2022 Employee Spotlights

Monika Tomar has a very dynamic job – but her days begin with a relatively simple routine. “My typical work day starts with checking the corporate training registration database, posting and organizing new learning sessions, and supporting e-learning logistics and requirements.”

Monika, the City’s new Learning & Development Consultant, started work in this position in July of this year. She had previously been employed by the City as part of the Talent Acquisition team, and she has also had interesting jobs in many countries and workplace settings including manufacturing, banking and consulting. Much of her work over the past 10 years has focussed on human resources, including analytics, workforce management, and overseeing employee learning & development programs.

“My keen ability to connect with others, building strong and lasting relationships, has been paramount to my success throughout my career,” said Monika. “My experiences and education all together have prepared me for what I am doing today.”

There is a lot more to being a Learning and Development Consultant than developing training programs and making sure employees and supervisors are aware of training opportunities. “My strong focus is to streamline the various learning processes and identify the opportunity for learning system enhancement,” said Monika.

“Apart from simply promoting corporate training opportunities, my main responsibilities include providing day-to day consultation to all levels of City staff, performing regular training audits, interacting closely with the leadership team to create training strategies for their work areas, and supporting departments to ensure all learning activities are delivered to the required standard. I also coordinate the recognition program for our annual retirees, and the long-service employees’ virtual banquet.”

“The best part of my job,” said Monika, “is working with diverse groups of employees with different personalities and talents. I am a strong believer in life-long learning. I strive to do what it takes to make things happen, to acknowledge people and help them grow. I am truly enjoying working in a team where everyone is super-supportive and takes an extra step to make you feel important.”

And for fun? “Outside of my work I love to travel and explore new places.”

Dave Flank started his career with the City in 2016, as the Backflow Prevention Officer. Employees in this position have  the very important duty of inspecting the installation of backflow prevention devices to ensure that water delivered to the customer cannot flow back into the City’s drinking water system, potentially carrying contaminants.

“Many property owners don’t realize that backflow can happen,” said Dave. “In certain circumstances, water can flow backwards through an open valve or improperly installed fixture or appliance from a private water system – say, in a multi-residential or commercial building - into the City’s drinking water distribution system. As the Backflow Prevention Officer, I inspected commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-residential plumbing installations to ensure appropriate backflow prevention devices had been installed and backflow contamination could not occur.”

In his current position as a Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector, Dave inspects a greater range of plumbing system components. “It’s interesting to be an Inspector, as I spent the earlier years of my plumbing career installing plumbing systems - and now instead of building them, I inspect them. I’m one of three Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors with the City. We inspect all plumbing components from the drainage and venting, to water piping, heating and fire suppression systems. We inspect plumbing in new builds and renovations, in both residential and commercial buildings. In everything but new builds, dated infrastructure can be an issue, and the plumbing has to be brought up to Code.”

By Code, Dave means Ontario’s Building Code regulations, which are frequently updated by the Province.

“All decisions are based on the Building Code,” said Dave. “One of the challenges of my job is sometimes having to convey the bad news to a homeowner or builder that changes must be made to an installation so that it will fulfill the requirements of the Code. But most people understand – especially if I explain the applicable part of the Code, and why it is important for a functional and safe plumbing system.”

“One fulfilling part of my job, actually, is seeing how people appreciate information that explains my decisions as an Inspector. Of course I understand that these necessary decisions can be associated with unexpected work and expenses, but achieving the minimum requirements of the Ontario Building Code is crucial in helping a project go forward with a safe and proper functioning plumbing and mechanical system.

Dave added, “Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors get an inside view of projects from homes to hotels, from the start of construction to the finish. That really adds to the interest of the job.”

In his spare time, Dave indulges his love of music composition and performance. “I’ve been playing for 20 years, and I’ve found I also really like songwriting,” he said. “I play guitar and sing in a band, for the pure enjoyment of it. We play everything from campfire acoustic tunes to heavy rock and metal – even numbers from 80s ‘hair’ bands, if you remember those!”

So, if you hear music on the air – it just might be Dave. 

Krista Power began her career with the City of Thunder Bay as a teenager, as an employee with the Summer  Playgrounds Program. It was a positive first experience working for the City. “I spent eight summers working in our beautiful parks with the kids,” said Krista. “It was awesome!”

Following University, Krista spent ten years as Events Manager at Fort William Historical Park, and then returned to working at the City in 2010 in various capacities, becoming Deputy City Clerk in 2015 and City Clerk in 2019.

“The role of a City Clerk is one of the oldest roles in all government,” explained Krista. “A City’s Council cannot have a meeting without the attendance of the Clerk to properly record and disclose their information to the public.”

Krista explained that her job is to safeguard and protect the decisions of City Council, both by accurately recording them and by authorizing By-laws passed by Council. The City Clerk also advises Council on legislation, governance and procedure, and is the City’s lead on records and privacy. And, as many citizens know, the City Clerk’s Office authorizes the purchase of marriage and lottery licences.

What is a typical day for Krista? “There is little routine in the City Clerk’s Office, which employs 21 staff,” said Krista. “Priorities can change quickly, especially if a legislative compliance issue crops up.”

On the Mondays when a Council meeting is scheduled, the job of the City Clerk is especially busy. “I routinely work 12-16 hours on a ‘Council Monday’,” said Krista. “The record was one Monday in August 2020, when I began my work day at 8:30 am and ended it after that night’s Council meeting, at almost 3:30 am, with many items deferred.”

However, a City Clerk’s days are even more dynamic at election time. In the Municipal Elections Act, the City Clerk is designated as the Returning Officer for the Municipal Election, and as such is responsible for all aspects of the election, the nomination process, certification of candidates, coordinating voting and calculating results, and certifying the results - as well as post-election work such as certifying financial statements.

“The decisions of the Returning Officer are final as it relates to the Municipal Election,” said Krista. “City Council has no authority over the process or the roll-out of the election, as this is governed by the Act.”

Asked about her favourite part of the job, Krista replied in several parts. “I have the privilege of being a part of the history of our city every time I sit to clerk a meeting of City Council, she said. “I have the opportunity to engage with the public and provide access to their elected officials via deputations or committees, or to release records to the public via the Freedom of Information process.”

“Our team in the Office of the City Clerk (including our cohort at the Harry Kirk Archives Department) are amazing, talented, bright and hard-working colleagues who are dedicated to their work, and I am grateful to work with every single one of them. Watch for our hashtags: #ClerksRule and #ArchivesareAwesome.”

Shaun Naroski has a long history as an employee at the City’s swimming pools. Starting in the 1980s, Shaun worked at  Churchill Pool as an Instructor/Guard. That job led to his next position in full-time pool maintenance at Volunteer Pool, which he did until 1994.

Shaun’s employment changed course at that point as he went into a career in teaching – first as a Music teacher with the Lakehead Public School Board, and then on to a job with the Ministry of Education.

Now a retired educator, Shaun has his pick of part-time jobs – and he has chosen the City’s pools once again! He now works as a Relief Operator for the City’s Aquatic Operations.

“We are responsible for the operation of the Canada Games Complex, Volunteer Pool, Churchill Pool, Heath Pool, Widnall Pool and the Marina Park Splash Pad,” Shaun said. “We also have occasional tasks at Boulevard Lake Park and Chippewa Park. The primary responsibilities involve water chemistry, pool filtration, chemical feeders, monitoring mechanical systems, and record keeping.”

The focus for the City’s Aquatic Operations staff comes down to this: keeping facilities open for public use. “Sometimes our services are required at multiple pools at the same time, and that can be a challenge,” said Shaun.

Shaun and many other staff at the City’s pools are seasoned swimmers themselves. “The Canada Games Complex is my pool of choice,” said Shaun. “The water is ideal and the facility has new starting blocks – the same kind used at international competitions. Having weight and cardio rooms in the same facility is a luxury. I bring my grandkids here all the time and they love it!”

“I was a Thunderbolt back in 1972 and still compete fifty years later. I returned from the 2022 Canadian Masters Swimming Championships in Quebec City with two silver and three bronze medals. I should also mention that my four daughters had jobs as Instructor/Guards at the Canada Games Complex once upon a time.”

It is easy to see why Shaun enjoys his work in Aquatic Operations. And, he had this to add: “I enjoy seeing all the patrons using the various aquatic facilities, whether it be learning how to swim or just having fun in the water. And knowing that I am part of a larger team that makes those opportunities possible is very satisfying.”

James Wilkinson, Indigenous Relations Liaison, is the newest staff member in the City of Thunder Bay’s Indigenous  Relations Office. He started in this role in February of this year.

James was reintroduced to his heritage in 1996 at Garden River First Nation. “It was at that time I began walking the Red Road of Native spirituality. In the process, I learned a great deal about the many struggles and difficulties Indigenous people face in Northern Ontario, including Thunder Bay.”

Over the past decade, James’s work has included helping Confederation College’s Broadcast Program to showcase Indigenous artists in the community. He also ran a talk show - Mino Bimaadiziwin (The Good Life Show) – covering Indigenous issues. Following his graduation with honours from the College in 2012, James became a facilitator for the Walk-a-Mile program, followed by working as an internal Indigenous Awareness trainer with the City – a job that continued right up to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also started a project to help Indigenous people remember that despite their dark, shared history in Canada, they are still here - and that is positive. The project was called “We’re Still Here – Project Hope and Unity.”

Regarding his interview for his current position with the City, James recalled, “I commented to an Elder/Knowledge Keeper I spend time with that I answered the interview questions from the perspective of who I am as a person and the path I walk. It was the first interview where I shared part of my life’s journey.”

As Indigenous Relations Liaison, James facilitates positive relationships in the community. In his words, “This role is ground zero – for positive change, systemic shifting, building new relationships and improving existing relationships.”

Asked about the special focuses of his work, James offered three. “First, there’s the task of expanding the understanding of how communication happens within Indigenous culture. Building relationships with Indigenous people, communities and organizations is worth the time it takes - and it does take time. It’s all about honouring relationships, and not so much about urgency to get things done. The second focus is working with the community to facilitate better channels for positive change, including addressing racism in the community. I believe it is the responsibility of the Indigenous Relations Office to assist in a change of community perspective, and promote constructive avenues for change. And third, I am focussed on creating a larger footprint for the Indigenous Relations Office in our community, so that people know what kind of work we do and positive impacts we are achieving. Each member of our small team brings a valuable skill-set to the table, and we’ve taken significant steps towards establishing a more prominent and positive presence in Thunder Bay. The re-imaging of Canada Day celebrations, the Maamawe Summer Festival and Showcase are just a few things our Office is proud to have spearheaded.”

The challenges of the work also bring rewards. “The best part of my job,” James said, “is helping bring this community together in a good way and helping all of us work collectively towards healing and developing better relationships. My personal healing journey brought me here and the community embraced me – the recovery community, the education community, the Indigenous community, the business community, the arts and entertainment community and the mainstream community. Thunder Bay is now my home.”

“In its own way, my role as Indigenous Relations Liaison is my way of giving back to a community that gave to me. What more could you ask for in a career?”

Saumya Nair describes herself as an extravert – and it is working for her! 

 “I came to Canada from India, where I was a Dentist, in 2018,” said Saumya. “I completed the Health Professional course at Confederation College, and when the pandemic hit, I decided to stay in Thunder Bay.”

Getting established with housing and a job in Thunder Bay was challenging - especially finding suitable work. “I had been seeking a job in a health-care setting, but I found that many such offices were stressful work environments. However, when I got the job at the Complex, everything changed. My co-workers congratulated me, supervisors were kind and accommodating, and I thought, is this a dream?”

First employed by the City as a Screener and Fitness Attendant at the Canada Games Complex during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saumya found her work fun and fulfilling right from the start.

 “Identity crisis is the biggest source of depression, but I certainly don’t suffer from that at work. The people I work with recognize my importance and give me good feedback and support.”

Saumya had been told that as a Screener, she might have to deal with the frustration of clients entering the Canada Games Complex. “I never encountered a truly angry customer,” said Saumya.  “I started my job right after a new lockdown began, and people stopped and chatted, and even brought small treats for the staff at Christmas. It was so nice to see!”

Saumya also teaches Zumba and Bollywood fitness classes at the Complex – dance workouts that combine dynamic choreography with upbeat music from around the world. “I always absorb lots of positivity from the clients.”

 “I don’t remember a day that I’ve been grouchy or sad,” said Saumya. “In my job with the City, people welcome me, appreciate me, and want me there. I love my job!”

Having received CPR certification, Saumya now also works as a Facility Attendant at the Water Garden Pavilion. If you see her there, make sure to say hello!

Ian Spoljarich, Manager of Roads, began his career with the City in September 2018, as Supervisor of Waste Collection.  In 2021 he became Supervisor of Roads South (for the southern portion of Thunder Bay), and quickly moved on to become Manager of Roads.

Asked for a description of a typical day on the job, Ian replied that no day or week is typical! Each week brings new challenges, and Ian makes sure to connect with other supervisors regularly. Often there are meetings throughout the day, including talks with City Councillors on roads issues and speaking with residents about their concerns.

Ian also makes it a priority to observe conditions on the city’s roads first-hand. If there is a pause in the meetings, he gets out to check on pavement issues and street lighting. Often, the day’s prospective schedule can change with the weather – an oncoming storm will mean preparation for wet or snowy conditions.

Getting information about the condition of the city’s roads out to the public is also a priority for Ian. “We’ve been putting more detailed information out in media releases and on social media, especially when there is a weather event that affects the roads,” said Ian. “That way, people aren’t left with questions about whether they can get around the city.”  

“It was a very busy winter for the City’s Roads employees, and an even busier spring – but our staff took it in stride. They are dedicated, and take pride in their work. Just when we saw a break in the snow, in came the spring, with melting and flooding – and staff were out again to make the roadways safe for motorists.”

Asked about the weekly Wednesday storms we experienced in March-April, Ian said, “Our staff responded well for the amount of snow we had. But every Wednesday, there would be 30-40 cm of new snow, and in between we would get small snowfalls, so there was not a lot of time to work on equipment and prepare for the next storm – we were constantly out on the roads.”

“I and our Roads staff feel that we helped people get to work and school safely - but I am hoping this is the worst winter I will ever see, and that it gets better from here!”

When Ian isn’t watching the weather for the next storm, he takes time for fun and family. “Life is busy. We have a 5-year-old son and a 3-year-old son and a new lab puppy! I love to spend my free time with family, and if I can sneak away, I enjoy a round of golf.”

Dennis Brescacin began his career with the City in 1991, when he was hired as a Firefighter by Thunder Bay Fire  Rescue (TBFR).

“My first 17 years with TBFR was in our Suppression Division, and I qualified as a Captain prior to being promoted to Division Chief of Administration in 2008,” said Dennis. “I have been in that role ever since.”

Dennis’ duties are wide ranging. Aside from overseeing the maintenance and repair of TBFR’s eight fire stations and its training centre, he also procures Fire Rescue’s station and medical supplies, and personal protective equipment. He is also responsible for the portable radio equipment of both TBFR and Thunder Bay Police Service. “If a radio unit is lost or stolen,” Dennis said, “I can de-activate it instantly using a computer application.”

Dennis’s duties do not end there. Under the Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, (EMCPA), he fills the mandated role of Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Thunder Bay. This role links with his work as the Chair of the City’s Emergency Management Program Committee, and as the coordinator of the Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG).

MECG is a group comprised of members from City of Thunder Bay administration, Fire Rescue, Police Service and Superior North EMS, with input from many community organizations such as Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU). The Group is integral to Thunder Bay’s response to community emergencies, including health and environmental crises, and has been continuously active over the past 25 months.

“During the pandemic, I have been responsible for coordinating MECG meetings. As the City’s contact with the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (POEC), I liaise with Emergency Management Ontario Field Officers and other Provincial Ministry Emergency Management Coordinators, and also participate in the Vulnerable Populations COVID-19 Planning Table and Isolation Shelter Command. I assisted with procurement of government funding for isolation shelters in Thunder Bay, and coordinated assistance from the NGO Alliance of Ontario, specifically Team Rubicon and Samaritan’s Purse, when ‘boots on the ground’ supports were needed,” said Dennis. “I and members of all groups pitched in wherever we could. When not at meetings, I assisted at the isolation hotels.”

We asked Dennis if he had seen any “silver linings” about the pandemic during his work. 

“What stands out for me is how we were able to coordinate quickly with the PEOC and Ministries during the Corrections and District Jail outbreaks. The quick action of all our partners helped to contain the spread of the virus in early 2021. Working with the TBDHU, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board, the shelters and City of Thunder Bay’s Manager of Community Strategies, Cynthia Olsen, was key to limiting the spread of the virus in the vulnerable population. It was - and still is - a pleasure to work with everyone.”

Connecting with neighbours near and far is also an important part of Dennis’s job. “I feel great satisfaction when the City steps up as a host community when others need assistance for emergency evacuations. In addition, I have had the privilege of connecting and working with First Nation leadership and building relationships and trust.”  

Dennis even devotes some of his leisure time to his vocation as firefighter. As President of the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association since 2013, he is currently working on a Health, Safety & Wellness program for firefighters in Thunder Bay.

Dennis sums up his work: “I have always enjoyed helping people. I learn something new every day, and really enjoy what I do.”

Tessa Hettrick, a self-described people person, began her work with the City in September of 2015 as Program Volunteer  Coordinator with the Older Adult Unit at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre. It’s a position she still holds and enjoys today.

“I’ve built a career here, working with the volunteers,” said Tessa. “The community of staff and volunteers at 55 Plus is like a small family, and runs like a well-oiled machine.” The volunteers at 55 Plus are seniors themselves. “55 Plus is one of the few places that’s ‘all seniors’, both volunteers and participants.”

As with many City jobs, Tessa’s work life and duties were altered fundamentally during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Services and programs offered to seniors at 55 Plus were cancelled, or (when possible) delivered online. During the closures, Tessa was redeployed twice: first to Jasper Place as a screener; and then back to 55 Plus to coordinate the income tax program and meals on wheels.

The changes from open to closed, back and forth, were hard on the 55 Plus Centre’s clients, volunteers and staff. “For many of the volunteers, their tasks at 55 Plus are a big part of their life,” said Tessa. “Closures at the Centre left them without their usual connections, isolated with nowhere to go. It was hard on their social, physical and mental well-being. With our gradual re-opening in fall of 2021, not all returned – and some had aged, from stress. It was also very difficult dealing with partial reopenings, where some but not all services could be offered, and some but not all people served.”

When asked if there has been any silver lining to the pandemic, Tessa was quick to point out 55 Plus’s income tax services, which were delivered in a new way during COVID-19. “Many seniors were worried about whether the income tax service would be offered during the pandemic,” said Tessa. “Our volunteers were able to shift to virtual and drop-off service, sometimes involving phone interviews. Many seniors made donations in appreciation of this, which benefitted the 55 Plus Centre directly.” In 2022, the income tax service is back to in-person, but drop-off and telephone options remain available.

“The pandemic has been hard on everybody,’ said Tessa. “However, witnessing how people have come together to rise above what has been happening – it’s been very inspiring. Volunteers and clients are passionate about the work we do at 55 Plus. We’re so glad people stuck it out with us!”

“Now that we’re coming out of it, there are a lot of good things in the future.”

When Crystal Wilson was hired 39 years ago as a School Crossing Guard, it wasn’t by the City of Thunder Bay.

“Back in those days, crossing guards were handled by Thunder Bay Police,” said Crystal. “I was originally hired by Constable McEwan.”

Crystal has spent most of her 39 years on duty guarding the safety of students crossing Redwood Avenue in front of St. Francis School. “I had a couple of other temporary stints at the beginning, at nearby schools,” she said. “I was at St. Vincent School, and at Agnew H. Johnson School for a while.” Agnew H. Johnson Public School closed permanently in 2020.

Asked about the challenges of being a School Crossing Guard during the pandemic, Crystal said the hardest part was simply not seeing the children, and missing celebrations like Hallowe’en, Christmas and – her favourite celebration – Valentine’s Day.

“The kids are the best part of the job. They are why I am here, to see them all every day. I’ve gotten to know whole families, and have seen many kids grow up. The parents are great, too, and have been understanding about pandemic difficulties.”

Crystal is very glad to be back on the job now that schools have reopened, although things are not entirely back to normal yet. “Now that we are back, there are still some restrictions – for instance, Crossing Guards can’t come into the school.”

She added, “No matter what, the safety of the children comes first.”

As an Associate Archivist with the City of Thunder Bay, Lauren Halsey’s workplace has usually been the Harry Kirk Archives & Records Centre on Vickers Street. However, that changed suddenly with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and the proposal that she be temporarily redeployed just a few days after she began work-from-home in March, 2020. Her destination was Jasper Place, a City-operated residence for older adults. Lauren was to work at Jasper Place for five months.

“I was a screener,” said Lauren, “but I took on other tasks as well – any little thing that would help take some of the pressure off the staff so they could focus on their work, and make life a bit easier for the tenants. It was early in the pandemic, and everyone was scrambling to make sense of the constantly changing information and best practices. It was a frustrating, confusing, and frightening time for many people. Despite that, it was extraordinary to witness the amount of work and dedication the support staff put in every day to take care of the tenants.”

“At Jasper Place I was doing a job that hadn’t existed before, in a setting in which I had virtually no experience. But every day I went home feeling like I had really done something useful, including just chatting with the tenants who would stop by the screening desk to say hello.”

Lauren is back to fulfilling her duties as Associate Archivist now, which comprise a multitude of tasks such as helping to manage the City’s records management program, advising on information privacy measures, training City staff in records management, processing Freedom of Information requests, tackling research questions, and preserving over 130 years of historical municipal records. In addition, Lauren promotes fascinating archival material to City staff and the public. Attention to detail is vital to her job.

“Researching archival records can be a bit of a treasure hunt sometimes,” said Lauren. Some requests are for very old materials, and there can be uncertainty at times over whether requested records even exist. Often, other interesting records are found along the way. During the closure of the Archives to the public due to the pandemic, Lauren has been called upon to perform a greater number of physical searches for materials, rather than assisting researchers who come to the site. “It’s a great feeling when I’m able to find exactly what someone is looking for.”

Lauren has also helped City staff understand and manage new challenges the pandemic has brought to records management and information privacy/security. For instance, when working from home, staff must take special care that both digital and physical records, and anything with personal or sensitive information, cannot be accessed by anyone else in the house. Virtual meetings have presented similar challenges, especially for staff with small children at home. “Archives staff are always happy to help with any privacy concerns or questions,” said Lauren.

Looking to the future, Lauren’s journey through the COVID-19 pandemic at work has influenced her plans in a positive way: “I’m hoping to spend some time volunteering at Jasper Place in future, when pandemic restrictions allow.”

Dr. Ian Morgan joined the City as Chief Chemist about six months before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Having lived and worked away from Thunder Bay for more than 10 years, Ian received a call for the interview for his current position on the same day he intended to finalize a house purchase in Alberta. “My wife and I ended up ‘passing’ on the house we had searched for 12 months to find - and well, it paid off!” said Ian.

Ian uses his comprehensive background in the sciences as he collaborates with the various sections of the City’s Environment Division including the Water Pollution Control Plant (wastewater) and the Water Treatment Plant (drinking water). He also works closely with other divisions within the City’s Infrastructure and Operations Department, and various City of Thunder Bay offices. Occasionally he attends Council meetings to report scientific information.

In addition, Ian regularly fields communications from residents comprising everything from drinking water queries to spill reports. “The best part of my job is that every day is different, with varying problems or issues to address,” says Ian. “One day I’ll be needed at the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility to assist with a leachate treatment pilot project, the next I’ll be responding to citizen inquiries, and on another I’ll be working with Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.”

The COVID-19 pandemic led to another way Ian could use his scientific background, when he was asked to work with the University of Windsor, Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on Ontario’s Wastewater Surveillance Initiative. “Through analysing wastewater, we have been able to monitor the concentration of COVID-19 in the raw sewage arriving at the Water Pollution Control Plant,” said Ian. He notes that the water is not infectious – it merely contains tiny components of the virus. “Throughout this project, we and other cities have seen correlated trends in the decrease and increase of COVID-19 cases compared with the same city’s concentration of the virus in the sampled raw wastewater. This is just one of the exciting projects I am part of, collaborating with various academic institutions, agencies and departments.”

When away from science and technology, Ian enjoys all things recreational - from snowboarding the tops of the Rocky Mountains to riding 1980s engine-powered surfboards that he repairs, and just about everything in between. He is also very proud to have become a father in June of 2021.