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By rdnewsNOW staff

12 community leaders

Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. elects inaugural board

Mar 30, 2026 | 3:24 PM

Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. has officially launched and its first board of directors was elected to help form the community into a “thriving regional stronghold and a magnet for investment, talent, and opportunity.”

With over 100 founding members, the organization is a diverse group that come from different backgrounds and brings expertise in different fields including engineering, finance, technology, construction, entrepreneurship, and economic development.

The board members include:

• Peter Lacey (Board Chair) — Founder of Cervus Equipment Corporation, business leader with deep roots in Central Alberta
• Russ Wald (Vice Chairman) – Former Manager for Stantec, a seasoned engineering and business leader
• Don Oszli, FCPA (Treasurer) — Former Managing Partner at Pivitol LLP, chartered accountant with over 40 years of Red Deer business experience
• Matthew Cornell (Secretary) — Technology Advisor, Alberta Innovates; former regional economic development officer
• Curtis Boutellier — Operations executive and founding steering committee member
• Gregg Brooks — Civil engineer and regional land development leader, Melcor Developments
• Patrick Machacek — Red Deer Polytechnic representative and industry-education bridge builder
• Donna Purcell — Lawyer, community and organizational leader
• JT Thompson — Visionary leader and regional business builder
• Jesse Smith — Tourism Red Deer CEO and economic development advocate
• Tara Lodewyk – Red Deer City Manager
• Mayor Cindy Jefferies – Red Deer City Mayor

The organization says Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. is an independent, membership-driven, community-owned force for economic change.

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They describe it as a nonprofit corporation that will move fast, build strong partnerships, and pursue results that a traditional city department simply cannot.

“This matters,” as stated in a media release. “Cities like Lethbridge operate similar economic development organizations with budgets approaching $3 million. Calgary Economic Development commands $17 million annually, plus a $100 million fund used to attract global brands. Red Deer D.R.I.V.E.’s independence positions it to access provincial and federal funding streams, pursue major grants, and bring resources to Red Deer that were never previously within reach.”

Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. operates with an action committee model, working on the issues that matter most. The incoming board will determine the official mandate and structure of these committees.

The membership will play an active role in shaping what comes next, and the board welcomes input at admin@reddeerdrive.ca.

“Red Deer is at a pivotal moment,” said Curtis Boutellier, Elected Board Member & Founding Steering Committee Member. “Red Deer Drive is an opportunity to shape the economic future of our community for generations to come. I’m committed to contributing my experience, energy and passion to help build a forward-looking strategy that supports local business, attracts new investment, and strengthens Red Deer’s position as a thriving regional hub.”

The organization was created from an ad hoc committee’s thorough examination of economic development models across the country, driven by the conviction that Red Deer deserves further innovation beyond the status quo.

“Members joined Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. because they are tired of watching businesses leave, tired of missed opportunities, and ready to fight for a city they believe in. This is Red Deer’s moment, and Red Deer Drive is the vehicle to seize it.”