Alana DeLong

Infobox_Politician


imagesize = 150px
name = Alana DeLong
small|caption =
birth_place = Nelson, British Columbia
residence = Calgary, Alberta
office = MLA for Calgary-Bow
term_start = March 15, 2001
term_end =
predecessor = Bonnie Laing
successor = incumbent
party = Progressive Conservative
alma_mater = University of British Columbia
University of Calgary
religion =
spouse = Dennis Beck
children = Samantha and James
website = http://www.alanadelong.com

Alana DeLong (born in Nelson, British Columbia) is a Canadian politician and current Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta representing the constituency of Calgary-Bow as a Progressive Conservative. She was first elected in 2001 and reelected in both the 2004 and 2008 Alberta provincial elections.

Early life

DeLong was born in Nelson, British Columbia. She graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics (honours) with a drama minor before going on to complete courses toward a Masters of Computer Science degree at the University of Calgary. With more than 20 years experience in the information technology industry, DeLong has worked with many leading computer companies in Calgary including Sterlingrock Systems Incorporated where she served as President and Sperry Univac where she worked as their first computer mainframe salesman. DeLong also holds the distinction of being the first female marketing manager with General Electric in Canada.

DeLong has long been an active community member. She served as president of Tuesday Nooners Toastmasters and extensively campaigned for the Cancer Fund, the Heart and Stroke Fund, the Canadian Red Cross Society, Flowers of Hope, and a number of municipal, provincial, and federal elections. DeLong has also drawn on her background in drama as an actress with Theatre Calgary, host of a television ski program, and singer with the Calgary Opera Chorus.cite web|url=http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=24|title=DeLong's Legislative Assembly of Alberta biography]

Political life

DeLong first sought public office in the 2001 provincial election in the constituency of Calgary-Bow. In that election, DeLong received 64% of the vote. She was subsequently reelected in 2004 with a share of 48% and again in 2008 when she earned 45% of the vote.

DeLong intended to run as a candidate in the 2006 Progressive Conservative Leadership convention but decided against seeking the position prior to the nomination deadline. Up until the point of her departure from the race, she was the only female seeking the leadership. [cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2006/10/11/delong-out.html|publisher=CBC News|title=DeLong pulls out of Tory leadership race.|accessdate=2006-10-11]

In addition to her role as an MLA, DeLong has been a member of a number of committees. She has served in the role of chair of the Standing Committee on Private Bills, the Nomination Review Committee of the Ministers Seniors Service Awards, and of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and SuperNet Committee, as well as the position of vice-chair of the Official Song Committee. DeLong has also served on the Regulatory Review Steering Committee, the Provincial Archives of Alberta Advisory Board, the Cabinet Policy Committee on Government Services, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Committee, the Standing Policy Committee on Justice and Government Services, and the Standing Policy Committee on Law and Regulations and Public Accounts. As well, she has served as a member of a number of MLA Review Committees, including the MLA Committee to Review the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Program, the MLA Committee to Review Low-Income Programs in Alberta, the MLA Committee to Review Marketing Tourism, the MLA Committee to Review Freedom of Information Practices, and the MLA Committee to Review the Select Conflicts of Interest Act.

Currently, DeLong serves as a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services, the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing, and the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. She also serves as Co-chair of the Alberta Life Sciences Institute (ALSI) Board.

Personal life

DeLong is married to Dennis Beck. The couple has two grown children together, Samantha and James. She has lived in the community of Bowness for more than 30 years and designed the log home she lives in with her family. DeLong is also a nature enthusiast; she has taken in the views from several of Alberta's mountains and has canoed along most of southern Alberta's rivers.cite web|url=http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=24|title=DeLong's Legislative Assembly of Alberta biography]

Election results

External links

* [http://www.alanadelong.com Alana DeLong's web page]

References