WHY I AM AT MERIDIAN

As a principal of a firm like Meridian, I believe that we have three jobs. First, we are Planners who are recognized for their integrity, creativity and knowledge. Secondly, we are Consultants who need to provide excellent customer service to our Clients while remaining at the cutting edge of our profession. Finally, we operate a company that is highly respected, constantly in motion and a great place to work. We have an amazing staff, everyone enjoys going to work everyday and will do anything required to serve the client or help out a colleague. We nurture a working environment that stimulates creativity and rewards hard work. The result is high quality work from a team of professionals who are proud of what they do.

MY ROLE

My interest in small community economic development and broad geographic experience has also resulted in me being responsible for the completion of many Community Strategic Plans, Community Improvement Plans and Development Strategies. In this role, I act as an effective and entertaining facilitator who is able to draw participants into the discussion and keep them involved through the development of Community Plans.

WHY I CHOSE PLANNING

I became a Planner after completing a degree in Environment & Resource Studies at the University of Waterloo over 30 years ago. While my formal studies included a number of planning courses, the main focus of my university education was natural science and mapping. After gaining experience in the environmental field working for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment and Niagara Escarpment Commission, I became a Planner with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing and covered the Regions of Niagara, Northumberland, Muskoka & Haliburton. I have worked in Barrie as one of the founding principals of Meridian Planning Consultants for over 20 years and have maintained my ties with rural and Northern Municipalities throughout Ontario throughout that time. As planning for greenfields development becomes more ecologically based and focused on sustainability, I have found my technical, science and ecological background becoming increasingly applicable to our day-to-day planning work. There are few areas in the Province where I have not worked. I continue to work in places as distant as Kenora and Moosonee, however, my in-depth knowledge of provincial policy, growth and planning activities throughout Southern Ontario and the GTA have resulted in me being involved in many of the major Environmental Assessment and Transportation Studies currently underway in the Province. back to our team »