Marlin Styner (Chair)

Quadriplegic since 1981, Marlin Styner lives in Red Deer and has volunteered and worked within the disability community for more than 25 years. He has been a member of several committees that deal with disability issues such as the Canadian Paraplegic Association Advocacy Committee, the Provincial Barrier-Free Transportation Committee, the Spinal Cord Injury Collaboration Initiative, the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation (National), and the Rick Hansen Foundation. He has been an advocate for persons with disabilities and has been a presenter for the SMARTRISK Heroes program, the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) Program and the Junior P.A.R.T.Y. Program.

Fred Horne (Deputy Chair)

Fred Horne was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Rutherford on March 3. In addition to his regular duties as MLA, Horne serves as Chair of the Standing Committee on Health and is a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Health and the Agenda and Priorities Committee. Prior to serving as an MLA, Horne worked as a health policy consultant for more than 25 years, leading many initiatives to improve access and quality in Canadian public health care. He has worked extensively with provincial governments, regional health authorities, health professional bodies, and research organizations across Canada and internationally.

Mike Hambly

Mike Hambly of Calgary is currently employed with the Independent Living Resource Centre where he teaches advocacy and breaking down barriers for people with disabilities. He is a member of many disability-related committees, including the Access Calgary Advisory Committee. Mike brings a unique perspective in that he both has a dual disability and is working for a cross-disability organization. He is also self-employed through his business, Braille It, which converts information into Braille format. Mike is one of a few individuals to have a guide dog that has been specifically trained for use with wheelchairs.  

Greg McMeekin

Greg McMeekin, born and raised in Calgary, was the first person with a severe physical disability to be integrated into the regular school system in Calgary. Through hard work and determination, Greg graduated from high school and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Mass Communications from Carlton University.  He has carried those values into his future aspirations and achievements. Greg has worked with the City of Calgary Parks and Recreation - Recreational Services for the Disabled. He is a member of the Accessible Housing Society of Calgary and the Calgary Handi-Bus Board of Directors, as well as the Community Relations Advisory Committee for the Calgary Handi-Bus Association. He is proud to be a member of organizations that work to enhance the lives of Calgarians with disabilities and considers it an honour and privilege to serve Albertans with disabilities.  

Austin Mardon

Austin Mardon of Edmonton has been a member of several different committees over the years, including the Edmonton Public Library, the Alberta Disabilities Forum, the Edmonton Clubhouse Society, the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta Edmonton Chapter and the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta Provincial Chapter. He lives with a mental illness and believes that the inclusion of the mentally ill in the community is important and can substantially improve the quality of life of persons who live with a severe mental illness.  

Lawrence Noel

Lawrence Noel of Bonnyville has been an advocate for persons with disabilities for several years. He lives with a disability and has been an active advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities, not only within his own community, but also through cross-community and provincial boards such as the Bonnyville Community Council and the Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities. He is currently president of the People First of Alberta Society.  

Diane Ridley

Diane Ridley of Thorsby brings a cross-disability perspective to the Premier's Council and a wide range of experience with issues that affect persons with disabilities living in rural areas, such as transportation and isolation. She has served on several different boards at the municipal level and has extensive experience with numerous government programs including Handicapped Children's Services, Alberta Aids to Daily Living, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and Seniors Special Needs Benefits. Diane also has a personal commitment to advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities as her daughter, now 23, has had a disability since birth.  

Robie Scholefield

Robie Scholefield, formerly of Vancouver, has resided in Edmonton since 2004. He has several years of volunteer and work experience within the deaf community and is the past executive director of the Alberta Association of the Deaf. For over 20 years, he has been involved at local and provincial levels in advocating for persons with various disabilities. Robie brings a unique perspective to the Premier's Council as the first appointed member who is deaf. He is dedicated to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.