The Town of Olds Elected Officials welcome you to Olds. Town Council is made up of seven community-minded individuals (one Mayor and six Councillors). Elections are held every four years in October, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. Please contact any member of Town Council with your compliments or concerns.
Council Members
Mayor Judy Dahl
jdahl@olds.ca403-559-7886
I was born and educated in Calgary, AB and that is where I met my husband, Randy. Married in Red Deer, AB we settled, and our first child was born. Randy and I embarked on an adventure far beyond our experience: we took on a farm homestead in the Hamlet of Cleardale, in Northern Alberta. There we began to raise our three children.
I started my passion for community work employed as a Teacher Aide at Menno Simons Community School, Fairview School Division. After the hard depression in the early 80’s we lost our farm. We relocated back to Red Deer, and I continued work at the Pines Community School as a Teacher Aide.
Relocating with our family to Olds in 1986; I worked at the Olds Auction Mart, Olds College and Mobil Oil Canada. In 1990, I ultimately fulfilled my desire to work in the public sector when I was hired by the Town of Olds to serve as Administrative Assistant to the Mayor, Town Council, and the Chief Administrative Officer.
My husband Randy and I believe in strong community connection through active and committed volunteerism. We jumped in to support clubs and organizations where we could play and exercise along with our children. This included sports, music, art, fundraiser events, wherever needed within the place we called home.
I acquired valuable municipal experience and knowledge in my 14 years as a town employee.
It was during the 2004 Municipal Election that I felt called to let my name stand to run for Mayor of Olds. I was sworn in as Mayor for my first term on October 25, 2004 and held that position for three more terms.
In 2021, the community called on me once again and I let my name stand to run for Mayor of Olds. I was sworn in for a fifth term on October 25, 2021. It is a privilege to accept the votes of confidence and I pledge to work for the people of Olds with Council for the greater good of all.
Councillor Wanda Blatz
wblatz@olds.ca403-586-0166
Wanda Blatz has lived in the community since 1979, having been raised in Sundre. Many will know Wanda from working in the financial banking industry for 30+ years, and at the Town of Olds office for 7 years. She now works part time in an accounting office. Wanda brings a vast amount of experience with her as she served on the Board of Directors for Olds Co-op, 6 years as president. She has volunteered on the following boards: Olds Minor Hockey, Olds Minor Soccer, Olds Gymnastics, Olds Grizzlys, and was Parent Council Chair at the Deer Meadow School. Wanda has volunteered for many community groups and is looking forward to working with our volunteers and stakeholders, who make Olds a great community.
Wanda, along with her husband Lyle, have raised their three children, Laural, Greg and Kirsten in Olds, and are now proud grandparents to grandaughters, Aubree and Clara. Wanda is honoured to have been reelected to serve the people of Olds for the next 4 years. Wanda is invested in the Town of Olds, and will continue to represent the residents of Olds, ensuring Olds is a community that future generations can live, work and play.
Councillor James Cummings
jcummings@olds.ca403-586-9480
Originally from Ontario, I joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a young man. I met my wife, Abbie, while stationed in Halifax. We moved the family to Victoria, BC and spent the last of my 21 years in the Navy there. With our youngest son in tow, we set out to find a town to settle down in. We were looking for a home that had all that we wanted, plus all that our teenage son would need. We took a long trip north through British Columbia and south through Alberta, stopping in many a town along the way. When we reached Olds, we went no further. We had found our home. Our son grew up, our daughter moved back and now we are blessed with having our kids, their partners, and our grandchildren near us.
I am an Industrial Electrician, a Control Tech, a small business owner, always a student, a father, husband and a grandfather. And now your Councillor.
Councillor Dan Daley
ddaley@olds.ca403-559-8250
Born and raised on a small mixed farm outside of Camrose is where I learned the importance of community and the value of giving back. In the early 1980s I attended Olds College in the Agricultural Mechanics Program. After graduating, I moved to Red Deer to complete my apprenticeship training and acquire my journeyman status as a Heavy Equipment Technician. In the early 1990s, I started my career at Olds College and moved back to Olds. In the following years, two children were raised, a daughter, Shevon and a son, Carter. I continue to be employed at the Olds College progressing through positions in the School of Trades and Skills to the position today of Dean.
I look forward to the opportunity to find solutions to the challenges that face the Town of Olds and to be part of making Olds a better place to live. Thank you to the citizens of Olds for placing your trust in me to hold this seat on Town Council.
Councillor Heather Ryan
hryan@olds.ca403-819-6028
Heather Ryan has lived in Olds with her husband Mike and dog Becca for seven years. She felt a great way to get to know the community better was to volunteer, so she joined the Olds Municipal Planning Commission and was on it for three years before being elected to Council in 2017.
Heather has been a journalist for more than 30 years starting as a reporter and editor on weekly newspapers before moving to daily newspapers – the Calgary Sun and Calgary Herald – and is currently a freelance writer. As well, Heather is owner/operator of a home-based dog boarding/sitting business – Olds Doggy Stay.
Heather has been a long-time volunteer in various communities in Alberta and was awarded the Celebration ‘88 Certificate of Merit for contributions to the community by the Government of Canada in 1988, and was the recipient of the Canada 125 Medal presented by the Government of Canada for volunteerism in 1992.
Heather believes Olds is great community to live, work and play and is honoured to have been elected to a second term on Oct. 18, 2021, allowing her the opportunity to continue to help shape the future of the community as a member of Olds Town Council.
Councillor Harvey Walsh
hwalsh@olds.ca403-556-1191
I was born and raised in a small town in Nova Scotia. When I was 19, I set out on my own across this beautiful country and went all the way to the Pacific coast. My adventures soon landed me in Alberta, and I knew I was “home” and have remained here ever since.
Olds has been my home since 1991, and I have been continuously volunteering in this community for the past 30 years. Although I have a B.A. (Special) in Economics from the University of Alberta, my passion for photography led me to pursue a career in that field, and I have owned and operated Harvey Walsh Photography in Calgary and then Olds since 1987. As an active and involved business owner, I was a Founding Member and President of the Olds & District Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Public Advisory Committee for Economic Development and a Founding Member of the Olds Institute. I continued to serve that organization up until March 2020.
Serving my community and its people is very important to me. I am currently President of the Westview Co-op Association, President of the Olds & District Hospice Society, and a Board Member for Accredited Supports to the Community.
My love of community and desire to serve prompted me to run for Olds Town Council in 2001, and I served five consecutive terms on Town Council, for a total of 15 years. As a Councillor, I was an active member of numerous committees and Chair of Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP), Chair of Intermunicipal Cooperation Committee between the Town of Olds and Mountain View County. I have also participated and was part of Olds Fibre Limited (O-Net) since its bold and visionary inception in 2001 up until June of 2021.
Councillor Darren Wilson
dwilson@olds.ca403-586-4633
I was born in Winnipeg Manitoba and graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in Accounting/Finance. Upon graduation, I accepted a position at Versatile Farm Equipment in the cost accounting department before beginning my 31-year career with Shell Canada Limited.
In 1989, my wife Mary and I moved to Calgary and in 2000 we relocated to Olds with our 2 daughters.
A 4-year assignment beginning in 2000 at the Caroline Gas Plant as Region Finance Manager became 15 years until I retired in 2015.
My broad skill set has been developed through a variety of managerial and analytical roles including internal audit, financial management reporting, budgeting, supply chain management, project management, total cost management and continuous improvement.
My volunteer experience includes Olds Minor Hockey and Hockey Alberta, Olds Healthcare Fundraising Committee, Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development, and recently, the Olds & District Chamber of Commerce.
Two books that have influenced my career and life are: Jim Collins, “Good to Great” and Stephen Covey, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. Words of wisdom that I received along my life journey, which still resonate with me today are, “The devil is in the details” and “Trust but verify”.