Board of Directors Nominees 2019 - Monday, March 25, 2019 7:30pm - South Country Co-op
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Board of Directors
Nominees 2019
SOUTH COUNTRY CO-OP
Annual General Meeting
OFFICIAL NOTICE
Monday, March 25, 2019
7:30pm
Chinook Village
2801 13th Ave SE
Medicine Hat, AB
LEARN MORE
ABOUT YOUR
CANDIDATES
This year, South Country Co-op Ltd has four
director positions to fill.
There are two expiring director positions and two
vacant positions. The top three candidates' term
will expire in 2022, with the fourth highest
candidate's term expiring in 2021.
To be eligible to vote, individuals must have a
South Country Co-op Ltd membership in their
own name on or before the fiftieth (50th) day
prior to the annual general meeting, in
accordance with Bylaw 4.05 -Record Date.
Please join us at our Annual Meeting on Monday,
March 25, 2019 at 7:30pm.
Please review the following 11 candidates in
contention to prepare for the AGM vote.
Jim
Cooper
My name is Jim Cooper. My wife Susan and I farm along with my son Kevin and
his wife Janae just outside the City of Medicine Hat. We also have two daughters
Jill and Lisa and families who reside in Medicine Hat and Calgary respectively.
South Country Co-op has been a major source of inputs for both our farm and
household business for many years. Our membership number is 274 which we
inherited from Susan’s grandfather early in our farming career so you can
understand our long history with the co-op.
The co-operative model of South Country has peaked my interest very much. I
have followed the annual meetings, the growth of the business, it’s financials with
great interest for the last number of years. It excites me to see the success and I
want to understand more by offering my services if the membership wishes!
My experience looking back, has always focused on being part of Alberta rural
business.
Currently, I am a Director of Forty Mile Gas Co-op and have been there for almost
20 years. I had the position of Chairman for 14 years. Forty Mile is the largest by
area supplier of natural gas in the province of Alberta. During my tenure as
Chairman we completed a very successful amalgamation with a neighboring co-
op. As well, FMGC recognized the opportunity for a venture into the internet
business. Our mandate was and still is to supply high speed internet service to
areas throughout the province less served by investor owned utilities. The
company is called Corridor Communications Ltd. Forty Mile is the largest
shareholder of CCI and I have had the opportunity to sit on the Board of Directors
for two years there as well.
I was a Director of Bow Island Dehy Ltd. Bow Island Dehy was an alfalfa processing
business affiliated with two sister companies out of Rolling Hills and Tilley, Alberta.
I was Chairman of our local group for 4 of the 6 years I was on the Board.
My interest generally is business, but I have also been involved in various
community groups as well over the years including our local church board.
My vision for South Country Co-op is very simple. I wish to promote the co-
operative model and movement throughout our community. It has been exciting
to observe from the outside. I would like to be in the inside if you wish!!
Thanks for this opportunity!!
Sue Edwards I have a lifetime of experience with the Co-op having growing up on a farm outside of Hilda where we were strong supporters of the original Medicine Hat Co-op. I have over 25 years experience working in nonprofit working with a Board of Directors and serving on many others in our community. MHC Rattlers Booster Club President 6 years, Ringette Association VP of Fund Development 3 years, Kinettes VP of Fund Distribution 5 years and most recently South Country Co-op for 4 years. I was chair of the Member Relations Committee and was part of the Board during the amalgamation. Prior to joining the MH Co-op Board, I served on the Member Relations Committee as a community member. Commitment to community, investing local, cash back, locally owned are all reasons to be a South Country Co-op member. Growing both our rural and urban memberships is vital to the growth of South Country Co-op. All members should be proud to belong to an organization that cares about its community. I believe the future of South Country Co-op’s success is within our younger generation. We need to educate and promote the benefits of the cooperative lifestyle while maintaining the integrity, history, quality and commitment of the traditional Co-op. Engaging the younger generation will benefit all members as they are the future to the Co-op’s vision.
John
Hamill
Background and Experience:
I have an extensive and broad base of education including: Military college with an
engineering degree in Aircraft Mechanics, Millwright, retired captain of the airborne
squadron actively serving all over the world. My vast work experience has taken me
from business ownership and management of Tilden Rent-A-Car and GM of Hat Salvage,
to the GM of Chamber of Commerce Medicine Hat where I built membership from 100
to 700 members in 2 years. I served diligently as Alderman in Medicine Hat for many
years and sat as Chair on many boards including:
•Economic Development and Infrastructure •Energy Division
•Highway 3 Development and Ports to Plains. •AUMA Finance Chair
•Cypress View Foundation •Tourism Medicine Hat Chair
•Finance Chair for Special Forces Pension (responsible for 1.5 Billion dollars funding)
My Military Service as Captain has brought me through several leadership roles, and
through this I have learned how to communicate and work effectively with others. I am a
very positive and enthusiastic individual who loves to meet people from all walks of life. I
believe one of my strongest characteristics is my ability to connect with people, of all
ages, and have true dialogue. From my early work in Medicine Hat as a radio host at
CJCY and my service as Alderman in the city, I have developed a positive rapport and
notoriety within this community.
A great deal of my time is spent volunteering with service clubs and sitting on various
charity boards, which is a great honour and privilege.
•Shiners Club 20 years •Masonic Lodge 30+ years
•Rotary Club 12 years •Elkwater Golf Club President 5 years
•Cypress Club Vice Chair •YMCA Board 12 years
•SPCA •Safety City
Vision for Future
Install solar panels on the roof of buildings, commercial or otherwise. Energy Efficient
Alberta.ca provides up to 1 million incentives. Utilize LED bulbs. Enquire into obtaining a
postal outlet at this location, especially beneficial for the elderly. Give consideration to
the 13th ave bistro becoming a restaurant, look into leasing out.
I believe that I do have a well-rounded portfolio of experience, education, and public
service to be the perfect candidate for this position.
Tim
Heeg
Hello my name is Tim Heeg, I am from Acadia Valley AB. I grew up on a farm just
southwest of town. After completing High school I started farming with my dad
and brother. I have served on a few different boards in different capacities. I am
the recording secretary for the Lutheran church in Oyen. In the late nineteen
nineties I joined the Board of directors for the Chinook Applied Research
Association in which I served on the board for three years. Later in two thousand
and eight I joined the board of the Valley South Water Coop, of which I still am
on that Board. The Valley South Water coop is a small cooperative with 40+
members who work together to provide water to our Farms. In two thousand
thirteen I was elected to the board of Medicine Hat Coop, and served on the
board through the Amalgamation to what is today South Country Coop. As a
member of the board I have enjoyed being your representative to our coop.
My Vision for South Country Coop is to become a sustainable leader in coop
retailing in every one of the communities we serve large or small.
Earl
Hemmaway
I am Edward Earl Hemmaway (Earl) and I farm at Claresholm, AB. My wife Diane
and I have farmed the family farm for 52 years. We have two children and five
grand children.
Our family is involved in our community and I have served on numerous boards. I
was on the board of Stewards for the United Church, Claresholm Agricultural
Society, Claresholm 4H Beef club as an assistant leader and leader. I was a member
of the Claresholm Lions Club and served on all chairs. I was a director for the
Federal Farm Debt Mediation Board for 10 years. I am presently a director for Little
Bow Gas Coop (30 years). I serve as Treasure at this time.
In 1992 I became a councillor for the Municipal District of Willow Creek #26. I
served as a councillor for 25 years. As a councillor I served as Deputy Reeve,
Reeve, and sat on numerous boards.
I chaired the following boards as a councillor for the MD of Willow Creek: The
Porcupine Hills Seniors Lodge, the Agricultural Service Board and Willow Creek
Waste Management. I also sat on the Claresholm Airport Development, Chinook
Arch Library and finance committee, Development appeal board, Claresholm
Transportation Society and Southern Alberta Waste to Energy.
My vision for South Country Coop is to provide the best service and products to
our customers.
To modernize and upgrade our Agro Service equipment.
To expand our fuel outlets and card lock services.
To bring grocery outlets to more communities with in our boundaries.
Most important of all is to listen to the needs and concerns of our members.
Garry
Lentz
I am a fourth generation farmer in the • Former Director on the Board of the
Dunmore area. My great-grandparents Cypress Rural Electrification Association
established a homestead here in 1902. for a few years prior to its sale to TransAlta
My history - Utilities.
• 4H member for 6 years, served as • A member of the Southern Applied
President and Junior Leader. Research Association, and a member of the
• Graduated from Medicine Hat High Alberta Environmental Sustainable
School at the age of 17. Agriculture grant selection committee for
• Journeyman Tradesman by age 21. several years.
• Took courses in Bookkeeping and • Served 14 years, 12 as Chairman, on the
Business Management at SAIT. Alberta Farm Implement Board, responsible
• Completed dozens of other courses for administering the Farm Implement Act
including computer skills and and the Dealers Compensation Fund.
Administrative Justice. • A member of Cypress County’s
• Self employed businessman since age Agriculture Service Board for 18 years, 9 as
26, owning and operating several Chairman.
successful businesses. • South Region chairman for 3 years on the
• Former Fire Chief and the Director of Provincial Agriculture Service Board
Disaster Services for Irvine and District. Committee.
• 17 weeks of Fire Services training, ranging • A dedicated Cypress County Councillor,
from Firefighter, to Fire Prevention, Fire missing only 2 meetings in 16 years.
Investigation, and Fire Services Instructor. • Director on the Board of the 11-22 Co-op
• Served as Chairman of the South Eastern Seed Plant Ltd. since 1996. Secretary for
Alberta School Bus Contractors 8 years, and Chairman since 2005.
Association. • A Charter Member of the Irvine and
• Purchased the Family Farm in 1984. District Lions Club. Treasurer for many
• Built my own house, workshop, and other years. Served a few years as Chairman.
out buildings. • A Director of the South Eastern Alberta
• Operated a custom crop spraying Rural Crime Watch Association since 1995.
business, a wholesale supply company, a • A Director of the South Eastern Alberta
welding business, and a propane business Watershed Alliance (SEAWA) since 2014.
for several years to help pay for the farm. Chairman since 2017.
• Organizer, and Chairman of the Board of
My vision, “South Country Co-op is open Directors of the Cypress Rural Water Co-op
for business.” Ltd.
Charles
(Chuck)
MacLean
Our family has been in the livestock industry and agriculture for three generations
in Alberta and Saskatchewan. These companies are managed by my wife Nancy
sons James and Scott and their families.
Medicine Hat and Bow Island are where our business offices are located.
My business training started with a procurement opportunity in Medicine Hat with
AWB a federally inspected plant and continued to Burns Foods.
In the fall of 1975 we started our own livestock procurement business that did
business in 5 western provinces.
From that point MacLean Cattle Co. expanded to farmland and an intensive
livestock operation which was spun off to other companies.
Today the companies are South Country COOP customers purchasing significant
amounts of fuel and other ag products. We employ 20+ people and do business in
the USA and Canada.
I have been a director on various industry boards. As well have been on the
executive and was chair of many of them. The last two were the Alberta Beef
Producers and Canada Beef Inc. I was chair of both organization which both have
term limits and wipeout clauses for executive
Canada Beef is a federally mandated organization governed by Canada Farm
Products. Our mandate was marketing, promotion and research nationally and
internationally. Our board included Sysco, Cargill, Lakeside now JBS, Canada
Importers Exporters and Canada Veal.
Canada Beef has offices in Canada, USA, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, and China
As chair travelled to Japan and China with Minister Ritz and to Mexico with Prime
Minister Harper for the three amigo's trade conference.
I have had extensive training in Governance which included different courses
including George Cuff, Jim Brown representing Strive, Dr Richard La Blanc York
University.
I believe my business training and board experience and leadership can be a good
fit for the South Country COOP board.Simon
Neigum
Simon has been an active co-op member for over 30 years, mostly with South Country Co-
op. From his grass roots of a small farming community in Saskatchewan, Simon was raised
knowing and appreciating the value that our farming and ranching community brings to all
of us. Simon attended school and was involved in many sports while growing up in
Medicine Hat. Additionally, he went on to complete post-secondary schooling where he
worked with Telus and then started and ran his own Communication company Pro Comm
Solutions for over 20 years.
Simon's education includes a Diploma in Engineering Drafting Technology from SAIT, a
graduate of NAIT as a journeyman Communication Electrician, and in recent years,
completed his ICD.D and CCD from the Rotman's School of Business from the University of
Toronto (these are professional designations that assist Directors make well-informed
decisions when dealing with Governance, Risk Management and Audit & Finance) plus
many industry trainings and certificates.
In his professional life, Simon was the owner of ProComm Solutions Inc, a Southern Alberta
communications, technology and security business. An active volunteer, he also gives his
time to various charitable organizations including the Knights of Columbus, church pastoral
care, Prairie Gleaners, Heart and Stroke Society and the Canadian Cancer Society. Now,
Simon and his business partner run a RV & Boat storage facility in Cypress County.
Simon has been a Board member for previous Community Savings Credit Union and the
now Servus Credit Union Board for 17 of the last 20 years. Through this experience, he has
been part of a dynamic organization that has grown into the 2nd largest Credit Union in
Canada. This has allowed that organization to give back more profit-share funds to all of its
members and allow it to have enough capital to weather the storm of any downturn in the
market. This is important to Credit Unions the same way it's important to South Country
Co-o-p, a member owned and operated organization.
My intention on running for SCC Board is to add depth of knowledge through my
experiences allowing this Co-op to remain strong, relevant and add value to all of its
membership. I see the vision for SCC to continue to be the supplier of choice in Southern
Alberta while continuing to look for business opportunity while mitigating extensive risk to
the organization.
Simon lives in Medicine Hat with his two daughters.Bill
Ressler
Who Is Bill Ressler?
I am a recently retired teacher/school administrator with the Prairie Rose School
Division. I live in Bow Island with my wife Kathy. We have two adult children. Brad,
an accountant with Encana, and his wife Amy, along with their children Ethan and
Seth, live in Calgary. Gina, an aviation meteorologist with Environment Canada,
lives in Montreal.
Why?
Born and raised in Taber, I’m familiar with much of the area which the Co-op serves.
I share many of its values and principles. I like the idea of people working together
and I’m very impressed with the Co-op’s work in support of the greater community.
The growth of the Co-op across Southern Alberta is exciting and something I would
like to be a part of. Regardless of the store, the staff is always friendly and helpful,
giving me a sense that this is our store. I believe I have the time, energy and
experience to be an asset to the board and I respectfully ask for your support.
Education: B.Ed. University of Lethbridge - 1976
M.A. University of Victoria - 1988
Giving Back:
• Served 3 terms on the Bow Island Town Council. In addition to regular council
duties, I served on a number of boards and committees. These included the
Recreation Board, the North Forty Mile Landfill Authority, the Development Appeal
Board, and the Forty Mile Park Management Committee.
• Volunteer coach in a number of different sports including over 40 years as a
volleyball coach.
• Former President of the Bow Island Golf Club
• Former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 2753
• Former President of the Southeast Zone Volleyball League
• Chairperson for 4 Provincial High School Championships
• Recognized as Bow Island’s Volunteer of the Year in 2010
• Currently a Director on the Bow Island Golden Age ClubRodger
Vizbar
Board/Governance Experience: Educational Background:
Board of Directors: •McGill University – Agriculture Faculty
•South Country Co-op Ltd. – Graduate
Currently Board Vice President •Institute of Corporate Directors
•Medicine Hat Co-op Ltd. •Board Oversight of Strategy
•Federated Cooperatives Ltd. •Board Oversight of Harassment
•Alberta Community & Cooperative •CEO Recruitment
Association •Federated Cooperatives Director
•Alberta Summer Games Development Programs
•Alberta Winter Games •Essentials of Corporate Governance
•Alberta Parks & Recreation Association •Various short courses
Conference Committees
•Parks and Recreation
Administrators Academy
Other:
•Ducks Unlimited Canada
•Municipal Planning Commission
•Various committees on Boards of Directors
•Various other groups and organizations
Employment Experience:
•Retired as Parks and Recreation General Manager – Medicine Hat
Vision for South Country Co-op:
My vision for South Country Co-op is continued evolution and growth with
sustainable growth for present and future generations.
Why Vote for Me?
I wish to continue to serve on the South Country Co-op Board of Directors to
support the strategic direction and oversight to ensure our Co-op continues to grow,
remains competitive, relevant and sustainable for present and future generations.
I believe that continued financial discipline is required in the current challenging
economic climate.
I am passionate about our Co-op, the co-op model and commit to providing strong
leadership, strong financial skills as well as operational and board experience to our
Co-op.Robert
Weisgerber
I would like to introduce myself; my name is Robert Weisgerber. I am married
with 2 step children and 6 grandchildren. I operate a farm SE of Schuler which I
took over from my parents in the mid 1980’s. My family has been farming the
area since my Grandfather came over from Europe in the early 1900’s.
I have a variety of experience with boards both locally and on a National level. I
have sat on our local community board, been a director with Drowning Ford for
numerous years and did 2 terms with AB Pulse and Pulse Canada. I still sit on
the Zone board with Pulse Board.
I look forward to meeting you and serving on the Co-Op board.EXCELLENCE
Strive for innovation, reliability and sustainability.
COMMUNITY
Care for and support our local communities.
INTEGRITY
Honest, trustworthy and accountable.
PEOPLE
Teamwork, passion, safety, friendly, family.You can also read
