PRIORITIES
Leader Empowerment -- Ensure Local and Component leaders are active in change initiatives. Have information come from leaders within the local to connect these leaders with their members.
Communication/Campaigning -- Empower members and staff to build campaigns that promote the MGEU as a whole and not just specific sectors or individual leaders.
Member Engagement -- Find new and innovative ways to contact and engage with the rank and file members through modern technologies.
Intelligent Leadership -- Ensure as leader I take ownership of ALL the decisions that are made. Make decisions on facts and information and ensure the decisions benefit the MGEU membership and not myself as leader.
About Me
I have been active in the union movement my whole working life. This started when I was 18 at my first full time job at Premier Horticulture, we were a UFCW832 local. After working there some time I was encouraged to put my name forward as a Steward and haven't looked back since.
I am committed to serving the MGEU members to the best of my abilities. I will work with the other elected officials to improve our great union by listening to members and promoting initiatives that make the MGEU the best union to be a member of. I’ll champion as the voice of our members to help drive positive growth through tough conversations and big decisions. It’s important that we all have pride in being a union member and that we help drive that excitement to others to create growth in our membership, union contracts and our ability to challenge employers.
If you want to learn more about what I'm about but don't want to contact me directly please click on the Facebook button and see my wall.
I've been a MGEU member since January 2008 working at Manitoba Public Insurance, I was an Application Services Team Lead leading a team of developers and Area 7 local president. I sat as the Component Director for MPI on the MGEU board of directors and have been an active member of my local since 2012 holding various positions within the local and the component. While in these roles I've been a strong advocate for our members rights ensuring that we hold management accountable. The last 2 years as president have been so empowering watching our union grow into it's potential.
If my life experience has taught me anything it's that you can't help or understand anyone if you don't take the time to listen. Many of our leaders spend their time waiting for their turn to talk not actually listening. I can promise you that if you take the time to reach out to me I will take the time to listen and understand your perspective, experience and recommendations in an effort to work collaboratively with you.
Leadership Experience
I first became a MGEU Steward at MPI April 26,2011 and have been an elected member of the MPI component since Oct 21, 2012. I was elected to the MGEU Board of Directors to represent the members of MPI in 2016. This past term I put my name forward and was elected the chair of the Tech Change committee. I was also selected by the MGEU provincial officers to sit on the Risk and Strategy Committee .
In my comunity I am vice president of the Dugald Community Club where I help make financial decisions for the club and plan both the summer and winter events and tournament fundraisers for the club. In the winter I also volunteer my time maintaining the community outdoor rink. I am also president of the SMOL, an 18 team mixed softball league, where I manage the scheduling, finances and issues for the operations of the league.
Education
Graduated from Ste. Anne Collegiate in 1998.
Graduated from Red River College with a Computer Analyst\Programmer diploma in 2007.
Completion of many MGEU courses to list here.
Work Experience
I worked for 8 years out of high school at Premier Horticulture where I ran all types of heavy equipment. While working at Premier I was a shop steward and worked actively with and against management to resolve the various issues that arose. While getting my CA\P diploma at Red River College I worked for a summer at Borland Construction's pit operating a crusher and other heavy equipment. This year marks my 14th anniversary at Manitoba Public Insurance where I am a Application Services Team Lead, Component Director, and Local President. As a Team Lead I am the leader of a small team of developers. I am tasked with working with the various business departments developing complex solutions that are then implemented by my team of developers. As Local President and component director I am often found in situations where I have to use my negotiating tools and experience to work with management to find a solution that considers all impacted parties. I was elected MGEU President in Oct 2021, in that role I am the chair of the MGEU board of directors and and sit on many other boards including MASH+, NUPGE, MCHCU and the MFL.
Other Information
I have a rental property that I have self managed for the last 15 years. My tenants say I'm the best landlord they've ever had, I just try to be fair and treat them as I would expect to be treated. I'm also an avid softball player and hockey player, I have ran teams, leagues and tournaments. In between all these other things I also enjoy working with my hands here are some of my more recent projects: Projects Album
My Play Store App
In my Spare time I have created an android app called MyMGEU to help our activists and members be able to connect with their elected officials. All information in the app is from the MGEU website but the app is in no way affiliated with the MGEU.
Please click on the button and use the app, its a work in progress and I would appreciate any feedback to improve the app.
