The AAAS Board of Directors consists of 10 volunteers representing 6 regions and service members.
Presenting the 2023 Board of Directors
PAST -PRESIDENT
Rebecca Joseph: Region 4 Director
Rebecca grew up in Lamont County, and found her passion for agriculture after her family moved to a small ranch near Chipman. Her parents were heavily involved in both the Chipman and Lamont Ag Societies, where she became a volunteer at a young age. Since then, she has been a volunteer for a variety of community groups. Currently, Rebecca serves as the Secretary for Lamont Ag Society, and is the office manager for Vilna Ag Society. In her spare time, she enjoys curling, camping and kayaking.
PRESIDENT
Brett Warder : Region 2 Director
Brett has been with the Calgary Stampede since 1992. Before joining the Agriculture & Western Events department in 2000, he held various positions in Accounting and Food & Beverage. My favorite thing about working for the Calgary Stampede is the people! From the people I work with, the volunteers, and our guests that come to the Stampede. As the Manager of Agriculture and Western Events Operations, I have been a part of the changes that we have made at the Calgary Stampede over the last two decades. I am involved in the extensive work behind the scenes on all Calgary Stampede Agriculture & Western Event programs and competitions, and ensure the animals taking part receive the best care, and our guests have exceptional experiences. I was honored to be nominated by my peers for the Calgary White Hat Awards. The Awards celebrate inspiring Calgarians in the tourism industry who go above and beyond and strive to make their guests’ experience a memorable one.
1St Vice President
PETRA KLEMPNAUER: Region 1 Director
Petra has served on school council and volunteered in the school whenever possible. She has also been a board member on the Vauxhall and District Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of the Vauxhall Public Library as well as the Vauxhall Ag Society Board, where I fill the position of Secretary Treasurer. She is part of the Bylaw and Policy as well as the Farmers Market Committee. She has managed the Vauxhall Farmers Market for the past five years. Petra was elected to the AAAS Board in 2021.
2nd Vice President & Service Member Director
Rick McCarthy:
Rick McCarthy lives in Bonnyville and is an owner/operator of HR2 Construction primarily building residential houses and agricultural buildings. Family is Rick’s main priority and having great communities for his family…and all families….to grow up in is ultimately why he became involved with Agricultural Societies. Rick is a former Board member with Bonnyville Ag Society, and is currently a Director on the Cold Lake Ag. He was elected to the AAAS Board as a Region 4 Director in 2013.
TREASURER
Natasha Dombrosky : Region 5 Director
Natasha is from the Radway Agricultural Society and has been a member since 2015. She got involved with the Ag society thanks to her employer. They wanted employees to get involved in their communities so she went on the search for something in her town that would interest her and her love for agriculture, country, and friends. After a quick search online she found the contact for the Radway Agriculture Society and contacted them to see if they were looking for volunteers. She loves spending time at home with family, either out in the arena with the horses, on the track with the dirt bikes, or around the fire pit roasting a hot dog.
REGION 3 DIRECTORS
BETH FULTON
Beth has been an member of the Donalda Ag Society Member for 10 years. “I got involved because I saw an opportunity where I could make a difference. Contributing to the community in a positive manner and providing the best possible experience for participants and attendees to events. Beth was elected to the AAAS Board in 2021.
LINDA TOEWS
Linda Toews is a member of Cottonwood-Gordon Ag Society and served in a variety of positions over many years she was on the board, including Newsletter Editor, Membership Chair, Fundraiser, Grants Writer, and President. She has also served other groups in similar roles on a local, provincial and national level. An event planner, Linda puts great importance on building partnerships and working as a team to further the interests of all parties. Our communities are our strength.
REGION 4 DIRECTORS
NICOLE TEMPLETON
Nicole lives outside of Vermilion where she works for the Vermilion Agricultural Society as well as running her Equine Photography business. Most of the time you can find her watching rounds from the mom’s section at whatever showjumping/pony club event she is at for the day.
JACKIE TOMAYER
Jackie was raised in Lloydminster AB/SK. Lloydminster is Canada’s only border city which creates some unique situations and opportunities. Growing up Jackie could usually be found working with animals like
her sled dog team, or her horses who she loved dearly. Early on she would sneak onto the Exhibition grounds after hours to race her horse around the track or use the arenas to practice barrel racing/pole
bending & numerous other activities. Jackie’s love of the fair grounds was born at a very early age from those memories. Many years spent in 4-H led to a decision to pursue a career in agriculture. Jackie obtained a diploma in Agriculture and moved back to Lloydminster to marry her high school sweetheart Shane and start their life together. Through various jobs (pet store, real estate office, advertising sales, small business ownership) in 2018 Jackie landed a job in marketing at Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association and a passion was born Jackie didn’t even know she had. Within only a few years at the Association Jackie found herself with the opportunity to step into the role of General Manager. With the support of her family, the board of directors and fellow staff members it was an easy decision. Her first year managing the Exhibition Association would prove to be unlike any other as she took on the role midway through a global pandemic. With one unique year behind her as the GM of Lloyd Ex she looks forward to many more. Jackie has found a passion for the fair and exhibition world and looks forward to a long career in the industry wherever that may lead.
REGION 5 DIRECTOR
FRED YOUNG
I have been involved with Agriculture Societies since I first moved to Evansburg as a District Agriculturist in 1982. Later in my career I became manager of the Agricultures Societies Program for the Province. This gave me the opportunity to work with AAAS and together we
worked on many initiatives to improve the overall Agricultural Societies program. Since retiring I joined our local Ag Society again and have now become the President of the Pembina Agricultural and Recreation Society (PARS). I’m looking forward to my next adventure as a director on the AAAS board and the many exciting challenges that will follow.
REGION 6 DIRECTOR
DARLENE CORRIVEAU
Darlene was born in Edmonton, raised in the NWT and moved to Valleyview 39 years ago. She joined the Valleyview and District Agricultural Society 29 years ago, has held the positions of both President and Past President and currently is still a Director. Darlene was voted to the AAAS Board in 2014.
Board Member – Recruitment Package