Canadian Paralympic Committee Welcomes Esteemed New Members to its Board of
Directors

Chantal Petitclerc, five-time Paralympic wheelchair racer, joins board along with Andrea Carey

OTTAWA, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee is pleased to announce its Board for the coming 2010-11 year. Five-time Canadian Paralympic wheelchair racer and holder of 21 Paralympic medals, Chantal Petitclerc, joins the Board along with Andrea Carey. Existing board member David Legg becomes the organization's new President, and W. James Westlake steps up as Vice President.

These new Board Members join to make up a team of 12 highly skilled and diverse individuals who are well equipped to steer the Canadian Paralympic Committee towards its goal of being the world's leading Paralympic nation.

"After the Canadian Paralympic Team's most successful winter Games, and as we enter a new era of funding and support, it is incredible to see such talented and accomplished individuals join our Board of Directors," said Henry Storgaard, CEO for the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "I am confident this Board will provide excellent leadership and vision as we seek to enhance podium performances, build a World-class Paralympic sport system, create a sustainable business model for the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and build the Paralympic brand nationally."

New leadership for the Board includes:

• Having been on the Board of Directors for 11 years, David Legg is the new President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Previously, David served as Vice President of the Board. David has also served as a volunteer Board member on the Alberta Youth Olympic Symposium, and Sport Alberta.  As a sport professor and researcher, including a year-long sabbatical to trace and analyze the legacy of the Paralympics, David has developed a deep understanding of the history of the Paralympic movement and the issues it faces. He has been involved with the Paralympic Movement since 1992 and is now an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Recreation at Mount Royal University in Calgary.
• W. James Westlake is the Vice President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. James is currently Group Head, International Banking and Insurance of RBC. His son, Greg Westlake, is the new Team Captain for Canada's National Sledge Hockey Team, a team Greg been a member of since 2003.

The CPC welcomes the following new members:

• Chantal Petitclerc is a new Member at Large for the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. Chantal is an accomplished Paralympic veteran with 21 Paralympic medals, four world records, five Paralympic records, and an Olympic gold medal. She has received numerous awards and recognitions such as the International Paralympic Committee Female Athlete of the Year, and a Star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
• Andrea Carey is a new Member at Large for the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. Andrea is currently the Facility/Program Director at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE). She also is the Board Director for SportHost Victoria and Sport for All Canada and is a member of four other sport Committees and Boards. 

Other members of our board include:

• Dr. Gaétan Tardif is the Director of Administration on the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. As a member of the Mission Staff for six previous Paralympic Games, Gaétan is also the newly selected Chef de Mission for Team Canada at the London 2012 Paralympic Summer Games. Dr. Gaétan Tardif is VP Patient Care and Chief Medical Officer at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. He is also a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
• Ozzie Sawicki is the Coaches' Council Representative on the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. He is also the founder and president of Pozitive Results Sport Strategies Inc., and is the Head Coach of the Canadian Para-Athletics (Track & Field) Program with Athletics Canada.
• Josh Vander Vies is the Athlete's Council Representative on the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. A boccia Paralympian, Josh helps people with disabilities obtain the assistive technology they need to enter the workforce.
• Debbie Low is the High Performance Director on the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. She is a member of the IPC's Paralympic Games Committee and served as Canada's Chef de Mission for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. Debbie is also the President and CEO of the Canadian Sports Centre Ontario.
• Dale Hooper is the Communications Director for the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. He is also the Vice President of Marketing for PepsiCo Beverages Canada and has extensive experience in Partnership Marketing.
• Gail Hamamoto is the Director of Paralympic Development for the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. She is also the Director of Sport Development for the BC Wheelchair Sports Association and is actively involved with wheelchair rugby on a national and international level.
• Hugues Gibeault is the Director of Marketing and Partner Relations for the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. He is also the President and co-founder of Optimé International, a leading sales effectiveness consulting firm to Fortune 500 companies.
• Michael Edgson is the Finance Director for the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. Michael, past swimmer, is one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in Canadian history. He works with RBC Wealth Management.

This leadership will be essential in reaching the Canadian Paralympic Committee's goal to become the world's leading Paralympic nation.

The Canadian Paralympic Committee would also like to recognize the contribution of outgoing President, Carla Qualtrough. Carla served on the Board for six years, and was President for the past four.  She led the organization through a period of great change and growth, including the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, where Canada had its best performance ever.  She raised the profile of the Paralympic movement in Canada and positioned the Canadian Paralympic Committee as a leader internationally. The Board would like to thank her for her dedication and hard work on behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

For further information:

Marie-Hélène Cayer
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]