I grew up in Wymark, Saskatchewan, a hamlet similar to Mountain Grove in size and history. My family moved there in 1966 when I was 5 years old. There were 5 grain elevators, 2 small general stores, a hardware store, a lumber yard, a school, a church and a post office. All that remains are the school and the post office. After high school, I worked for 3 years with the Saskatchewan Department of Highways as a surveyor where I learned the nuts and bolts of road construction. Then I went to the University of Regina and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology (Honours) and Philosophy. (Yes, at one time, I did have hair.) After graduation, I moved to Montreal and began work at Inspec-Sol, an engineering consulting company. My job was as a lab technician checking the quality of asphalt, concrete and gravel which were used in road and bridge construction. My specialty was deconstructing asphalt to ensure that suppliers were formulating the asphalt correctly. I have a good knowledge of how roads are built and the importance of using quality materials in their construction. While working at Inspec-Sol, I acquired a Masters degree in Philosophy from Concordia University in Montreal. In the late-80’s, I was invited to visit a friend’s vacation house just outside Mountain Grove. The “vacation house” was an 80 year old farmhouse. I fell in love with the locale and soon was spending my vacations and weekends in the old farmhouse on McLean Road. In the mid-90’s, I moved into the farmhouse to participate in the process of building Sumac Centre. In 1997, I temporarily moved to Japan to work as an English teacher. I started as an employee but soon established my own English instruction company. While in Japan, I married Naomi Ono and our 2 children were born there. I lived in Japan for 12 years (10 years longer than I had planned). While there, I founded the Tsukuba International Drama Festival and managed it for two years. I also was an Executive Committee member for the Tsukuba Walking and Mountaineering Club. I organized hiking trips into the mountains of Japan. However, I always knew that I was coming back to Mountain Grove to continue the work at Sumac Centre. I returned with my family in 2009. Currently, I am the Associate Director of Sumac Centre, a conference centre just south of Mountain Grove that specializes in providing a wilderness setting for a variety of groups. I am involved in all aspects of the business, including business planning, marketing, customer service and workshop development. I also have a small side business teaching English through the internet. This business requires stable high speed internet access. It has been a great challenge getting that kind of service. This experience has taught me the need for reliable internet service for anyone wanting to start a business based on the internet. For 10 years, I drove school bus to our local schools. Currently, I work part time as a Direct Support Professional with Community Living - North Frontenac. My business experiences in Japan and with Sumac Centre and my side business have given me an understanding of the complexities of management and the needs of small businesses that hope to establish themselves here. Growing up in a rural community, learning about road construction in my jobs, driving school bus, and supporting individuals with disabilities help me to understand some of the challenges that face small communities. Our school is important. Our roads are important. I am committed to this community. After living in a number of other places in the world, I have deliberately chosen to settle here. I am here because I want to be here. I am running for Township Council because I believe that my skills and experience can help to make this into an even better community.

I grew up in Wymark, Saskatchewan, a hamlet similar to Mountain Grove in size and history. My family moved there in 1966 when I was 5 years old. There were 5 grain elevators, 2 small general stores, a hardware store, a lumber yard, a school, a church and a post office. All that remains are the school and the post office.

After high school, I worked for 3 years with the Saskatchewan Department of Highways as a surveyor where I learned the nuts and bolts of road construction. Then I went to the University of Regina and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology (Honours) and Philosophy. (Yes, at one time, I did have hair.)

After graduation, I moved to Montreal and began work at Inspec-Sol, an engineering consulting company. My job was as a lab technician checking the quality of asphalt, concrete and gravel which were used in road and bridge construction. My specialty was deconstructing asphalt to ensure that suppliers were formulating the asphalt correctly. I have a good knowledge of how roads are built and the importance of using quality materials in their construction.

While working at Inspec-Sol, I acquired a Masters degree in Philosophy from Concordia University in Montreal.

In the late-80’s, I was invited to visit a friend’s vacation house just outside Mountain Grove. The “vacation house” was an 80 year old farmhouse. I fell in love with the locale and soon was spending my vacations and weekends in the old farmhouse on McLean Road. In the mid-90’s, I moved into the farmhouse to participate in the process of building Sumac Centre.

In 1997, I temporarily moved to Japan to work as an English teacher. I started as an employee but soon established my own English instruction company. While in Japan, I married Naomi Ono and our 2 children were born there. I lived in Japan for 12 years (10 years longer than I had planned).

While there, I founded the Tsukuba International Drama Festival and managed it for two years. I also was an Executive Committee member for the Tsukuba Walking and Mountaineering Club. I organized hiking trips into the mountains of Japan.

However, I always knew that I was coming back to Mountain Grove to continue the work at Sumac Centre. I returned with my family in 2009. Currently, I am the Associate Director of Sumac Centre, a conference centre just south of Mountain Grove that specializes in providing a wilderness setting for a variety of groups. I am involved in all aspects of the business, including business planning, marketing, customer service and workshop development.

I also have a small side business teaching English through the internet. This business requires stable high speed internet access. It has been a great challenge getting that kind of service. This experience has taught me the need for reliable internet service for anyone wanting to start a business based on the internet.

For 10 years, I drove school bus to our local schools. Currently, I work part time as a Direct Support Professional with Community Living - North Frontenac.

My business experiences in Japan and with Sumac Centre and my side business have given me an understanding of the complexities of management and the needs of small businesses that hope to establish themselves here.

Growing up in a rural community, learning about road construction in my jobs, driving school bus, and supporting individuals with disabilities help me to understand some of the challenges that face small communities. Our school is important. Our roads are important.

I am committed to this community. After living in a number of other places in the world, I have deliberately chosen to settle here. I am here because I want to be here. I am running for Township Council because I believe that my skills and experience can help to make this into an even better community.