Woodlands County is led by a dedicated group of individuals representing each of our areas individually, and collectively governing our region.
Please meet your Council:
Dave Kusch
Reeve & Councillor for Anselmo
Electoral Division: Division 1, Anselmo
Email: dave.kusch@woodlands.ab.ca
Phone: 780-778-9337
Dave Kusch grew up in Whitecourt and is a graduate of Hilltop High School.
Having an interest in business, he enrolled and graduated from NAIT with a diploma in business management. As his wife Blair is very passionate about horses and in 2013, they moved to their acreage in the Anselmo area to enjoy their love of the outdoors and start their family.
Dave was elected to Council in the December 2019 by-election held in Division 1. He was re-elected in October 2021.
“I feel blessed to be able to raise my two young boys in this community and to hopefully serve the area to my best ability” – Dave Kusch
Reeve Kusch sits on the following boards and committees:
- Agriculture Services Board
- Alberta CARE Committee
- Anselmo Agricultural Society
- Community Futures Yellowhead East
- Council Remuneration Committee
- Enforcement Review Committee
- Health Professionals Attraction & Retention Committee
- Human Resources Committee
- Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee
- Joint Liaison Committee
- Municipal Planning Commission
- Northern Alberta Elected Leaders
- West End Bus
- Whitecourt & District Public Library Board
- Whitecourt Regional Solid Waste Management Authority
- Woodlands County Library Board
- Yellowhead Regional Library Board
John Burrows
Councillor for Whitecourt West
Electoral Division: Division 2, Whitecourt West
Email: john.burrows@woodlands.ab.ca
Phone: 780-706-4747
John Burrows was elected in the 2017 Municipal Election and re-elected in the 2021 Municipal Election.
Councillor Burrows sits on the following boards and committees:
- Airport Advisory Committee
- Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee
- Joint Liaison Committee
- Municipal Planning Commission
Alan Deane
Councillor for Whitecourt Central
Electoral Division: Division 3, Whitecourt Central
Email: alan.deane@woodlands.ab.ca
Phone: 780-778-0894
Alan Deane grew up in Whitecourt and spent four years on the family farm in the Lloydminster area where his love and appreciation for a rural lifestyle was instilled.
Alan attended the University of Alberta, graduating with a Bachelor of Education in 1987. He returned to the Whitecourt area in 1990 with his wife Joanne. They purchased 80 acres in the Cutbank area, off West Mountain Road, where they raised their family: Katie who was born in 1990, Conor in 1992 and Nevin in 2003.
In 2001, Alan left teaching to work with Joanne in the family business – Whitecourt Stationery. Alan’s adult life has been spent coaching and volunteering in the community, serving as president of minor hockey, minor soccer and the golf course.
Alan served two terms on Woodlands County Council from 2007-2013 and was re-elected in 2021.
"I love our rural home with the peace and solitude it provides. I want to help make Woodlands a place where our young people want to stay and raise their own families." - Alan Deane
Councillor Deane sits on the following boards and committees:
- Agriculture Services Board
- Airport Advisory Committee
- Community Services Committee
- Economic Development Committee
- Golden Triangle
- Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee
- Joint Liaison Committee
- Millar Western (Canfor) Public Advisory Committee
- Whitecourt & District Agricultural Society
- Whitecourt Performing Arts Steering Committee
- Youth Advisory Committee
Jeremy Wilhelm
Councillor for Whitecourt East
Electoral Division: Division 4, Whitecourt East
Email: jeremy.wilhelm@woodlands.ab.ca
Phone: 780-779-6594
Jeremy Wilhelm moved to the Whitecourt area with his mother in 1988, graduating from St. Joseph’s High School. He spent much of his teens and 20s working in the oil and gas industry around Whitecourt as he trained and taught Taekwondo in Whitecourt, Fulham and Edson.
He purchased his first property in 2004 in Woodlands County in the Aspen Heights subdivision, down RR120.
In 2010, Jeremy left the area to pursue a technical trades ticket in Instrumentation, which he used to travel and work around the world in Iraq, the UAE, Turkmenistan and Kurdistan. Returning to Woodlands County in 2015, he purchased an acreage near his first home, in Aspen Ridge.
Jeremy spends much of his time volunteering and teaching Taekwondo. When he isn’t teaching, he is exploring the amazing outdoor areas that Woodlands County has to offer for recreational use, like dirt biking and camping.
Jeremy was elected to Council in October 2021 for Division 4 Whitecourt East.
“Having spent much of my life travelling and experiencing different parts of the world, I have kept finding new ways to appreciate the region we live in and the community we are part of. I am very excited to represent Woodlands County and the residents of this area!” - Jeremy Wilhelm
Councillor Wilhelm sits on the following boards and committees:
- Community Services Committee
- Economic Development Committee
- Enforcement Review Committee
- Human Resources Committee
- Lac Ste. Anne Foundation
- Subdivision Development Appeal Board
- Whitecourt Community Services Advisory Board
- Whitecourt Regional Forest Advisory Committee
Bruce Prestidge
Councillor for Blue Ridge
Electoral Division: Division 5, Blue Ridge
Email: bruce.prestidge@woodlands.ab.ca
Phone: 780-779-3917
Bruce Prestidge was elected in the Municipal Election in 2017 and was re-elected in 2021 by acclamation.
Councillor Prestidge sits on the following boards and committees:
- Agriculture Services Board
- Airport Advisory
- Blue Ridge Community League
- Council Remuneration Committee
- Emergency Management Advisory Committee
- Enforcement Review Committee
- Human Resources Committee
- Municipal Planning Commission
- Pride Valley Aggregate Oversight Committee
- West End Bus
- Whitecourt Protective Services Committee
- Whitecourt Regional Solid Waste Management Authority
Peter Kuelken
Councillor for Goose Lake / Freeman River
Electoral Division: Division 6, Goose Lake/Freeman River
Email: peter.kuelken@woodlands.ab.ca
Phone: 780-284-2425
Peter Kuelken grew up in the Fort Assiniboine area and graduated from Fort Assiniboine High School. After graduating, Peter spent several years in the oil patch before enrolling in the Farm and Ranch Production Technology program at Olds College which he completed in 1978. He bought the family farm in 1981 where along with his wife raised one daughter and three sons on the family farm.
Peter was elected to Council in October 2021 for Division 6 Goose Lake/Freeman River.
“We love this area which has given us so many opportunities. My wife, children and grandchildren and their security in this community are the most important things in my life. I will serve as if all members of this County were family.” - Peter Kuelken
Councillor Kuelken sits on the following boards and committees:
- Agriculture Services Board
- Barrhead & District Social Housing Authority
- Community Services Committee
- Fort Assiniboine School Liaison Committee
- Goose Lake Community League
- Grizzly Regional Economic Alliance General Assembly
- Municipal Planning Commission
- Pride Valley Aggregate Oversight Committee
- Topland Community League
Devin Williams
Councillor for Fort Assiniboine / Timeu
Electoral Division: Division 7, Fort Assiniboine/Timeu
Email: devin.williams@woodlands.ab.ca
Phone: 780-305-1825
Devin Williams was elected in the 2021 Municipal Election on October 18, 2021.
Councillor Williams sits on the following boards and committees:
- Barrhead & Area Regional Crime Coalition
- Council Remuneration Review Committee
- Economic Development Committee
- Emergency Management Advisory Committee
- Fort Assiniboine Agricultural Society
- Pride Valley Aggregate Oversight Committee
- Woodlands County Library Board