Executive
Our Executive Board
The Executive Board is composed of 11 elected local government officials representing all members of the association. The Lower Mainland Local Government Association Executive meets on the third Thursday of each month and is elected annually at the Annual General Meeting held in May every year.
Councillor Patricia Ross
President
Patricia has more than 27 years of community leadership experience as a councillor with the City of Abbotsford and as a Fraser Valley Regional District board member. These appointments have provided her with a solid understanding of the issues facing communities across the region, the province, as well as an opportunity to forge excellent relationships with municipal, provincial and federal representatives.
Patricia is a Fellow of Leadership for Environment and Development International, a research and training institute committed to fostering leadership in sustainability worldwide. She graduated from the program in 1996 and has continued to support the program through teaching opportunities with subsequent cohorts. It is through the lens of sustainability that Patricia approaches all decision making. She is the chair of GroYourBiz Fraser Valley, a mentoring and advisory board for businesswomen across the region.
Patricia has been widely recognized for her community service, receiving the Paul Harris award from Abbotsford Rotary Club; the Queen’s Jubilee Award; named Abbotsford’s Women of the Year in 2009 from the Business and Professional Woman’s Club; as well as receiving awards from the Soroptimist Club, Youth Commission, and several from the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce. She is a true community leader who is proud to serve as President of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association.
Mayor Jack Crompton
Past President
Jack Crompton has served on the Lower Mainland LGA board for the last seven years. He is passionate about the direction of our communities and the region as a whole. Jack is Mayor of Whistler and a Director on the Squamish Lillooet Regional District.
Jack’s professional life has focused mainly on transportation and software. Jack also works with Empowered Startups, a Whistler-based technology company incubator.
Jack likes to talk politics of any description. He is fascinated by political history, local government and international affairs.
Councillor PaUL ALBRECHT
First Vice-President
Paul is a two-term Councillor in Langley City and has been the Third Vice President of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association for the past year and previously served as Director at Large. He has also been on the UBCM Executive Board as one of the two Vancouver Metro Area reps. He has been able to develop strong connections and relationships with members of the Provincial government as well as other peers.
As a Civil Engineering Technologist, he brings over thirty years of municipal experience in all areas of infrastructure, servicing, planning, land use, land development and economic development.
His involvement on UBCM’s Economic Development and Health and Social Development Committees has been invaluable in highlighting the needs of the Metro region.
Councillor Michie Vidal
second vice-president
Throughout her life, Michie has demonstrated a history of community commitment, leadership and organizational expertise. Ranging from participating in a monthly Feed the Homeless’ campaign to Past President of her professional association, her commitment to benefiting the lives of others is evident.
Her career as a emergency services 911 dispatcher provided extensive knowledge in local government structure and systems.
Following retirement to the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Michie continued her dedication to the community. She united local residents, businesses and all levels of government towards a common goal related to a significant environmental and economic concern. The culmination of these experiences led her to seek election in 2018 and is she is currently serving her first term as Councillor with the Village of Harrison Hot Springs.
Councillor JEN MCUTCHEON
Third Vice-President
Jen serves as the Director for Metro Vancouver’s (MV) only electoral area, which includes approximately 18,000 people on the UBC peninsula, and a number of rural communities and islands across the MV region. She was elected in a by-election in 2019, and serves on MV’s Finance, Climate Action and Mayor’s committees, as well as the MV board. Jen is a member of Translink’s Mayor’s Council and the Ocean Watch Action Committee, and also sits on the Board for the Metro Vancouver Zero Emission Innovation Centre, Ecomm and the Fraser Valley Regional District Library.
Prior to entering politics, Jen utilized her doctoral degree in public health to help manage complex health projects in various countries across Africa for ten years, and still consults in public health.
In her spare time, Jen volunteers extensively in her community, stays physically active, and spends as much time as she can out in nature with her husband and two children.
COUNCILLOR KEN HERAR
Director at Large
Ken is currently a councillor with the City of Mission and a regular public speaker on topics of race-relations and cultural polarization issues. His experience includes television and radio appearances. In 2007, he received the “Champion of Diversity” at the Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Award, the Arts and Culture Service Award and a Certificate of Accomplishment from the District of Mission. He was also the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from Her Majesty in 2012 for multiculturism and public services.
He was a proud recipient of the Community\Literary Ambassador Award, for the Writer’s International Network in 2014. He also received the Breaking Barriers recognition at the 8th Annual South Asian Darpan ExtraOrdinary Awards. He was bestowed the Paul Harris Fellow recognition from Rotary International. He is a multi award winning athlete, an active tennis player in which he holds former provincial/national ranking. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Anthropology from the University of the Fraser Valley and completed a second Bachelor’s Degree from Simon University in General Studies. He is the founder and current director of Cycling4Diversity and Spinning4Diversity.
He is currently in his 27th year as a columnist for Abbotsford News.
Councillor JESSICA MCLLROY
Director at Large
Jessica is passionate about driving change to realize social and climate justice. With over fifteen years of experience in clean energy and climate action, she is continually looking for and creating opportunities to change policy, behavior and industry practices.
Jessica is currently a Councillor with the City of North Vancouver and sits on the City of North Vancouver Library Board of Trustees, the North Van Arts Council Board of Directors, the Lonsdale Energy Corporation Board of Directors, the Metro Vancouver Climate Action Committee, the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council, and is the Chair of the City’s Climate and Environment Task Force.
Ms. Mcllroy has held leadership positions with Climate Reality Project Canada, BC Sustainable Energy Association, Passive House Canada, Marine Renewables Canada, and the BC Women in Energy Network.
Councillor CHRIS PETTINGILL
Director at Large
Chris Pettingill is a Councillor with the District of Squamish on the traditional and unceded Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory. Chris also serves as an alternative Director for the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Board, and as an active member of the Climate Caucus. Everyone deserves a bright future so Chris brings thoughtful consideration of equity and climate change to these roles.
Chris has served on the boards for Tourism Squamish and the Squamish Arts Council, and as the chair of the BC Green Party Provincial Council and Squamish Chamber of Commerce respectively.
Chris’ professional career has focused on software development, and he is a senior technical lead and founding member of a fast-growing Squamish tech startup.
Chris also stays busy as an on-snow mentor of the Chill Foundation youth development program, and a long-standing volunteer for Squamish’s “Amped in the Park” music program. Through this involvement, Chris was able to enjoy his passions of music and snowboarding while supporting others as they learn to be leaders.
Mayor Armand Hurford
SLRD Representative
First elected to Squamish Council in 2018 and elected as Mayor in 2022, Armand is a seasonal book-worm and a policy nerd who loves the outdoors and spends his spare time camping, canoeing, hiking, cycling or just being with family. Armand is also a father, a Master of Ceremonies at Squamish Days Logger Sports Festival where he has been a lifelong volunteer, a founding member of the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA), and owned and operated a local business for 16 years. Armand is a member of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Board, Squamish Economic Leadership Team and Economic Partners Forum, and Community Forest Board.
COUNCILLOR CHRIS KLOOT
FVRD REPRESENTATIVE
Councillor Kris Kloot has been serving the Chilliwack community as Councillor since December 2014. As a life-long Chilliwack resident, realtor and dairy farmer, Councillor Kloot is committed to protecting agricultural land and supporting farmers. His wife and their three sons help keep their family farm in Rosedale running smoothly.
Councillor Kloot is passionate about maintaining a high quality of life for all residents in the place they call home. In his spare time, which is rare, he likes hiking with his faithful golden retrievers, biking, amateur photography and exploring new places.
MAYOR NATHAN PACHAL
METRO VANCOUVER REPRESENTATIVE
Whether by collaborating with other members of Council, with various community groups, and with regional and city committees, Nathan has worked hard to bring forward awareness around the intersecting components of affordable, sustainable, healthy, happy and accessible community design.
He has appeared in print, radio and television, talking about affordable housing and transportation in our region. He has helped bring world-renowned urban design speakers to our community.
As a strong supporter of agricultural and green spaces, he authored a report on the Agricultural Land Reserve entitled “Decade of Exclusions? A Snapshot of the Agricultural Land Reserve from 2000-2009 in the South of the Fraser.”
He believes we need a diverse transportation system that allows people to take transit, cycle, walk or drive throughout the region. He co-authored a report “Leap Ahead: A transit plan for Metro Vancouver” to bring awareness to the importance of accessible transit networks.
He worked with other members of Council to put forward policies to ensure we protect and renew our seniors’ affordable housing. He will continue working to ensure Langley City is a place that working folks can call home.
In 2010, he completed the SFU & City of Surrey Transportation Lecture Program and presented on “Complete Streets”.
Nathan was first elected to Langley City Council in a 2016-by-election and elected Mayor in 2022.
Executive meetings are held once a month except for July, August and December. If you would like to attend, please contact us for details on time and location
If you have an issue that you would like to bring to the Executive’s attention, please forward in writing to President Patricia Ross.
This website is intended to offer visitors key information about our Association, main events and policies from the past number of years.
Many of your ideas are already at work and have resulted in a progressively better participation at the Annual General Meetings, including delegate attendance, the quality and quantity of resolutions, plenary sessions and sponsorships.
The Executive of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association is a volunteer board elected at the Annual General Meeting in May. This is your Association, and only you can help it achieve its potential. Please contact us with any ideas or questions you have.
Past Presidents
All Past Presidents shall be life members of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association. Life membership may also be granted by the Executive to persons who have made a significant contribution to local government in British Columbia.
| 1995 - 1996 | Cllr. Lynne Kennedy | Vancouver | |
| 1996 - 1997 | Mayor Pat Boname | West Vancouver | **Deceased |
| 1997 - 1998 | Mayor Pat Boname | West Vancouver | **Deceased |
| 1998 - 1999 | Cllr. Janis Elkerton | Pitt Meadows | |
| 1999 - 2000 | Cllr. Marvin Hunt | Surrey | |
| 2001 - 2002 | Cllr. Marvin Hunt | Surrey | |
| 2002 - 2003 | Cllr. Marvin Hunt | Surrey | |
| 2003 - 2004 | Cllr. Bob Fearnley | North Vancouver (City) | |
| 2004 - 2005 | Cllr. Terry Smith | Langley | |
| 2005 - 2006 | Cllr. Sharon Gaetz | Chilliwack | |
| 2006 - 2007 | Cllr. Sharon Gaetz | Chilliwack | |
| 2007 - 2008 | Cllr. Bob Long | Langley (Township) | |
| 2008 - 2009 | Cllr. Corinne Lonsdale | Squamish | |
| 2009 - 2010 | Mayor James Atebe | Mission | |
| 2010 - 2011 | Cllr. Sav Dhaliwal | Burnaby | |
| 2011 - 2012 | Cllr. Lorrie Williams | New Westminster | |
| 2012 - 2013 | Cllr. Barbara Steele | Surrey | |
| 2013 - 2014 | Cllr. Patricia Heintzman | Squamish | |
| 2014 - 2016 | Cllr. Chuck Puchmayr | New Westminster | |
| 2016 - 2017 | Cllr. Corisa Bell | Maple Ridge | |
| 2017-2018 | Cllr. Jason Lum | Chilliwack | |
| 2018-2019 | Mayor Jack Crompton | The Resort Municipality of Whistler | |
| 2019-2020 | Mayor Jack Crompton | The Resort Municipality of Whistler | |
| 2020-2021 | Cllr. Laura Dupont | Port Coquitlam | |
| 2021-2022 | Cllr. Laura Dupont | Port Coquitlam |
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