Senior Administration

Dianne Nellis

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) - Email

Dianne Nellis, Chief Administrative Officer, has returned to her roots in Saddle Hills County.   Ms. Nellis was raised on a farm in the Bonanza area.   She has closely followed the municipality’s progression from being an Improvement District to the County that it is today – setting its own autonomy and direction.

Ms. Nellis assumed responsibilities as CAO of Saddle Hills County Oct. 1st, 2009.   She comes to Saddle Hills from the County of Grande Prairie where she gained 23 years of municipal experience, 13 of which have been in Administration and Legislative Services including one year as Acting CAO.   Ms. Nellis’ career also includes 9 years in legal services in corporate and conveyance law.   She has her Certificate in Local Government Administration from the University of Alberta and has just recently completed her Certificate in Municipal Management and Leadership, also from the University of Alberta.

As Chief Administrative Officer, Ms. Nellis provides leadership and direction for the senior management team to accomplish the plans and implement the policies established by Council.    Ms. Nellis is committed to the delivery of effective, efficient municipal services to County ratepayers and encourages anyone to contact her to discuss any concerns they have or ideas for continued growth of the municipality.

Bill Mills C.E.T.

Director of Public Works (DPW) Email

The Director of Public Works directs the overall planning, co-ordination, implementation and control of all activities and business affairs of the Public Works Department. He or she leads a team of 35 employees at peak season and plays an integral role in policy, procedure, and by-law development related to the department, who’s prime function is to operate and manage the County’s road network, bridges, water facilities, water / waste water treatment facilities, and safety program.

Bill Mills has been promoted to the position of Director of Public Works and Engineering with Saddle Hills County.    He joined the County management team in March of 2009 as the Construction Projects Manager looking after in-house, day-labour construction projects as well as major construction projects.    Bill has spent over 25 years in the construction industry both in Canada and United States providing management services for infrastructure, bridge and water course construction projects.  He is a N.A.I.T/International Career Schools graduate with his Surveying/Civil Technology certification.   He is currently completing his Class B Bridge Inspection Certification through Alberta Transportation and has certificates in pavement design, pavement maintenance, design of construction earthworks and bridge structure technology through the International Association of Continuing Education and Training sanctioned by the Engineering Institute of Canada.

Bill is married to his wife Deborah of 23 years and has three grown children as well as two grand-children.    Bill spent his early post-secondary years playing semi-professional hockey for the Tulsa Oilers Hockey Club CHL, the farm-club for Detroit Red Wings and has passed on his sports knowledge through his coaching of junior hockey.  He and Deborah enjoy their church, family, friends, golfing, traveling and western culture of the Peace Country.

Dave Thompson

Manager of Rural Development – Email

The Manager of Rural Development, is responsible for coordinating and running all County agricultural programs, including:

• Ditch Brushing
• Ditch Mowing
• Ditch and drainage ditch spraying
• Noxious weed control
• Seed cleaning plant inspection and licensing
• Farm safety
• ASB breakfasts and BBQ’s
• ASB Rental equipment

In addition, the Agricultural Fieldman for Saddle Hills County, is responsible for enforcing the Agricultural Service Board Act, the Alberta Weed Control Act, the Agricultural Pests Act and the Soil Conservation Act. All ratepayers are welcome to stop by and share their comments.

Laurie Jackson

Manager of Planning & IT Services - Email

Ms. Jackson grew up in the farming community of Fourth Creek and graduated at Savanna School. After completing an administrative support program from the Grande Prairie Regional College she began her career with various Provincial Government departments including the Alberta Treasury Branch, Public Lands, and Alberta Agriculture.

Ms. Jackson has been with Saddle Hills County, formerly known as the Improvement District, since 1991. During her employment with the County she has achieved a Certificate in Local Government in Municipal Administration as well as the Applied Land Use Planning Certificate, both from the University of Alberta - Faculty of Extension. Laurie began working in the municipality’s finance and administration department and chose to further her skills by taking on the role of development services coordinator. In 2006 she accepted the challenging position of Manager of Planning & IT Services where she supervises the planning department and manages the information technology systems within the County.

Brian Ballard

Regional Fire / Disaster Services Manager – Email

Mr. Ballard began his Emergency Services career in 1984 as a volunteer firefighter in Whitecourt, Alberta and by 1991 he became the first full time deputy fire chief for the town.

Mr. Ballard joined Saddle Hills County in 2000 as Regional Fire / Disaster Services Manager.

Through courses at the Alberta Fire Training School and other institutions he achieved international certification as a firefighter, fire officer, fire investigator and fire service instructor. He also received Emergency Management training from the Alberta Disaster Service Training School and the Canadian Emergency Preparedness College.

Brian is responsible for Emergency Preparedness (Disaster Services) Planning as well as the administration, budgeting, maintenance, training and equipment requirements of the Saddle Hills County Fire Departments and Medical Co-Responders. These services are also provided under contract to three other municipalities in the Central Peace.

Dean Cooper

Chief Assessor – Email

Dean Cooper, Chief Assessor for Saddle Hills County, has been promoted from Assessor upon the retirement of Gordon Hardy. Dean has worked with Saddle Hills County Assessment Department for the past 1 ½ years, but comes with extensive municipal experience. Dean was employed as Municipal Services Supervisor with Birch Hills County for 13 years prior to coming to Saddle Hills County.

This is Dean’s second tour of duty with Saddle Hills County, though. He was employed as Agricultural Fieldman from 1989 -1991 when the municipality was Improvement District #20. From I.D. 20, Dean took on the duties of Assessor with Alberta Municipal Affairs, stationed in Peace River.

Dean is a graduate of Olds College Faculty of Agriculture, majoring in soil sciences and he received Accreditation as Municipal Assessor of Alberta in 1998.

Faye Kary, CLGM

Director of Corporate Services (DCS) – Email

Faye joined the Saddle Hills team in April, 2008 as Director of Corporate Services and is responsible for directing the overall planning, coordination and control of activities and business affairs of the Corporate Services Department, ensuring that bylaws, policies and procedures are complied with.

She has numerous years of municipal experience in the Peace River Country as well as a farming background.  She holds a Certificate in Local Government from the University of Alberta and a National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration, Level ll from Dalhousie University.