Staff List
You can reach staff through our main switchboard at 403-948-0063.
Executive Director
Lori McRitchie
Lori McRitchie has been a part of the Airdrie Community since 1981. Lori worked for Rockyview School Division in Airdrie schools for many years and has been the Director of the R.J. Hawkey Breakfast Program since 1998. She was hired as the Executive Director of the Airdrie Food Bank in January of 2006. At that time the R.J.Hawkey Program and the Food Bank merged under the Food Bank's Board of Directors. Lori oversees all operations of the Airdrie Food Bank as well as being the liaison to the Board of Directors. She is married to Greg, a potter, has 3 grown kids, Jeff (Tara), Erik (Jessica) and Leah (Jeff) and is grandma to Faith. In 2011 Lori was nominated for the Amazing Airdrie Women award. Lori often says, “I have the best job in the world.”
Executive Assistant
Sue Methuen
After spending 13 years growing and managing her own business (Prairie Sun Creations) and 18 years in systems development, Sue was ready to give back and help a non-profit organization succeed. She joined the Airdrie Food Bank in October 2011 to assist the Executive Director. Sue says, “I am really excited about working with Lori, the staff, volunteers and connecting with the community on behalf of the food bank.” Sue is married to Pat, has one grown son, Richard and an adorable beagle. She has lived in Airdrie since 1992. When not working Sue and Pat love to travel and are currently planning an exciting trip to Europe in the spring.
Client/Volunteer Manager
Carolyn G.
Carolyn was born in Montreal, Quebec and shortly after moved to Germany where she spent 12 years on and off. She then moved to Cold Lake and Medicine Hat, Alberta before moving to Airdrie in 2007 due to her husband's new job. They have three children ranging in age from 17 to 23 years plus one very cute puppy, named Maggie. Carolyn has been working at the Food Bank since September 2009 and enjoys all the wonderful staff and volunteers. She says, “It has been refreshing to meet such exceptional people that give so generously and who show such strength and compassion towards others. I thank everyone that I have had the pleasure of meeting, for changing me into someone that's a little less selfish and much more compassionate.”
Client Intake
Carolyn B.
Carolyn has been a resident of Airdrie for since 2003 with her husband, Joseph of 24 years and their 5 children. They moved from Saskatoon where she worked for the Saskatoon Housing Authority for 10 years as a housing coordinator and then later chose to stay home full time to raise their children. Carolyn moved to Airdrie due to her husband’s job with WestJet. She managed the Ramada Inn & Suites in Airdrie for 5 years and really got to know our community needs. She has been with the Airdrie Food Bank since April, 2010 doing client intake as well as administrative duties. Carolyn says, “I am blessed to work in an environment with people that truly care for our fellow neighbours.”
Lesley
Lesley originally signed up as a volunteer at the Airdrie Food Bank in 2004. She had worked for over 20 years in the insurance claims industry, so she was very pleased to finally be in a position to tell people "Yes, we can help you" rather than "no, we can’t help you." Lesley works one day a week, collecting and inputting various kinds of statistics for the Food Bank. She also works other days on the front desk doing client intakes (her favorite job).
Food Manager
Michelle
Michelle started working at the Airdrie Food Bank back when it was still located at the Health Center on Main Street. She says, “I remember it being quite the adventure cleaning out and painting the building that is now our warehouse and then watching it being towed into place by a large truck. A lot has happened since then, but one thing will never change and that is the heart of our people; volunteers and supporters alike. I am encouraged weekly by the acts of kindness and generosity that I am privileged to witness on a regular basis.”
Michelle lives in Crossfield with her husband of 21 years, Shaun. They have two grown kids who have moved away from home to pursue careers. In addition to working at the food bank, she works at the RJ Hawkey Breakfast Program and gets her "kid fix" (cause I miss having young kids) in that way. She enjoys reading, cooking, kayaking, and traveling. Michelle says, “I find it a joy to come in to work, on most days, and am blessed by the many friends I have made at the food bank.”
Warehouse Manager / Buyer
Diane
Diane has worked with David since 2003 as a Community Support Day Worker. She also works with another client twice a week. She has been involved in Special Olympics for many years and is currently Vice Chair and a Coach for Special Olympics softball. She held the position of Treasurer in the past. Diane enjoys golf, swimming and softball.
David
David started volunteering at the Airdrie Food Bank in September of 2003. In 2004 he was hired to start working twice a week. He has since moved up to working three days a week. David participates in bowling and softball with the Special Olympics. He enjoys swimming and spending time with friends.
Board of Directors
Airdrie Food Bank is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. Approximately half of the board is elected each year, so there is always a mixture of experienced and new board members at any one time. Current Board members are:
President
Lise Blanchette
Lise strengths and experience are in her many years of board experience, in human resources, volunteerism, recruitment, policy development and strategic direction. Lise is passionate in the area of social programs such as the Airdrie Food Bank that supports the community she lives in. She has been on our board since 2007.
Lise works in the health care sector for two long term care facilities - Coordinator, Volunteer Services for Bethany Airdrie and Bethany Harvest Hills a facility specializing in dementia. She is also self-employed as the owner/operator of retail Lottery Kiosk. Her work experience expands over 27 years with the federal government in client service, human resources, program management with youth, hire a student, administration and the employment insurance program.
Lise is an avid volunteer in social justice and advocacy and has worked on multiple boards and committees. She is currently sitting on the National Board of Directors for the YWCA of Canada and Co-chair the Nominations Committee; Director on the Airdrie and District Hospice Society Board and Director on the Board for Volunteer Calgary. Some of her past positions include Director YWCA Calgary, Vice President Alberta Council of Women's Shelters, Chair of the Social and Legal Action Committee ACWS and Vice President Child Find Alberta.
The words Lise lives by are, “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work,the more I live. Life is no 'brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on the future generations.” George Bernard Shaw
Vice President
Marie Lauer
Marie has a keen interest in the non-profit sector and a passion for helping those in need. She has been a volunteer with us in several capacities starting in the late 1990's when she filled hampers alongside her children, Alison and Erika. In addition, Marie has volunteered in Airdrie in a number of capacities, many of which have been at the Board/Executive level.
Having previously served on the Airdrie Food Bank board, Marie returned to serve again as of November 2008. As Marie's family and work commitments evolved so did her involvement with the Food Bank. Since moving here with her husband, Stacey, in 1990, her support of the Food Bank has never waned.
Marie is currently working with the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce as an Events Coordinator.
Treasurer
Position Open
Please contact us if you are interested in this position.
Secretary
Tom Smith
Tom is a professional engineer and entrepreneur with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and has been licensed to practice engineering in both Alberta and Ontario.
For over 30 years Tom has worked in quality systems, international approvals and testing for electronics products both with testing laboratories and electronics design. He has worked for manufacturing companies in the medical device, energy, telecommunications and military products industries. In 2009, Tom founded a local engineering consulting firm providing similar services.
Tom moved to Airdrie in 1994. He previously served on the Board of the Fletcher Village Seniors Condo complex. He currently serves on various national and international standard development bodies.
Board Members
Carrie Peddie
Carrie was born and raised in Sherwood Park, Alberta. After several years of relocations throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta, she moved back to Alberta in 2004. Carrie has been lucky to witness the success and growth within a blooming community as a younger person and now has the opportunity to enjoy that here in Airdrie!
Carrie has been married to a great guy, Kent Peddie and recently celebrated their 25th Anniversary. They have two fabulous grown children, Joel and Ally.
Carrie has recently celebrated her 10th Anniversary as a successful Real Estate Realtor with RE/MAX and has enjoyed assisting others fulfill their housing dreams. Carrie enjoys providing contacts and connections to the Airdrie Food Bank in order to boost awareness and assist the board to grow and become stronger.
Scott Pulvermacher
The handsome and debonair Scott Pulvermacher has a business administration educational background and a strong entrepreneurial and community spirit. As the co-owner of LOGical Creations he has won numerous awards for his innovative environmentally friendly business practices and accepts many public speaking engagements to share his successful ideas with others.
Since 2003, Scott has been involved in the community in a number of areas since. He is the founder of the annual "Treecycle: Recycling for Charity" event benefiting the Airdrie Food Bank.
Scott is a proud husband and father to two wonderful boys, Hayden and Mathias.
Steven Bello
Steven has a terminal degree in economics and has taught for several higher institutions in the USA and Canada. He currently works for Livingstone Financial & Consulting as a Senior Consultant and also consults on part time basis for Gerson Lehrman Group, a USA based consultancy firm.
Steven has been involved in volunteer services for the past 20 years in several countries including the USA and Canada. His inherent community spirit drew him to the Airdrie Food Bank in 2010, after having relocated to the city in 2009.
Steven is married to an academic from Texas A & M University in College Station, USA. He and his wife are blessed with two kids – Grace and Faith.
Shane Ferguson
Shane has been part of the Airdrie community since transferring here from Winnipeg in 1998. With his wife Colleen, son Brent and daughters, Sarah and Jenna, they have made Coopers Crossing their home.
Shane has volunteered for the Coopers Crossing Community Association, The Calgary Reads Society (Early Literacy Society), Feeding our Future ( Sodexo Foundation), Festival of Lights, Habitat for Humanity, Executive Committee of Folklorama in Winnipeg and Director of Princess Elizabeth Foundation.
For the past 25 years Shane has worked in three countries for Sodexo, an international company that designs, manages and delivers comprehensive service solutions through on-site service solutions.
