Who I Am

WHO I AM

I am a husband, father of three, lifelong learner, local entrepreneur and business owner. I enjoy connecting with people in my community and strive to create a better place for all. I have experience volunteering and leading various community projects, and take pride in a job well done. I believe elected officials should be dedicated to their constituents, and make it their priority to represent the interests of their city's residents on every occasion.
I constantly look for opportunities to improve my community and this city. As the co-owners of Clip 'n Climb Saskatoon, my wife and I have reached out and collaborated with other local businesses such as Ringer's Pizza, The Griffin Takeaway, Wet Paint Pottery, Mar's Mini Golf, Prairie Jurassic, Parkerview Brews and many others. We believe that collaboration with other local businesses builds a stronger local economy and more prosperity for everyone in our city. I also thrive to encourage our local talent and invest in the future. Working with recent computer science graduates from the University of Saskatchewan we have built Vertical Universes, a mixed reality entertainment system that is unique to Saskatoon.
I was born and raised on a cattle and grain farm in Cold Lake, Alberta, to parents originally from Saskatoon. I have been a resident of the Sutherland neighbourhood since 2010, and have previously lived in the City Park and Nutana neighbourhoods in Saskatoon. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan, a Masters' in Veterinary Sciences from the University of Montreal, and a PhD in Plant Sciences from the University of Saskatchewan.

Education

Bachelor's of Agriculture (2001)
University of Saskatchewan

Master's of Veterinary Science (2007)
University of Montreal

PhD in Plant Science (2015)
University of Saskatchewan

Relevant Work Experience

2019-now Co-owner/COO, Vertical Universes Virtual Reality Systems, Saskatoon, SK

2017-now Co-owner/CEO, Clip 'n Climb Saskatoon Inc., Saskatoon, SK

2015-2018    Post-doctoral researcher, Durum Wheat Lab, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan

2010-2015    Ph.D. Crop Quality Laboratory, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan

2009 Laboratory Technician, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan

2008 Nutrition and Farm Management Consultant (Dairy/ Ruminant), Agribrands Purina, Saint-Hyacinthe region

2004-2007 Research Assistant, Department of Biomedicine, University of Montréal

2000-2004 Board of Directors, Lakeland Forage Association, Fort Kent, AB

1999-2004    Co-Owner, Cory Brothers Ranch, Cold Lake, AB

2002-2002 Co-Owner, Northern Grazing Systems, Cold Lake, AB

Charitable Donations
Either personally or through Clip 'n Climb Saskatoon we have contributed to various organizations including:
Ride for Refuge
The Sutherland/Forest Grove community association
Autism Saskatoon
Saskatoon Women's Shelter
Salvation Army
Cystic Fibrosis Quest for the Cure
Saskatoon Dog Rescue
Core Neighbourhood Youth Coop
over 100 minor league hockey, cheerleading, baseball, slow pitch and lacrosse teams throughout Saskatoon and Saskatchewan

Volunteering & Other Achievements
Special events coordinator for the Sutherland/Forest grove community association (2020)

Executive Member of the Sutherland Forest Grove Community Garden (2017,2018).

Created and lead Rutherford Neighbours Refugee Sponsorship Group, which sponsored a family of Syrian refugees and helped them settle in Saskatoon. This group was featured on the documentary Bridging Boarders (Season 1, episode 6).

Member of the planning committee for Le Gala Coeur-a-Coeur, a joint fundraiser for La Federation des Francophones de Saskatoon and Le Centre Felix-le-Chat (Saskatoon French language daycare) (2014).

Plant Sciences Graduate Students' Association Vice-President and later Co-President with Lisa Hollman.

Author and/or co-author of nine peer-reviewed published scientific papers.

Recipient of the Plant Science Outstanding PhD Award (2011). As well as various other scholarships.

Recipient of the Northern Lights Rising Star Award (2001) in Cold Lake, AB, encouraging youth to get an education.

Board member of the Lakeland Agricultural Research Association.