Premier designate gets to work on forming his new government
(Edmonton) Premier designate Jim Prentice announced his transition team today.
“This is a group of talented, principled, and well respected Albertans who will assist in the transition to a new Progressive Conservative government, and I am honoured to have them on my team” said Jim Prentice. “Under my leadership we will restore the bond of trust between Albertans and their elected officials, and return to sound conservative fiscal principles.”
The team is made up of qualified individuals from across the province who possess the wide range of experience and the skill set required to recommend the changes needed to return good government to Alberta.
This swift transition into leading a new era for Alberta is the first step in implementing the five priorities he campaigned on. It sets a direction for government that marks the beginning of a commitment to integrity and the acceptance of responsibility.
Prentice Transition Team:
• Tim Hearn (Chair)
• Honourable Robin Campbell
• Stephen Mandel
• Sarah Raiss
• Robert Seidel
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.
More about the team members:
TIM HEARN
Tim. J. Hearn is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Oil Limited and the current Chairman of the consulting/investment management and philanthropic organization Hearn & Associates.
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Mr. Hearn is a graduate of the University of Manitoba. During his career he worked and lived throughout Canada, and for 10 years he headed global businesses while living in the U.S.A., and Asia.
Mr. Hearn is a member of the board of directors of the Royal Bank of Canada, and ARC Resources. He is past chairman of the Board of Directors of the C.D. Howe Institute, a past member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and has chaired fund-raising campaigns for Tyndale University and the University of Alberta. He was also a member of the Canadian Government to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). This international organization was created by Canada, Mexico, and the United States under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
For a number of years, Mr. Hearn has served on several community boards and committees. He is the past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Calgary Homeless Foundation and past Chair of the Advisory Board of the new Public Policy School and a previous member of the Dean’s Medical School Advisory Boards, both at the University of Calgary. He is involved in a number of philanthropic activities and Chairs the board of New Life Centres which is affiliated with Centre Street Church.
HONOURABLE ROBIN CAMPBELL
Robin Campbell was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for West Yellowhead on April 23, 2012. Mr. Campbell was appointed as Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Government House Leader on December 13, 2013. He previously served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Deputy House Leader and as a member of the Treasury Board.
Prior to becoming a cabinet minister, Mr. Campbell served as Chief Government Whip and Deputy Government Whip. He also chaired the Northern Alberta Development Council.
Mr. Campbell attended Laurentian University from 1974 to 1978 graduating with a Bachelor of Science. He spent many years lecturing at Universities and conferences across the country about labour relations issues.
Prior to entering provincial politics, Mr. Campbell was the president of the local United Mine Workers of America and worked as an appeals commissioner with the Workers’ Compensation Board. He was also a member of the Alberta Labour Relations Board and the Environmental Protection Advisory Committee.
In the summer of 2013, Mr. Campbell was recognized by Treaty 7 Management Corporation and supporting Chiefs for his work with First Nations. During a ceremony in Calgary, Mr. Campbell was given a ceremonial headdress and the Blackfoot name Mak-Koyii-Sa-Pii, meaning “Wolf Charger.”
r. Campbell currently resides in Jasper.
STEPHEN MANDEL
Stephen Mandel is an Edmonton businessman and community leader who served as Edmonton’s Mayor from 2004 to 2013. He led City Council during a period of extensive growth and brought forward the City’s most aggressive period of infrastructure investment including massive upgrades to roads, expansion to the City’s LRT system and the first major investment in community centres and libraries in over 30 years.
Mandel also spearheaded the City’s participation in the development of a new arena and entertainment district and a re-imaging of the former city centre airport into a major new central, medium density community for up to 30,000 people.
Mandel also ensured the City was a more active participant on major social and community issues, bringing forward and earning City and community support for homeless, diversity and community safety initiatives that have continued to thrive beyond his terms in office.
Prior to first being elected to Council in 2001, Mandel spent more than 30 years as an independent business owner with primary interests in land development.
Stephen has his Associate of Arts Degree from Lincoln College, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Miami University and a Masters in Political Science from the University of Windsor. He has lived in Edmonton since, 1972, is married to Lynn and they have two children and one grandson.
SARAH RAISS
Sarah Raiss currently serves on the Board of Directors of Loblaw Companies, Canadian Oil Sands, Vermilion Energy and Commercial Metals Company. She also serves as the Chair of the Alberta Electric System Operator Board, and sits on the National Board of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
She is the past director of Shopper’s Drug Mart, Business Development Bank of Canada, served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Services for TransCanada Corporation for 11 years, and as the President of the Calgary Petroleum Club having served on the Board of Governors for 8 years.
Ms. Raiss holds a BS in Applied Mathematics and an MBA from the University of Michigan, and has extensive experience in telecommunications, engineering, merger integration, governance and marketing.
Ms. Raiss has served as the co-chair of United Way Calgary, was named to Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 list for consecutive years between 2003 and 2006, and was named to the inaugural Canadian Board Diversity Council’s Diversity 50 list of most board-ready women.
ROBERT SEIDEL
Robert A. Seidel, QC is the Firm Managing Partner of Davis LLP. His corporate/commercial law expertise is focused on M&A, real estate, energy, environment and natural resources, forestry, commercial lending and project finance.
With nearly 30 years of experience, Rob provides legal and strategic advice to his private and public sector clients on a broad range of matters.
Rob has a broad background of community and public service and currently serves on the City of Edmonton’s Investment Committee. He is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association.
He is also a member of the University of Alberta’s President’s Advisory Committee and Law School Dean’s Advisory Committee.
Rob was born and raised in Edmonton, and attended the University of Alberta for has a Bachelor of Commerce, with distinction and a law Degree degrees. He serves as the Chair of Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions and as the Alberta Honourary Consul for the Kingdom of Denmark.