2013
Mackenzie Hientz
Communication Arts
The staff of Wider Horizons would like to issue a correction and an apology. An update appeared in the Fall 2014 issue and incorrectly referred to Mackenzie as a “she” and not a “he.” We are sorry for the error. Mackenzie is a feature columnist with Estevan Lifestyles, an award-winning, free circulation weekly publication that shares the stories of the people in the Estevan area and the southeast corner of Saskatchewan. His first column of the summer discussed some of the assignments he undertook during his second year as a Communication Arts student and some of the great experiences he had as a Lethbridge College student.
Angela Dalby
Business Administration
Angela writes: “I’m working in the Finance Department for the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority. I’m a Finance Clerk.”
2012
Paige Kashmere
Broadcast Journalism
Paige has been working as a video journalist for CTV Yorkton since February 2013. Born and raised in Regina, Paige came to Alberta to study at the college and then interned and was hired full time at the station. When she is not at work, Paige can be found spending time with her family, riding her bike or adventuring in the wilderness.
Madison Stork
Massage Therapy
Madison wrote the college with this update last summer: “I have been working in the massage therapy industry for more than two years. When I graduated from Lethbridge College I was hired with a high-end spa company in Calgary called Sante Spa. The company I work for is very well known and successful in Calgary. We have three locations and a medical centre. I work in one of our busy downtown locations in the area called ‘Mission.’ I’m a full-time employee and very busy! Coming out of the massage therapy program I felt confident in the knowledge and skills I attained from the program to be successful in the industry. All the instructors are very knowledgeable about the course material and the industry. Class sizes are small and students get a lot of one-on-one time with the instructor during classes and get to build personal relationships. I still stay in contact with my instructor and we keep each other up-to-date on our careers.”
2010
Kali Wade
General Studies
Kali was featured in a Drumheller Online profile in September. The article discussed how Kali would play volleyball for the University of Edinburgh in Scotland this year. After completing her education at Lethbridge College, Kali earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Lethbridge and is now working on her Master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh.
2008
Adam Essex
Culinary Arts
After a successful launch of Lethbridge’s first-ever comic convention in the fall of 2013, Adam organized the second annual Lethbridge Comic Con last October. These conventions bring together fans, collectors and vendors of comics, games, artwork, antiques, collectibles, toys, jewelry and more. In addition, those who attend are “highly encouraged” to come dressed up as their favorite superhero or villain and can enjoy entertainment and have a chance to meet the artists and writers behind some of the best-loved graphic novels, videos and art. The event was held in the D.A. Electric Barn and featured actor Dirk Benedict, star of The A Team and Battlestar Gallactica, who was available for autographs and photo ops all three days of the event.
Caitlin Power
Fashion Design and Marketing
Caitlin’s designs again received rave reviews in major national and international media and fashion outlets during Toronto’s World MasterCard Fashion Week in October. Her spring-summer collection featured feminine frocks and dresses in shades of turquoise, ultramarine, beige and slate. She and the clothes she has designed were featured in articles in the Huffington Post, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and more. In addition, she was one of six designers featured in Parkluxe 2014 in Calgary in October.
2007
Vanessa Nemetchek
Communication Arts
Vanessa is working at the University of Alberta in the Calgary office as manager of Corporate Alumni Relations.
2005
Lars Davis
General Studies
Lars was appointed volunteer assistant baseball coach for the University of Florida Gators in September. He arrived in Gainsville after completing the 2014 season with the Lehigh Valley (Pennsylvania) IronPigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. A native of Grande Prairie, he was a third-round selection of the Colorado Rockies in 2007. During his eight-year professional career, he played with the Rockies, the Diamondbacks and the Phillies. He was the “Dawg of the Year” at the Prairie Baseball Academy in 2005.
J.J. Straker
Recreational Facility Management
J.J. was the subject of an in-depth profile in a Yahoo.com sports series on the toughest jobs in sports. J.J. is the ice maker for the Arizona Coyotes, and his job of creating a perfect sheet of ice in the National Hockey League’s hottest city is a challenge. The average annual high in the Phoenix-Glendale area is more than 86F and temperatures routinely exceed 100F by the time the playoffs start in April. J.J. is an Alberta native who started skating at the age of three and played hockey soon after. He had hopes of a career in the NHL, but by middle school he realized he didn’t have the talent. His desire to stay involved in the sport led him to study at Lethbridge College, and aftercompleting the program, he started working his way through jobs in small cities in Alberta and B.C. His big break came in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics when he volunteered to serve as a Zamboni driver and did such a good job that he worked the entire medal round. That led to his job with the Coyotes.
2003
Aloyuisius Black Water
Computer Information Technology
Aloyuisius credits his education from Lethbridge College as a catalyst for his successful career. Before enrolling in full-time studies in Computer Information Technology, Aloyuisius took some certification courses for Business Computer Applications and Computer Technician, the latter of which Lethbridge College offered in collaboration with Blood Tribe Employment and Skills Training. As a result of his background in computer technology, Aloyuisius was selected for a summer training program for an information transfer between Blood Tribe Land Management (BTLM) and Natural Resources Canada. This training would see BTLM assume responsibility for managing the geographic information system (GIS) for the Blood Reserve. Once Aloyuisius completed his CIT program, BTLM’s Geomatics Service division hired him as a GIS technician. He later became the geomatics services manager. Aloyuisius is currently a Council Member of Blood Tribe Chief and Council (2012-2016). Within the community’s leadership team he is delegated to the Economic Pillar as Chairman of the Blood Tribe Land Management department. He is also a board member of Blood Tribe Agricultural Project, Blood Tribe Economic Development and Kainai Resources Inc. Aloyuisius and his wife Marcia have three beautiful children and reside on the Blood Reserve. (Story by Megan Shapka)
Tyler Frank Lie
Computer Network Technician
Tyler writes: “For over 10 years, I have built and managed successful teams that are capable of performing effectively within tight timelines and resource restraints. I have spent my entire career in leadership roles. I began my career as an IT Instructor for the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology, where I became the lead instructor in my second year. It was at SIIT where I developed cross-cultural communication skills, as I delivered a two-year course at a small satellite campus, located on the Onion Lake Reserve. With my contract fulfilled, I moved onto Vecima Networks Inc., a communications manufacturer located in Saskatoon. While at Vecima Networks, I held the position of supervisor of software functionality and stability. … I also co-founded the Cable Applications Engineering Support group. I am now employed by Intepros Consulting as a senior management consultant, consulting on project management of large scale deployments across Comcast Cable’s Central Division, as well as transitioning one of Comcast’s testing teams to the Agile methodology.”
2002
Colin Budd
Communication Arts
Colin wrote a column about college and the value of a post-secondary education in a September issue of the Lloydminster Source.
Rhonda Ortman
Criminal Justice
Rhonda was featured in an article highlighting the work of outstanding sheriffs, correctional officers, Crown prosecutors, executives and administrators working with the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General ministry. Rhonda is a law courts sheriff in Medicine Hat and was commended for bringing the new skills she learned while studying for her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Criminal Justice degree back to the workplace. In addition, she was praised for continually demonstrating positivity, knowledge, accountability, and respect to everyone that she encounters – whether she is on or off duty. She received an Educational Achievement Merit Award not only because she completed a degree course, but because she consistently assists other staff members, works hard, and is ethical and honest at all times.
2000
Jim Bennett
Criminal Justice – Policing
Sergeant James Bennett, an officer with the Blood Tribe Police Service, was one of two law enforcement officers to receive the Police of the Year Award from the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association (FNCPA) in Gatineau, Quebec in October. The award recognizes officers who show dedication to the department, who are team players, and who have a strong ability and willingness to assist others. Jim has been a member of the Blood Tribe Police Service since 2009. His community work includes involvement in the Kainai Headdress Society, Kainai Pow Wow, Army Cadets, the Special Olympics Torch Run and the Pikanii Youth and Education Foundation Board. He has been honoured with the presentation of a Headdress and a Blackfoot name. One of Jim’s most recent accomplishments was to spearhead a program to provide food, clothing and hygienic products to the homeless in the community. Enough money and goods were collected to also provide every person released from police custody with a bottle of water, instant soup and a granola bar, as well as to make a donation to the local food bank and purchasing a new stove for the Moses Lake Homeless Shelter.
Caroline Zentner
Communication Arts
Caroline has been working as a Public Affairs Advisor at the University of Lethbridge since last July. Zentner moved to the university after spending the last 14 years as a reporter at the Lethbridge Herald. Zentner also has a bachelor of psychology from the University of Saskatchewan. She is responsible for telling the university’s story through the exploits of its faculty, staff and students.
1998
Maritza Stinson
Child and Youth Care and General Studies
Maritza writes that “I am working at YWCA Lethbridge and District as an outreach counsellor and I also work … at Quest Support and Services every other weekend with people with disabilities. I am a grandmother of two beautiful boys, Michael and Elijah, and have been married for 11 years to Douglas Stinson.”
1997
Lori Kemble
Business Administration
Lori graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Lethbridge last year and is currently living in Lethbridge. She works as an RN at Chinook Regional and at Milk River Heath Centre.
1996
Mike Young
Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science and Renewable Resource Management
“After spending just over five years as a Community Peace Officer in Alberta, I moved onto the RCMP in June 2007 and graduated from Depot in December 2007,” Mike writes. “I have spent time in general duty in two northern First Nations in Saskatchewan, and am now attached to a Traffic Services unit in southwest Saskatchewan. In addition to my regular duties as a traffic investigator, I have focused my career ambitions in the Forensic Collision Reconstruction field and have completed my Level III Collision Analyst.”
1993
Mark Scott Oevering
Electronics Engineering Technology
Mark writes: “Currently I am working at NovAtel Inc. in Calgary as an RF Designer, designing RF circuits for GPS antennas (LNAs) and receiver cards. Previous to this, I worked at Novatel Wireless as an RF Technologist, and on Novatel’s MiFin line of products. After college I had worked at JRC Canada Inc. for five years in the Lethbridge plant. I am currently married with two children.”
1991
Keith Smyth
Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician
Keith writes that “after completing the agricultural mechanics diploma, I went into industry in the Lethbridge area. I acquired my Heavy Equipment Techician designation as well and began teaching both agriculture and heavy equipment at Olds College in 2006. I completed my Master’s degree in Leadership through Royal Roads University in 2012. In addition to teaching, I am also the program coordinator for the school of trades, farrier program, and trans-vocational program at Olds College. In reflection, it’s amazing where one can wind up it seems. I am always thankful for my time at Lethbridge College and enjoy keeping up with all the wonderful changes there.”
1990
Kenneth Alan Jones
Renewable Resource Management
Kenneth is a senior emergency management specialist for TransCanada.
Robert Kovacs
Civil Engineering Technology and Engineering Design and Drafting Technology
Robert is currently working for the City of Lethbridge running multimillion dollar projects including the north arterial corridor and the Metis Trail/Jerry Potts road project.
1989
Stacy Brian Hagen
Automotive Systems
Stacy writes that “After receiving my diploma in Automotive Technology, I worked for Fountain Tire and General Motors dealers and then we opened up our own garage. We now own and operate a Napa Auto Parts store and Autopro shop in Vauxhall.”
Trent Ervin
Partsman Technician
Trent touched base with our Alumni Relations department this fall. He wrote: “After receiving my Journeyman certificate of completion, I went on to work with Mercedes-Benz and Toyota. During my automotive dealership experience I sat on the Lethbridge College Parts Technician advisory committees. I enjoyed the training and mentoring of young apprentices so much that I now work for the Alberta Government as an apprentice and trades consultant. The passion I have for the trades all started during the time I spent as a student at the Lethbridge College. For that I would like to say thank you to all past and present college staff.”
1987
Darcy Barfuss
Agricultural Technology
Darcy and Maureen and their family were featured in an article in the Prairie Post in August after the family won the 2014 BMO Farm Family of the Year for Cardston County.The Barfuss farm is midway between Hill Spring and Glenwood. According to the article, Darcy had 33 cows and 178 acres when he planted their first crop in 1985. In those early years, he decided he needed to know more about his business, so he took courses at the college (and also met and married Maureen) and then went on to earn his BSc in Animal Nutrition from Utah State University. Today, Darcy Barfuss Farms has a cattle herd consisting of 375 mother cows, grows 400 acres each of canola and barley and 300 acres of organic dairy hay. Darcy, Maureen and their seven children all help in the harvest each year.
Ryan Maier
Engineering Design and Drafting Technology
Ryan works at Cummins Western Canada as a prime power generation sales representative for oil and gas, construction, aggregate mining water treatment and remote camps. Ryan primarily works with engineers and project, construction and procurement managers.
1986
Kim Duke
Communication Arts
Kim is founder of The Sales Divas and The Sales School for Women and an international sales speaker, coach and best-selling author who provides savvy, sassy sales training for women entrepreneurs and sales people. Her extensive sales background was based in the media, where she spent 15 years working with two of Canada’s largest national television networks in sales and management. She then spent 13 years as an entrepreneur, providing sales training for companies and conferences internationally. She has presented for organizations such as the U.S. Business Administration, the National Basketball Association, major Canadian and American franchises, direct sales organizations as well as business conferences around the world. Kim has over 30,000 women entrepreneurs from 54 countries around the world eagerly await her sales tips each week.
1984
Bill Blayney
Fish and Wildlife Technology, Environmental Science
Bill works as a zookeeper at the Calgary Zoo and was featured by the organization during National Zoo Keeper Week last year. He has worked at the zoo since 1986, and has been the zookeeper in the African Savannah building almost since its grand opening in 2003. He says his favourite animals to work with are the giraffes.
1983
Dan Barker
Renewable Resource Management
Dan has published a book titled Seeds of Faith: Conversion Stories from Early Church History published by Cedar Fort Inc. It includes 48 journal accounts from those who lived when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was first organized and when they were baptized. The book was featured in a July news story in the Deseret News. Barker was raised in Calgary and served a mission for the LDS Church in the Boston area. After graduating from the college, he studied at Utah State University. He and his wife Kate have six children and 17 grandchildren.
1982
Dean Sallenback
Business Administration
Dean writes: “For the past 31 years, I have been working as the controller for Deseret Ranches of Alberta. Upon graduation from Lethbridge College, I went to work as a computer programmer for the City of Lethbridge until I started with Deseret. For
community service, I have spent four terms in municipal government – two terms as a councillor and two terms as a mayor.
Jeff Sim
Criminal Justice
Vancouver Police Superintendent Jeffery Harold Sim received the prestigious Order of Merit of the Police Forces from Governor General David Johnston at a September ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The badge of the Order is the same as that of the Order of Military Merit, honouring and recognizing the leadership and exceptional service of the men and women of Canada’s police forces. Sim was born and raised in Fort St. John, graduated from North Peace Secondary in 1980, and studied at Lethbridge College. His policing career began with the Lethbridge City Police Force, and in 1986, he joined the Vancouver Police Department. Sim is also the recipient of a Chief Constable’s Unit Citation, a Superintendent’s Commendation and two Inspector Commendations.
1981
Earla Legault
Rehabilitation Services
“I worked in the rehab field in a few capacities, mostly as a life skills coach until I moved to the Queen Charlotte Islands in 1986,” Earla writes. “As there was no rehab work on the islands, I began to work in a public library. It was a good fit and after moving to the Fraser Valley, I made my way up the ladder in public library service from circulation assistant to deputy manager in outreach services for Fraser Valley Regional Library. The department I have helped manage for the past three years services people who are either homebound or who are visually impaired. So I am back to working in rehabilitation services! I really like how my career and education have come full circle.”
1979
André Desrosiers
Renewable Resource Management
André works as a game warden in Snow Lake, Manitoba. He worked for eight years as a fisheries technician in Manitoba after graduating in December 1979 and then became a Manitoba natural resource officer in 1988 and never looked back.
Craig MacMillan
Criminal Justice - Policing
Craig, Assistant Commissioner for the RCMP, was featured in a story in the Fort Macleod Gazette in August. He was presented with a painting titled The Sergeant by artist Norm Adams to mark the 140th anniversary of the arrival of the North West Mounted Police. According to the article, Craig was born and raised in the MD of Willow Creek and joined the RCMP in 1986. He has worked in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario. He has also worked with Medicine Hat City Police and as a park ranger before working with the RCMP in general duty and major crime informatics and hate crime units. After finishing his studies at Lethbridge College, Craig earned a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from the University of Lethbridge, a Master’s degree in judicial administration from Brock University, and a PhD from the University of British Columbia.
1976
Tom McKenzie
Criminal Justice - Policing
Before his retirement last October, Lethbridge Regional Police Chief Tom McKenzie served as honorary Parade Marshall in the Whoop Up Days parade. In October, he was also honoured for his commitment to First Nations in the region. According to an article in the Lethbridge Herald, Elder Leonard Howell, a Spirit Lodge reader and teacher from Vancouver, presented McKenzie with a dreaming bundle at the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Centre.
1975
Mark Campbell
Communication Arts
After 15 years of writing regular features, Mark submitted his final column for the last issue of the Lethbridge Journal in September. In addition to thanking many of the people he worked with over the years, Campbell wrote about his writing and reporting experiences in Lethbridge over the years.
1972
Linda Osetsky-Kneeland
Recreation
“I got married soon after graduation,” Linda writes. “My husband, Greg Osetsky, and I bought our family farm eventually. He continued to work in the oilfield, while I was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom to our three children for 15 years or so. In 1991, I received my personal care aide certificate and worked with long-term care patients for the next 20 years. We were fortunate enough to live in Australia two separate times for one year each time in 2001 and 2006. Unfortunately, I lost my husband in 2010, but have since remarried and now live in Donalda, Alta. I have had a wonderful and full life.”
1967
Alberta St. Amand
Legal and Medical Secretary
Alberta writes “I have been with the same law firm since starting in November 1967. I retired seven years ago but was asked to come back after a month for a special project and am still there two days a week doing special projects, which seem never to cease.”
