President – Karen Lynch

Karen Lynch is a respected community and civic leader, with over 30 years of diverse experience working with business, all levels of government, charitable organizations, politicians and nonprofit groups. Karen tackles issues and challenges with a pragmatic and common-sense approach. That’s why she’s developed a reputation for making things happen and getting things done.

Karen earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Alberta and is a graduate of MacEwan’s Voluntary Sector Management Program. In early 2004, she was awarded a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations Management from Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C. and has since graduated from the Institute of Corporate Directors Governance Essentials.

Karen’s employment history reflects her diverse skills as a consensus builder, an organizational wizard, a decisive leader when tough decisions have to be honoured. She put herself through University by driving trucks as a Teamster on the Syncrude site in Fort McMurray, and after graduation was asked to be the Executive Assistant to the Speaker in the Alberta Legislature. After senior positions in communications at Alberta College and the Workers’ Compensation Board, she now brings her passion for community volunteerism to Volunteer Alberta as Executive Director.

And when there is time for recreation, Karen leads successful municipal, provincial and federal election campaigns. In December 2005, she was appointed to the Edmonton Public Library Board of Trustees. In June 2006, she was elected to the Board of Volunteer Canada and to the Board of Alberta Ballet in October 2007. Since then she has joined the Board for SACRED (the Society for Assisted, Cooperative Recovery from Eating Disorders) and in April 2010 was elected President of the Alberta Library Trustees Association. She escapes reading WW II and espionage books and traveling to visit her adult twins in graduate schools in Boston and Los Angeles.

Area 1 – Jason Glabik

Jason Glabik first became an Alberta library cult member advocate after working as a summer reading coordinator in Strathmore. At his first gig as a newspaper reporter in Grimshaw a year later his passion for libraries grew after meeting slave driver library manager Linda Chmilar. Glabik first became a library trustee in High Level before moving back to Grimshaw where he has been the big cheese library board chairperson since. He is the editor of the Grimshaw Mile Zero News and the Manning Banner Post and an active volunteer in the community.

Area 2 – Margaret Barry

Raising cows, hay, gardening,  music, Highland piping for celebrations,  teaching piping, tango,  supporting libraries, Spanish, cooking, kayaking, walking, reading, travel , friends, family, fun is how I’m spending my retirement.   My background includes pre computer era commercial art, sales, print shop business, farming, 955 operating engineer and tractor jockey.

I enjoy people, ideas, and the democratic freedoms libraries represent.   It is a privilege to be learning how our provincial system functions and to be supporting the work libraries do and are going to do.

Being a trustee is challenging and the need for clarity and education never end. Calgary raised and country married helps me bring an understanding of the value of communication when you’re isolated, and direct experience and empathy for the unique problems encountered.  The friendly, helpful people I’ve met  give value to this ever fugacious journey.  I very much look forward to meeting more library lovers, supporters and personnel in this next year.

Area 3 – Michael Baird

As a councillor for the Town of Sundre, I am currently sitting on the Parkland Regional Library Board. I am the vice-chair of the SAIT Polytechnic Advisory Committee for the Library and Information Technology program and I am also a former graduate of that program. I have worked in Federal, Provincial, private and public libraries; all of which have provided me with valuable experience understanding the various challenges facing libraries, and insights into the creative ways libraries can grow and serve their respective communities.

Several years of managerial experience ensure that I can evaluate and manage finances properly and budget for the needs of the organization. I strongly believe in the Associations role in both educating trustees throughout the province, and advocating on behalf of libraries to ensure that these valuable institutions are supported provincially, locally, and personally by Albertans.

Area 4 – Leslie Duchak

Born and raised in Calgary, I attended the Universities of Calgary and Edmonton, and taught High School French in Edmonton and St. Albert for 16 years.

Since retiring I have been involved with many community activities. These include: the Gala Committee of the CPO, serving as President of York County Hospital Auxiliary and a member of Hospital and Foundation Boards, as well as serving on Ethics, Finance, Medical Standards and Planned Giving Committees of that hospital.

Since 2007 I have been a member of the Okotoks Public Library Board and have served on the Marigold Board and Marigold Executive Committee as well as Marigold Governance and Finance Committees.

My husband Gary and I spent 20 years in Edmonton, 13 years in Ontario and in 2001 returned to southern Alberta settling in Okotoks. We have 2 grown daughters, one in Holland and one in Scotland as well as 2 Scottish granddaughters.

Area 5 – Neil Stubbs

I am joining ALTA as the new representative for Area 5, following my appointment by the City of Lethbridge to the Chinook Arch Regional Library Board. I bring along a diversity of experience, having served on library committees at Selkirk College (Castlegar, B.C.) and at the University of Lethbridge. Additionally, I have served as the chair of the Status of Non-Regular Faculty Committee for the College-Institute Educator’s Association of B.C. (2002-03), during which time I gained experience in board governance at the provincial level.

As a twelve-year veteran in the field of English instruction, I am currently employed by the University of Lethbridge as a lecturer in Academic Writing, while working towards completing a second Master’s degree in the field of American History. I hope that I can do justice to the legacy of Doug Cooper, my predecessor as Chinook Arch’s representative to ALTA.

Area 6 – Martin Shields

Martin Shields has been involved in municipal governance since 2004 – he served from 2004-2007 as a Councillor and from 2007-present as the Mayor. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Arts and prior to his career in politics; Mr. Shields served as a teacher and school administrator from 25 years and a University part time instructor for 20 years. He currently serves as the President of the Medicine Hat Federal Conservative Constituency Association and the Director of Strathmore-Brooks Alberta Conservative Constituency Association.

Mr. Shields has been living in Brooks with his family for 25 years and is very committed to the success and quality of the community. This is evident through his involvement in various organizations such as the Alberta Library Trustees Association (Board Member), the Shortgrass Regional Library System Board (Vice Chair Person), Palliser Regional Health Board, and the Palliser Area Health Advisory Committee.

Area 7 – Michael Babichuk (Treasurer)

Mike is semi-retired and co-owns a restaurant/catering business (D’Lish Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar) with his daughter Amanda. Prior to his semi-retirement, for many years Mike held a number of Marketing & Business Development positions with TELUS. Mike also has many years of board experience on a number of charitable boards and volunteer organizations. Most recently, Mike was the vice-chair of the St. Albert Public Library Board for six years and chair of the Chrysalis Charitable Foundation for seven years. Mike and his wife Wendy are St. Albert residents and have a daughter and one grandson. Mike’s favourite things to do are traveling, golfing and reading. Mike got involved with ALTA because he is keen to preserve and foster life long learning.

Area 8 – Carole Carpenter

I was a municipal elected official for 21 years, serving 12 as mayor of the Town of Smoky Lake. During my term in office I served on many internal, area and regional boards including Northern Lights Library System.

I am currently on the Smoky Lake Library Board and have served as chair for a number of years. I have an appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of board members and an understanding of the budget processes, checks and balances and financial statements.

Over the years I have volunteered in community organizations serving as leader and on the executive of many.

My husband and I work in our retail business. I am the grandmother of 4 and enjoy following their activities. In my spare time I read and quilt.

Calgary Public – Ann Craig

Edmonton Public – Michael Janz

I live to promote education, literacy and community and was recently elected to the Edmonton Public School Board as the Trustee for Ward F. In addition to my service as a Public School Trustee, I work as the Marketing Director for the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues where I assist volunteers all over Edmonton to help make their community vision a reality.

I have served as President of the University of Alberta Students’ Union, Vice-President of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society and volunteer with numerous other partisan and non-partisan political projects. I am passionate about the importance of libraries in the community and am an advocate for life-long learning.

For fun, I enjoy strong espresso, cycling the river valley, and curling up with a great book. He proposed to his lovely finance Brittany on the Lake at the JPL during the Alberta Library Conference 2010 and they are tying the knot in October 2011. To follow Michael’s mischief and musings, check out www.twitter.com/michaeljanz or www.michaeljanz.ca

Executive Director – Heather Mayor