Steve Harris Elected President of Canadian Luge Association
CALGARY—Steve Harris has been elected to lead the Canadian Luge Association Board of Directors who are focused on building a financially sustainable organization that will guide the that nation’s top athletes to the international podium.
Harris, a Calgary-based police officer brings nearly three decades of international luge experience with him to the governing body for the sport in Canada, has significant leadership experience in strategic planning while working with not-for-profit and charitable groups as a member of the Calgary Police Service.
“This is an exciting, yet crucial time, in the history of the Canadian Luge Association,” said Harris, who was elected in during the organization’s Annual General Meeting held over the weekend. “We are in a good place both on and off the field play, but we need to continue to challenge ourselves further as a team if we truly want to achieve our goals of winning Canada’s first ever Olympic medal in the sport.”
The former vice-president of sport for the Canadian Luge Association, Harris and his fellow Board members will focus on two strategic priorities: business development and high-performance that will take Canada’s luge athletes to the next level over the next two Olympic quadrennials.
“It is simple, yet challenging. Success starts with having strong leadership, and a dedicated team of professionals behind the team on the track, that can deliver the resources athletes require to win,” added Harris. “We have elected a talented group of dedicated professionals determined to achieve the objectives set in a long-term business development plan to ensure our athletes have the support they need, and deserve.”
Joining Harris in making a return to the Board of Directors is two-time Olympian, Tyler Seitz. Canada’s first-ever male to win a World Cup luge medal, Seitz will bring extensive experience to the role of vice-president of sport. Seitz is the manager of building and track operations at Winsport.
Ron Stitt was elected at treasurer of the CLA’s new-look Board, while a handful of experienced personalities from the sport and business world were elected as Directors at Large. Johanna Gouw was re-elected to bring her extensive event management experience, while Justine Jones – a respected and accomplished sales professional working in Calgary’s medical field, and currently in the oil and gas industry – will bring a focus on sponsorship and marketing. Former athletes, Chris Wightman and Dan Doll, were also elected in. Sport leaders, Lucinda Jagger, two-time Olympian Ian Cockerline and Jim Watts continue their existing terms to round out the Directors at Large. Zan Aycock continues her role on the Board as secretary.
Longtime Canadian Luge Association president, Ed Moffat who is now an executive Board member for the International Luge Federation (FIL) was appointed as chair of the newly-formed International Relations Committee.
“This is a highly-accomplished group of respected individuals that bring a wealth of experience from both business and sport, which is important for the continued growth of the CLA,” said Harris. “I am excited to have the opportunity to work with this passionate group of professionals that are keen to build on our history and take the sport of luge to new heights well into the future.”
Immediately following the election, the new Board of Directors spent considerable time during the Annual General Meeting on a strategic planning session designed to achieve success in 2018, 2022 and beyond.
The Canadian Luge Association is a not-for-profit organization responsible for governing the sport of luge across the country. With the financial backing of from the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium, the Canadian Luge Association safely recruits and develops the nation’s current and future high-performance luge athletes with the goal of regularly climbing onto the international podium. For more information on the Canadian Luge Association, please visit us at www.luge.ca on the Internet.