Board of Directors

Connie Matson – Chair of the Board
Medicine Hat, Alberta

Connie Matson was born and raised in Edmonton. After she graduated from school she moved to Hinton where she worked for the Royal Bank. She then transferred to Sparwood, British Columbia where she lived for ten years. She then moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, and has resided there for the past 19 years. After 28 years, Connie left the Royal Bank and accepted the position of Executive Director of the Medicine Hat Food Bank. Over the years, Connie served in executive positions of several different boards. She is currently serving on the Santa Claus Fund Board in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Connie is married to the man of her dreams, and they have two grown daughters.

Gert Reynar – Vice-chair
Leduc, Alberta

Gert was born and raised in the Leduc area. She and her husband have three grown children. Gert spent 13 years working in the optical industry, and then stayed home to raise the children. Gert volunteered in various positions at several different organizations. For instance, she was the Chair for the Leduc Santa’s Helpers Organization. Gert accepted the role of Manager of the Leduc and District Food Bank Association in January 2005.

Nigel Wilding – Secretary
Edmonton, Alberta

Nigel lives in Edmonton with his wife, Randi, who is a retired teacher. They both enjoy golfing, reading, hiking, and skiing. They have two grown sons who also live in Edmonton. Nigel held various positions within Canada Safeway Limited’s finance area. In 1994, he accepted the position of Executive Vice-president of the Northwest Drug Company. In 1998, he moved on and became the CFO of McCoy Bros Inc.—a company which sold truck parts, repairs, manufactured springs, axles, heavy-duty trailers and oil tongs. From 2000 until his retirement in 2008, Nigel was the COO of Medicentres, the operator of 24 Primary Care medical clinics in Calgary and Edmonton.
Nigel’s current role as President of Mediplex takes little of his time. As a result, he is more involved in the non-profit sector. He has some commercial property; however, he is and considers himself retired.

Marjorie Bencz, CM – Treasurer
Edmonton, Alberta

Marjorie Bencz has been the Executive Director of the Edmonton Gleaners Association – also known as Edmonton’s Food Bank – since 1989. Currently, Marjorie is a Member Council Representative on the Board of Food Banks Canada, and has actively volunteered for nearly forty years. Marjorie Bencz’ awards include: an honorary diploma in Health and Community Studies from Grant MacEwan College (1977), and a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Alberta Association of Colleagues and Technical Institutions (2006 & 2008).She was also Global TV’s Woman of Vision in 2000, and was appointed to the Order of Canada in the Social Science category on February 3, 2006.

Kimberly Jimmy – Director
Morley, Alberta

Kimberly Jimmy is the new Manager of the three Stoney First Nation Food Banks located in the Morley, Eden Valley, and Big Horn communities. She started working with the Kainai Food Bank in 2002 and has worked diligently throughout the years as an AFBNA Board member. Through her work, she continues to bring awareness to others about the issues facing First Nations. She continues to share her experiences and knowledge with other First Nations as they seek to establish Food Banks in their own communities. Kimberly has four children and now resides in Calgary, Alberta.

Dugald Clark – Director
Nojack, Alberta

Born in New Jersey, USA, Dugald Clack immigrated to Canada where he completed high school in 1958. After working for the City of Edmonton Fire Department for 13 years, Dugald purchased a ranch in the Nojack area and became involved in the beef industry for 27 years. He and his wife Joyce – who have been married for 47 years – raised five children who are all married and have families of their own. Duglad worked as zone rep for the Alberta Cattle Commission for two, three year terms, and served as a trustee for the Yellowhead School Division for six years. Dugald has been with the W.E.E. Community Food Bank for several years, and has served as its president from 2006 to February 2010.

Kim Dumont – Director
High Prairie, Alberta

Kim was born and raised in High Prairie, Alberta and continues to reside in her home town. Since October 2006, Kim has served as Coordinator for the High Prairie & District Food Bank Society, and has been involved with the High Prairie Food Bank since the early 1990’s. She also sat on the High Prairie Food Bank Board as Director. For a number of years, Kim left the food bank to raise her two children. But it was such a special part of her life that she came back to the High Prairie Food Bank in 2006.

Elaine Hook – Director
Ferintosh, Alberta

Elaine lives on an acreage near Ferintosh, Alberta. She grew up on a farm in rural Ontario and graduated from the Royal Victoria Regional School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She then attended Queens University in Kingston, Ontario where she received a degree in Nursing Science. Married to an officer in the Canadian Arms Forces, Elaine has moved 24 times in 40 years—both inside and outside Canada. Professionally, Elaine taught nursing, and worked in community and school health. Elaine is active in community, church, and service clubs. She also held a variety of executive positions—including the Board Chair of the Camrose Neighbour Aid Centre and Food Bank. Elaine and her husband recently returned to their rural roots in Ferintosh, Alberta where Elaine designed and supervised the building of their new home.

James McAra – Director
Calgary, Alberta

James McAra is Alberta born and raised. He has taken time to experience as much as he can of the world around him. He has been fortunate that many wise and enlightened people shared their time with him. A graduate of Old Scona Academic High School, his academic focused education linked with his love for sport taking him to complete a Bachelor of Physical Education (University of Alberta) in 1990 as well as being honoured as the Valedictorian for his graduating class. In 1997 he completed a Masters degree (University of Alberta) in community development and cultural change.

A strong commitment to community involvement has always accompanied James in his travels. As a family, the McAra’s are committed volunteers, making efforts to enhance community life. James’ focus on not-for-profit involvement has lead him to hold many positions within the sector. From being a volunteer Co-chair for a Christmas Bureau fundraising breakfast in Edmonton, to being the Executive Director of the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre, being the President of the Marquis de Lorne Community Association in deep-deep south east Calgary for five years, to his current position as Chief Executive Officer with the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. With many adventures, James Shares many strengths and insights in each opportunity, always learning as he goes.