Board of Governors Member Profiles
R.L.(Randy) Jespersen, Board Chair
Randy is the retired president and CEO of Terasen Inc., the primary natural gas utility and alternative energy services provider in British Columbia. Randy is a high school drop-out from W.R. Myers in Taber but with the guidance of a couple of his high school instructors and a few of the fine folks at Lethbridge College, went on to study at the College where he completed the Business Administration program in three semesters. Randy was the first student to be transferred to Oregon State where he earned his MBA by the age of 21. Randy believes in the importance of strong collaboration between Lethbridge College and its faculty and staff, the kind of teamwork that helped him launch a 35-year career in Calgary, Houston and Vancouver. And he never forgets his roots in southern Alberta … each year he helps with the harvest on the family farm at Taber. Randy was appointed Board Chair in September 2010.
Tracy Edwards, College President and CEO, Lethbridge College
Dr. Tracy Edwards, Lethbridge College’s President and CEO, came to the College in July 2005 from Valencia Community College in Orlando, FL. Originally from Ontario, Tracy also worked in the community college system in Nova Scotia. She holds a B.A. and Masters of Education from St. Mary’s University in Halifax and a Doctor of Education from the University of Texas.
Dawna Coslovi
Dawna was appointed to a three-year term in March 2009. She is currently the CEO of the Green Acres Foundation, a position she has held since January 1996. Dawna has served on the University of Lethbridge Senate from 1998-2004 and the University’s Board from 2000-2004 where she finished out her term as Vice-Chair. Recent community service includes Director and Vice-Chair of the Lethbridge Youth Foundation Board of Directors, President and Board Member of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge, Board Member of Economic Development and Board member of the Lethbridge Judo Club, to name but a few.
Randy Dunlop - Local business owner and entrepreneur Randy Dunlop was appointed to the Board for a three-year term effective January 20, 2012. Randy is president of Dunlop Western Star and is a co-owner of Dunlop Ford Sales Limited. Randy has played an integral role in the college, supporting its trades and technology programs and graduates and was a member of the Lethbridge College Foundation Board starting in 2008. He has supported a multitude of southern Alberta initiatives and events including the food banks, rodeo associations, Cancer Society, Heart Association, etc. His governance experience includes former President and Director for the national and provincial Ford Advertising Association and Director of Dealer Council, Sterling Trucks (North America) and the National Dealer Council for Ford. Randy and his wife Louise, President of Sterling Aviation, reside in Lethbridge and he is an active member of the Lethbridge Old Timers Hockey Association.
John Jacobson
John was appointed to a three-year term in March 2009. He is currently Sales and Marketing Manager of Galko Homes Master Builder. In his previous position as Executive Director of Athletics Alberta, John worked closely with the Universities of Lethbridge, Calgary and Alberta to develop and offer a wide variety of training programs. He has been a member of several boards in the region including the UofL Hockey Horns Alumni Association, the Alberta Cerebral Palsy Sports Association, Jacobson Memorials Advisory Committee and Sports Alberta.
Cynthia Johnston
Cynthia Johnston is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Services for TransAlta Corporation. She comes to the Board with senior leadership experience, a broad understanding of financial matters and experience with Board governance. She has been an active volunteer in the Calgary community and recently completed a term as Board Vice-President with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Calgary and Area. In her former portfolio with TransAlta as Vice President, Renewable Operations, she was accountable for TransAlta’s wind and hydro generation operations across five Canadian provinces. This includes 26 hydro facilities and 14 wind farms with a total generating capacity close to 2100 MW. Cynthia is appointed for a 3-year term to the Board in May 2011.
Travis Killian
Travis is the new non-academic representative on the Board. Travis is the First Response Supervisor in IT and has worked at the college since 1996. He is an alumnus having graduated in 1994 as an Electrical Engineering Technologist. He was a Kodiak volleyball athlete; he made the league all-star team every year from 1991-1994 and was the first academic all Canadian from the College. Travis is married with two children and in addition to his job and his family, he also teaches at the college. Travis is appointed for a two-year term ending in September 2013.
Doug Myhre - Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Governance and Human Resources Committee
Doug Myhre was first appointed to the Board in 2007 and is currently in his second three-year term. Doug practised family medicine in Lethbridge for 26 years and has been an active community member serving on many boards, including the Lethbridge College Foundation Board. Doug currently resides in Calgary and is an Associate Dean for Distributed Learning and Rural Initiatives and an Associate Professor in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary.
Douglas Stroh - Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
Douglas Stroh is a business advisor with Meyers Norris Penny LLP. He is interested in issues affecting the education and training of adults. He has served on the Lethbridge College Foundation Board and has been active in community service as a former member of the Canadian Diabetes Association Division Level, as member of the Canadian Diabetes Association National Level and as a volunteer with the Knights of Columbus Catholic Men’s Organization. Doug was appointed to a three-year term April 30, 2008.
Veronica Weir
Veronica Weir is the new student representative on the Board. She is hoping to graduate in April 2012 with a diploma in Business Administration and a major in Accounting. She then plans to go across the river for her undergraduate degree from the University of Lethbridge. Veronica is currently the President of the Business Club and a tutor here at Lethbridge College. She tells us that she believes her time on the board will be a fantastic learning opportunity and a chance to put her intentions, knowledge, respect and dedication into a position that is for the students, the instructors and Lethbridge College as a whole. Veronica is appointed to a one-year term ending April 30, 2012.