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 late April or early May every year.
COUNCILLOR MICHIE VIDAL
PRESIDENT
Michie is an experienced municipal leader and regional advocate with a long-standing commitment to public service, community safety and collaborative governance. She is a Councillor with Harrison Hot Springs where she is serving her second term on Council.
Michie’s professional career spans more than two decades in emergency communications with the City of Surrey Fire Service. As a 911 Communications Official, she worked at the front line of public safety, coordinating responses across fire, police, ambulance and emergency management agencies. This role demanded clarity under pressure, strong judgement, and the ability to work collaboratively across jurisdictions-skills that continue to inform her approach to leadership and governance.
Michie’s leadership style is collaborative, cooperative, and grounded in responsibility and reliability. She brings a practical understanding of governance, an appreciation of diverse perspectives, and a strong commitment to inclusive decision-making. Her experience in emergency services and municipal government has reinforced her belief that effective leadership is built on trust, preparation and cooperation.
Through her work locally and regionally, Michie has demonstrated a clear commitment to strengthening local government, fostering collaboration, and advocating for communities across the Lower Mainland.
Councillor PaUL ALBRECHT
PAST President
Paul is a three-term Councillor with Langley City and 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 retired 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 CHRIS PETTINGILL
First 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 involved in a variety of software projects supporting everything from Children’s Mental Health to Climate Adaptation.
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 Jeff Murl
SECOND VICE PReSIDENT
Jeff ‘s professional career started after graduation from UBC in Finance with work in the investment industry. That evolved to building and operating his own restaurants and after receiving his CPA designation, into hos own accounting practice. His teaching career started as a ski instructor and has evolved into teaching accounting courses as a college level, and recently speaking at Accounting conferences.
Jeff is serving his first term as a Councillor in Whistler, where he’s bringing his skillset and perspective of his professional life. His input is highly valued on boards for his ease with numbers, but also his professional skepticism and problem-solving acumen which leads to robust discussions and comprehensive solutions. Jeff serves on several committees as councillor: Audit and Finance, Housing and Strategy, and the Advisory Design Panel. He also currently sits on the board of the Whistler Development Corp. and the Whistler Museum.
Prior to joining Council, Jeff volunteered across a wide spectrum of industries and fields. Jeff’s spare time is spent making his house into a home and 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.
Councillor JESSICA MCLLROY
Third Vice-President
Jessica is currently in her second term on Council in the City of North Vancouver, being first elected in 2018, and is appointed to the City’s Integrated Transportation Committee and the Lonsdale Energy Corporation Board of Directors and the Metro Vancouver Indigenous Relations Committee. Jessica previously served two terms on the LMLGA Executive as Director-at-Large.
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 of our built environment.
Jessica is on the board of directors of Climate Caucus, a non-profit network of local government elected officials leading the transformation needed for communities to thrive, and on the board of the Anthropocene Foundation. She is passionate about advancing collaborations across local governments and is currently a member of the B.C. Municipal Climate Leaders Council Steering Committee.
When not working or in the community, Jessica takes every opportunity to be in the forest and mountains with her family and two dogs.
COUNCILLOR Alison Evans
Director at Large
Alison Evans is a Councillor with the City of Pitt Meadows. She represents a municipality that balances strong agricultural roots with growth pressures in Metro Vancouver.
Alison understands the shared challenges faced by Lower Mainland communities, including housing affordability, infrastructure demands, transportation issues, and maintaining livability as communities evolve.
She is an advocate for food security and farmland protection, having successfully presented two agriculture-focused resolutions in 2024 and a third at UBCM 2025.
With more than 19 years as a 911 dispatcher, Alison brings calm decision-making, collaboration, and emergency management skills to her governance work. She is also an entrepreneur, having founded two successful small businesses.
Committed to learning and good governance, Alison holds an LGLA Level 1 Certificate(2025) and is working towards a Civic Governance and Innovation Certificate at UFV. She holds a Bachelor in Kinesiology and a Certificate in Public Relations.
Elected in 2022, Alison has helped advance active transportation, tourism initiatives, and a transition t0 full-time career fire staffing in Pitt Meadows.
As a Director at Large with the LMLGA, she offers solutions focused, innovative, collaborative and pragmatic voice in support of strong local government across the Lower Mainland.
COUNCILLOR NICOLE READ
Director at Large
Nicole Read is a Councillor with the City of Chilliwack and an active member of the Fraser Valley Regional District(FVRD) Board. She also served one year as the FVRD appointed director to the LMLGA, providing regional leadership and working collaboratively with local governments across the Lower Mainland. Through her roles on City committees including Arts and Culture, Economic Development and Affordable Housing and Homelessness, Nicole brings a strong commitment to building resilient, inclusive communities.
Professionally, Nicole works in community economic development and is deeply passionate about helping local economies thrive. Her work focuses on supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs to start, expand and diversify, recognizing the critical role they play in creating vibrant local communities and sustainable regional economies.
Nicole believes strong local government leadership and collaboration between municipalities and regional partners are essential to addressing complex issues facing communities today. Her experience working at the municipal and regional levels gives her a broad perspective on the needs of local governments and the importance of cooperation in sharing priorities.
COUNCILLOR MAITA SANTIAGO
Director at Large
Maita Santiago is a first-term Burnaby City Councillor who cares about building a community where everyone belongs. She serves as Chair of the Access Advisory Committee and Vice-Chair of the Social Planning, Environment and Public Safety Committees. She is also a member of the Burnaby Public Library Board, the Burnaby Healthier Community Partnership Steering Committee, the Burnaby and New Westminster Task Force on Sexually-Exploited and At-Risk Youth and the Metro Vancouver Regional Planning Committee. Through her work locally and regionally, Maita understands the importance of collaborating with other cities as well as non-profits, school boards and health authorities to address common issues.
An immigrant from the Philippines, Maita has spent nearly three decades supporting everyday people through community organizing and advocacy to all orders of government. She has held leadership roles with nonprofit organizations and worked as a front-line service provider and family daycare owner, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges that many residents in the Lower Mainland face.
A Simon Fraser University graduate, long-time Burnaby resident and mother of two teens, she believes local governments play a powerful role in shaping communities where people feel seen, supported and connected.
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 PATRICIA DRIESSEN
FVRD REPRESENTATIVE
Patricia, a lifelong resident of Abbotsford, has deeply rooted herself in her community. She holds a certificate in Marketing & Sales and Public Relations from the University of the Fraser Valley, as well as a Diploma in Event and Conventions Management from Thompson Rivers University. In 2011, she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey by founding her events management business, Perfect Sense Events, and has been the host of a sell-out networking event designed for women-in-business for multiple years.
Patricia and her husband are proud to raise their children on their family poultry farm in one of the most intensely farmed areas in Canada and are both committed to strengthening the agriculture community in Abbotsford. Balancing her professional pursuits with personal wellness, Patricia likes to find time for spin classes or enjoy the local trails in between attending community events.
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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