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Board of Directors
2024 Team
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President
Debora Sutherland
Debora (Deb) has been actively involved as a volunteer in her community for many years. A registered nurse (RN) by profession, Deb works as a healthcare manager and a staff nurse.
She joined the Hyack Festival Association in 2010 and had been a board member for many years before becoming President in 2024. During her time with Hyack, Deb volunteered as a parade marshal and was a chaperone in the Ambassador program. She has wonderful memories of the long drives listening to the perspectives of the young ladies.
Deb and her husband, Paul Fuoco, raised their three sons in New Westminster. Two of them still reside in New Westminster and the third visits frequently. Such is the appeal of our city; it’s small-town feel, it’s walkability, it’s lovely parks and places to gather ….and it’s events!
Deb encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the best of New West as we ‘Reach for the Stars’.
Cathy Lawrence
President Elect
Cathy has been a Member of the Hyack Festival Association for more than thirty-five years, including three years on the Board of Directors from 1986-1988. In 2024, she is looking forward to continuing a second term on the Board. Being involved in the community is important, and the opportunity to participate in local events throughout the City and the Lower Mainland is a great way to support and promote the Hyack Festival Association.
After a long and successful career in Human Resources, you will find Cathy welcoming guests at the Port of Vancouver Cruise Ship terminal during the summer months. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet people from all over the world and a trip to Alaska is definitely on her bucket list!
A long-time member of her condo’s Strata Council, she currently holds the position of President.
Spare time activities include golfing and gardening.
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Inmidate Past President
Penny McIvor
Penny McIvor has been a member of the Hyack Festival Association since 2010 and has been an integral part of all the Hyack events.
Penny is fervent arts and cultural supporter and volunteered at the Raymond Burr theatre for 3 years and was president of the Quayside Community Board for 4 years and Treasurer of her Strata for 10 years.
She believes in always looking for ways to involve and add to the vibrancy of her community.
She owns her own bookkeeping business specializing in small business and not for profits.
Michael Atherly
Vice President
Michael John Atherley and his lovely wife of 30 years, Deborah Coppen, moved to New Westminster in 1995 for its small-town appeal and many programs it had to offer a family. He has worked 15 years for the City of BURNABY building department as an Electrical Inspector and also runs his own electrical contracting business for 32 years. In his spare time, he tends to the garden, builds planters for and propagate succulents. During summer vacations the last 6 years he’s been restoring a 1974 Airstream trailer located at Lake Tyee Resort in Washington.
Michael was a Scouts Leader for 13 years when his son Spencer and daughter Taylor moved from Beavers to Cubs and onto Scouts. Michael and Deborah became involved with Hyack when Taylor entered the Ambassador program in 2015 and achieved the title of Miss New Westminster and he has since played a minor role with Hyack taking photos for the Annual Ambassador and May Queen events.
Michael is passionate about engaging children and youth in programs that build self-esteem, social understanding and knowledge. Their daughter Taylor entered the Ambassador program as her way of being able to give back for what she received.
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Jackie Barber
Treasurer
Jackie has lived in New Westminster since 1992. Her husband, Kerry, was born and grew up in New Westminster, and she has 2 children who grew up in New West going to Herbert Spencer, Glenbrooke Middle School and NWSS. She volunteered for many of the activities her children participated in, such as Royal City Youth Soccer, where she was the Treasurer, Registrar, VP - Girls soccer, and a Coach (12 years in total). Jackie has been the Treasurer for Royal City Hyack’s Youth Football for the past 8 years and was a founding Board member of the Vivo Children’s Choir. She was active as a parent helper and volunteer for Scouts (Beavers), Salmon Bellies Lacrosse, PAC - Herbert Spencer, NWSS Football, and the NWSS Band program.
For the past 30 years, Jackie has been practicing as a bookkeeper, working with a number of local organizations and businesses, and her current business is a partnership with another New Westminster resident.
Director
Peter Goodwin
Peter was born and raised in New Westminster and resides in the city with his family. His law practice, Goodwin & Mark specializes in civil litigation and real estate. Peter was called to the bar in 1983 and also has a degree in International Relations.
Peter is currently president of the Westminster Building Strata Corporation. He is also past president of Fraserside Community Services Society, Westminster Club, New Westminster Bar Association and Hyack Festival Association. In his spare time, Peter enjoys golfing and reading a wide variety of history and likes to travel. He is also an active participant in community affairs and has been actively involved in the sporting activities of his two children.
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Director
Korey Simard
Born and raised in New Westminster, Korey graduated from New Westminster Secondary school in 1993. At the age of 16, Korey worked on the Samson V Maritime Museum as a Tour Guide as well as providing the general upkeep and maintenance. He also worked during the annual Hyack Festival with set up and tear down of events. Korey became a member of the Hyack Float Crew in 1993, then became a key member as the Float Driver in 2006, where he remained until 2022. Graduating from BCIT in 1996 from the Automotive Refinishing Technician program, Korey obtained his Red Seal Certification in 1998, and achieved Platinum recognition in the I-CAR Professional Development program. Korey has a wonderful wife and 3 lovely children, the oldest being the Hyack Princess and Miss Friendship of 2017. In Korey’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and going to the dog park with his dog. To this day, Korey is still a proud resident of New Westminster.
April Bredon
Director
April has been actively volunteering for a variety of organizations over the past 25 years. She served as Treasurer for the Tynehead Montessori Parent Advisory Committee for three years and was on the Board for Eureka Camp Society for six years, including three years as President. She has assisted the Burnaby Hospice Society with several events and participated in the Canadian National Institute for the Blind fundraising events. She acted as Research Facilitation Consultant for a study conducted by BC Children's Hospital.
In 2016/2017, she worked as General Manager for Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association.
She has experience with team building, volunteer recruitment, marketing, and fundraising.
Catherine Hutson
Director
Catherine Hutson was born and raised in Vancouver. In the Kensington neighborhood.
Had the good fortune of having friends who lived in New Westminster insist they move to that city.
That was 35 years ago and not a day goes by that she and her husband Jim don’t remark that was one of the best decisions ever! It has been an ideal place to raise a family (now three grandchildren who also live in the city) and become involved in the community. Parent Participation Preschool. Hockey. Soccer. Lacrosse. Games and Practices. Connect with others. Get involved. Give back.
Catherine continues to give back to the community as a current director with the Queens Park Resident Association (since 2007) and a current director with Heritage New West (since 1993.) She has sat on the city’s Community Heritage Commission. (2013-2018.)
Catherine was a Case Manager with Veterans Affairs Canada for 32 years and during much of that time was assigned to New Westminster and George Derby Centre for Veterans. Had the honor of visiting many aging veterans who grew up in the city and had stories to share.
In 2008, Catherine received VAC’s National Client Service Award. Nominated by peers for both contributions to clients and to staff morale.
There is something special about New Westminster that draws people to it. (Or back to it.) Parks. People. Riverfront. Walkability. Amenities. History.
Few cities offer both a rich heritage and a strong vision for social justice. To respect both is something to celebrate!
Alan Wardle
Secretary
Board member 2012-2016 and Hyack Festival member and participant/volunteer since 1997 including Treasurer, Vice President positions.
40-year TELUS career employee including administration and technical assistance to business offices and executive homes with mostly client-facing positions.
Community volunteer work includes Scouts Canada (12years) as leadership and funding projects. New Westminster Hyack Football (10 years) photographer and team funding projects/ sponsorship opportunities. Other minor volunteer positions in Salmonbellies Lacrosse, New Westminster minor softball, Sapperton pensioner hall, Telecommunications workers union shop steward. Telus joint panel health & safety committee chairman. Married happily for 35 years with six children to Debbie Wardle.
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Carla Brown
Director
Carla has been a resident of New Westminster for over 30 years with 20 of those spent raising her family in Queensborough. She was a major contributor to the success of the Queensborough Special Programs Committee and the innumerable events they hosted, most notably the Urban Famers’ Fall Fair, Queensborough Day, and the Lighting of the Fire Hall. She believes active participation strengthens a community, building life-long friendships and providing countless memories for our neighbourhoods and the Lower Mainland.
Now living uptown in the heart of the Royal City, Carla has volunteered with the Hyack Ambassador Leadership Program and the RCH Auxiliary since 2015.
Sherry Joel (Featherstone)
Director
Sherry Joel was born and raised in New Westminster, attending Richard McBride elementary, FW Howay elementary and New Westminster Secondary.schools. Happily married to Doug for 38 years and the proud parent of 2 daughters, Marissa and Brittney, as well as 2 step daughters Shelley and Shawna, 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She has volunteered with the Hyack Festival association off and on since 1981 and was chairperson of the Miss New Westminster Hyack Youth ambassador program from 1985 until 1993, and has been a driver/chaperone for the May Queen's suites for 10 years. She has been a member of Beta Sigma Phi, an International women's service and social organization for 46 years She worked 36 years for BC Tel/Telus and was involved with her union as a shop steward and councillor representative to numerous union conventions. After retiring from Telus she went on to work for Ledcor Technical Services as a dispatcher for their Installation and repair crews contracted to Telus. The family has a home on Whidbey Island in Washington state and spend most summers there, enjoying special time with family and friends
Director
Bryn Ward
Bryn moved to New Westminster with her daughter Shane (Hyack Princess 2016), in 2001 from Los Angeles. She couldn't get the moving truck to her house due to the Hyack Parade. She fell in love with our Royal City then & there & our fabulous traditions.
In 2014 she was brought on board to assist with teaching the Ambassador Training Program. In 2018 she was President of the Hyack Festival Association, with her theme: "Rooted in Tradition...Blossoming Into The Future". She relishes in the forever memories she made. It was an absolute honour to be a part of.
Originally from Toronto & raised in Los Angeles, Bryn graduated from Beverly Hills High School with honours & as public speaking champion. She attended UCLA while simultaneously working as an actor. Bryn has starred in over 30 television shows & movies. One of her favourite roles was playing 'Libby' on "Party of Five". She also owned her own acting school in New West has taught at Place Des Arts, etc. & worked as a Fright Nights actor in Playland's haunted houses for 3 years.
A graduate of UBC Sauder School of Business, Bryn is an award winning Realtor for over 10 years, achieving Medallion Club top 10%, Presidents Club top 1% (with her former Realtor partner) & receiving the RE/MAX Advantage Community Spirit Award. She is excited to return to Real Estate.
She took a 3 year hiatus from real estate to work at a non-profit: Charlford House Society For Women (a drug & alcohol treatment centre), as their Fundraising & Events Assistant. Last year she successfully raised over $275,000 in grants as well as secured Charlford's status as a charity partner with the Vancouver Sun Run.
She looks forward to helping support the wonderful Hyack Festival Association.
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Karen Baker-MacGrotty
Director