Lethbridge, AB…Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) held its Annual General Meeting virtually on March 17, where it confirmed the Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 term. The organization is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Stasiuk, P.Eng, Business Development Engineer, Ready Engineering Corporation, as the new Board President and Chair. Stasiuk will also serve as the representative for the Technology sector on the EDL Board of Directors.

"Serving on the EDL Board over the past few years has been an awesome experience. Seeing what the organization has accomplished and helping in those initiatives is something all board members can be proud of"," says Stasiuk. "This past year was one of uncertainty and economic volatility for so many individuals and businesses in Lethbridge. EDL approached the pandemic like they do with most tasks they become involved in. They plan, connect, and execute with our community's well-being as the key driver for the work they do. I know that work will need to continue to help Lethbridge as we look to recover from everything that COVID-19 has brought to business and industry worldwide". 

Economic Development Lethbridge is an arm's length organization, supported by the City of Lethbridge, governed by a 31-member volunteer Board of Directors and managed by a team of professionals dedicated to promoting economic prosperity in Lethbridge. EDL Board Members are drawn from a diverse cross-section of the community to best accomplish the mandate and objectives of the organization. 

In 2020, the EDL Board was instrumental in guiding the organization with much of the work reflecting the pillars laid out in the organization's business plan. Initiatives included work with the Lethbridge Region Economic Recovery Task Force and providing tools and resources for regional businesses, expanding the portfolio of work in the Supply Chain and Logistics sector, collaborating with partners on workforce development strategies, including the Southwest Alberta Regional Skills Study and continued work on expanding the reach and message of the Lethbridge Brighter Together community brand. 

New Board of Director members for the 2021-2022 term include Pat Santa, representing the Seniors sector. Lisa Lewis will take over for outgoing President and Board Chair Sandra Mintz in the Community & Social Services sector. Roy Pogorzelski is the new representative in the Indigenous sector. Becky Little takes over for Todd Caughlin after serving four years in the Sports/Recreation sector. EDL would like to thank departing Board of Director members for their time and service to the organization. 

"Our Board of Directors consists of many community-minded advocates for our city and region. The work they do outside of being a volunteer for our organization ultimately helps EDL by providing us with a wealth of knowledge and information plus a wide array of contacts we can leverage. It never hurts having 31 individuals help spread the message of the work being done by our organization," says Trevor Lewington, CEO, Economic Development Lethbridge. "2020 wasn't easy, but with the help of the Board, we pivoted our organization to all staff working from home, offering virtual learning opportunities and programs at Tecconnect, and moving all of our monthly Board meetings to a digital platform. Through all that, we still managed to help create 123 jobs in Lethbridge and contribute a direct economic impact of over $78M into the region. We know those positive numbers don't tell the entire story of our region, especially during a pandemic, and we'll continue to help existing businesses work through these unprecedented, uncertain times.” 

For more information, contact:   
Mark Neskar
Director, Marketing & Communications
Economic Development Lethbridge 
mark@chooselethbridge.ca
403.393.6376 

The 2021 Board of Directors (in alphabetical order by sector) is: 

Board Chair, Technology: Chris Stasiuk
Vice Chair: Mayor Chris Spearman
Past President: Sandra Mintz 

Agriculture/Agri-Food: Christine King
Airport: Vacant
Arts, Culture & Entertainment: Amanda Berg
Chamber of Commerce: Cyndi Vos
City of Lethbridge Councillor: Rob Miyashiro
City of Lethbridge Manager: Craig Dalton
Community & Social Services: Lisa Lewis
Construction: Evan Barr
Education: Vacant
Environment: Kathleen Sheppard
Financial & Professional Services: Terry Belisle
Health & Wellness: Melissa Smith
Hospitality & Tourism: Michelle Day
Indigenous: Roy Pogorzelski
Industrial & Manufacturing: Adriana Mercader
Lethbridge College: Sandra Dufresne
Lethbridge County: Klaas Vander Veen
Multicultural: Jan Gong
Non-profit: Diana Sim
Real Estate & Development: Robert Kinniburgh
Regional Economic Development Agencies: Peter Casurella
Retail: Kevin Brees
Sector-At-Large: Vacant
Seniors: Pat Santa
Sports/Recreation: Becky Little
Supply Chain & Logistics: Brad Beerling
University of Lethbridge: Dr. Kerry Godfrey
Young Entrepreneur: Timothy Hachkowski
Young Professional: Ian Andrews