His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison was first elected to City Council in 1994 and served as councillor up to his election as Mayor in 2003.  He was re-elected as Mayor in 2006 and again in 2009.

Growing up in Saskatoon, "Atch" was involved in a variety of activities including church and school groups, piano lessons and volunteer work with his family.  Most of all, he loved sports, where his talent as a hockey goaltender led to playing in the professional leagues.  After hockey, he returned to Saskatoon and his family's retail business.  He and his wife Mardele raised their five children in Saskatoon, carrying on the values of their parents and community.

Mayor Atchison believes family and teamwork are essential principles in his role as Mayor of Saskatoon.  He strives to see all sides of the issues, to work in partnership to create the greatest benefit for all citizens of Saskatoon.  Complementing this is the Mayor's business sense, the realization that to progress, decisions have to be made and action taken.  Mayor Atchison's leadership philosophy is evident in major projects which involved the City, both school boards, different levels of government, volunteer groups and corporate donors.  Two nationally and internationally renowned examples are the Shaw Centre and the SaskTel Sports Centre.  In addition, after decades of study and debate, River Landing, Saskatoon's signature downtown development, is under way.

In recognition of his work, Mayor Atchison has received a number of honours, including being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International; the Medal of Merit by the International Association of Lions Clubs; the Consumer Choice Man of the Year Award; and the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance President's Award for Public Sector Supporter.