Board of Directors

Rick Keillor - (Public Member-At-Large)

Since 1982 I have been operating my own mixed (cattle and grain) farm. I am married and have a grown son and daughter.

Before returning to the farm I obtained a BSc in Zoology, minor Geography, course work in Geology at the University of Alberta (1975). From 1976-1982 I worked for Alberta Fish and Wildlife, mainly on Wildlife management and Land use issues.

   Over the past years I have been involved in organizations such as Peace Country Forage and Beef Association and Holistic Management, with an interest in grass management, including riparian and forest grazing management. (All bush and riparian areas on my farm are fenced out from general grazing use)

During the 1990’s I served as member of DMI Peace River (Daishowa Marubeni International) Public Advisory Council. I gained valuable insights into forest management and water issues, as well as the mill side effects and issues.

   I have a long standing interest in land use and land and water management issues, as it relates to agriculture, industry, recreation and ecosystem needs.

Elaine Garrow (Rural Municipalities)

I am currently in my fifth term on the M.D. #133 Council. I live on the original family farm that was established in 1916. For many years my husband Ace and I owned Berwyn Insurance in Berwyn, Alberta. In 2000 we moved back to the farm.  In 2001 we sold Berwyn Insurance and I went back to college and took the Horsemanship program at Fairview College.

   Today I raise Arabians and Quarter Horses and I am also an Equine Certified Western Riding Instructor. I instruct horsemanship, judge camps, and host clinics, and put on horsemanship camps.

    My main passions are going green, protecting the environment, health care, and making good contributions to the community and province.

   As a Councilor for the M.D. #133  I represent the following boards: 

Peace Library- Executive, Municipal Planning Commission, Agricultural Service Board, FCSS Board, Grande Spirit Foundation, Peace River Economic Development Alliance- Chair, Personnel Committee, Peace Library System,

Heritage Resource Committee.Central Peace health Council. I also sit on the Community Futures Board as a volunteer.

Jill Henry (Agriculture)

Jill has been a resident of the Peace region since 1985. She was raised on a ranch near Bruderheim and attended the University of Alberta where she received a BSc in Agriculture, majoring in Rangeland Ecology and Animal Science. Upon graduation, she worked as a Public Lands Agrologist in Mackenzie County, Birch Hills County, Saddle Hills County and MD of Spirit River. In 1990 she moved to a farm in the La Glace area and together with her husband they established a full service fertilizer dealership. Jill is currently the Rural Extension Officer at the County of Grande Prairie, where she reports to the Agricultural Service Board and promotes watershed stewardship to local producers. She is a member of the Alberta Institute  of Agrologists  ( PAg ) and the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen.  

Brian Lieverse (Recreation/Tourism/Fisheries)

Catherine Newhook (Watershed Stewardship)

Catherine Newhook was born in Nova Scotia and raised in Prince Edward Island by the water.  Family brought her out West and in 1984, she found her forever home in Goodfare, Alberta. Cathy and her husband have four children together.

Cathy is a natural resource technician and her love for nature and conservation began in 1984 when her and her partner started a tree planting company, Next Generation Reforestation. Today, NextGen plants an average of 22 million trees a year in the Boreal Forest.

Cathy was a founding member of the West County Watershed Society and has been president for the last 10 years. West County Watershed Society represents the communities and watersheds West of Grande Prairie, Alberta including the Beaverlodge Red Willow and Wapiti River.

Cathy is driven by the idea of ensuring communities have access to clean, sparkling rivers for fishing, kayaking, recreation and resource use for generations to come. 

Ashley Rowney (Utilities)

Ashley relocated from Southern Saskatchewan to the Peace Region nearly 15 years ago upon graduating from the University of Regina. She has since put down roots in Grande Prairie, and is the Regulatory and Compliance Specialist with Aquatera Utilities, a full-service utility corporation. Ashley has been involved with the MPWA since its inception in 2011 as a board member and at times as part of the Executive team.  

Abdi Siad-Omar (Federal-Transboundary Relations)

Abdi works with Alberta Environment and Parks and brings the connection between the Transboundary and Ministry work to the  Watershed organization. 

Dave Walty (Public Member-At-Large)

David Walty lives in a log house that he built himself on a small farm just outside of the Town of Peace River. The view from his house looks down the valley of the Mighty Peace. “I can view the many faces of the river, its furry, it ever changing flows and its radiant beauty form my front door.” Dave recently retired from 40 years of managing the Fish and Wildlife resources of the Peace Region.  Dave is a fisheries biologist by training. His experience with management, planning, aboriginal relations, stakeholder relations, communication, education and working in a team environment are many.  Dave has an intimate knowledge of most lakes and rivers in the Peace Watershed. Dave is a founding member and a director of the East Peace Water Co-op, the largest water co-op in the province. 

Jim Webb (Lower Watershed First Nation)

The Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN) confirmed Mr. Webb to act on behalf of the members of LRRCN as of May 2018. He brings to the table a great deal of experience and understanding of the Peace River and the area covered by the Peace River Watershed.

Sandra Miller (Oil & Gas)