Board of Directors

Harvey Adrian, Diploma, BA

Harvey Adrian's life work for 39 years has been with McDonald's restaurants from which he retired in 2008. Harvey is proud to have served the church through many years of board work, and has faithfully served on the board of Briercrest since 1994.

Dan Boehr, Diploma

Dan Boehr proudly represents Watrous, Sask. Dan is a co-owner of a retail lumberyard and has been a journeyman carpenter and general contractor for 33 years. Dan has been actively involved in camp ministry, youth ministry, church leadership, as well as serving on numerous other ministry boards. Dan is currently in his eighth year of service on Briercrest's board.

Merla Bolender, BA, BEd, MEd

Merla Bolender has been an educator for over 35 years. She has worked in three provinces across Canada teaching grades K-12 and also as an elementary school principal. She has taught high school in the Bahamas, adults in China, and worked for 11 years with the Alberta Ministry of Education, currently in the position of Executive Director, Curriculum. Merla is in her ninth year of service on the Briercrest board.

Carson Chute

Carson Chute operates a grain farm north of Moose Jaw, Sask. and has been in the farming business for the past 30 years. Carson has been involved in leadership with the local church. Carson along with his wife Carol (nee Mcleod) have both had a relationship with Briercrest which spans over three generations. Carson has served on the Briercrest Board since 2002.

Stan Fergusson, DD (Hon.)

Stan Fergusson has been the president and owner of Stan Fergusson Fuels Ltd. for 28 years and resides in Belleville, Ont. Stan is a specialist in criminal law and spent 18 years with the Ontario Provincial Police. He also spent four years as vice-president of a bookbinding company in Toronto and has been a fundraiser for hospitals and served on numerous boards. In 2004 Stan received an honorary doctorate from Briercrest. Stan has served on the board of Briercrest since 2009.

Glen Hildebrand BRE, BA, MEd

Glen Hildebrand is currently using 28 years of experience as a teacher and administrator by serving as the principal in an Abbotsford secondary school. Briercrest is able to take advantage of Glen's knowledge of the educational landscape, problem solving and conflict resolution experience and various positions he has held including chair at Seven Oaks Alliance Church. Glen has served as board member with Briercrest since 1996.

Brian Lofgren

Brian Lofgren is from London, Ont. and has been a business owner since 1983. Brian has served on two different church boards for a total of 12 years, also serving as board chair for Christian Elementary and High School in London for six years as well as serving on the board for Landscape Ontario Show Committee for seven years and as board chair for four years. Brian has served on the Briercrest board since 2005.

Ron Martin

Ron Martin is a Briercrest alumnus who resides in Elmira,Ontario. Ron was the founder, president and senior partner in a sports clay manufacturing company, comprised of a field construction division as well as a landscape supply service. Ron then went on to become president and principle owner of a bulk water delivery service in the Waterloo region and surrounding area. Ron proudly serves on both church and non-profit boards and has done so for many years. Ron has served on Briercrest's board since 2005.

Melody Mitchell

Melody currently serves as the Early Learning Consultant for Prairie South School Division, supporting early learning programs across the division.  Melody holds a B.Ed and an M.B.A. and has worked in various capacities in business and education.  She has taught in several provinces throughout Canada and an International school in the Middle East and managed a British Council English Language Training Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  She joined the board in 2012.

Greg Menzies

Greg Menzies, currently CEO of the international company Center for Advanced Coaching, resides in the Lower Mainland of B.C. Greg's business history has involved various industries including electrical, oil field, military, marine, high tech, and agriculture/food. His roles, revolving around sales, marketing and senior business management, have taken him to many regions of the world, giving firsthand knowledge and experience in international trade, market channels, and building strong international business relationships. Greg has served as a board member with Briercrest since 2009.

Garry Montgomery, BA, BRE

Garry Montgomery has experience in senior management positions with both public and private sector companies and has spent the last 25 years in start-up entrepreneurial positions. He has had significant experience in the areas of business development, legal, accounting, and regulatory compliance. A 20-year veteran of the life sciences sector, he has worked extensively in medical informatics, therapeutics, and pharmaceutics. Garry has served on the board of Briercrest since 2010.

Darren Nystrom, BSM

Darren Nystrom works primarily in the residential construction industry in Calgary and is an accredited Master Builder. Previously Darren has enjoyed serving as a youth pastor in Ottawa and presently serves through foundation work and with the local church. Darren and Sandy are kept busy by their three daughters Emily, Madison, and Maryn. Darren has served as a board member with Briercrest since 2009.

Warren Olson

Warren Olson has been the CEO of Olson & Sons Electric in Monticello, Minn. since 1999 and managed Olson's Electrical Apparatus Service Center for 22 years. He has served the electrical industry for 38 years, and holds a Class "A" master electrician's license. He has been an instructor and special speaker in area colleges and has authored training curriculum and has served as chairman and trustee on many local and state boards including the Rotary Club and local church. Warren is also a triathlete and musician. Warren has served as a board member with Briercrest since 2003.

Jacqueline Ottmann, BEd, MEd, PhD

Jacqueline Ottmann, originally from Saskatchewan, is of Saulteaux (Annishinabe) heritage. After years of elementary and secondary teaching in public, separate, and private systems in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and a principalship, Jackie entered the U of S where she did research on First Nations leadership development. Jackie is currently associate professor at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Education, where she continues to research and write on Indigenous leadership and education and instruct in the teacher preparation and graduate programs. Jackie has served as a board member with Briercrest since 2011.

Michael Pawelke, BRE, MABS, D.Min, DD (Hon.)

Michael Pawelke is senior pastor of Compass Point Bible Church in Burlington, Ont. Michael, with his wife Linda and two children, Breanna and Matthew, first came to serve there 1994. Michael periodically teaches at the college and seminary level, speaks at Bible conferences and family camps and has also served as a church planter in Winnipeg and as a youth pastor in Toronto. He is ordained with the Associated Gospel Churches of Canada and has been as chair of the Canada East Church Health and Leadership Commission. Michael received an honorary doctorate from Briercrest and has served as a board member since 2003.

Shannon Stewart, BComm

Shannon Stewart has spent the past 19 years in the business consulting field where she provides advice and assistance to organizations regarding strategic planning and improving their business practices. Shannon currently divides her time between her professional work, her family, and Basically Babies, a registered charity that she founded 17 years ago, which serves families with newborns living in situations of extreme need. Shannon is a proud alumnus of Caronport High School and has served as a board member with Briercrest since 2009.

Glen Werner, BSc, MAg

Glen Werner is an active professional agrologist and has over 35 years of experience with the government of Alberta, which includes over 20 years in senior executive management positions. Glen has served Briercrest as the chairman of the board (2008-present), member of the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee, board vice-chair (2002-2008) and also chair of the Presidential Search Committee (2003-2005). Glen has served as a board member with Briercrest since 1999.

Howard Wiens, BA, BLaw

Howard Wiens lives in Abbotsford and is a lawyer with an emphasis in corporate law. Howard serves on the Briercrest Board of Directors Executive Team and has served as a board member with Briercrest since 2006.

Brad Willems, CFP

Brad Willems, a certified financial planner, is from Abbotsford, B.C. Previous board service includes the Abbotsford Airport Authority and a church board. Brad has broad experience in personal and corporate finance and has led and advised numerous individuals and organizations regarding financial and strategic planning over the last 20 years. Brad serves on the Briercrest Board of Directors as the vice-chair and has served as a board member with Briercrest since 1998.

Larry Wilson, BRE, DD (Hon.)

Larry Wilson pastored the First Nations Community Church of Winnipeg for 16 years before accepting the role of national director of the First Nations Alliance Churches of Canada in 2004. Larry is working to attain a MDiv at Providence Theological Seminary and received an honorary doctorate from Carey Theological College in 2008. Wilson served on the board of Promise Keepers Canada and presently serves on the boards of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and Youth for Christ, and he is the chair of Rising Above, a ministry dedicated to helping First Nations people address abuse, pain, and victimization. Wilson has served as a board member with Briercrest since 2009.