Board member bios

Norm Sparks, Alana Gieck, Alyssa Hope-Ross, Michelle Thomas (sitting), Travis Cross, Nathan Greener (sitting), Lindal Heppner, Kent Toth & Allan Jobson.

Travis Cross
Alicia Hope-Ross
Kent Toth
Michelle Thomas
Alana Gieck
Derek Hovinga
Nathan Greener
Lindal Heppner
Norm Sparks
Allan Jobson

Travis Cross — President

Travis completed the Broadcasting program in 2005 while working at Citytv,
formerly A-Channel. The experience acquired in the Broadcasting program has
been invaluable helping Travis build a video production company in 2007.
Currently, he is working on the development of a revolutionary broadcasting
system called NotTV.

This project has been in the works since late 2006 and will begin testing
late 2011. The project is located at www.nottv.ca.

Travis is also a member of Toastmasters currently serving a one year term as
Vice-President of Public Relations for his club.

Random Fact: As a kid Travis built model rockets, they weren't always easy
to find but sure were fun to launch.

Alica Hope-Ross — Vice-President

Alicia graduated from Mount Royal in 2007, with a focus on news. Right after graduation Alicia spent time at Newcap Television in Lloydminister Alberta as a television and radio reporter. Following that, it was back to Calgary to work for 660News all news radio, where she wore three hats as an anchor, editor and reporter. While at 660News Alicia had the privilage of covering many news stories which were broadcast coast to coast on the Rogers radio brand. After spending three years at 660News, Alicia moved on to QR77 News as their evening news anchor.

Before getting into broadcasting, Alicia spent nine months working for the Hart family's Stampede Wrestling as a ring announcer.

Kent Toth — Treasurer

What des a nationally ranked speed skater, kamikaze mountain biker, world traveler and innovative, edgy editor have in common?

Absolutionely nothing..unless you are talking about Kent Toth. And if you think his interests are diverse, you should see his educational credits! Kent's studies earned him a Broadcasting diploma and a Business diploma from Mount Royal and a Business degree from University of Lethbridge. With a focus on Finance and Marketing, he graduated with distinction. Armed with his degrees, Kent went ont o work in marketing and strategic planning, and then joined Jump Studios to combine his business skills with his love of design, animation and video. He is currently Accounts Manager/Producer at Jump Studios.

Random fact: Kent is a bit of a clutz..or maybe just a kamikaze. He has broken multiple bones and once took off half the skin on his face after falling off a track bike

Michelle Thomas — Secretary

I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and arrived in Canada in 2007. When I first moved; I lived in Fort McMurray, Alberta (you all can imagine how the weather affected me). My first winter up there was super cold! However I did survive.

One year after; I was accepted by Mount Royal University (MRU) and graduated from the Broadcasting program on November 2010. On that same year, I was awarded with the Matrix Video Communications Broadcasting Scholarship. This program taught me so much; I decided to keep exploring the communications field by taking my diploma up to the next level and work towards my Public Relations degree at MR.

Regarding my work experience; I am currently working as a videographer for the Student Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU) and I am also a technical assistant for a Journalism class at MRU. When I am not at school I enjoy physical activity; such as going to hot yoga, working out at the gym and Latin dancing. However spending time with family and friends is one of my favourite activities as well.

tt is an honour for me to be part of the MRU Broadcasting chapter and
having the opportunity to give back to my Alma Mater once again is a great
feeling.

Alana Gieck — Director-at-Large/Faculty Representative

Class of 1994. Alana’s first job was in Radio Creative at CJAY 92/MIX 1060. When the opportunity to work in TV came along she headed to Lloydminster. After what some say was a record 2 months she was off to CHAT TV in Medicine Hat for a couple of years, then on to Red Deer for nearly ten. As department supervisor at CH Television (formerly RDTV), Alana was given the opportunity to teach at Mount Royal for a year in 06/07. After applying for a full time position with the Faculty of Communication Studies, Alana moved to Calgary to teach TV Creative Writing/Producing full time.

She continues to work on a variety of freelance projects to keep her busy and involved with the work she loves!

Derek Hovinga — Director-at-Large/Student Representative

Being the president of the A/V club in high school and performing in many theatre productions, Derek Hovinga did not expect graduating from high school and becoming… a carpenter.

Years later, he decided to put down the hammer and pick up a microphone. He is a current student to the game and is beginning to establish his name throughout the city while still enrolled into Broadcasting at Mount Royal. Derek is taking his blue-collar work ethic and becoming a jack-of-all-trades type of Broadcaster. He has been producing imaging and promos for Kool 101.5 FM as well as writing, directing, producing, scoring and even starring in his own movie, which had been screened at both the Edmonton and Calgary International Film Festivals.

Combining his technical skills obtained at MRU in Calgary and at PAVI in Vancouver, with his personal training at the Loose Moose Theatre, he strives to be successful in the Broadcasting industry.

Random Fact : Uses social networking for one thing...and that is creating random giant threads with his group of friends just to see how many messages it takes to break the internet.

Nathan Greener — Director-at-Large/Student Representative

I graduated from the Broadcasting Program in 2011… or I will be at least! I am currently the Station Manager for the university radio station CMRC. I’ve also been working in the field as a TVA and producing small projects here and there. I look forward to one day being a creative influence in the world of film and television.

Random fact: Take a banana, a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream, and some milk, and blend together for a delicious banana milk treat!

Lindal Heppner — Director-at-Large

Norm Sparks— Director-at-Large

After graduating with my Broadcasting Diploma in 1981, I went to work at CFCN TV (CTV) in Lethbridge as a Video Tape Editor. I also directed a live daily talk show and the nightly news. After 3 years there I moved back to Calgary as Radio Production Manager at CFCN AM1060. I moved into Radio Sales at CHQR and after 3 successful years I moved back up to Broadcast Hill as a Radio Sales Executive at AM106 and CJAY92 for the next 8 years. I now run my own video production company, Sparks Media, for the past 10 years, and I also continue to be a Multimedia Advertising Consultant helping many businesses in video, TV, radio, online, print and mobile too.

Oh ya, I also play bass guitar in a local Hawaiian band called, ‘Aloha Eh’. The fun never stops.

Allan Jobson — Director-at-Large

After graduating from Mount Royal my path resulted in spending time in the movie industry with movies like Legends of the Fall and stand-in for Viper. After I then continued with educating myself and delved into politics and learning with Wayne Cao, MLA, Deputy Speaker of the Alberta Legislature (10 years) and focused on educating constituents on issues with related to federal, municipal and provincial. Currently am an advocate and finding another career direction and still have aspirations of filming documentaries and writing a book in the future.