SWESA Organization Chart
Click here to view the Organization Chart as of December 19, 2019
2019 – 2020 Board of DirectorS
Josie Richardson (President)
Josie has a business background, graduating from NAIT with a diploma in Business and Office Administration and CPP Certification from the Canadian Payroll Association. She spent the majority of her career working in the customer service sector before assuming the role of Business Manager for Tempest Fire Protection Ltd., a business she founded with her husband Jack. Josie has volunteered in various capacities, including President of the St. Albert Gymnastics Club and lead on parent council committees. As business owners, Josie and Jack were major sponsors of St. Albert Seniors Association, Edmonton Firefighters Burn Treatment Society, Canadian Cancer Society and S.A.I.F. (Stop Abuse in Families)
Judy Baker (Vice-President)
Judy has lived in SouthWest Edmonton since the early 1980’s. She has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Pharmacy and a PhD in Biological Psychiatry. She is a retired pharmacist who has worked as a university lecturer, pharmacy manager and pharmacy consultant for the Alberta College of Pharmacists, privately owned pharmacies, the Government of Alberta and others. In 1990, she was President of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association and in more recent years, she has participated in and chaired may committees and work groups for her professional college and other groups.
Catherine Hammond (Treasurer)
Catherine is a retired professional with over 30 years accounting and office management experience working with non-profits and small business. Her educational background includes a BA (Economics), Chartered Professional Accountant designation, Certified Management Accountant (Retired) and a Certificate in Voluntary and Non-Profit Management. Catherine has volunteered with various organizations, including Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT), Woman in Science Engineering, Trades and Technology (WinSETT.)
Judith Abbott (Secretary)
Judith has lived in the Duggan area since 1968 and often volunteered with the local Community League, Elementary School Parent Council, and both Boy Scouts and Beaver groups. She was also involved with Edmonton Keyano Swim Club, and has canvassed her neighbourhood for various charitable fund-raising organizations. Judith worked at the University of Alberta from 1974 through 2010; after 20 years on Temporary Staff Services, she accepted a permanent position as Administrative Coordinator of the Health Research Ethics Board, from which she retired in 2010. Related to that position, Judith was active in several provincial and national organizations.
Rob Agostinis (Dr.) (Director)
Rob, a physician, has lived in the Southwest community since 1994. His passion for community, sports and City initiatives in southwest Edmonton is what led him to founding the Terwillegar Riverbend Advisory Council which then led to the building of the Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre. He has led many other community initiatives to support families, youth and seniors. In fact, it was Rob and friend Glenn Kissick who spearheaded the founding of SWESA. Rob also represents the Faculty of Medicine on Alumni Council at the University of Alberta. In any spare time he has, Rob travels, hikes, sings and dabbles as a photographer, sommelier and ukulele player. His current journey of getting healthy has him doing High Intensity Interval Training and Crossfit.
Rita Sequeira (Director)
Rita immigrated to Canada from India with her husband and three small children in 1966. They lived in Athabasca for 42 years before moving to South Edmonton in 2008. She has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education and a Diploma in Social Work. Rita retired from teaching after 30 years of service. She was a University Facilitator and served as trustee to the Aspen View Regional Division #19 Board of Education for three terms. Rita was the first Woman President of the North East Teachers’ Convention. As coach of the Debate team, she organized Invitational, Regional and Provincial tournaments. She was chosen as an Adult Alberta delegate to the National debating tournaments in Toronto and Yellowknife and was on the Provincial Steering Committee for the Alberta Debate and Speech Association. Rita volunteered with Words Work Literacy Programme, Athabasca Live Arts, Athabasca Fringe Festival, Science Outreach and Seniors Memory Project. Currently, Rita volunteers with various committees on her Condominium board. Rita has been a member of SWESA since 2017 and has enjoyed the people, and the programs offered.
Eustace (Tony) Montrose (Director)
Tony lives in South Edmonton and is passionate about building community. He spent his working career as a Valve Service Supervisor and Safety Officer for NCSO. Tony has volunteered for many organizations, most notably as Vice President of the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Association, and 15 years on the board of Western Carnival Development Association (Cariwest). He is involved in feeding the homeless through NASA (Non- Academic Staff Association of the University of Alberta) and at the Bissell Centre.
Reg Wood (director)
Reg is a retired professional engineer who has been involved in volunteer activities since moving to Edmonton with his wife, Joan, in 1966. His board involvement includes service on a condo board, HOA board and with not-for-profit sport groups and technical societies. His interest in seniors groups started with his involvement with Seniors United Now (SUN) where he served on the Board from 2010-2013. It was at that time he joined the Westend Seniors Activity Centre (WSAC) to serve as a member of the outreach committee, which was already operating its own home supports program to assist seniors living in West Edmonton. He continues to be a member of WSAC and joined SWESA at the inaugural meeting held on February 29, 2012.
Pat Wren (Director)
Pat Wren worked with IBM Canada Ltd. for 34 years in various management and sales positions in technical delivery, consulting, technical sales and Information Technology support services. In 2008, Pat setup his Information Technology Consulting Company and has worked with firms such as ATB Financial, The Brick, EPCOR and Long View Systems. Pat assists his clients in evaluating current support processes and develops the best alternatives to support their business and user needs. Pat’s involvement covers all areas of Service Delivery from technical, Project Management, Business Development and consulting with Senior Executives. Pat is currently the President, Devon Golf Club and Conference Centre and has served in many Board positions with the Devon Golf Club and the Edmonton Golf Association over the past 25 years. Pat is married to Janice Wren and has two sons and 5 grandchildren who all live in the Edmonton area.
Helga Dyckerhoff (Director)
Helga immigrated to Canada with her husband and four children in 1975. Her desire has always been to stay home with the children and be available as much as possible. Once the children finished schooling, Helga and her husband travelled to the University of Hawaii for two years to be trained in Family Ministries (Youth With A Mission). During the early 1980’s Helga served as vice president of the Edmonton Youth Orchestra and she has volunteered for many years in various hospitals and institutions.