Current Members –UPDATED August 2012 Arctic Winter Games International Committee Gerry Thick - President Contact Gerry Whitehorse, Yukon Appointed 1985. Gerry has lived in Yukon for more than 40 years and has been actively involved in the community and devoted to sporting activities since day one. Gerry has coached, managed and organized many sports and sporting events. Gerry is widely acknowledged as being a consistently generous sponsor and supporter of sports in the Yukon. In 1996 he was honoured by being inducted in the Yukon Sports Hall of Fame as a builder of sports. The Arctic Winter Games have been a beneficiary of Gerry's knowledge of finance, business and sports acumen. Gerry is the longest serving member on the Arctic Winter Games International Committee joining in 1985, and has been President since October 1994. Karen Thomson - Treasurer Contact Karen Whitehorse, Yukon Appointed 2001. Karen arrived in the Yukon in 1980 and has called it home ever since, after spending a couple of summers working as a student, and after taking a couple of holidays in the summer and winter , enjoying all that Yukon has to offer in the great outdoors. Her involvement with the Arctic Winter Games, began in 1984 as the Chef-de-Mission for Team Yukon. She has been involved with every set of Games since then except for three. She has served on the Board of Directors, on Mission Staff and as a staff member as the Sport Manager for the 1992 Games in Whitehorse. Her Games experience also includes serving as Mission staff and on the Board of Directors for Canada Games. In 2007 and for 5 years leading up to the 2007 CWG, Karen served as the VP of Sport and as a member of the Executive Committee. She was appointed to the AWGIC in 2001 which coincided with her position with Yukon Government as the Director of Sport & Recreation. Karen has a degree in Recreation Administration from the University of Alberta, is married and has four children aged 16 – 25 years old. Her husband, Bruce, is a Vice Principal at F.H.Collins High School in Whitehorse. When she is not at work she finds time to cycle, cross country ski, walk, cook, practice her Cello and enjoy family! Karen's experience with Games, knowledge and dedication to sport, recreation and active living brings a unique perspective to the International Committee. Karen believes in the power of sport and the unique opportunities that the Arctic Winter Games offers youth throughout the circumpolar North. Wendell Shiffler - Vice President Contact Wendell Fairbanks, Alaska Appointed 1994. Wendy has been a resident of Fairbanks, Alaska for more than 42 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Hillsdale College in Michigan and a Master of .Science. Degree from New Mexico State University. He came to Alaska in 1968 to teach and coach and retired from public school teaching in 1990. He served as an adjunct faculty member, University of Alaska-Fairbanks for many years and still enters the classroom to volunteer on many occasions. He enjoys backpacking and hiking, hunting, fishing, camping and as an outdoorsman has been an active trapper for more than 40 years. He has built many log cabins throughout Alaska and has restored historic Alaskan log cabins. He volunteers regularly throughout the Fairbanks community as a team captain for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, serves as a Fairbanks Golden Heart Greeter, and is part of a speakers bureau for the Alaska Trappers Association. Wendy’s sport and games experience include working with the Fairbanks Host Societies in 1982 and l988, and in 1992 served as Chef de Mission for Team Alaska. In 1994 he served on mission staff for Team Alaska. He was appointed to the AWGIC in 1994 and is one of the longest serving member on the International Committee. He served as Secretary of the AWGIC for 10 years prior to his current service as Vice President. Lloyd Bentz- Secretary Contact Lloyd Edmonton, Alberta Appointed 2000 Lloyd has been involved in sports all is life as either athlete, coach, volunteer or administrator. He completed both a bachelor degree in physical education and a masters degree in sport management at the University of Alberta. He is currently the Executive Director with the Recreation and Sport Division of the provincial government and General Manager of the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Lloyd has been involved with many multi-sport games at the provincial, national and international levels including the Alberta Games, Western Canada Summer Games, Canada Summer and Winter Games, Universiade Games and many Arctic Winter Games. He has also led a number of internationals sport delegations in Hockey, Curling and Fencing to Gangwon Korea and Hokkaido Japan. His work over the years includes the coordination of the development of the Alberta Sport Plan, which resulted in the redevelopment of Winter Olympic facilities in Alberta to International standards, the introduction of new programs to support athletes, coaches and administrators. He has been honoured for his involvement in recreation and sport with a Premiers Award of Excellence, an Alberta Centennial Medal for achievement and appreciation awards from the sports of Athletics, Baseball and Curling. Lloyd is currently a Director with Win Sport Canada and a member of the Interprovincial Sport and Recreation Council. Doris Landry- Director Contact Doris Grande Prairie, Alberta Appointed 2012 Doris was raised in Falher, Alberta, attended College both in Fairview, Alberta and Grande Prairie, Alberta. She makes her home in Grande Prairie, Alberta with her husband, Marc and is the proud mother of two grown children. She has a keen interest in education and youth oriented activities and has been involved as a volunteer in a variety of community organizations since her teen years. Doris worked as a legal secretary in the City of Grande Prairie for 18 years. She is presently employed at Ecole St. Gerard in Grande Prairie where she has the opportunity to use her organizational skills and interact with youth in an educational setting. She is a past recipient of the Swan City Rotary Club Excellence in Education – Service above Self Award Doris served as volunteer, as well as Assistant to the General Manager and President for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Host Society. She believes strongly in the philosophy and values of the Arctic Winter Games, specifically that it provides opportunities for Northern Youth to travel and interact with their peers culturally and athletically in a safe fair arena. Her knowledge and hands on experience with the 2010 Host Organization and the host of volunteers required to Host an Arctic Winter Games is a welcome addition to the International Committee. Ian Legaree - Technical Director Contact Ian Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Appointed 1990 Ian's involvement with the Arctic Winter Games began with NWT team selection trials in the Eastern Arctic in 1986. At the time he was the Senior Recreation Development Officer with the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in Iqaluit. In 1989 he was promoted to the position of Director, Sport and Recreation for the GNWT. In this role his responsibilities include territorial management of sport programs and involvement in all aspects of the Arctic Winter Games. Ian is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and Confederation College. His sport background includes competitive swimming at all levels, speed skating, softball and hockey. He has also coached and officiated many of the sports that his three sons have become involved in. Ian has held sport and recreation positions in Ontario, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. He is a member of the Interprovincial Sport and Recreation Council through which he is involved in a range of Federal - Provincial/Territorial sport, recreation and physical activity initiatives. Ian was first appointed to the International Committee in 1990. He is a valuable asset to the Arctic Winter Games and the Committee. As Technical Director, he ensures that all sports are run in a fair manner and is the key liaison with the Chefs de Mission and the Host Societies responsible for staging the Arctic Winter Games. John Rodda - Director Contact John Anchorage, Alaska Appointed 1998 John's career includes both public and private sector recreation management in Anchorage and Eagle River. From 1974 to 1997, he was involved in the development, construction and management of four indoor ice arenas, and served on numerous youth and adult sports advisory commissions. A lifelong Alaskan, John has been an active participant, coach, and volunteer in the sports community since the early 60's. He has extended his volunteer and leadership commitments with various organizations including AWG Team Alaska, the Chugiak-Eagle River chamber of Commerce, Ice Skating Institute of America, and Rotary International. John has been involved with Arctic Winter Games since 1974, and was the Host Society President for the Eagle River Games in 1996. John's business experience and strong commitment to healthy youth and adult activities will be beneficial to the future successes of the Arctic Winter Games. Jens Brinch Director of International Affairs Contact Jens Appointed 1998 Appointed 2011 Director of International Affairs Jens has been involved with sports all of his life. In 1969 he graduated from the University of Copenhagen with a degree in Sports Science. He taught and trained coaches in both secondary and high schools. He has lectured at many institutions about Human Sport Science. He has written many books including, Sport and Physical Culture in China, Motives and Motivation in Sports, A Comparative Study of Sport in China, USA and Western Europe. In 1989 he authored "The Psychology of Sports". Jens is a former member of the Danish National Volleyball team, and has an extensive background working with the International Sporting community.