Who We Are
2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Dan Astner President |
Dan Astner represents District 3 on the AFREA Board as District Director for member Battle River REA. Dan is the president of Battle River Power Coop. |
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Dino Wylie represents District 4 on the AFREA Board as District Director for members Drayton Valley, Lindale, and Tomahawk REA. Dino is president of Lindale REA. |
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Bob Bryant 2ndVice-President |
Bob Bryant represents District 1 on the AFREA Board as District Director for member Blue Mountain Power Co-op (Rocky REA). He is a director on the Blue Mountain Power Co-op board. |
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Wayne Meyers |
Wayne Meyers represents District 7 on the AFREA Board as District Director for member REAs Ermineskin and West Liberty. Wayne is a director on the West Liberty REA board. |
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Charles Newell |
Charles Newell represents District 6 on the AFREA Board as District Director for member North Parkland Power REA. Charles is the president of the North Parkland Power REA board. |
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Dannie Fischer |
Dannie Fischer represents District 5 on the AFREA Board as District Director for member REAs Duffield, Mayerthorpe & District, Niton, and Stony Plain. Dannie is the president of Mayerthorpe & District REA. |
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Ed Pimm |
Ed Pimm represents District 11 on the AFREA Board as District Director for member REAs Heart River and MacKenzie. Ed is a director on the MacKenzie board. |
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Dan Bunbury |
Dan Bunbury represents District 8 on the AFREA Board as District Director for member REAs Beaver, Fenn, Kneehill, and Sterling. Dan is a director on the Beaver REA board.
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Marcel Berard |
Marcel Berard represents District 10 on the AFREA Board as District Director for member REAs Braes, Borradaile, Claysmore, Devonia, and Willingdon. Marcel is a director on the Borradaile REA board. |
2023 CEO & STAFF
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Al Nagel spent 39 years with Canadian Utilities, Alberta Power, and ATCO Electric, working as a lineman, senior serviceman, assistant district manager, operations superintendent, and maintenance superintendent. He held the position of operations administrative superintendent at Battle River REA for two years before joining the AFREA in 2008. |
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Todd Grayson |
Todd Grayson joined the AFREA in August 2015 bringing his industry experience and familiarity with REAs to the position of Technical Coordinator. One of his major job responsibilities includes the AFREA and REA insurance plan coordination. |
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Linda Pedley |
Linda Pedley has worked for the AFREA since 2008 as Business Management Coordinator. The Business Management System includes components such as Board Governnance, HR, Health & Safety, Business Continuity Management, strategic and business planning. |
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Gillian White |
Gillian White is the newest member of the AFREA Team who brings years of valuable experience with her. Gillian was hired (May 2022) as Executive Assistant with duties including job responsibilities under Office Administration and Program Administrator. Gillian is full time reporting directly to the CEO. |
AAAAAFreAfeae 
What is the Alberta Federation of REAs?
The Alberta Federation of REAs (AFREA) is a not-for-profit cooperative association registered in the Province of Alberta operating under the Rural Utilities Act. The AFREA is managed by an elected Board of Directors and funded by its membership. The Alberta Union of REAs was formed in 1950 and incorporated under the "Co-operative Associations Act" in June 1970 as the Alberta Union of Rural Electrification Associations Co-operative Limited. In June 1987 the AFREA took on its current name.
Rural Electrification Associations (REAs) were, and still are, an important part of Alberta's history, providing rural communities with power distribution services. REAs operate under the cooperative business model and are legislated by the Rural Utilities Act. In the fall of 2022, REAs were moved to the ministry of Affordability & Utilities but are still a big part of agriculture and foundational in the rural way of life in Alberta.
The AFREA represents member REAs that provide rural power services throughout the Province of Alberta. The AFREA is committed to supporting the economic welfare and value of its cooperative members by providing professional representation to government and industry stakeholders promoting REAs and rural strength. As the umbrella organization, the AFREA represents, engages, and advocates for opportunities that are economically beneficial to its member associations. The cooperative strategy is designed to assist REAs in autonomy and self-sufficiency while recognizing opportunities within the marketplace for the provision of safe, reliable, and affordable essential services to their members.
The AFREA provides effective leadership in all areas of administration. It begins by listening to the member REAs in order to identify their needs and provide the tools for becoming best practice cooperative businesses. Although the goal is self-governance on an individual district level, the AFREA recognizes and appreciates the diversity within our member associations and the necessity to facilitate working together. The AFREA, in representing its member REAs, seeks their participation and input on relevant issues and matters impacting all REAs. The big picture sees a vibrant future for REAs in a successful rural Alberta economy.
Success for the AFREA is defined and measured by the success of our member associations.
REPRESENTATION ~ ENGAGEMENT ~ ADVOCACY
