Business Experience

 

I own and operate a dairy and crop farm and have been a business owner and employer for thirty five years.  It is a family farm I own in partnership with my wife, Kerri. We have a milking herd of 270 cows, and have 750 acres cropped in alfalfa, barley, corn and canola, along with 100 acres of pasture land.  We currently are employing four full time, and one part time staff members in addition to myself.  

We have a successful business and continually try new things in order to remain profitable and environmentally responsible. In 2011 we invested in a new dairy barn, and are now one of several local farms to milk our cows with robotic automated milking stalls. In 2020 our farm expanded by purchasing a neighboring dairy farm, we currently have milking cow herds at two sites managed by the same crew of people.

We strive to operate in an efficient and sustainable manner, and continue to invest in the farm to enable it to remain a successful local business that supports many other businesses in our rural community.  

Prior to my first council term I served three two-year terms on the Board of Directors of Thunder Bay Cooperative Farm Supplies. Our local Coop is member owned and sells fertilizer, feed and fuel to local area farmers, businesses and homeowners. The Board oversees the manager and his performance, and is responsible for long term planning and investments that the Coop makes. While I served as a Board member, we embarked on a successful expansion into a fertilizer blending facility and several years later, a grain handling and soybean roasting facility. I rejoined the Coop board several years ago and we have recently improved our facility with a new storefront, now selling hardware and farm supplies to the Slate River area and beyond.

From 2015 to 2018 I was on the Board of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Association, which began as a local group of farmers who wanted to see crop research continue in the Thunder Bay District. The successful management of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station has greatly benefited farmers in our area and across Canada. I have been able to expand my skills and abilities in managing people, tight budgets and a challenging funding environment and our Board is proud of the recent success of partnering with Lakehead University to continue the long term viability of crop research in the Thunder Bay area.

I have experience managing money in a community environment and the skill and knowledge to handle your tax dollars in a responsible manner.

Thank you for considering me for your vote.