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 PAUL ALBRECHT
PRESIDENT
A three-term Councillor with the Langley City, Paul has been the First Vice President for the past two years. He has also served on the UBCM Executive Board and is currently a Metro Vancouver Director.
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 Patricia Ross
PAST President
Patricia has more than 30 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 Associatio
Councillor MICHIE VIDAL
First 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 25-year career as an 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 her community. She united local residents, businesses and all levels of government towards a common goal related to a significant environmental and economic concern.
Michie has a deep passion for the role of local governments and the and the impact that it has on our daily lives. She is especially interested in promoting principles of reconciliation with First Nations and is actively involved in achieving those goals.
DIRECTOR JEN MCCUTCHEON
SECOND 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 is in her second term of office and serves on a number of committees, as well as the board of the Metro Vancouver Regional District and Translink’s Mayor’s Council. Jen is a member of Translink’s Mayor’s Council. Jen brings a unique perspective to the LMLA executive as a representative of both urban and rural communities.
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 CHRIS PETTINGILL
Third Vice-President
Chris Pettingill is a Councillor with the District of Squamish on the traditional and unceded Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory. Chris also serves as a 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 a long-standing volunteer for Squamish’s “Amped in the Park” music program. Through this involvement, Chris was able to enjoy his passion for music while supporting others as they learn to be performers and leaders.
COUNCILLOR RUBY CAMPBELL
Director at Large
Ruby is serving her first term as New Westminster City Councillor. Prior to being elected, Ruby spent the majority of her career managing fundraising and community engagement programs to create and improve public amenities, community spaces, social programs and strengthen community partnerships between various sectors.
Ruby was employed in the civic sector in a leadership position managing intergovernmental relations and worked with project teams to develop and implement complex funding strategies for projects resulting in awards of up to $24 million. She has worked in leadership positions for a variety of not for profit organizations such as the BC Lung Association, Royal Columbia Hospital Foundation, Simon Fraser University and provided fundraising and governance consultation services for various other organizations.
Ruby has also served on the boards of the Arts Council of New Westminster, Massey Theatre Society, Fraserside Community Service, New Westminster Chamber and the New Westminster Police Board.
COUNCILLOR JESSICA MCILROY
Director at Large
Jessica is currently in her second term on Council in the City of North Vancouver, being first elected in 2018, and currently sits on the City’s Intergrated Transportation Committee and as the Council representative on the Lonsdale Energy Corporation Board of Directors. Jessica previously sat on the LMLGA Executive as a Director at Large from 2022 to 2023.
Over the past twenty years, Jessica has provided leadership on clean energy development and climate action policy with for-purpose organizations, and currently works with a clean energy think tank focusing on the decarbonizing and climate resiliency for our built environment.
Jessica also works with Climate Caucus, a non-profit network of local government elected officials leading the transformation needed for communities to thrive within planetary boundaries. She is passionate about advancing climate policy and action within local governments and currently sits on the B.C. Municipal Climate Leaders Steering Committee and the Climate Caucus Board of Directors.
When not working in the community, Jessica takes every opportunity to be in the forest and mountains with her family and two dogs.
Councillor JEFF MURL
Director at Large
Jeff’s professional career started with his degree in Finance from UBC, leading to work in the investment industry. That evolved to owning restaurants in North Vancouver, and after receiving his Chartered Professional Accountant designation (CPA), into opening his own accounting practice. Throughout that time, he also worked as a ski instructor, first at Cypress, and for the last 20 years at Whistler.
Jeff is serving his first term as Councillor in Whistler, where he’s bringing his skillset and perspective as A CPA to various committees: Audit and Finance, Smart Tourism, Transportation Management, and the Advisory design Panel. He also currently sits on the boards of the Whistler Development Corp; the Whistler Institute, and the Whistler Museum.
Prior to joining council, Jeff volunteered on boards across a spectrum of activities: The Beaumont, Vancouver Urban Farming Society, Arts Whistler, Whistler Public Library, and the Whistler Board of Variance. His first experience with local politics was sitting on a citizens committee of North Shore residents.
Jeff’s spare time is spent with his wife and two young boys, who are always entertained by his stories of council meetings, policy work and advocacy to other levels of government.
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 have an issue that you would like to bring to the Executive’s attention, please forward in writing to President Paul Albrecht.
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 | |
| 2018-2020 | Mayor Jack Crompton | The Resort Municipality of Whistler | |
| 2020-2022 | Cllr. Laura Dupont | Port Coquitlam | |
| 2022-2024 | Cllr. Patricia Ross | Abbotsford |
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