury School of Mines and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering as well as a Masters of Science in Mineral Industry Management both earned at the University of Alaska. His community service is recognised as a Fellow at the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and as a Past President of the Stockman’s Memorial Foundation. Mr. Clark’s personal interests are mountain hiking, ranching and anything related to western culture.
Stephen Burns
Stephen Burns is a partner in the Calgary office of Bennett Jones LLP. Stephen’s practice focuses primarily on information and privacy law, technology transactions and the commercialization of intellectual property.
Stephen’s practice includes advising organizations with respect to their technology and outsourcing transactions and their information management, document retention, privacy and rights management programs, policies and procedures. Stephen currently advises a number of large natural resource and regulated utility companies in respect of their IT, privacy, document retention and information management projects. Stephen’s technology practice includes advising technology companies in respect of development, distribution, and licensing agreements, and the development and implementation of their intellectual property portfolio management policies and practices.
As a trade-mark agent, Stephen regularly deals with issues concerning licensing, registration and protection of trade-marks in Canada and abroad.
A member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, IT.CAN (Canadian IT Law Association), Canadian Bar Association and Calgary Bar Association, Stephen has lectured for the Alberta Institute of Chartered Accountants; given presentations on confidential information, document retention, private sector privacy, software licensing, seismic data licensing, e-commerce, intellectual property portfolio management, and trade mark licensing; and published papers and texts on these and other technology related issues.
A former board member, Stephen currently serves as counsel to the boards for the Calgary French and International School and its sister societies. Prior to his work with the Calgary French and International School, Stephen served as a director for the Calgary Habitat for Humanity Society.
Stephen received his H.B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in 1992, his LL.B. from the University of Manitoba in 1997, and his M.B.A. from the University of Calgary in 2004.
Steven A. Gaudet
Mr. Steven Gaudet is Manager, Environment & Reclamation for Syncrude Canada Ltd. at their oil sands operations in Fort McMurray, Alberta where he has held various earth sciences, technical and management positions. Throughout his career he has worked in the petroleum industry in Western Canada, the Canadian East Coast offshore and the North Sea. Mr. Gaudet holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Saint Mary’s University) and a Master of Business Administration (Athabasca University). He brings governance experience from his volunteerism as a Board Member of the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association and the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, along with past service on the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists Practice Standards Committee. He enjoys sailing and spending time with his family.
Vaughn Paul
Mr. Vaughn Paul is the Chief Executive Officer of The First Nations (AB) Technical Services Advisory Group (TSAG). This group provides technical services and training for Alberta First Nations in the Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8 areas. TSAG specializes in housing, public works and community facilities, information technology and environmental management. The goal of the organization is to assist First Nation communities in achieving and maintaining high standards in all these areas. Mr. Paul has worked on a number of projects that have enhanced the capacity of the First Nations, particularly in the area of environmental management. He has a varied work history which includes: Director of First Nations Employment and Training Centre (FNET), Assistant Director of the Alexander First Nation Education Authority (AFNEA) and Manager of Public Works & Housing.