Stephen Lockwood took over as board chair of Alberta Health Services, while Dr. Tony Fields was named chair of the Health Quality Council of Alberta.

Lockwood, a trucking company president who has been a board member since 2010, takes over from interim chair Catherine Roozen. Former chair Ken Hughes stepped down in late 2011.

Lockwood said he aims to achieve "total Albertan satisfaction" by empowering front-line workers and communities to have a bigger say in health care decisions.

"We're going to encourage decision-making at the most appropriate levels in the organization, whether that's by region, whether that's by a facility or whether that's in some other manner," he said.

The Calgary resident admitted he donated $1,500 to Hughes's campaign when Hughes successfully ran for MLA in Calgary-West in April.

He said that will not affect his ability to serve impartially, however, as he also donated a similar amount to Calgary-Hawkwood Wildrose Party candidate David Yager.

"I was a supporter of two parties in the last election, of equal amounts, and specific candidates," Lockwood said.

"I view myself as somewhat apolitical in that I don't vote for a party, I vote for people."

Field is an oncologist who was appointed to the Health Quality Council this year after retiring from his position as vice-president of cancer care with Alberta Health Services.

STEPHEN LOCKWOOD

• President and CEO of Mullen Group Ltd., a trucking and logistics company based in Okotoks
• Practised law with law firm Carscallen Lockwood LLP prior to 2004
• Previously served as Director of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada
• Joined Alberta Health Services board in November 2010

DR. TONY FIELDS

• Medical oncologist
• Member of the Order of Canada
• Joined University of Alberta faculty and Cross Cancer Institute medical staff in 1980
• Retired in 2011 from appointments as vice-president of Alberta Health Services - Cancer Care, as well as professor in University of Alberta's department of oncology