Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been Canada’s monarch since she ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom in 1952, being crowned on 2 June. In 1981, Her Majesty consented to become Colonel-in-Chief of The Calgary Highlanders. She received regular reports from the Regiment on its activities, and visited Calgary for a final time in June 1990.

The Regiment received a new Queen’s Colour from Her Majesty while parading before her with the King’s Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC). The Calgary Highlanders were one of the last Canadian infantry regiments to replace the Union Jack with the new flag of Canada. A new Colonel-in-Chief for the Calgary Highlanders has yet to be named.

From the Canadian Heritage Site:

“When the regiments of the British and Canadian Armies were first formed, many had a royal patron who agreed to become the ceremonial commander of the unit or its “Colonel-in-Chief.” Perhaps foremost among the reasons for such patronage was the desire to reinforce, within the ranks of the regiment, a loyalty to the Crown through this personal relationship with a member of the Royal Family. The Colonel-in-Chief remains in close contact with his/her regiment and takes a very personal ongoing interest in its well being and that of its members. One of the most colourful and significant moments in the life of a regiment is when its Colonel-in-Chief presents new colours: a flag bearing the insignia of the Colonel-in-Chief, the regiment and, oftentimes, its battle honours). Old colours are retired and given a place of honour as the new colours are first presented and marched past the members of the regiment.”

Honorary Colonel Parker was born in Toronto, Ontario and raised in Calgary, Alberta.

Brian Parker graduated from Athabasca University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1992 and began his career in the investment business.  He is currently Chairman and CEO of Acumen Capital Partners, a role he has filled since 2005.  Acumen is a full-service brokerage firm that specializes in Canadian growth companies.

Acumen, under HCol Parker, has consistently contributed at least 1% of all profits to support community initiatives, especially those that support children’s charities. In addition, Acumen periodically donates a day of commissions to support worthy causes, such as the Military Families Fund, or the victims of the Fort MacMurray fires.

He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Calgary Highlanders in June of 2024 and fills his spare time with family, cycling and travel.

Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp was born and raised in Calgary Alberta.  Following high school LCol Beauchamp studied Business Administration at Mount Royal College and in the spring of 2000 he joined The Calgary Highlanders as an Infantry Officer.  In September 2004 LCol Beauchamp moved to Lethbridge where he studied Human Resources and Labour Relations Management at the University of Lethbridge.  While attending school in Lethbridge LCol Beauchamp was attached to 18th Air Defence Regiment RCA where he was a Troop Commander and Course Officer.  In 2006 LCol Beauchamp graduated from the University of Lethbridge and returned to The Calgary Highlanders where he was employed as a Rifle Platoon Commander.

From February to October 2008, Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp deployed to Kandahar Afghanistan as a Platoon Commander.  While in Afghanistan Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp’s platoon split their time between protecting resupply convoys moving throughout Kandahar Province and providing security at Kandahar Air Field’s primary entry point.  These tasks allowed Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp to witness the diverse geography of Kandahar province while also interacting with the people of Afghanistan. Since returning from Afghanistan Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp has continued his military service with The Calgary Highlanders.  This included participating in the military response to Calgary’s 2013 flood.  Outside the military, Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp is employed as a Human Resources Team Lead by Alberta Health Services.

In his spare time, Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp is pursuing a Masters’s of Public Administration and enjoys being active in the outdoors with his daughters.

He was promoted to his current rank and appointed as the Commanding Officer on 06 June 2021.

CWO Klein was born and raised in west central Alberta.  He moved to Calgary in 1989 and attended the University of Calgary, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree (Political Science/History).  CWO Klein joined the Calgary Highlanders as a private soldier in 1994 and rose through the ranks to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer and the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major.

Serving in the Canadian Armed Forces since 1994, CWO Klein has been employed primarily with the Calgary Highlanders (where he filled all the NCM roles within the Rifle Company), but has also worked outside the Regiment on multiple occasions.  From 2003 to 2008, he was employed as a CIMIC Operator within 3^rd Canadian Division (then LFWA) and from 2019 – 2021 was employed as a Company Sergeant Major with 41 Service Battalion in Calgary.

Within his military career, he was attached as a Private to 2 PPCLI for a deployment to the Former Yugoslavia in 1995/1996 (unfortunately 2 PPCLI’s deployment was cancelled shortly prior to departure) and to 1 CER for deployment as a Sergeant to Kandahar, Afghanistan as a CIMIC Operator within the Provincial Reconstruction Team.  CWO Klein was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and appointed as Regimental Sergeant Major in May 2023.

In his civilian career, CWO Klein was employed in a variety of procurement and information technology roles within the energy sector from 1997 to 2017.  He attended SAIT in fall 2024 and earned the Professional Remotely Piloted Systems certificate.  He is currently a highly engaged Class A soldier and is shifting careers from a stay-at-home parent into the aviation industry working with remotely piloted aircraft.

CWO Klein is married and lives in Calgary with his family.  His hobbies include alpine skiing, cycling, camping, and all the other usual activities dictated by young children.

Major Andrew Pittet is the Deputy Commanding Officer of The Calgary Highlanders. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2004 and is a graduate of The Royal Military College of Canada, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a Master in Business Administration. He commissioned as an Infantry Officer and has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Platoon Commander, Company Second-in-Command, Operations Officer and Company Commander. Major Pittet participated in several domestic operations, including providing security for the G8/G20 summit and the Calgary flood response.  Outside the military, Major Pittet is married and has a young son. He enjoys reading, fitness and is a challenged but enthusiastic fly fisher.

Captain McKenty attended high school in Moose Jaw, SK. He attended Mount Royal College (Varsity Cross-Country team) and the University of Calgary. He obtained his Master of Education degree (Leadership and Admin) from Saint Francis Xavier University.

His first engagement in the Canadian Armed Forces began as a recruit with the SYEP program (Saskatchewan Dragoons) in Moose Jaw, SK. He joined the Regular Force as an army medic, completed basic training at CFB Cornwallis and he posted to 1 Field Ambulance at CFB Calgary. He was deployed to West Germany for one of the last major exercises at the cessation of the Cold War. Capt. McKenty transferred to the Army Primary Reserve (15 Medical Company-Det Calgary), completed the Combat Leaders Course at Camp Wainwright and was subsequently promoted to Master Corporal. He attended BOTC 1 at BFC St. Jean, BOTC 2 at NAVRES HQ and MARS 2 at CFB Esquimalt. He released to accept a position at an international school in Switzerland. He reenrolled (for the last time!) into the CAF as a Signals Officer with 41 Sig Regt. Capt. McKenty completed The Reserve Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Course at the Defence Public Affairs Learning Centre in Gatineau, Québec. He deployed to Newfoundland as the PAO for the Bell Island Wrecks Maritime Explosive Demolition Clearance Project. He also deployed to Latvia with eFP BG 2202 (enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group).

Capt. McKenty enjoys cross-country skiing, rucking and running (on occasion ultra trail races).

41 CBG Chaplain, 3 Canadian Division

Padre, The Calgary Highlanders

Canadian Armed Forces.

KENNETH.NETTLETON@forces.gc.ca

Cell: 250-732-7474

Sgt. Andress was born in Elliot Lake, ON. He began his musical training in the cadet program, attending the Cadet Leader Pipe and Drums course at Camp Ipperwash in 1992 and competed in local highland games after moving to Saskatchewan.

After taking a break from musical training to complete a B.A.Sc in Electronic Systems Engineering from the University of Regina. Sgt Andress moved to Calgary and joined the pipes and drums as an associate member in the fall of 2003.  In October 2006, Sgt Andress enrolled into the CAF as a Pipe and Drums Musician.

Within the band, Sgt Andress has been employed as the band clerk, webmaster, quartermaster, midsection lead (2010-2019), Drum sergeant (2019-2022).

Sgt Andress was appointed the Drum Major as part of the pipes and drums 100th anniversary concert on August 6th 2022.  He was promoted to his current rank in September 2023.

Career highlights so far have included Performing at the Edinburgh International Military Tattoo in 2012, being in the first full Ceremonial Guard Pipe band in 2008, Edmonton Centennial Tattoo, organizing the Pipes and Drums 100th Anniversary Concert.

Sgt. Zachary Dwyer was born in Fredericton, NB. He began his musical training with the 177 Air Cadets in Winnipeg, MB, before enrolling in the CAF as a Weapons Technician in Saint John, NB in 2009.

Moving to Ottawa to complete a BSc, MSc, and PhD in Neuroscience at Carleton University, Sgt. Dwyer transferred as a piper to the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. Sgt. Dwyer served with the Cameron’s for 10 years supporting a wide variety of CAF taskings including tattoo’s in Kingston, Jamaica and Hamilton, Bermuda. During this time Sgt. Dwyer also played with the Royal Canadian Air Force pipes & drums and was a founding member of the Ottawa Highlanders overall securing three North American Pipe Band Championships.

In 2019 Sgt. Dwyer transferred to the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders and attach posted with 1 Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Base Gagetown pipes & drums while completing a medical doctorate at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 2023 Sgt. Dwyer transferred to the Calgary Highlanders while completing a residency in Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Calgary.

Career highlights so far have included playing at the National Day of Honour, representing the SD&G Highlanders at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and playing for the final OP ATHENA and OP ATTENTION return flights. Sgt. Dwyer was appointed Pipe Major on October 30th, 2024, during the Calgary Highlanders commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Walcheren Causeway. Sgt. Dwyer takes over from Bill O’Neill who held the position for the previous five years.