The Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society is a non-profit, charitable organization. Since 1993, our Cooperating Society has been supporting scientific, educational, exhibit, and local community initiatives. Through the management of the Museum Shop, donations, and memberships, the Society plays a key role in helping the Museum achieve its mandate.
To request financial statements, email bookkeeping@tyrrellmuseum.ca.
Staff and Board of Directors
Executive Director
Patty Ralrick
Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Patty has worked in bookkeeping and accounting for roughly 30 years. She holds a B.Sc. in Geology (Montana State University at Bozeman) and an M.Sc. in Vertebrate Palaeontology (University of Calgary).
Patty joined the Cooperating Society as the part-time administrative assistant in 2014 and worked her way up to being the Executive Director. During that time, she completed a certificate in Non-Profit Management through Mount Royal University.
Patty finds it rewarding to support palaeontology through her work with the Cooperating Society, which provides funding for the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s research initiatives, educational offerings, and exhibits.
Chairperson
Bridget Unland
Bridget grew up in the area of Vegreville, AB. She moved to Drumheller to pursue work opportunities. Her family’s love of dinosaurs was one reason she became involved with the Cooperating Society.
Bridget has held various roles on the Board of Directors since 2010, including Chairperson since 2016. During her time on the Board, the Society has supported Museum improvements such as the Learning Centre expansion, several exhibit projects, Museum Shop renovations, plaza enhancements, and many other necessary upgrades. She looks forward to expanding the Society’s ability to support the Museum by broadening and strengthening its network and expanding its abilities.
Vice Chairperson
Summer Manca
Summer grew up in Abbotsford, BC, and relocated to Drumheller in 2011. She enjoys living and working in the beautiful Drumheller Valley with her husband and two teenage children.
Summer works with her husband Greg as the franchisees of the Drumheller and Stettler McDonald’s locations. Prior to her current role in the business as administrator and community liaison, she was an office manager at a law office for 12 years.
Before joining the Cooperating Society Board of Directors in 2018, she sat on Drumheller’s Economic Development Task Force for six years—the last two as Chairperson.
Past Chairperson
Elaine Piwin
Elaine lives in the Handhills, where she farms with her husband. She worked for Royal Trust/Royal Bank in various positions for 35 years, retiring as Drumheller Branch Manager in 2016. Elaine enjoys her garden and flowers and the quiet of farm living. She also enjoys many crafts, but her passion is quilting.
Elaine joined the Board of Directors in 2005 to network and give back to the community. She held several Executive positions, including Chairperson for three years. She has appreciated learning about the important part the Museum plays and being involved in all that it offers to the community.
Treasurer
Marty Eberth
Marty worked in advertising and marketing for 45 years before retiring in 2021. She started in advertising as a copywriter and then was Creative Director for several Red Deer radio stations. Throughout her career, Marty helped businesses and individuals improve through training and one-on-one coaching. In her 16 years with Travel Alberta, she led a team of passionate people whose focus was working with tourism businesses to develop engaging and authentic experiences.
From 1991 to 2005, Marty managed marketing and community/media relations at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. She joined the Society Board of Directors in 2021 and is excited to be supporting the Museum again.
Secretary
Ed Mah
Ed has been on the Cooperating Society Board of Directors since 2013. He has lived in the Drumheller Valley for the last 20 years. Ed has enjoyed being able to give his time to this and other boards in the community. He is a critical thinker with a varied background ranging from commercial pilot, to working in advertising and in supply management, to his current role as a small business owner.
Director
Penny Dekeyser
Penny worked in many areas of the Museum for 18 years, including admissions, the program desk, Museum Shop, and reception. As front end supervisor, she oversaw admissions, program desk, and gift shop staff. She was the Society’s administrative assistant, then Manager for five years, before retiring in 2012.
Penny has served on the Board since 2012 as a director, with terms as Treasurer and Vice Chairperson. She has also volunteered and served on executive committees for the Verdant Valley Women’s Institute, Verdant Valley Home & School Association, Verdant Valley Ag Society, DARTS, Badlands Bingo Association, and as a 4H Beef Club Leader.
Director
Guss Nash
Guss is from Carbon, AB, and enjoys giving back to the community. He spent 19.5 years on the Carbon Village Council. He was a Founding Director for the Bow River Conservative Association, and the UCP Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Riding Association. Guss earned his Power Engineering Gas Process Operations Level 1 certificate from SAIT and spent 30 years working at the ATCO Natural Gas Storage Facility.
Guss joined the Cooperating Society’s Board of Directors in 2018. He enjoys contributing toward helping the Royal Tyrrell Museum thrive because it is such a plus for Drumheller and region.
General Inquiries About the Cooperating Society
In Drumheller
403-821-2117
Toll-free in Alberta
310-0000 then (403) 821-2117
Toll-free in North America (outside Alberta)
1-888-440-4240 then (403) 821-2117
Outside North America
1-403-821-2117