Activation Analysis | Municipal Consulting Firm

Our People

Activation Analysis Group Inc. (AAGI) has a core team of consultants whose expertise is complemented by a wide variety of other associates who provide service as specific needs arise.

Core Team

John Szumlas, President - Policy Analysis, Strategy Development, and Group Facilitation

Expertise:

Strategic Planning
Policy and Procedure Development and Implementation
Organizational Design
Issues Management and Special Interests Lobbying
Municipal and Provincial Affairs

Profile:

Prior to establishing Activation Analysis Group Inc. in 1993, John Szumlas spent 18 years in the Legislative Building developing a unique understanding of the complexities of public policy development and implementation. Over the span of his public sector career. Mr. Szumlas has served the offices of Native Affairs, Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Municipal Affairs, Personnel Administration, Professions and Occupations, Labour, Environment, Occupational Health and Safety, the Solicitor General, The Alberta Liquor Control Board and the Ministry of Justice.

He has assisted clients with business planning, public consultation processes, governance reviews, and strategic communication plans. Mr. Szumlas offers government, non-governmental organizations and private industry experience and expertise that is second to none in Alberta.

Richard Barham - Financial Services and Accounting

Expertise:

Strategic and operational planning
Design and use of computer-based simulation models
Feasibility studies and business plans for new ventures
Systems design, implementation and investigation
Financial and operational management
Funds and investment management
Corporate financial and operational analyses and diagnostics
Insurance investigation and litigation support

Profile:

Richard Barham is an honours graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Richard’s business experience has been primarily in the financial services industry (Banks and Trust Companies) where he has practical experience in the strategic and operational requirements of such organizations. This includes a period as Chief Accountant for a Schedule 1 bank, during which time he managed a 17-fold increase in Total Assets to $2.4 billion.On aconsulting basis, he acted as Chief Financial Officer to a federally incorporated trust company then suffering serious financial and managerial strain.

He handles the financial portions of our organizational and corporate reviews on Alberta Municipalities.

Education:

B.Sc. Economics (Hons.), London School of Economics
C.A., F.C.A. (England & Wales)

George de Rappard - Market Research and Development, Economic Development

Expertise:

Domestic and international market assessment and development
Government relations
Strategic positioning
Market research
Market development
Transportation logistics
Review and development of organizational structure

Profile:

George de Rappard has over 40 years of experience in the public, private and not for profit sectors, in both administrative and advisory capacities. In his consulting practice and in senior positions in government, Mr. de Rappard conducted missionary trade and development, investment promotion and market assessments in SE Asia, Europe, the US, and Western Canada’s domestic market

As Chief Deputy Minister for Alberta Economic Development and Trade, Mr. de Rappard was responsible for:

encouraging business development within the Province of Alberta
promoting Alberta products and services to the international market place
promoting investment in Alberta’s natural resources, manufacturing, high technology, petrochemical and food processing industries.

Don Grimble - Urban Planning, Economic and Community Development

Expertise:

Urban planning and development
Economic Development
Community Development

Profile:

Don participated in the preparation of general plans, subdivision development, and development appeals before Development Appeal Boards on behalf of municipalities, developers, and community groups in Alberta, BC and the NW Territories. This included the development of two major residential resort communities on Shuswap Lake in BC.

As project manager for Edmonton Economic Development Authority’s Corporate Development Project, he helped them to identify ways the Authority could use the private sector as a partner in targeting and attracting new firms to Edmonton. Through his work with the Kingsway Business Association and the Edmonton Municipal Airport he was involved with economic development studies, evaluations of air services and their contribution to economic development, particularly in N. Alberta.

Archie Grover - Municipal Governance, Management

Expertise:

Municipal Recruitment
Issues Management
Municipal Affairs Consultation
Strategic Planning
Provincial Affairs Consultation
Special Interests Positioning

Profile:

Prior to joining Activation Analysis Group Inc., Archie enjoyed a distinguished 37 year career with Alberta Municipal Affairs. For 12 years, he was the Department Deputy Minister of the Department. Earlier, he served as Assistant Deputy Minister of the Assessment Services Division, Assessment Commissioner and Chief Provincial Assessor.

Archie has held the positions of Chairman for both the Alberta Planning Board, and the Local Authorities Board, President of the Alberta Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Director of the Alberta Municipal Financing Corporation. With this vast experience in provincial and community development, he is able to offer his clients expertise of the highest caliber.

Marilyn Kane - Leadership, Strategic Planning and Communications

Expertise:

Economic development
Governance
Organizational and operational analysis
Socio-economic and financial analysis
Writing and presentation
Public policy
Project leadership
Strategic analysis
Strategic policy

Profile:

Comprehensive operational reviews of many Alberta municipalities, the Alberta Conservation Association, St. John Ambulance Alberta, and other non-profit organizations
Service delivery reviews for emergency services providers
Secretariat to Alberta Regulatory Reform Task Force and to the Provincial Committee on the Impact of the Aging Population
Corporate retreat design/facilitation
Master facilitation with health care providers on primary health care in Alberta
Economic development projects and transportation-related projects
Business plans and project proposals
Executive performance evaluations
Cost-benefit analysis
SWOT analysis
Board policy and committee structure review for the Capital Health Board
Former Chair, Caritas Health Group
Former Vice-Chair, Capital Health Region Board

Many courses and seminars, including leadership, total quality improvement, facilitation, personal computing and writing.

John Maddison - Governance and Management

Expertise:

Strong leadership ability within municipal administrations
Knowledge of complex issues facing urban/rural municipalities
Understanding of provincial legislation governing municipal administration
Broad issues facing Alberta and Canadian municipalities and municipal politicians

Profile:

Union Negotiation/employer representative Town of Pincher Creek (2011)
Interim CAO, Vulcan County (2011)
Interim General Manager, Flagstaff Reg. Waste Management Authority (2010)
Councillor, Town of Devon, (2007-2010)
Union Negotiation/employer representative Town of Pincher Creek (2008)
Union Negotiation/employer representative, Town of Two Hills (2007)
Interim CAO, Town of Redwater (2006)
Union Negotiation/employer rep., both MD & Town of Pincher Creek (2005)
Councillor, Town of Devon, (2001-2004)
Interim Manager, Yellowhead County, Town of High Level (2002)
Interim County Manager, Lakeland County (2000)
Councillor, Town of Devon (1998 - 2001)
Acting Official Administrator, MD of MacKenzie (1999)
Acting Town Manager, Town of Taber (1998)
Executive Director - Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (8 years)
Town Manager, Town of Taber (10 years)
Town Manager, Town of Stony Plain (5 years)
Local Government Advisor, Yukon Territorial Government (2 years)
Assistant Secretary Treasurer, Town of Claresholm (3 years)
Factotum, Town of Edson (8 years)

Education:

Certificate in Local Government Administration (University of Alberta)
Senior Executive Fellows Program (CLGM) (University of Alberta)
Certified Association Executive (Canadian Society of Association Executives)
Associate Certificate, Chartered Secretarial Administrators (University of Toronto)
Business Administration Certificate (Red Deer College)
Municipal Management Development (Banff School of Management)
Graduate, Alberta Fire Training School

Complementary Associates

Giuseppe Albi - Exhibition and Exhibit Planning and Oversight

Expertise:

Creative & Strategic Event Planning
Conceptual Design
Exhibit Theme Development
Exhibition Production
Fabrication and Production Coordination
Decoration Design
Exhibit Layout Design (CAD)
Lecture Series Coordination

Profile:

Oversight of and/or design of major special events in Edmonton such as A Taste of Edmonton, New Year’s Eve Downtown, Cheers Food and Beverage Exhibition and symposia for the Works International Arts Festival.

Download:

Click here to download the full profile.

Ian Arnold - Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health & Safety

Expertise:

Occupational Medicine
Occupational Health and Safety
Environmental Audits
Interface within and between corporate organizations, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders
An empowering leader

Profile:

Former senior manager for occupational health and safety at Alcan's international group of companies with a record of driving continual improvement of OHS and EHS Management in Canadian and international settings.