Experienced Leader who Gets Results.
Accessible Listener.
Passionate about OUR Community.

FAMILY

We raised our two incredible children in this beautiful community.
Originally from just outside Edmonton, AB, Janet and I were high school sweethearts and we then married in 1989. In 1996 we felt drawn to the mountains and so we moved to Canmore. We raised our two incredible children in this beautiful community. Ben is now married to Sarah and they live in Saskatoon, SK. Jenna is a kinesiology student attending the University of Victoria. Our family has also grown to include Annika, originally a foreign exchange student who we “adopted”, and who now studies music at the University of Lethbridge. Our extended family is in Edmonton, AB; Calgary, AB; Kamloops, BC; Hamilton, ON; and Albuquerque, NM.

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Laws Degree

    1991 – 1994

    Faculty of Law, University of Alberta

  • Bachelor of Arts Degree

    1987 – 1991

    Political Science Major; History Minor Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta

Professional Development

  • Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Training

    2019

    Province of Alberta, Department of Municipal Affairs

  • Property Tax Assessment Review Board Training

    2013

    Province of Alberta, Department of Municipal Affairs

  • Project Management & Strategic Planning

    2001 (summer)

    University of Calgary International Centre

  • Conflict Resolution Training

    1997 – 1998

    Faculty of Continuing Education, University of Calgary

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    2020 – 2021

    Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
    Reporting to a Board of Directors, I direct the entire operations of this 35-year-old pan-Canadian not-for-profit organization advocating, communicating, and educating for suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, and life promotion in Canada.

  • CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    2017 – 2020

    Resolve Digital Health Inc.
    Oversaw all aspects of operations for this start-up tech company creating Health Canada certified smart medical devices.

  • TOWN COUNCILLOR*

    2012 – 2017

    Town of Canmore
    See “Council & Board Experience”
    ​*I made the difficult decision to not run for re-election in 2017 due to personal family circumstances at that time.

  • DEACON

    2010 – 2017

    St. Michael’s Anglican Church (Canmore)
    While an ordained deacon since 2003, for this period I was employed with St. Michael’s to advise with respect to social justice issues as well as create and operate programming.
    Programs that started during this time included Community Discussion on Poverty, Food & Friends Community Dinner, and Da Guys Breakfast.

  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    2008 – 2012

    Global WE Initiatives Corp.
    Co-owned this company, whose objective was to create awareness of, promote, and advocate social justice issues.

    • Feature Project – That Poverty Project July 2011 through June 2012
      I undertook a journey of self-sacrifice to gain insights into poverty while engaging people in a new way of thinking re poverty alleviation. 
      Awarded 2011 Peace Medal by YMCA Calgary.

    • Feature Project – Dirty Laundry Theatrical Production January 2010 through October 2011
      Director and producer of a one-woman play raising awareness about mental health issues.
      Multiple shows in varied locations in Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon.

  • DIRECTOR of OPERATIONS

    2000 – 2003

    K2 Developments Ltd. 
    Working in conjunction with the President of the company to develop a $135M resort, I coordinated operational components of the business (administration, construction, etc.).

  • INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    2000 – 2003

    CAUSE Canada
    Reporting directly to the Executive Director of this international relief and development organization, I supervised all programs implemented in West Africa and Central America. Responsibilities also included writing funding proposals and reporting to government/donors, budgeting, and writing organizational policies. Created and implemented “Peace Theatre” to teach conflict resolution skills to former child soldiers in Sierra Leone, West Africa.  I returned to CAUSE Canada on a part-time contract basis in 2005-2006 to design and implement CAUSE Kids – an inclusive program that supported children getting an education.

  • IMPROV ACTOR

    1997 – 2003

    The Flukes of Nature 
    A part-time semi-professional venture in providing comedy entertainment to conferences, restaurants, hostels, and other venues throughout the Bow Valley.

  • LAWYER

    1994 – 1998

    Gained experience and knowledge in multiple areas of legal practice, including civil litigation, contract law, insurance law, corporate law, real estate, and wills and estates.

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