I grew up in Fergus, Ontario, where I attended high school and played hockey and lacrosse. Many of my weekends and summers were spent working for my father in his auto body shop, where he instilled a determined and dedicated work ethic. This work ethic has been a guiding principle throughout my career, from my time in the Army Reserves to my 17 years as a Combat Engineer Officer in the Regular Force. It continues to drive me in my current roles.My most memorable postings were as the Troop Commander for Mine Warfare and Demolitions at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering and as a Lead Planner and Operations Officer at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Center. In these roles, I was responsible for developing plans, providing technical advice, and ensuring compliance with safety and other regulations and policies. I participated in deployments, including Kosovo and Afghanistan. This diverse experience has not only broadened my skill set but also reassured me of my adaptability, a quality that I bring to every new role.During my 26-year tenure with the Canadian Armed Forces, I developed the leadership strengths necessary to align cross-functional resources and unite them around a common purpose. My military career provided me with the opportunity to engage and collaborate with individuals from diverse cultural and organizational backgrounds. This experience has honed my ability to lead diverse teams, including technical experts, to meet the requirements defined by political leaders and senior administrators while balancing the public's expectations. I have a proven track record of bringing internal and external stakeholders together to identify issues and challenges, formulate strategic and operational plans, and execute practical solutions. I believe in the power of collaboration and always strive to include all stakeholders in the process.My passion for the outdoors has led me to various activities, from skydiving and scuba diving to snowmobiling. However, my recent focus has been exploring the mountains through hiking, backcountry camping, skiing, and mountain biking. I am also heavily involved in lacrosse, a sport I've been dedicated to as a coach, player, and administrator on multiple boards. I have also relatively recently returned to competitive shooting. This balance between professional and personal pursuits, I believe, reflects my well-rounded nature and my dedication to both my interests and my community.