Ken Hughes, Springbank, Board Chair

Three-year term. President, Alpine Insurance and Financial Inc. Former MP, Macleod riding. Former Interim Chair, Alberta Health Services Board

Ken Hughes was appointed chair of the Alberta Health Services Board on May 15, 2008.

Mr. Hughes has worked in business areas including property and casualty insurance, energy services technology, and information technology. He is the founder and president of the insurance brokerage firm Alpine Insurance & Financial, Inc., with offices across Alberta.

Mr. Hughes has a distinguished public service career, which includes serving as chair of the former Headwaters Health Authority (1994-1995) and federal Member of Parliament for the rural riding of Macleod (1988-1993), including appointment as Parliamentary Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister. Earlier in his career, he gained significant experience working at provincial, national, and international levels while serving in the positions of senior advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and executive assistant to the Alberta Minister of Education.

Mr. Hughes has the highest commitment to good board governance practices, as a professional and certified member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, (ICD.D). He has served on a number of corporate boards, including as current Chair of Wenzel Downhole Tools, Ltd., and Director of Dycor Technologies Ltd, both based in Edmonton. He was also one of the founding directors and officers of Hi-Alta Capital, now known as the Western Financial Group, based in High River.

Mr. Hughes has participated on many volunteer and community boards including the Lethbridge Community College Board of Governors, Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Board, Kananaskis 2002 Summit Committee, 2005 and 2008 Alberta World Cup of Cross Country Skiing Organizing Committee, Calgary World Fair Board, and Calgary Technologies Inc. Board. He is the first non-U.S. citizen to be asked to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City.

Mr. Hughes holds an undergraduate degree in Agriculture from the University of Alberta. He also has a Masters of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (1981-1983).