Board of Directors

BILL FARR - CHAIR Bill's educational portfolio includes a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Law degree from UBC and a Masters in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University. Bill and his wife Mary-Lou lived in Prince George for 29 years where he worked in the financial industry, practiced law and taught in the business program at New Caledonia College. In 2008 Bill and Mary-Lou moved to Red Deer where he teaches at RDC. Bill joined the CiRS Board in 2009 with a desire to be an active member in his new community and to advance the interests of the nonprofit sector.

DONNA CARTER - VICE CHAIR Donna brings 30+ years of diversified experience in senior management, human and financial resources to her role as CiRS director and chair of the HR committee. Currently the Provincial Director of Volunteer Resources with Alberta Health Services she is responsible for approximately 130 staff and 15,000+ volunteers in communities across the province. A graduate of Grant MacEwan College she holds two majors in the Voluntary Sector Management Program. Donna’s numerous volunteer roles include membership on the Board of the Canadian Administrators of Volunteer Resources chairing the Professional Standards Committee, and Director on the board of Volunteer Alberta.

DAN NEWTON - PAST CHAIR Dan was raised in Stettler and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary in 1981. He launched his information technology career with Dairyworld Foods in Red Deer and is a designated Information Systems Professional (I.S.P.). Dan is currently the Manager, IT Services for the City of Red Deer, and is active in the Canadian Information Processing Society and the Municipal Information Systems Association Prairies. Dan is married with four children. He joined the CiRS Board three years ago to “give something back to Red Deer”, a community that has been giving to him for almost 30 years.

LARA HOLOWENKO - TREASURER Lara holds degrees in Psychology and Anthropology and has worked for ten years with Money Mentors, an Alberta nonprofit organization, providing financial management and credit counseling services. Setting up the Money Mentors office in the Community Village sparked Lara’s interest in CiRS and she is in her fourth year on the Board. Lara appreciates what CIRS offers the community and is committed to supporting this vital service for central Alberta. Lara is an active volunteer with a wide variety of organizations spanning the artistic, sport and community services sector and local politics. Her passions include pottery, gardening, and yoga.

BOYD RANKIN - DIRECTOR, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Boyd is the newest member to the CiRS Board of Directors and is excited about the opportunity to serve his community. A graduate of Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S. Boyd worked in the financial services industry for many years. Boyd has been involved in the nonprofit sector in a variety of capacities here in Red Deer including as Director for the Red Deer Chapter of Habitat for Humanity to acting as a team leader for United Way Citizen’s Review Committee. A graduate of the Red Deer Leadership Centre Boyd is an avid proponent of each individual contributing to his/her community.

TYLER WESTOVER - DIRECTOR Tyler's passion for business and community success was honed while working with Red Deer Regional Economic Development, and remains a defining element of his current position with the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation in Edmonton. An ongoing commitment to central Alberta and a love for making connections first brought Tyler to the CiRS board; he believes the organization is integral to private citizens, community groups, the non-profit sector, and business in Central Alberta. Tyler fulfills a large part of his CiRS’ board responsibilities via Skype- a perfect example of today’s “new volunteer”.

RICK JANTZ - DIRECTOR Rick brings many years of experience in the profession of Volunteer and Human Resources Management currently working with Alberta Health Services. He has had personal interaction with CiRS programs and believes in the work of the organization for the voluntary sector. Rick was a long time resident of Innisfail and has recently moved to Red Deer and this opportunity came at a time when he was looking for ways that he could be involved in the community. Rick has been involved in directing children’s theatre and enjoys writing. He previously ran in both provincial and municipal elections which has enabled him to develop skills in presentation and problem solving.

BILL ALM - DIRECTOR Bill brings many years of professional experience in Marketing and Sales, currently working with Wallah Memorials. Bill also has extensive experience working in the voluntary sector, working with Crime Stoppers from 2000 – 2002 as well sitting on their Board. During that time he was successful in obtaining corporate sponsorships and raising awareness of the work of that organization. He also secured a special vehicle for the organization and introduced Red Deer to the Crime Stopper Mascot. Bill presently sits on the Board for the Native Friendship Center and is an Ambassador of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce.

JENNIFER BLAIR - DIRECTOR Jennifer brings many years of experience in professional communications and a strong understanding of strategic communication initiatives. She also brings highly developed skills in social media, project management, media relations, research and policy development. During Jennifer’s career with the City of Red Deer she was successful in launching many new initiatives to name a few; Let’s Talk Red Deer an online forum and the city’s Facebook page, pioneered the City of Red Deer’s new Growth Guide and updates to the City’s internal and external web sites. Jennifer has been involved in contract work as a Freelance Editor and a volunteer Chairing two committees with the RDRHC Festival of Trees.