Growing up in a tough, blue collar neighbourhood, I learned survival diplomacy and how to work hard from an early age. I also spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm in northwest Ontario.

I raced competition motocross before entering university to study engineering. I worked in anything from cleaning to construction, maintenance and, well, anything I could to pay for my education.

I have taken oaths to defend the constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

Having been elected to student council and able to motivate my peers, one of my professors invited me to join the Canadian army as an officer. After completing engineering, I chose to leave my post and pursue my engineering career when I could.

In 1989 I was invited to work for NORAD because of my army and engineering experiences. I became a radar and communication technician and received a class secret security clearance with the Canadian and American governments in 1990.

I met my wife in Kiev, Ukraine at the beginning of 1992. (I joke that I stalled the Cold War by marrying the enemy). Through the 1990s I excelled in engineering, but we grew weary of the Winnipeg climate.

Julia and I moved to Penticton with young children in December 2001 and have run our successful business here since. (Together for 30 years, she says I’m still in training).

Our children grew here, still live here, and we are now grandparents to three lovely girls.