Education: Masters Degree in Education 1980
(Major: Educational Administration)
Acadia University
Bachelor of Arts Degree 1968
(Major in Mathematics)
St. Dunstan’s University
1968-1979 Courses UPEI (Bachelor of Education equivalency)
Languages: French and English
Experience Acquired:
~ Over 20 years experience as an administrator in PEI school system, responsible for approximately 50 staff, for facilities management and overall budget;
~ Directed the construction of two new facilities in consultation with the community and staff, taking into consideration the needs of students and the general public as well as issues such as bussing, equipment, and materials purchases;
~ As a community leader, founded, led and participated in many organizations involved in community development and planning, which include the development of youth programs; education facilities; financial management; and responding to some of the social needs of the community;
~ Experience in the budgeting process through involvement in community organizations dealing with provincial and federal governments, especially through the Credit Union system as a Board member of the PEI Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corp. which was responsible for monitoring the performance of PEI Credit Unions which, at that time, having assets in excess of 3 million dollars; and
~ Experience as an adjudicator of disability claims, dealing with medical terms and conditions, the issue of medical mismanagement, the interpretation of legislation relating to disability pension claims.
Employment History:
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Senior Policy Advisor to Minister Jan. 2004 – Feb. 2006
Responsible for advising Minister on issues that could potentially arise with regards to community and individual development applications that required his approval. Met with individuals and groups as representative of the Minister, explaining programs offered by the agency, application process, etc.
One of the more exciting and rewarding projects that I was involved in, was the negotiations, research, and planning of the Wind Institute of Canada, currently located at North Cape, PEI. Part of that exercise was a tour of Europe where we consulted with officials involved with the “wind institutes” in Germany, Denmark and Holland as well as spending a considerable amount of time visiting and discussing the state on “wind energy” in the respective countries.
Harbour Authority of Tignish/Judes Point May 2003 to Dec., 003
Skinner’s Pond Port Authority May,2007 to Present
Managed this operation for the summer and fall of 2003 until I was offered the position with ACOA. As first manager of a relatively new Board, I split my time between Board-related tasks and operational matters. Major capital projects had to be prioritized, detailed and submitted to appropriate departments. For action, followed by lobbying elected government officials. On the operations side, a regular maintenance and cleanup program was initiated and staffed. Program still in existence today.
Note: Skinner’s Pond responsibility similar to those in Tignish.
Veterans Review and Appeal Board of Canada 1994- 2002
Board member, was tasked as Presiding member and member of Policy Committee in 1995, acted in this capacity until my appointment expired in 2002.
Tignish Elementary School
Teacher/Principal June 1985- June 1994
M.E. Callaghan Jr. High School
Teacher/Principal May 1980- June 1985
Sabbatical – Acadia University June 1979- April 1980
M.E. Callaghan Jr. High School
Teacher/Principal January 1975- June 1979
Tignish Regional High School
Vice-Principal and Teacher 1972- June 1975
Tignish Regional High School
Teacher 1968- 1972
CFB Greenwood (Summers)
Officer-in-charge (cadet outdoor education) 1969- 1980
Community Involvement:
Air Cadets
Joined staff of #641 Tignish in 1968 and served until 1981. Retired with the rank of Captain. Served in Supply, Administration and Commanding Officer for 10 years. Staff CFB Greenwood Summer Camp 1969-1979.
From 1981 to 1997, served as member and for the majority of those years, chairman of the Sponsoring Committee for #641 Squadron, Tignish. During this period, served as a director of the Air Cadet League of PEI, was elected VP and then President. While serving as Provincial Chair in 1995, Host Chair of the first ever AGM of the Air Cadet League of Canada hosted by Air Cadet League of PEI . Also, during this period, negotiated 5-year funding from the Credit Union Central of PEI for the purchase of a glider. Continued to serve as a member of the ACL of PEI since initial involvement in 1981 to the present. January, 2007 returned as Chairman of the Sponsoring Committee for #641 Tignish, serving until 2010. Returned as President ACL of PEI in 2013 and, for a second time, acted as Host Chair for the Air Cadet League of Canada AGM in June of that year. Elected to Board of Governors ACLN 2016.
Awards: Canadian Decoration (CD); while serving as President of the ACLPEI , recipient of the Canada 125 Medal in 1992; ACL of Canada Volunteer Medal and Air Cadet Long Service Medal. Certificate of Honour and Certificate of Excellence from the Air Cadet League of Canada, 1995 and 1998 respectively; President’s Citation and coin AGM 2013.
In 2010, as Zone Commander of the West Prince Zone(PEI) of the Royal Canadian Legion, in conjunction with Tignish Legion Executive and #641 Sponsoring Committee, worked with #641 Sponsor in getting the name of #641 Tignish Royal Canadian Air Cadets changed to #641 West Prince. Purpose was to broaden the squadron’s area for recruiting and partner with two more Legions as sponsors (St. Anthony’s and O’Leary).
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #6, Tignish 1971- Present
Served as Treasurer, Secretary, Chairman of the Education Committee and two (two-year) terms as President. Awarded Certificate of Merit, Diamond Jubilee Medal, 75th Anniversary Medal, 90th Anniversary Medal , Meritorious Service Medal, and Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, 2011. West Prince Zone Commander , member of Provincial Command, 2009 to 2011. Served as Secretary of the West Prince
Zone 2011-2012.
P.E.I. Rural Action Plan 2008-2010
In May, 2008, appointed by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Rural Development to the 7-member Rural Economic Development Advisory Council . The purpose of the Council was to develop a Rural Action Plan for the province of P.E.I. Council completed its mandate in late 2009 and the Rural Action Plan was launched in February,2010.
Credit Union 1968- 2004
Member of the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corp. from 1992- 2004, served in most executive capacities, including President. Member of the Board of Tignish Credit Union Ltd., Supervisory Committee and President for 5 years. Secretary- treasurer of the Prince County Credit Union Chapter for 5 years. Member of the Board of Directors of the Credit Union Central of PEI, served as President for 7 years.
P.E.I. Teachers Federation 1971- 1978
Served 7 years on the Board of Governors. Was member of Pension Committee as well as member of Planning Committee on Educational Seminars.
St. Dunstan’s University 1997- 2003
Member of the Board of Governors, served on Property Committee and VP for the last two years on the Board.
Holland College 1993- 1999
Member of the Board of Governors, served as VP of the Board from 1994- 1999, member of Administration Committee as well as Facilities Committee. Chaired Presidential Search Committee in 1995. Prior to serving on the College Board, had served on the West Prince Advisory Board from 1984- 1990.
Prince County Residential services Co-Op 1980- 1990
Founding member and President for 10 years. Group set up to serve housing for mentally and physically challenged adults.
Prince County Addiction Services 1987- 1990
Board representative for West Prince.
United Way 1990
Chairman, Prince County campaign
Red Cross 1975- 1996
Vice President of the Prince County Chapter. Taught First Aid and CPR to general public as well as instructors courses.
Village of Tignish 1991- 2004
Tignish Planning Board 2001 to 2004; Chairman, Tignish Initiatives Corp. 1992 to 1998. Member/Vice Chairman 2008 to 2013; Advisory Board, Tignish and Area Government Office; Village Commissioner 1991 to 1994. Named Citizen-of-the-Year, 1994.