Doug Thornton
Chair
Doug believes that a well functioning police service is an integral part of living in a modern community. The Police Commission, representing our citizens in the oversight of our service, needs considered representation from a broad cross section of Community Members. While understanding that one must not stifle the efforts of management in the provision of excellent service, oversight is integral to establishing trust in our police service among the Citizens of Lethbridge. Doug has served briefly as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and there gained some knowledge of the challenges facing the men and women of our Police Service. Doug is well versed in budget and financial responsibilities, and currently serves on the Finance Committee.
Matthew McHugh
Vice Chair, Human Resources Committee Chair
Matthew is a local lawyer and partner at Fee Simple Law. Matthew was raised in Southern Alberta and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Canadian Studies from the University of Lethbridge followed by a Masters of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Transformation at Nelson Mandela University. After his Masters, Matthew went on to complete a law degree at McGill University. He has worked as a governance consultant, and served on various boards including the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association. Matthew is currently serving the Commission as Chair of the Human Resources Committee and is concurrently serving on the Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Taskforce for the City of Lethbridge.
Jen Visser
Public Complaints Director, Finance Committee Chair
Jen spent the first part of her childhood in Northern Manitoba and then moved to Cranbrook, BC in her youth. In 2002 she started attending the University of Lethbridge and obtained a degree in Anthropology. After graduation she has spent her career in the non profit world. She started with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District in 2010 as a Service Delivery Staff. In 2013 she took on the role of Executive Director, which is still current today. Jen’s experience with governance, quality assurance, policy, and community engagement is what brought her to serve on the Lethbridge Police Commission. Jen currently serves the Commission as the Public Complaints Director and the Chair of the Finance Committee
In her spare time Jen enjoys spending time with her husband, son and the family dog Molly, who also ‘works’ for Big Brothers Big Sisters in a reception capacity.
Brett Carlson
J. BRETT Carlson was born in Moose Jaw SK but spent most of his early life in Northern Alberta (particularly Tofield, High Prairie, and Edmonton). He returned to Saskatchewan to do undergraduate degrees at the University of Regina in Political Science and Psychology. He then attended the University of Victoria for his law degree. He relocated to Lethbridge in 2004 with his wife. They have remained in Lethbridge since and are raising their family here. He serves on the Human Resources Committee of the Police Commission.
Clement Esene
Clement Esene is a visionary leader and co-founder of two successful organizations – BIPOC Foundation and Daniola Corporation. Originally from Nigeria, Clement arrived in Canada over a decade ago as an international student to pursue his post-graduate education. He now calls Lethbridge home, having moved here with his family just before the pandemic.
In his work with BIPOC Foundation, Clement aims to advance racial and gender equality by providing tools, resources, and services to early-stage entrepreneurs in order to create significant entrepreneurship opportunities for diverse communities.
In his work with Daniola Corporation, Clement aims to transform the industry of buying and selling of gemstones, minerals, and metals by improving efficiency, transparency, and market analytics in a cloud-based environment.
Clement is a dedicated community leader who serves in various capacities to promote a united, engaged, and empowered community. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Association of Nigerians in Lethbridge. With his passion for social justice and entrepreneurship, Clement is committed to making a positive impact in Lethbridge and beyond.
Noella Piquette
Policy and Governance Committee Chair
Dr. Noëlla Piquette, [retired] Associate Professor and Registered Psychologist, brings a wide range of skills and knowledge to the table. She has successfully collaborated in local, provincial, national and international research projects requiring communication skills, and expertise in cultural and diversity awareness. She is currently serving on the Policy and Governance Committee of the LPC.
Noëlla has served as a Board member and President for numerous not-for-profit agencies over the past 30 years and has been intimately involved in the successful long term and short term planning committees.
Nick Paladino
City Council Representative
Commissioner Nick Paladino is a city councilor elected in 2021 and was appointed into the commission in 2023. He is currently serving the Commission on the Finance Committee. Nick is a born and raised Lethbridgeite and proud of it! He attended Lethbridge College and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary and graduated with a Diploma in Engineering Technology. He was immediately offered a drafting position with the City of Lethbridge. Commissioner Paladino moved from Draftsman to Plan Checker to Planning Technician in seven years, then accepted a position as Development Officer for Lethbridge County. During that time, he studied local government and experienced the fine line between political will and administrative responsibility. After 30 years with the County, Commissioner Paladino retired as Manager of Planning & Development in 2013. He is a family man, a son, brother, father and grandfather! He enjoys music, guitars, skiing, tennis and a good magic trick!
Jenn Schmidt-Rempel
City Council Representative
Commissioner Schmidt-Rempel was raised in Claresholm, Alberta, and attended the University of Lethbridge where she completed a BA in English. She is a partner in several local quick-serve restaurant franchises as well as a communications and marketing consulting business, and until fall 2017 was the owner, publisher, and editor of Lethbridge Living magazine and its associated publications. She currently serves on the Policy and Governance Committee of the LPC.
Hunter Heggie
Hunter was born and raised in Southern Alberta and claims his wife Carol and 3 children as his greatest achievement. He is a journeyman carpenter by trade and is the owner of several business units in and around Lethbridge. As a stakeholder in the community, Commissioner Heggie has been involved in the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, The Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Taskforce and Heart of the City among various volunteerism capacities across the city he calls home. He is currently serving the Commission on the Policy and Governance Committee. Commissioner Heggie is passionate about a cleaner, safer and holistically better community and we look forward to working with him on these common goals.