The mission staff for the 2009 Canada Games will include Krista Locke-Ellis, Jeanette Gallant, Gordon MacFadyen, Linda Irving, Joanne MacRae, Terry Bernard, Paul Steele, Karen Lavers, Mike Whelan, Ted Lawlor, Edward MacAulay, Marguerite Arsenault and Dave Holland.

“Team PEI has a reputation of recruiting very qualified and capable volunteers to serve on mission staff and once again we are very pleased with the group that will assist our teams leading up to, and during, the 2009 Games,” said Minister Bertram. “I am very impressed with the experience and accomplishments that these men and women have gained throughout their involvement in sport and recreation.”

The 2009 Team PEI Mission Staff will work under the leadership of chef de mission Francois Caron and assistant chef de mission Joanne Wallace.

BACKGROUNDER

Krista Locke Ellis:

Krista is a graduate from Acadia University with a degree in Recreation Management and has worked as the Recreation Director for the Community of O’Leary. Since leaving Municipal Recreation in 2003, Krista has worked various contracts in the West Prince area, most recently as Coordinator for the West Prince Sports Council. Krista is married and has two children, Turner and Ka-Leigh. Her sport liaisons are softball and rowing.

Jeannette Gallant:

Jeannette has been the Provincial Coordinator of the Jeux de l'Acadie de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard Regional Committee (Acadian Games) since 2000. She was the assistant chef de mission for the PEI Team at the Jeux de l’Acadie and the chef de mission for the PEI team at the Jeux de la Francophonie which both took place this year. Jeannette lives in Egmont Bay with her husband, Vincent. Her sport liaisons are tennis and triathlon.

Gordon MacFadyen:

Gordon was the Team Manager with the Men's Curling Team which won a Bronze medal at the 2007 Canada Games in Whitehorse. He has been a local and provincial youth bowling coach and has attended five national championships coaching his teams to many medals including three gold medals at three different championships. He is employed with the Department of Health as a Manager in the Finance Division and resides in Summerside with his wife, Shelley, and their two children, Alex and Abbey. His sport liaisons are cycling and rugby.

Linda Irving:

Linda has participated in three Canada Games (1991, 2003 and 2007) as a coach and manager with the women’s hockey team. She has coached and played on many Provincial women’s hockey teams and was part of Hockey PEI’s Program of Excellence. Linda resides in Summerside and her sport liaisons are women’s basketball and men’s & women’s beach volleyball.

Joanne MacRae:

Joanne was involved in the 1991 Games as a technical volunteer with cross country ski. She has served as a team manager and board member for a number of sports including soccer and tennis. Joanne works for the Eastern School District as a literacy tutor at Prince Street School. She and her husband Gordon live in Sherwood. They have three children, Jessica, Emily and Duncan, and her sport liaison is with women’s wrestling.

Terry Bernard:

Terry has served on mission staff at three previous Canada Games and has been involved in a variety of minor sports as a coach, administrator and volunteer. He is employed with the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, Sport and Recreation Division as a Special Projects Officer. Terry resides in Charlottetown with his wife Sandy and their three children, Matthew, Jarrett and Kayla. His sport liaisons are athletics and canoe/kayak.

Paul Steele:

Paul has attended two Canada Games as a soccer player in 1977 and mission staff member in 2001. He is the Executive Director of the PEI School Athletic Association and has taught Physical Education for 26 years including 21 years at Bluefield High School. He is a Master Learning Facilitator and Master Course Conductor for the National Coach Certification Program (NCCP). Paul coached soccer in high school for 20 years and at UPEI for 5 years. Paul resides in Charlottetown and his sport liaisons are swimming and men’s indoor volleyball.

Karen Lavers:

Karen attended the 1991 Canada Games as a mission staff member. She has served on the boards of Softball PEI and the PEI Broomball Association for many years and continues to be involved in sport through volunteering for many local events and National Championships. She is the Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Council for the City of Charlottetown. Her liaison responsibilities include women’s indoor volleyball and the national artist program.

Mike Whelan:

Mike has been, and continues to be, involved in sport as a coach, administrator, referee and volunteer with the sports of soccer and hockey. He is a former Executive Director of Hockey PEI and served on a variety of National Committees and Boards in this capacity. He is currently employed as the retail sales manager for the Guardian newspaper and resides in Stanhope. His sport liaison is with baseball.

Ted Lawlor:

Ted has a long history with the Canada Games having served as a mission staff member, assistant chef and chef de mission on numerous occasions. He has been a coach and administrator with a variety of sports and was a member of Canada’s National Baseball Team that participated at the World Baseball Championships. He is the Provincial Amateur Sport Coordinator for PEI and is the Manager of the 2009 Canada Games Best Ever Program. Ted resides in Stratford with his wife Judy, and his sport liaisons are women’s soccer and men’s wrestling.

Edward MacAulay:

Edward has been very involved as a coach, manager and administrator of many sports. He was the president of both his local minor baseball and minor hockey associations for a number of years. He is currently employed as the Manager of the Employment Assistance Program for the Province of PEI. He resides in Cardigan and will be the sport liaison for men’s soccer and golf.

Marguerite Arsenault:

Marguerite attended the 2007 Canada Games as a mission staff member. She has been very involved in the development of the PEI Canoe/Kayak Association over the past number of years. She is employed as a Regional Field Officer with the Sport and Recreation Division of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. She resides in Souris with her husband Allan and two boys, Ethain and Avery, and her sport liaisons are men’s basketball and sailing.

Dave Holland:

Dave spent 36 years in the private radio business on the Island and has covered Canada Games stories and athletes since 1973. He was involved in media coverage in the 1991 Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown. He has been involved in minor baseball, hockey and amateur football since 1988. Dave lives in Sherwood with his wife Nancy. They have three children, Jennifer, Jamie and Stephanie. Dave will be involved with media and communications for the 2009 Canada Games.