BVGEC Board Members

Jeff Roberts, Chair

Jeff is a semi-retired energy executive with 40+ yrs experience in operations, technology, and project development.  Jeff is passionate about assisting society in the impending energy transition both through energy efficiency as well as sustainable energy production.

Jeff’s has been involved in the electricity industry since Alberta began deregulation in 1996, first helping to establish electricity exports from industrial developments in Northeastern Alberta, followed by developments establishing electrical transmission interconnection to support cogeneration facilities located on adjacent industrial developments.  During the mid-2000’s Jeff was appointed to the Alberta Electric System Operators Industry Advisory Committee.  Jeff has provided expert testimony at Regulatory Hearings into both Transmission and Oilsand Developments.  Prior to retirement, Jeff played a key role in deployment and operation of energy efficient technologies in large industrial developments.

Jeff is a registered professional engineer in Alberta and has graduate and post-graduate  engineering degrees from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.  He has also completed post graduate studies in Business at both University of Alberta and Ivey School of Business in London, Ontario.

Jeff and Dorelle reside in Canmore, are parents to three grown children, and thoroughly enjoy the lifestyle that the Bow Valley offers. They can be often found on the local golf course in summer and on the slopes in the winter.

Jodi Conuel, Secretary & Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley Representaive

Jodi has been coordinating all aspects of the Biosphere Institute’s Shift-Climate Transitions program since May 2018. Under her leadership, the Biosphere Institute completed a comprehensive study of the technical and financial feasibility of community renewable energy generation in the Bow Valley.

A sophisticated community engagement specialist and communicator, Jodi has received several certifications in Public Participation and Engagement techniques. In her role, at the Biosphere Institute, she uses a variety of community engagement tools to empower Bow Valley residents to take meaningful action on climate change.

Jodi is motivated by a long-standing interest in climate change issues and sustainable living.

Jodi graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology with an emphasis in Marine Zoology from The University of Wales, Bangor. She has also received her Red Seal Cook Qualification and enjoys cooking up a storm when she is not in her garden or exploring the great outdoors with her favourite pets and people. 

Mike Agnew, Treasurer

Mike is a retired energy industry executive with over 30 years of experience in leadership, operations and engineering. Mike is passionate about the energy transition and is excited to be part of a community-based organization that is working to promote and action local green energy.

Through his experience leading large industrial sites and as a corporate executive in environment, health and safety Mike has gained extensive shareholder engagement experience. He is passionate about working to develop mutually beneficial solutions based on strong relationships with all stakeholders, including communities, politicians, regulators and investors.

Mike has an engineering degree from Queen’s University. He has previously served on various community focused boards including a health foundation and a large corporate foundation.

Mike and his wife Jill are Canmore residents and are parents to two grown children. They thoroughly enjoy the active lifestyle of the community with golfing, skiing and hiking at the top of their list. Family time is a priority for Mike.

Peter Driftmier

Peter has been involved in BVGEC as a member and investor, and recently was proud to have helped as a host site for BVGEC's first array in Calgary. He is also a proud member of Alberta's other two operating renewable energy co-ops, and is passionate about this model for getting more community investment out of Bay Street and into greening our local grids.

He has prior experience in cooperatives, having helped found a worker-owned cooperative bakery in Calgary (The Grain Exchange) which never ended up launching our storefront but which went through the process of cooperative development, member recruitment, and financing. As part of this, he took a cooperative development course through COOPzone. His other main board experience has been with Temple B'nai Tikvah - currently as Environment Chair - for the past 5 years.

In his career, he holds a Masters in Social Work and is a mental health therapist working with refugee and immigrant youth. he is an active human rights activist and community organizer on the side. His past community organizing has always focused on public outreach and mobilization, including: helping found small grassroots group YYC For A Green New Deal, helped lead the 2019 University of Calgary Climate Strike, and campaigning with the Sierra Club and the Vancouver Bus Riders Union.

He lives with his wife Amy in Calgary where they just installed their own solar array.

Sue Hayduk 

Sue has enjoyed a 20-year history as an environmental educator and sustainability specialist. Much of her time has been spent delivering environmental change projects in the communities she has lived and worked in.

Focused primarily on incorporating environmental sustainability goals within the project management process,  she has helped hundreds of community and private sector organizations align with sustainability practices.

She looks forward to assisting Bow Valley Green Energy Cooperative in engaging citizens in meaningful conversations and fostering successful partnerships with our members, funders, investors, and community partners to advance renewable energy projects in the Bow Valley.

Outside of her environmental work, she is usually on the road travelling to find the sun or a cat sit; taking walks with husband Rob, or spending time painting vivid landscapes as an up-and-coming Canmore artist.

Don MacDiarmid

Don recently retired after more than 35 years in the energy industry, both domestically and internationally. Starting with 5 years working as a petroleum engineer, Don subsequently trained as a lawyer. He spent 18 years in private practice with two large national law firms, followed by more than a decade as in-house counsel. In addition to supporting a broad range of activities in the upstream and midstream sectors of the oil and gas industry, Don has also worked extensively on the development of independent power projects in Alberta.

Don holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Queen's University and an LLB from Dalhousie University.

Don lives with his wife, Ruth, in Calgary. They have two grown daughters. Don has been involved in numerous community volunteer roles, including several political campaigns, fundraising for university, cancer and kidney charities, coaching junior soccer, and the Inn from the Cold.  He recently rejoined the Board of the Calgary Centre for Newcomers where he formerly served as Chair.

Joey O’Brien 

Joey has lived in Canmore for 16 years with his wife, 5 children and 2 grandchildren. He was one of the first in town to install solar panels (10 KW- 40 panels) on his home and it is now energy positive annually.

Joey is the president of SustainDriven, an innovative provider of environmental consulting and event operations that executes sustainable water, waste, global greenhouse gas and energy solutions. His professional passion is environmental sustainability, mitigation and education.

In addition, Joey is a hiking guide, a ski instructor, a ski coach, a first-class power engineer, a soccer player and enjoys building things.

Ralph Walicki

Ralph Walicki founded Enveratek Corporation, a company specializing in enterprise risk assessment and management system integration, in 2016. Prior to founding his own firm, Ralph was Senior Operations, Technical and Business Development Manager for Western Canada at SAI Global, where he managed and directed business development and operations for management systems assessment, audit program management and certification professional services provider.

As a seasoned management systems and compliance auditor Ralph has focused on integrated risk assessment encompassing environmental, quality, health & safety, emergency and asset/integrity management systems with alignment to voluntary ISO Standards and regulatory requirements under CER OPR for pipeline industry and Alberta’s TEIR GHG Program. 

Ralph holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Environmental Engineering degrees from University of Guelph.  He is a registered Professional Engineer with APEGA and PEO as well as an Environmental Professional with ECO Canada and was a former member ofthe Electric Utilities Quality Committee (EUQC). He is a current member of the Environmental Advisory Review Committee (EARC) for the Town of Canmore, and served as a member of APEGA’s Environment Committee and on the Alberta Environment Task Force on Greenhouse Gas Emission Verifications.

Ralph has been involved in alpine ski racing in race official and race track setter capacities for 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and Worldcup Alpine Ski Races at Lake Louise in Canadian Rockies. In his spare time Ralph enjoys skiing, pickleball, cycling, kayaking and curling with his wife and son.