The Team

Tom Burns

Tom is a founding partner of Prismatic Group Inc. He began his career at the Alberta Government as a Transportation Planner with the Department of Transportation in 1975. He was appointed Executive Assistant to the Minister of Transportation in 1976 and worked in progressively more senior capacities at both the civil service and political levels, including Senior Director, Passenger Transportation Services with Alberta Economic Development and Director, Office of the Minister of Social Services.

His career with the Provincial Government culminated in a two-year assignment from 1991 to 1993 as the first Executive Program Coordinator with the innovative Action on Waste Program in Alberta Environment and Alberta Economic Development. He joined an international public affairs consulting firm in 1993 where he provided strategic government relations services to a variety of clients. He was Senior Vice President, Business Development and Client Services at the time he left to form Prismatic Group Inc. in August 2001.

At PGI, Tom specializes in government and stakeholder relations. Tom holds both a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Engineering degree from Carleton University in Ottawa.

Jim Dau

Jim is a founding partner of Prismatic Group Inc. After a distinguished career in journalism, he joined the Alberta Government where he worked in various capacities from 1981 to 1999, including Director of Communications at Alberta Environment from 1988 to 1992, Director of Communications, Office of the Premier from 1993 to 1998 and Executive Director, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs Bureau from 1998 to 1999 where his responsibilities included government-wide communications strategies.

He joined an international public affairs consulting firm in November 1999 and was Senior Counsel providing strategic communications advice to a wide variety of clients, when he left in August 2001 to form Prismatic Group Inc.

At PGI, Jim serves a wide variety of government relations clients and also specializes in issues management and strategic communications counsel and planning. Jim is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Alberta Emerald Foundation and is its Communications Chair. The Foundation is Alberta's premiere recognition program for environmental excellence.

Sheryl Burns

Sheryl is an Associate with PGI, having joined the firm in April 2006 after 25 years of provincial government service in several Ministers’ offices including - Solicitor General, Social Services & Community Health, and Environment.

Sheryl served as Director of Administration for Premier Klein and culminated her career as Director of Marketing and Promotions for the province’s successfully implemented 2005 Centennial celebrations. Prior to departing the Premier’s Office in 1998, Sheryl was the Chair of the Organizing Committee for the Western Premier’s Conference in Drumheller. She has coordinated the Community Champions Program for the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation, which included working with community partners, provincial government departments and municipal governments.

In 2009 Sheryl assisted the Alberta Association of Colleges and Technical Institutes (AACTI) by coordinating the Premier’s Golf Tournament; in 2008 and 2010 she coordinated the planning of the AACTI Boards of Governors’ Conference and PACE (Provincial Awards Celebrating Excellence) awards. In 2010, she assisted with the coordination of Honorary Patrons, corporate sponsorship and organizing a Silent Auction for 3rd Street Beat’s Corporate Hip Hop Challenge.

Sheryl volunteers in her community by serving on the Woodvale Parks & Playground Redevelopment Committee and serves as a volunteer for numerous political events. At PGI, Sheryl specializes in coordinating meetings with government officials for clients, event planning and coordination, community relations and client promotions.

Jillian Buchanan

Jillian is a Consultant with Prismatic Group Inc. Jillian joined the firm in March 2008, after several years of experience in marketing, promotions and event management. Jillian has had numerous volunteer positions within different organizations and is an active member of the community.

At PGI, Jillian headed the 2008 Recycling Promotions Team project, which was part of Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation’s province-wide initiative to get Albertans recycling. In 2010, Jillian coordinated the Corporate Dance Challenge for 3rd Street Beat (3SB), as well as their Red Carpet Event to promote Hip Hop for Hope.

Jillian is working towards completing a B.A. in Applied Communications through the University of Athabasca, and has completed studies in Public Relations and Journalism. At PGI, Jillian specializes in client promotions, event planning and in-house graphic design.

David Coutts

David was raised and educated in Fort Macleod, Alberta. He grew up working in the family restaurant and in 1977, expanded the operation to include a successful catering business. His involvement in regional economic development, local Chamber of Commerce and service organizations, was an introduction to provincial politics. In 1993, David was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Livingstone-Macleod.

In his 14 years as MLA, he served on many committees. His major accomplishments include initiating a Provincial Wind Power policy and implementation of the Provincial Special Places 2000 protected areas program. In 2001 David had the honour of being appointed to cabinet as Minister of Government Services. As Minister, his major accomplishments include development of Alberta’s secure drivers licence, Veterans Licence plates, and the Personal Information Protection Act. His next cabinet appointment was Minister of Sustainable Resource Development. In this position he initiated the Land Use Framework and was proactive in the protection of Alberta forests from the threat of pine beetle. In 2007 he chaired the Cabinet Policy Committee on Growth Pressures until his retirement in 2008.

David’s commitment to regional collaboration and dedication to cross-board initiatives began in 1993, when he was appointed to the Pacific Northwest Economic Region. He proudly served as the first elected Canadian President of that organization.

David and his wife Phyllis have two daughters and they now reside in Edmonton close to their four grandchildren. He now spends more time with family and manages his own consulting firm D.C. Connections.