Our Commissionaires

Our staff are the driving force behind our success. We recruit and assign personnel who are exceptionally motivated to manage day-to-day security operations as well as crisis situations. Our highly qualified personnel are capable of performing a variety of tasks and managing complex issues, and roles and responsibilities often extend far beyond established security and policing duties.

In many cases, their past military or RCMP service provides them with well-developed skills and knowledge that enhances the execution of their day-to-day duties. Our personnel are service-oriented, dedicated and professional.

They possess an unmatched work ethic, are exceedingly loyal and they bring the highest degree of discipline and maturity to each assignment. We are committed to the highest standards of training, which includes the Commissionaires Security Guard Course and Supervisor Program, both of which meet Canadian General Standards Board Criteria and the Alberta Security Services Act. On-going specialized training courses also ensure our personnel not only maintain but improve the essential skills needed to manage any workplace challenge.

Our Chief Executive Officer

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Nick J. Grimshaw, MSM, CD, MDS, CRM, ICD.D

Nick served 28 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and retired from the Regular Army in 2016. Throughout his career as an officer in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), he developed a unique depth of operational experience and honed his leadership skills through multiple overseas deployments and assignments, including time with Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. Nick joined the Alberta Government in 2017 as an Executive Director, leading the Alberta Environment Support and Emergency Response Team (ASERT), as well as the Environmental Enforcement Branch until 2021 when he took on the role of Executive Director, Alberta Wildfire Branch.

Our Board of Governors

Commissionaires Northern Alberta Division is overseen by a volunteer Board of Governors. These exceptional individuals bring a wealth of senior military, police and executive experience to the Board.

CHAIR, Major-General (Retired) Tim Grant, OMM, MSC, CD, ICD.D

Tim brings extensive command and staff experience accumulated through his 31 years of military and 11 years of Alberta Government service. He was Deputy Minister of several departments including Deputy Solicitor General and is currently the Public Service Commissioner. A former Commander of Land Force Western Area, Tim also led Canada’s missions in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Rick Brown, CD, ICD.D

Throughout his 28 year career in the Canadian Army Rick developed both leadership and managerial skills while serving across Canada and abroad. His exceptional experience in emergency management allowed him to transition to the Alberta Provincial Government where he held a number of senior managerial positions including several Assistant Deputy Minister appointments. In addition to his professional life, Rick has coached, refereed and administered amateur hockey at multiple levels for both youth and adults in Alberta.

Kimberley A.L. Goddard, BA (Honours Econ), LLB

As a former Naval Reserve Officer, Kim represents the Senior Service. Currently she is the Assistant Deputy Minister for the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service. In addition to her legal background, Kim has been instrumental in bringing Crown Prosecutors into the digital age. Her time as President of the Alberta Crown Attorneys’ Association brings valuable Board experience to Commissionaires Northern Alberta Division.

John Harrison, BA

After graduating from the Royal Military College, John spent several years with the Canadian Armed Forces Military Police before joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Throughout a full RCMP career he was involved in Federal, Provincial, Municipal and Indigenous policing. Since 2017, John has worked in the financial services industry for World Financial Group.

Tom Keogh, M.Eng, P.Eng, PMP

A graduate of the Royal Military College, Tom spent the first part of his career as an Army Engineer, with the appointment as the Officer Commanding of the SSF Airborne & Diver Combat Engineers. Since then he has over 25 years of operations management including the operational restructuring of several businesses as well as establishing, growing and selling several others. His track record of developing people and building relationships is well suited to the Commissionaires.

Shane Olson, B.Mgt

Shane is a graduate of the Bachelor of Management program at the University of Lethbridge and holds a Diploma in Business Marketing from Confederation College. Shane has over 20 years of municipal economic development leadership experience having worked in positions in Strathcona County, the Town of Okotoks and Thunder Bay. He is currently an Economic Development Officer with Lamont County where he strives to attract investment within Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. Shane is Past-President of the Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDA) where he serves over 200 economic development professionals across the province.

Mary Persson, FCPA, FCMA, CIA, ICD.D, MBA

Prior to her appointment as deputy minister of Infrastructure, Mary served as the City of Edmonton’s chief financial officer and deputy city manager for the Financial and Corporate Services department. Mary has well-rounded financial and public policy experience in large, complex organizations, including the Government of Canada, University of Alberta, Alberta Health Services, and the Governments of British Columbia and Alberta. Mary is a former Naval Reserve Logistics Officer and has served on numerous boards, including the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Francis Winspear Centre for Music. She currently services on the City of Edmonton investment committee.

Mark Prefontaine, MA, CFA, ICD.D

A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, Mark is a seasoned executive and board member with experience in the public and private sector. He brings a wealth of finance and governance experience and knowledge to the Board. Mark is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and has an ICD.D designation.

Darlene Savoie, LLB 

Darlene is a senior police officer with extensive field and headquarters experience.  Her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta, coupled with a Bachelor of Arts and a Business Diploma, provide a diverse skill set applicable to Commissionaires Northern Alberta Division’s Board of Governors.

Shawn Stevens, MMM, MSC, MSM, CD

Shawn is currently a senior personnel services staff officer in the 3rd Canadian Division (Canada’s Army of the West). A former Chief Warrant Officer with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and 3rd Canadian Division Sergeant Major, he brings over 40 years of military experience leading, training and mentoring soldiers at home and abroad.

Lieutenant General (Retired) Paul F. Wynnyk, CMM, MSM, CD, MA, MBA, BEng, rmc, FCAE, P.Eng.

Paul is currently the Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Relations for Alberta. As a former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and Commander of the Canadian Army, he brings a vast repertoire of leadership and staff experience to the board developed through a variety of national and international assignments.