(Edmonton) Premier designate Jim Prentice today announced two distinguished Albertans as members of his senior staff, who will play critical roles in the new Progressive Conservative government.
Former Member of the Legislative Assembly and distinguished economist Dr. Michael Percy will serve as Chief of Staff to the Premier. Former Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Edmonton and strategic policy expert Patricia Misutka will serve as Principal Secretary.
“It is my privilege to announce that Dr. Michael Percy is joining my office as Chief of Staff,” said Prentice. “Mike is an esteemed former legislator who earned the respect of colleagues of all political stripes, and is one of Alberta’s preeminent financial figures who has advanced fiscal policy in Alberta. His experience will bring a steady hand to the Office of the Premier.”
“Patricia Misutka brings to my office experience in senior leadership positions in both the public and the private sector,” Prentice said of his Principal Secretary. “Patricia served as the Chief of Staff for former Mayor Mandel in three successful consecutive terms that mark a dynamic period of growth and progress in the City of Edmonton, she will be a valuable addition to my office.”
Prentice will lead a new Progressive Conservative government that is focused on the issues that matter to Albertans. Working together, Alberta can achieve great things.
Dr. Michael Percy
Dr. Michael Percy was born in Banff, Alberta. He completed his B.A. at the University of Victoria and his MA and PhD in economics from Queen’s University.
Dr. Percy was Dean of the Alberta School of Business from 1997 to 2011. He is an economist and was also a Professor of Strategic Management in the Alberta School of Business. He has published extensively in the area of public policy, trade and international and regional economic development. He is an active commentator on current public policy issues and teaches in a number of executive development programs. He has participated on a number of advisory panels for the federal and provincial governments including several provincial health care advisory panels. For the Government of Alberta he was Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Provincial Energy Strategy of Alberta, and served as a member of the Health Governance Review Task Force. He was a member of the Federal Government Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Funding Formula.
Until Thursday he was serving on the Boards of Epcor, K-Bro Linen Systems, Sawridge Group, and Alberta Treasury Branches as well on the Northern Alberta Military Museum Initiative. He was formerly on the boards of Matrikon, Timber Holdings and STARS. He was President of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce in 2002 and was also a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Alberta from 1993 to 1997 where he served as the Liberal Opposition Finance critic.
Patricia Misutka, MBA
Patricia Misutka worked as Chief of Staff to Edmonton’s Mayor from 2004 to 2013. In addition to managing the political and intergovernmental affairs of the Mayor’s Office, she led key policy initiatives and sought alignment with the Corporation. Subsequent to leaving the Mayor’s Office, Patricia has been consulting on corporate communications, policy and stakeholder issues for clients including Edmonton International Airport, the City of Edmonton and Waste RE-solutions Edmonton. Patricia has also been working towards her PhD Candidacy at the University of Alberta, School of Business in the department of Strategic Management and Organizations.
Her doctoral research has focused on the intersection between global best practices and local communities, specifically looking at the efforts of cities in developing nations who seek to adopt and adapt progressive waste management practices. Patricia also researches in the area of sustainability measurement practices as well as stakeholder management practices in Alberta’s Oil Sands and the Northern Gateway Pipeline.
Prior to joining the Mayor’s Office in 2004, Patricia was Executive Director of the Glenrose Hospital Foundation (2002-2004) and worked for several years in corporate communications consulting in Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia. She received her Masters of Business Administration degree (2009) and studied Honours History at the University of Alberta.