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 Deputy Minister of Affordability and Utilities. A former Commander of Land Force Western Area, Tim also led Canada’s missions in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Master Warrant Officer (Retired) Simon Bennett, CD

Simon has over 17 years’ experience in the construction and drilling equipment industries. He is currently an executive with a group of companies that specialize in heavy civil, concrete and drilling products. Prior to entering the private sector, Simon served for 26 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. He deployed on several operations both foreign and domestic, including two tours with UNPROFOR in Croatia, and three tours with both the NATO Implementation Force, and Stabilization Force in Bosnia. Simon also deployed on the first Canadian mission to Afghanistan in 2002.

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.

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.

Colonel (Retired) Scott Long, MSM, CD, BMAS, MDS

Scott’s 39 years of combined regular and reserve service in the Canadian Armed Forces provided a solid foundation in the areas of transformational leadership, planning and the importance of looking after people. Skills that were further refined on overseas and domestic operational deployments. Scott joined the Alberta Government as the Executive Director Operations for the Alberta Emergency Management Agency in 2014 and then transitioned to his current role as Executive Director Rural Economic Development in 2021.

Chris McLeod, MBA, ICD.D

Chris is an experienced executive who provides fractional leadership, strategy, and advising for organizations across the health care, energy, agri-tech, technology and AI, and global logistics sectors. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications at Edmonton Global, where he played a key role in creating major international events such as the Canadian Hydrogen Convention and Carbon Capture Canada. Chris has also served on several boards and committees, including chairing St. Albert’s Economic Sustainability Advisory Board, the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce, and Invest in Canada’s Pan-Canadian Marketing Committee.

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 22 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 Manager 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 served 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.

Major (Retired) Shawn Stevens, MMM, MSC, MSM, CD

A former Chief Warrant Officer with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and 3rd Canadian Division Sergeant Major, he brings over 47 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, FCAE, P.Eng., ICD.D

Paul is currently the Registrar and CEO of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). As a former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Commander of the Canadian Army, and Acting Head of Alberta’s Public Service, he brings a vast repertoire of leadership and staff experience to the board developed through a variety of provincial, national and international assignments.