Red Deer, AB – Westerner Park staff were recognized on a national level this past weekend in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the Canadian Association Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE) Conference. Assistant General Manager & Operations Manager, Jim White, was awarded the prestigious 2019 Roll of Honour Award and Ashley Nelson, Marketing & Communications Assistant Manager at Westerner Park was honoured with the Future Leaders Award, as part of CAFE’s Youth Inspired program. The youth program recognizes Canadian innovators within the fair & exposition industry that are under 30 years old.
The Roll of Honour Award is designed to recognize distinguished service by an individual or organization to the Canadian fair and exhibition industry. The award acknowledges leadership, vision, outstanding service, and impact to the local community.
Jim White stands as an advocate for the continuous growth and improvement of Westerner Park within the community. He has served twice as Interim Acting CEO, demonstrating his ability to lead a large team of staff, work with volunteers, board of directors and stakeholders to a successful outcome. White is known for his consistent ability to remain level-headed when faced with crisis or emergencies.
With strong family values, White has always been an advocate for seniors and families in the planning process of Westerner Days Fair & Exposition. His priority is that Westerner Park looks after the community and provides guests a warm welcome, while ensuring they are getting good value for their hard-earned money.
Always willing to lend a helping hand, White is the type of person you can count on as many surrounding communities and organizations do. From lending equipment and fulfilling special requests, White is known to go above and beyond his regular duties to work with and assist neighboring agricultural societies in Alberta.
White has been involved in every construction project at Westerner Park from 1981 to today, with a longstanding goal of maintaining each facility. A testament to White’s outstanding service and expertise in the impressive stats associated with the completion of construction for over 275,000 square feet of facilities; each project delivered on budget, and on time.
In 1991, White helped complete one of the largest construction projects in Red Deer: the Centrium, a $25 million arena with the capacity to hold a potential of 10,000 people.
Recently, he has overseen the completion of Westerner Park’s new Exhibition Hall, a 75,000 sq. ft., $16 million building. The project was completed in spring of 2019 and was given temporary occupancy just 11 months after ground breaking.
For Westerner Park’s long term staff, White has been a pillar of strength, stability and leadership. For new staff members, he is seen as an inspiration and someone the team strives to become.
With his 40 years of experience, knowledge and vision for Westerner Park's organization and facilities, Jim White has earned rightfully the Roll of Honour Award.
Congratulations to Jim White & Ashley Nelson! Westerner Park is incredibly proud to showcase these individuals as the dedicated, community focused leaders.
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For more information, please contact:
Meghan Samson
Marketing & Communications Manager
P 403.309.0207
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