Board of Director Profiles

Rajinder Uppal
Board Position:	President
Board Member Since:	September 21, 2014

Raj has been involved with CUSA as a player and coach for the past 28 years.  During that time Raj has managed both club teams and independent teams and appreciates the challenges faced by both.  In addition, Raj is also an active referee and a coach in minor soccer where he enjoys passing on his passion for the game to the kids.  Raj is also a member of the Alberta Soccer Association's Finance Committee.  Raj first joined the CUSA board in 2014.  His varied background provides keen insight into issues facing CUSA and its members.  Raj is a strong believer in giving back to the community and ensuring that soccer is an inclusive sport for all.

In his professional career, Raj is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has worked in various accounting roles throughout his career.

John is a dedicated finance professional and athlete.

John’s career in the investment industry has spanned from investment banking to asset management in the real estate and oil & gas sectors. John is currently a Partner, CEO and Portfolio Manager with ICM Asset Management, a Calgary based investment management firm. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

John is an avid soccer player and has been a registered CUSA player for over two decades.  While in university, he spent 4 years as a member of the U of C Dinosaurs team.  John has cross-country skied at a national and international level while racing for the National Team Development Centre.

In addition to his professional and athletic endeavors, John spent 2 years as a Director of the South Calgary Community Centre.  

Peter Newman
Board Position:	2nd Vice President
Board Member Since:	March 29, 2016

Peter was a player within Calgary United Soccer until an injury brought his retirement.  As an avid soccer supporter, he wanted to continue his involvement with the game and was appointed to the CUSA Board in March of 2016.

Peter is Supervisor, Commercial Services - Natural Gas Liquids for Pembina Pipeline Corporation and previously worked at Borden Ladner Gervais as a corporate and securities lawyer. Peter is experienced in corporate law practice and has helped numerous not-for-profit clients.  

Joshua Doiron
Board Position:	Treasurer
Board Member Since:	June 20, 2023

Joshua grew up in Calgary and has been a CUSA member for over 18 years. He has experienced playing and coaching for many different clubs across the city. Josh graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a major in geology from Mount Royal University. During his time there he also played for the Mount Royal Cougars Men’s Soccer team.  Joshua is currently a licensed Mortgage Broker for First Avenue Financial and currently sits on the Board for CJSC and the Mount Royal Soccer Alumni Association. Although his ability to play at a high level of football has since passed, his commitment to growing the sport and its culture in this city is still something he feels very passionate about.

Ben Tantram
Board Position:	Director
Board Member Since:	October 28, 2020

Ben Tantram is a leader in the business consulting industry working for one of North America's leading consulting organizations.  He has experience in all areas of business administration, project management and leadership.

One of Ben's passions is football.  Playing at University and semi professional levels in the UK. He has been a member of CUSA since 2006 representing Calgary major and master’s teams at provincial level.

Giovanni Audia
Board Position:	Director
Board Member Since:	June 22, 2022

John is a long-time player with CUSA and in the past has helped manage teams as well.  John is very passionate about the sport and is excited about the opportunity to give back to the soccer community.   He believes that having fresh new ideas is a positive move forward but always remembering and respecting the past influence. He is looking forward to making a positive impact on the development of the game and the standards for everyone involved in the sport.

Professionally, John has extensive experience in facilities as a project manager.  Currently he is the Manager, Capital Projects at a non-profit organization that has more than 25 properties.

Corrine Palmer
Board Position:	Director
Board Member Since:	June 22, 2022

Results-orientated professional consistently demonstrating adaptability to business challenges. Over ten years in customer service, management and sales roles in retail settings resulting in a diverse skill set that can be applied to any business setting.

Avid learner with strong communication, interpersonal and analytical skills, combined with the ability to work efficiently independently and in collaboration. Provides excellent client service and conflict resolution through effective relationship building. 

Megan Kossowan
Board Position:	Director
Board Member Since:	September 23, 2012

Megan is a born and raised Calgarian playing with Fish Creek and Calgary Foothills through minor soccer. She had the privilege of playing varsity soccer with the University of Calgary.  I played several years in Major league and currently play in Classic Majors with Alliance in Calgary Women's Association.  

Mwandibhuya (Kennedy) Mutepfa
Board Position:	Director
Board Member Since:	October 25, 2017

Kennedy is a former ZIFA Board Member (Zimbabwe Football Association) and former Secretary General of the Premier Soccer League who was appointed to the CUSA Board in 2017 to fill a vacancy.  His passion for the game is second to none.  He has prior experience in creating sponsorship opportunities for tournaments and special events to come to fruition. Kennedy is also a former National Tournament Director for the Arenel NASH U 17 boys’ soccer and General manager for The Midlands Province for the national Youth games in Zimbabwe. He is looking forward to continuing promoting Calgary community integration and diversity through soccer.

In addition to his passion for the sport of soccer Kennedy runs his own cleaning business, a holder of a Diploma in Business and Digital Marketing Management, a certificate in High level Football Administration (Confederation of African Football CAF) and has been working toward his Chartered Accountant Certification. Kennedy is also studying towards the qualification of Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) 5/24, University of Fredericton, New Brunswick. 

Bryan Railton
Board Position:	Director
Board Member Since:	October 28, 2020

Born and raised in Calgary, I started playing soccer in Silver Springs through the community program. I then moved to Blizzard’s soccer as soon as age permitted. I have continually played in Calgary for the last 25 years, including minor, men’s and coed.  I have been a member of the Coed league since 2002, playing with multiple teams over the years.

On a professional level, I am a Sales Manager for a Luxury Automotive Brand, having built my career on relationships and networking, knowing that the connection to the people and understanding their needs is key to success. It is my belief that strong and consistent process help create dependable transparency, forge long lasting results and foster a keen sense of community. 

Over the last several terms with CUSA I have been heavily involved in our strategy plans, developing, and continuing our program growth, and offering ideas to help support the betterment of our community through empathy, equity, and inclusion. Through my background and experience I hope to continue to bring a people first perspective to the board and to not settle for “the way we have always done it” unless it is well justified and supported.

Tayfun Zehir
Board Position:	Director
Board Member Since:	September 27, 2015

Ty's playing experience started when growing up in Europe playing for youth select, amateur and University soccer programs. After moving to Canada in 1978, he has played and coached soccer at premier levels of CMSA as well as CUSA. Ty coached at Shawnee Soccer and was one of the founding members of the South West United (SWU) Soccer Club. He has coached Premier level Boys and Girls teams and served as a Technical Member of the SWU Soccer Club. He has conducted Community Coach Training as well as Soccer Academy sessions and written Training Manuals for coaching SWU Youth Soccer Programs. Ty is currently working with the CUSA Chinook Raiders Men's Team and has also refereed several years in CMSA and CUSA leagues as an Alberta District Soccer Referee.

Ty is married with two children. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering and is an active Professional Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). He is currently employed as President and CEO of Tycore International Ltd., a global Engineering and Marketing Consulting Firm located in Calgary.

Francisco Alaniz Uribe
Board Position:	Director
Board Member Since:	October 28, 2020

Francisco has been an active member of CUSA since 2004 when he arrived in Calgary from Monterrey, Mexico. For the past ten years he has been a manager-coach-player for Avalanche FC, a small club with over 20 years of continuous participation in our leagues. Within our Association he has volunteered as part of CUSA’s Disciplinary Committee. He is an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at the University of Calgary where he also holds a position at the University’s Appeals Committee, the disciplinary body for academic matters. With a background of practicing as an architect in Mexico he now consults, teaches, and conducts research in urban design and planning.

I have been enjoying the work of many CUSA volunteers before me for the past 16 years since I arrived in Calgary. I believe this is my opportunity to contribute and give back to this amazing soccer-loving community. Trying to improve the experience and facilitate the enjoyment of our game.