ECAO is the provincially designated Employer Bargaining Agent for ICI construction on behalf of its members, representing 800 unionized electrical contractors across Ontario, including within the Power Line and Low Voltage Communications sectors. As the Chief Staff Officer, I was responsible for managing all aspects of the organization, reporting to a Board of Directors. I also served simultaneously on the Board of Directors and Executive Committees of both the Council of Ontario Construction… Show more ECAO is the provincially designated Employer Bargaining Agent for ICI construction on behalf of its members, representing 800 unionized electrical contractors across Ontario, including within the Power Line and Low Voltage Communications sectors. As the Chief Staff Officer, I was responsible for managing all aspects of the organization, reporting to a Board of Directors. I also served simultaneously on the Board of Directors and Executive Committees of both the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) and Prompt Payment Ontario (PPO). I served as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Joint Electrical Promotion Plan (JEPP), and as the Executive Secretary on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA). Aside from Labour Relations, ECAO is also an industry leader in advocacy and Government Relations at both the provincial and federal levels of government. ECAO publishes a quarterly magazine, a bi-weekly newsletter, and provides a variety of member benefits including industry training, professional development seminars, and group discount purchase plans for members. Show less

ISCA is a leading construction industry employer association representing more than 80 unionized contractors in the drywall, EIFS, and HAZMAT trades. My responsibilities included government relations and advocacy, internal and external communications.Accomplishments- I contributed to the industry-wide fight for prompt payment legislation, originally manifested in Bill 211, then continued through Bill 69, and now incorporated into Bill 142 - a completely revamped Construction Lien… Show more ISCA is a leading construction industry employer association representing more than 80 unionized contractors in the drywall, EIFS, and HAZMAT trades. My responsibilities included government relations and advocacy, internal and external communications.Accomplishments- I contributed to the industry-wide fight for prompt payment legislation, originally manifested in Bill 211, then continued through Bill 69, and now incorporated into Bill 142 - a completely revamped Construction Lien Act, expected to be passed into law by the end of 2017.- Maintained awareness through lobby efforts to keep pressure on the government to address the Underground Economy and its impact on the construction industry. Show less

Successfully created and managed the Ontario Construction Finishing Industries Alliance (OCFIA) on behalf of the IUPAT and other stakeholders as an independent organization designed to represent legitimate finishing industry employers and labour in their fight against the underground economy. Originally envisioned as a liaison between the industry and government and as a conduit for timely and relevant information to government enforcement agencies, the role evolved to include a significant… Show more Successfully created and managed the Ontario Construction Finishing Industries Alliance (OCFIA) on behalf of the IUPAT and other stakeholders as an independent organization designed to represent legitimate finishing industry employers and labour in their fight against the underground economy. Originally envisioned as a liaison between the industry and government and as a conduit for timely and relevant information to government enforcement agencies, the role evolved to include a significant government relations and communications role on behalf of the Interior Systems Contractors Association, the Ontario Painting Contractors Association, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. Accomplishments:- raised public and government awareness of the underground economy in construction- provided written submission and oral testimony for the Tony Dean Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety and was consulted for the Ministry of Labour's internal study on the underground economy with a number of my recommendations incorporated into the final report - a number of policy positions that I have long advocated were incorporated into the 2012 provincial budget- regular published contributions in the Daily Commercial News and other print media- quoted in the Provincial Legislature - built relationships with senior officials at CRA, WSIB, MOL, CBSA and have referred good quality leads on dozens of companies for investigation Show less

Developed and enhanced relationships with new and existing clients in the financial advisor community, both securities-licensed IIROC brokers and MFDA-licensed financial planners. Identified and developed new prospects and business opportunities. Turned a multi-million dollar net redemption territory around into positive gross and net sales.

• Senior staff officer for the MPP for Brantford• Prepared and presented media communications on behalf of MPP including news releases and facilitation of media events to maintain positive image• Conducted Legislative research• Authored MPP and Legislative speeches ensuring issues professionally addressed• Resolved constituent concerns by working closely with municipal leaders, Cabinet members and the Premier’s Office.

Edited and laid out the overseas section of the daily newspaper as well as editorial page and features sections.

Led the Gravenhurst News to three consecutive years of top awards with Canadian Community Newspaper Association and the Ontario Community Newspaper Association.

Led the Grand Falls Advertiser to two consecutive years of top awards with the Atlantic Community Newspaper Association.