An oil painter and basketball coach says he hopes to bring his business expertise to the St. Albert’s Catholic school board this fall as a trustee.
Brian Mendieta is running in Ward 1 (St. Albert) for the 2025 Greater St. Albert Catholic School trustee election.
Coming from a Métis family with deep roots in St. Albert, Mendieta said he is a graduate of St. Albert Catholic High and an alumnus of École Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d’Youville, École Marie Poburan (now Sacré Coeur), and Father Jan (now closed). He and his wife have three daughters attending GSACRD schools and many friends and family members who work in the district.
“I have a patriotic love for GSACRD schools and want to see them continue in great success,” he said.
Mendieta has started and sold several businesses (including City Life Farm) and currently works as an oil painter inspired by French Canadian artist Jean-Paul Riopelle.
“I have almost 20 years of experience in business and running businesses,” he said, and hopes to use that experience to fight for appropriate funds for education as a trustee.
Mendieta said he hopes to expand the district’s Francophone education program if elected, and believes everyone should be able to speak French and English. He also hopes to expand the district’s sports academy, which his three daughters were enroled in, as it bolsters teamwork and inter-grade bonding.
“I’m a huge promoter of athletics in school,” he said, adding that he was head coach of the senior boys’ basketball team at Richard S. Fowler Catholic and a former U16 minor football coach.
Mendieta said much of his energy as trustee would be spent standing up for teachers and finding new sources of revenue for schools. This could include support from the Catholic church or private companies, as is common in some private American schools.
He also hopes to draw more families to GSACRD by improving school infrastructure and establishing a new esports program.
Mendieta is a volunteer with the Knights of Columbus and has previously volunteered with the Special Olympics.
The GSACRD trustee election is Oct. 20. Seven seats are up for grabs — five for Ward 1 (St. Albert) and two for Ward 2 (Morinville, Legal, Bon Accord). Visit www.gsacrd.ab.ca/trustees/2025-trustee-election-information-for-candidates for a list of registered candidates.
