Councillor Profiles

Mayor Bryce Coppieters is a lifelong Raymond resident with deep roots in the community and a strong commitment to public service. Raised by Jim and Helen Coppieters, Bryce grew up in Raymond and developed an early appreciation for teamwork, leadership, and community involvement through athletics and school activities. He went on to compete in both baseball and football at the university level.

Now in his 21st year in education, Bryce serves as Vice-Principal at Raymond Junior High School. He holds both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Education and is passionate about supporting students, families, and youth development in the community.

Before being acclaimed as Mayor, Bryce served eight years on Raymond Town Council. He has also spent nearly two decades coaching local youth in football, baseball, and basketball, helping young athletes build confidence, teamwork, and community pride. In addition to his work in education and local government, Bryce volunteers with the Raymond Free Pantries Society and supports a variety of community initiatives focused on helping residents thrive.

Bryce values collaboration, accountability, and responsible growth. As Mayor, he is committed to working alongside Council, staff, local organizations, and residents to support a strong future for Raymond while preserving the small town character that makes the community unique.

coppieters@raymond.ca

Brian Eakett was born in Cardston, where he began his career as a trained meat cutter. He later moved to Edmonton and continued working in the grocery industry with IGA, Woodward’s, and Safeway, eventually serving as a meat manager. While in Edmonton, he met his wife, Lori. Together, they have built a large and close-knit family that includes six children, 17 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Brian and Lori moved to Raymond in 1980 and have proudly called the community home ever since. Over the years, Brian has owned and operated several local businesses, including Esso 52 and Town Pump. He currently owns GPS Container Depots in Lethbridge. His experience as a business owner has strengthened his commitment to supporting responsible growth, local businesses, and the small town character that makes Raymond unique.

Community involvement has always been important to Brian. He has spent many years supporting local sports organizations and coaching youth in Raymond. Now serving his third term on Council, Brian also previously served two terms in the 1980s. He values working alongside residents, supporting community priorities, and serving on committees that help guide the future of Raymond.

eakett@raymond.ca

Matt Evans has proudly called Raymond home for the past 15 years. He and his wife, Shannon, moved to the community with their family when their oldest daughter was in Grade 5 and have since raised their six children in Raymond. Matt values the opportunities the community provides for families, youth, and local involvement, and appreciates the strong sense of connection that makes Raymond a welcoming place to live.

Matt holds a degree in Management from the University of Lethbridge and currently owns and operates two local businesses. His experience as a business owner has strengthened his focus on responsible planning, financial accountability, and supporting sustainable growth in the community.

Now serving his second term on Council, Matt has also spent the past four and a half years on the Finance Committee, helping guide budgeting decisions and long-term planning for the Town. He values working collaboratively with residents, Council, and Administration to support services and initiatives that benefit the community today and into the future.

Outside of Council, Matt enjoys coaching youth sports, volunteering in his church and community, and spending time outdoors camping, mountain biking, and riding motorcycles. He is grateful for the way residents in Raymond support one another and work together to build a strong, family-focused community.

evans@raymond.ca

Wayne Johnson is serving his first term on Raymond Town Council. He and his wife, Jocelyn, moved to Raymond from Calgary in May 2022 and have quickly embraced the community as their home.

Over their 46 years together, Wayne and Jocelyn have lived in several communities, including Calgary, Edmonton, North Carolina, and Virginia. Wayne earned degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Alberta, and Duke University, experiences that helped shape his professional and community-focused approach to service.

Wayne moved to Raymond with plans to gradually retire from his legal career. While that transition has taken a little longer than expected, he continues to work part time, serving several Calgary-based clients from his home office in Raymond.

Wayne and Jocelyn enjoy the welcoming spirit and small town character that make Raymond such a special place to live. As a member of Town Council, Wayne is committed to serving residents and contributing to a strong, vibrant future for the community.

johnson@raymond.ca

Kate was born and raised in Raymond and is proud to call this community home. A graduate of Raymond High School, she later married a classmate she had known since kindergarten, a lifelong connection rooted in the community they both love. Together, Kate and her husband raised five children and now enjoy spending time with their eight grandchildren and great-grandson.

Service to others has always been an important part of Kate’s life. She spent many years working at the Raymond Care Centre and Long Term Care Hospital, supporting local residents and families. She later worked in local schools as an Band Aide and also taught piano lessons to many young residents over the years.

Sports and recreation have also played a major role in Kate’s involvement in the community. She coached local teams, organized leagues, and participated in community sports programs for many years. In recognition of her contributions, Kate was inducted into the Raymond Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder.

Kate believes strong communities are built through service, volunteerism, and connection. She is currently serving her second term on Raymond Town Council and values the opportunity to help support residents and contribute to the town’s future.

Outside of Council, Kate enjoys golfing, spending time with family, and cheering on everything that makes Raymond special. Her enthusiasm for the community is easy to recognize, and she is proud to represent the town she has always called home.

kindt@raymond.ca

Neil Sieben was born in Consort, Alberta, and spent much of his early life in Chilliwack, B.C. His family later moved to Lethbridge, where he graduated from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute (LCI). It was there he met his wife, Julie Harker. They married a few years after high school and began building their life together.

Neil attended the University of Calgary, earning a bachelor’s degree in geography while playing football for three years. He also gained valuable experience as an entrepreneur over a 30-year career in business and home building.

After living in Calgary and later Las Vegas, Neil and Julie returned to Raymond in 2002. Together, they have called Raymond home for nearly three decades. They have been married for 40 years and raised their four children in Raymond, where each graduated from Raymond High School. Today, many of their children and grandchildren are returning to the community to build roots of their own.

For the past 25 years, Neil and Julie have helped shape Raymond through residential construction and development. They have built more than 26 homes in the community, including custom homes for local families. Alongside longtime friend Wally Tollestrup, Neil also helped develop the three cul-de-sacs in the southwest corner of town, adding 52 homes to the community.

Neil is currently serving his second term on Town Council. He values the opportunity to serve residents and contribute to Raymond’s future. He understands that Council decisions are not always easy, but believes thoughtful discussion, life experience, and collaboration help move the community forward in a responsible way.

Outside of Council, Neil enjoys pickleball, going to the gym, and spending time outdoors with Julie on walks and bike rides.

Neil is proud to call Raymond home and considers it an honour to represent the community as a Town Councillor.

sieben@raymond.ca

Pam has proudly called Raymond home for more than 45 years. She raised her three children in the community, and today two of them continue to live in Raymond with their families and remain actively involved in local life.

Pam began her career with ATB in Raymond in 1987 as a frontline team member. Over the years, she worked in several branches and advanced into leadership roles, always focusing on strong customer service and community relationships. She retired in 2021 as Branch Manager in Magrath.

Giving back to the community has long been a priority for Pam. As her family grew older, she became deeply involved in volunteer work across Raymond and Lethbridge. She has supported organizations including the Raymond Ag Society, the Raymond Museum, the Raymond Chamber, the Lions Organization, the Eagles, the Economic Development Committee, the Kidney Foundation, and Inclusion Lethbridge. Her service reflects a strong commitment to community connection, inclusion, and supporting families.

In 2025, Pam was nominated for Council’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Encouraged by residents and motivated by a desire to serve the community, she ran for Council later that year. Pam is now serving her first term on Council and enjoys working alongside residents, staff, and fellow Council members to support Raymond’s future. She also serves on several Town committees and remains committed to helping the community thrive in meaningful and practical ways.

stewart@raymond.ca