About the Board of Directors
Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) is an arms 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 economic prosperity in Lethbridge. EDL Board members are drawn from a diverse cross section of the community with the intention of best accomplishing the mandate and objectives of the organization.
As a Governance Board of Directors, members are tasked with:
- setting the strategic direction for the organization through four-year business plans aligned with the municipal funding cycle.
- providing direction, proactive leadership and sector-based experience.
- establishing governance policies that support the mandate of the organization.
- hiring and evaluating the Chief Executive Officer
Charlene Scheffelmair
Board Chair & PresidentCharlene currently sits as Economic Development Lethbridge Board Chair & President. She is also the representative for the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce on the EDL Board.
Charlene is a partner with Davidson & Williams LLP practicing in the areas of foreclosure, wills and estates, real estate, and corporate/commercial. She is an avid volunteer and has particular experience in not-for-profit governance. Charlene has dedicated her time to numerous volunteer boards and committees including the Economic Development Lethbridge; Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce; Lethbridge Bar Association; Lethbridge & District YWCA; Canadian Bar Association; and the Law Society of Alberta. She leads by example and enjoys sharing her legal knowledge and life experiences through speaking engagements including conferences, webinars, seminars, and podcasts.
When Charlene is not practicing law or volunteering, she enjoys crocheting, playing piano, and writing for her own newsletter, The Scheffette.
Blaine Hyggen
Board Vice ChairBlaine Hyggen sits on the EDL Board of Directors as his role of Mayor for the City of Lethbridge. He is one of three City of Lethbridge appointees to the EDL Board.
Blaine was first elected to City Council in 2013. He has owned and operated various businesses throughout the community for the past 28 years. He studied Business Law and Accounting at Lethbridge Community College. Â
Some of Blaine's past and current volunteer experience includes: School Councils, Lethbridge Figure Skating Club, Lethbridge Volleyball Association, Lethbridge Oldtimers Sports Association and The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club, to name a few.Â
Blaine's family is his number one priority. His wife Jennifer is a Registered Nurse, and his two daughters Jayden and Jelayna both attend post-secondary school. Blaine enjoys attending local theatre and staying active by running, biking, and playing hockey.Â
As a proud parent and successful business owner, Blaine loves Lethbridge and wants to see it remain the best city for families while ensuring it is a great place to do business.Â
Timothy Hachkowski
Past PresidentTimothy currently sits as EDL Past Board Chair & President. During his time on the EDL Board, Timothy was the first individual to represent the Young Entrepreneur sector.
Timothy is a creative and technology focused entrepreneur from Lethbridge. Raised in Coaldale, Timothy had an early start with technology and business thanks to key mentors and independent learning. At twelve-years old, Timothy used online tutorials to teach himself how to design and program his own computer games. In high school, the Junior Achievements entrepreneurial programs gave Timothy early success with his first business ventures.  Â
In his early professional career, Timothy worked at a local advertising agency start-up. There he gained valuable experience with real world business pains and growth. Recognizing the growing demand for digital marketing services, Timothy ventured on his own in 2016 to start his first company. Three years later, Timothy exited his marketing company to be a founding member of Sumus Property Group Ltd. a company focused on building community with thoughtful and well-designed real estate investments. Â
Outside of work, Timothy spends his time with his young family, learning from mentors, taking online courses, helping other entrepreneurs, and guest teaching at the Lethbridge University and Tecconnect.Â
Ed Limon
President ElectEd Limon represents the Technology sector on the EDL Board of Directors and will be the new Board Chair and President in March 2026.
Ed Limon is the CEO and Producer at Winged Whale Media, a globally renowned studio celebrated for its excellence in immersive VR and AR content creation. Under his leadership, the studio has garnered prestigious awards, including Telly, NYX, Hermes, and ECDO Honors, while redefining audience engagement with innovative solutions for tourism, hospitality, and entertainment industries. Â
Ed’s collaborations with the City of Lethbridge and Tourism Lethbridge have earned international acclaim, including a Telly and NYX Award, through innovative campaigns promoting tourism. He also served as a Creative Industries Consultant, representing the City at AFCI in Hollywood alongside Mayor Blaine Hyggen to strengthen film industry ties. Â
Since 2022, Ed has proudly contributed to Economic Development Lethbridge as a Governance Board member in the Technology Sector and now serves as President Elect. His career includes partnerships with global and government leaders like Alberta Health Services, Sunwing Vacations, FujiFilm, Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority and Cineplex Entertainment, showcasing his expertise in creating impactful narratives for marketing, sales, and training initiatives."
Â
Agriculture/Agrifood
This sector includes individuals working in agriculture, farming, agri-feed, agri-food, processing and agri-tech/research.
Airport
This would be a representative from a future airport commission, so implementation of this sector could be delayed until that process is complete of filled in the interim by a representative of the businesses at the airport.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Sector includes performing, visual or other fine arts. Could be performers or businesses in the entertainment field. Cultural includes festivals/events and organizations doing work in those fields.
Chamber of Commerce
A designate representative from the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (board to board or peer to peer) appointments are preferred.
City of Lethbridge Councillor
Includes City of Lethbridge Mayor, City Manager and member of City Council pursuant to the bylaws of the society.
City of Lethbridge Mayor
Includes City of Lethbridge Mayor, City Manager and member of City Council pursuant to the bylaws of the society.
City of Lethbridge City Manager
Includes City of Lethbridge Mayor, City Manager and member of City Council pursuant to the bylaws of the society.
Community & Social Services
This sector includes organizations and agencies involved in community and social development (non-governmental).
Construction
This sector focuses on commercial/industrial service providers but includes leaders from residential construction and trades.
Education
A representative from either school district. Proposed to alternate every two years between Lethbridge School Division and Holy Spirit School Division.
Environment
City of Lethbridge appointed. This sector incudes an organization or business representative engaged with environmental or sustainability projects/services, including renewable energy developers and related companies.
Financial & Professional Services
This sector includes banking, accounting, finance, investment and professional services firms including legal, insurance, consulting, engineering and marketing/advertising.
Health & Wellness
This sector includes businesses such as medical clinics, physiotherapy, pharmacies and other private health care providers/practitioners but would not include AHS.Â
Hospitality & Tourism
This sector includes hotels, restaurants, tourism operators, tourism organizations with business focus/destination development focus as other organizations have a mandate for destination promotion and marketing.
Indigenous
City of Lethbridge appointment. Sector includes representation in the areas of reconciliation, urban indigenous services or indigenous business owners/operators.
Industrial & Manufacturing
This sector includes businesses engaged in the production of goods/products including metal, fabrication, woodwork, aerospace, plastics, packaging etc. Focus is to target a member of the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta but qualified representatives and non-members may also apply.
Lethbridge County
Incudes County Council representative (or designate) pursuant to County policy as may be amended from time to time.
Lethbridge Polytechnic
Designated senior leader from Lethbridge Polytechnic as appointed by the President & CEO.
Multicultural
City of Lethbridge appointment. Often recommended by the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association but should be connected to businesses or organizations supporting newcomers, or local ethnic organizations.
Nonprofit
This sector includes registered societies or CRA approved charities that can speak to the volunteer sector, community needs and other development needs.
Real Estate & Development
This sector focuses on commercial real estate developers/agents/brokers, land or commercial development companies, leaders and service providers within the real estate and land development area.
Regional Economic Development Organization
Board to Board level appointment is preference but no concerns with potential for perception of municipal competition as Board members are drawn from elected officials in member communities. Suggestion is 2-year rotation between SouthGrow Regional Alliance and Alberta Southwest.
Retail
Sector includes representatives from any retail business, but given the wealth creation focus of EDL, preference for bog box, large scale retail operations with a view of the big picture landscape. (Small business owners are represented through designated Chamber seat and either young entrepreneur or young professional sectors)
Sector At Large
Adds an unaffiliated sector for special projects, highly qualified applicants who do not fit an existing sector.
Seniors
City of Lethbridge appointment that has traditionally rotated between the Board of Directors for Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO) and Nordbridge Seniors Centre alternating every 2 years.
Sports & Recreation
Sector includes semi-professional teams, service providers, training/facility operators, sport organizations and others promoting sport in the community.
Supply Chain & Logistics
Sector includes businesses providing services related to transportation, warehousing/storage, customs brokerage, load or route planning, key service providers in air, road, rail organizations.
Technology
This sector includes Clean-tech, Green-tech, GIS, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, data centre operations, instrumentation/controls/automation, virtual or augmented reality. Cloud-tech, Health-tech etc.
University of Lethbridge
Designated representative of the senior leadership team as appointed by the President and CEO.
Young Entrepreneur
Includes small business owners and entrepreneurs ages 18-30.
Young Professional
Sector includes those ages 18-30 starting out in a professional career, with a key focus on representing the interests of young talent in our community that we are trying to retain.
