Board of Directors

MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE, QAHN:

Kevin O’Donnell
President

Kevin O'Donnell was elected president of the QAHN in 2008. Long interested in history, he scripted the multimedia series Quebec Mosaic during his time at Télé-Québec, the province’s public television network.

While serving as president of the Hudson Historical Society (2003–2008), Kevin came to realize that heritage in all of its manifestations -- not only in terms buildings and landscapes, but also as it is embodied in stories, in shared experiences, and in ways of doing things -- is a vital resource upon which a community can draw as it forges its ever-evolving identity.

Kevin has contributed several articles to QAHN’s print magazine, Quebec Heritage News. He has been an active member of QAHN's Montreal Committee, as well as its Communications Committee.

Simon Jacobs
Vice-president

After joining the Quebec Symphony Orchestra in 1989 as a violist, Simon Jacobs changed careers in 2009, becoming the executive director of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. Among his duties, he was charged with the task of raising funds and managing the building project for the completion of the restoration of the Morrin Centre, including the production of a permanent exhibit called "Doing time: the Quebec City Common Gaol," which opened in June 2011. In 2005, he founded Exposition Shalom Quebec which researched and produced an exhibition on the Jewish community of Quebec City that was showcased for the 400th anniversary of Quebec City in 2008. Held in the Gare du Palais, it was viewed by over 30,000 visitors. The exhibition then moved on to the Museum of Religions in Nicolet and, finally, Montreal in 2009. Simon has been a member of the QAHN board of directors since 2009.

Richard Evans
Treasurer

Richard ("Dick") Evans, founding president of QAHN, has long been an active volunteer in the field of heritage and community affairs in his native Eastern Townships.

Following a career of nearly 30 years, Dick retired from his position with Dupont Canada in 1987 and returned to live near Huntingville with his wife Marina in what has been the Evans family home since 1937.

A lifelong interest in local history, combined with his experience in business world, naturally suited him for volunteer duties with the Lennoxville-Ascot Historical and Museum Society. During his first two terms as historical society president, beginning in 1989, Dick’s leadership proved instrumental in the establishment of Uplands Museum. He has subsequently remained active on the board of directors of the historical society, serving three additional terms as president. In 1999, Dick led negotiations with the Town of Lennoxville to create Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre. It was under his leadership that the Lennoxville-Ascot Historical and Musuem Society organized the first-ever Quebec-wide conference of Anglophone historical societies in 2000, out of which QAHN emerged. Dick served as QAHN’s president until 2003 and has continued to serve on the board since then as treasurer. As a volunteer board member with Patrimoine Heritage Huntingville, Dick was active in obtaining funding to carry out much-needed restoration work on the historic Huntingville Universalist Church.

In 2010, QAHN instituted its Richard Evans Award in Dick's honour. This award is presented annually to a group or organization that has demonstrated leadership and made an exceptional long-term contribution to the protection and preservation of Anglophone heritage in the province of Quebec.

Rick Smith
Secretary

A member of the QAHN board for many years, Rick Smith has been involved in a number of successful QAHN initiatives in the Montreal area, including the "Ways of Memory: the Montreal Experience" conference at Concordia University and others. In addition to his duties on QAHN's Montreal Committee, Rick serves as QAHN's liaison with the Fédération des Sociétés d'histoire du Québec (FSHQ).

MEMBERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Susan Chirke
Director

Kim Harrison
Director

Steven High
Director

Derek Hopkins
Director

Barry McCullough
Director

Carol Meindle
Director

Grant Myers
Director

Ann Montgomery
Director

Jo-Ann Oberg-Muller
Director

Dorothy Williams
Director