Meet The Big Country Board Of Directors

CHAIR / APPOINTED BY TOWN OF DRUMHELLER

Pat served on Drumheller Town Council from 2013-2017, with experience on various boards, including Drumheller and District Solid Waste Association, Library Board, Taxi Commission and Airport Commission. His current appointments include Community Futures Big Country, Economic Advisory Committee and Emergency Management.

Pat has an Applied Degree in Communications and since coming to the Valley in 2002, has been a reporter for the Drumheller Mail. Over the last 19 years, Drumheller has become his home and a place where he and his wife chose to raise a family. He has two daughters who attend St. Anthony's School, and his family has volunteered in various capacities at the school.

VICE-CHAIR / APPOINTED BY VILLAGE OF MORRIN

Lorraine was born and raised in Saskatchewan. She graduated from St. Brieux High School and attended Teacher's College and the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. She has lived in Saskatoon, Vancouver, Kamloops and Calgary. Lorraine has been a teacher, been in retail, sold real estate in Calgary for 16 years and moved to Morrin Alberta in 1995. Lorraine and her husband ran a Bed and Breakfast out of Morrin for five years in a house called Faith Haven. She has been retired for some time and is enjoying being on the Village of Morrin Council and various committees associated with that job.

SECRETARY-TREASURER / MEMBER AT LARGE

Raised in the Drumheller area, Darci is a long-term community member who has been actively involved with various groups around the valley. For the past 7 years, Darci has been working as a Career Advisor with MH Enterprises, where she is able to actively engage community members in connecting to their passions. Darci currently resides in the area with her partner and two dogs. 

APPOINTED BY THE VILLAGE OF DELIA

Dave Smeyers was first elected on May 17, 2024 in the village of Delia by-election, and re-elected on October 20, 2025 in the deneral election as Deputy Mayor.

He began his careeer as a police constable, first in the military and then with the Metroploitan Toronto Police Service where he served for nearly a decade. In the early 1980s, Dave moved to Calgary and enrolled at DeVry Institute, pursuing a degree in computer science. This marked the beginning of a new career in Information Technology.

Over the next three decades, he progressed through the IT industry–starting as a computer programmer and eventually becoming Alberta's IT Director for KPMG, followed by a role as Senior Manager for Western Canada. In 1998, he earned MCSE+1 and MCT designations and launched SAIT's fast-track MCSE program, serving as coordinator and lead instructor.

After retiring in 2012, Dave sought a quieter lifestyle and in 2016 found both a welcoming community and his soulmate in the Village of Delia.

Dave is a proud father of three children, grandfather to six, and great-grandfather to three–all of whom live in Calgary and bring immense joy to his life.

Just as the police motto is "to serve and protect," he aims to carry that same spirit into his role as Delia's newly elected Deputy Mayor.

APPOINTED BY VILLAGE OF MUNSON

Darryl and his family made Munson their home in 1999 after spending 15 years living in various small towns and villages while he worked with the Alberta Wheat Pool. They chose Munson as the ideal community to raise their three young boys.

For the past eight years, Darryl has been part of the team at Nutrien Ag Solutions in Rosedale. He is a former president of the Morrin Minor Hockey Association and has volunteered with the Drumheller Fun Team and Drumheller Minor Baseball. He also co-chaired the inaugural season of Beethoven in the Badlands through the Drumheller Rotary Club.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Lisa grew up in Carbon, but has been residing in the Drumheller area with her husband and their fur children for the past 11 years. For the past 5 years, Lisa has been managing the Co-operators office in Drumheller, and more recently, also the agencies in Three Hills and Beiseker. She serves on the Executive of the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce, and has been on other committees throughout the years. 

MEMBER AT LARGE

Born and raised in Drumheller, Sharel joined the board to help local businesses succeed and support Community Futures in helping local entrepreneurs.

With a Business Administration certificate, she managed the Royal Tyrrell Museum gift shop for 14 years, the Chamber visitor information centre, The Econo Lodge motel, and the Quality Inn. Her last job was in sales for the local radio station. While working full time she was elected to the Town Council of Drumheller for 13 years.

Sharel has raised two children, a son and a daughter, and now has two grandsons. In her spare time, she loves listening to music of all types to relax.

APPOINTED BY STARLAND COUNTY

MEMBER AT LARGE

Gilbert T. Galleon is an experienced accounting and tax professional with a solid background in financial management, payroll administration, and business operations. A graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Accounting (1998), Gilbert continued to expand professional expertise by earning certifications as a Professional Certified Bookkeeper (2009), Professional Certified Income Tax Preparer (2012), and a Diploma in Accounting & Payroll Administration (2024).

Gilbert began a career in the Canalta Group of Companies as part of the Accounting Staff, gaining hands-on experience in financial reporting from 2010 to 2013. In 2014, Gilbert founded The Galleon Services, where he continue to serve as a President and Director. Through this role, Gilbert provides comprehensive services including new client onboarding, bookkeeping, payroll administration, financial data management, tax preparation and filing, and financial planning. Gilbert supports clients by ensuring compliance and reducing risk through expert audit assistance with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Known for a friendly approach, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to helping individuals and businesses stay financially organized, Gilbert has built a trusted reputation in the accounting and tax community.