Resident of Grande Prairie
1985-91, 1995 - 96, 2004 - Present
Family
Son – Jasper Maksymethiessen
Education
- Grande Prairie Composite High School
- Grant MacEwan Community College – Digital Arts & Mass Media Diploma
- University of Alberta – 2 years General Studies/Education Program
Current Occupation
- City Councillor – City of Grande Prairie
Business and Professional History
- 2005-Present: Emcee / Keynote Speaker / Children’s Entertainer, Various events and organizations
- 2014-2016: AUMA Representative, Interagency Council on Housing & Homelessness
- 2012-2015: Client Support Development Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association
- 2008-2015: Manager, Bartender, Server, Boston Pizza (West/North)
- 2006-2009: Part-time Children’s Instructor, Muskoseepi Park
- 2005-2007: Public Relations Coordinator, GPRC Students Association 2004-2007: Bartender, Various Establishments
Current Community Involvement
- Vice-Chair – Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance
- Vice Chair – Destination Imagination Alberta Northwest
- Board Member/Provincial Representative (ABNW) – John Howard Society
- Member – Centre for Creative Arts
- Member – Canadian Mental Health Association (ANWR)
- Member – Council for Aging
- Volunteer – Bear Creek Folk Music Festival
Past Community Involvement
- 1995-96: Vice President, GPCHS Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD)
- 2005-06: Director, Grande Prairie and District Multicultural Association
- 2005-07: Speaker/Organizer, International Suicide Prevention Day (SPRC)
- 2005-09: Board Member/Vice-President, Centre for Creative Arts
- 2005-10: Master of Vision/Founder, “Peace Starts At Home” local not-for-profit Music Genre Festival
- 2006: Parent/Child Volunteer, Roots of Empathy pilot program (FCSS)
- 2007-08: Mentor/Organizer, Youth anti-nuclear lobby group (SPOC)
- 2008-10: Volunteer Coordinator, Muskoseepi Park
- 2009: Music & Volunteer Coordinator, Sunrise House “Homeless for a Night” Event
- 2010: Volunteer Music Coordinator/Performer, Arctic Winter Games Opening Ceremonies
- Community member participant in creation of Grande Prairie’s Municipal Development Plan, Cultural
- Master Plan, Transit Master Plan, and Muskoseepi Park Master Plan
Notable Accomplishments and Awards
- 1995: Co-founder of 1st ever SADD Chapter in Alberta/BC Northwest Regions
- 2005: Helped co-ordinate the return of Heritage Days to Grande Prairie
- 2005-06: Co-creator of Centre for Creative Arts’ Healing Arts Program Initiative (HAPI)
- 2005-10: Heartbeat promoter and revivalist of local music scene through creation of “Peace Starts At Home” festival
- 2006-07: Seed negotiator for 1st ever performance of the Tragically Hip in Grande Prairie at the Crystal Centre
- 2009: Master of Vision/Project Coordinator for Muskoseepi Park Amphitheatre Wrap-around Mural
- 2010: 1st Runner-up to Council (9th) in Municipal Elections on shoestring budget ($463)
- 2013: Elected to council (2nd) in Municipal Elections on double shoestring budget ($917)
- 2014: Coached Regional-winning Destination Imagination team (GPPSD), comprised of grades 3&4 kids, and participated in National D.I. event in Vancouver, BC
- 2014: Co-chaired and co-created Grande Prairie’s 100th Anniversary Celebration “The Centennial Spectacular”
- 2014: Appointed as AUMA Representative on Interagency Council on Housing & Homelessness,
- 2015-16: Keynote Speaker and Workshop Facilitator at Spirit Seekers Youth Conference
- 2017: Appointed Provincial Representative for John Howard Society (ABNW)
- 2017: Re-elected for second term on Council (2nd) in Municipal Elections