The YuKonstruct Makerspace Society Annual General Meeting is on Wednesday, June 7 @ 7pm – (co)space 202 Strickland Street.
It’s time to elect a new Board of Directors. We will be voting for general directors, treasurer, secretary, vice-president, and president. So far, the following people have put their names forward:
[box] Barrett W Horne; Christopher (Chris) Lloyd; Christopher O’Brien; Darcy M. Tkachuk; Glenn Piwowar; Graeme Tennant; Greg Storey; Jenna Marie Bourgeois; Jennifer Macgillivray; John Glynn-Morris; Ksenia Gasper; Martin Lehner; Mary Ellen Read; Paul Christman; Robert (Bob) Sharp[/box]
You can scroll down for a profile of these candidates. If you have an interest in being on the Board (or know someone who is) and are not profiled here – don’t worry! Show up at the AGM and put your name forward.
There will be opportunities to meet fellow makers and entrepreneurs, snacks, and we will also vote on whether to apply for a liquor license.
Thanks and see you at the AGM!
-your 2016/17 Board of Directors
Jennifer Macgillivray
Candidate for President
Employment
I have worked in private, public industries both in all three territories and in southern Canada, during that time I have been a designer, and owner and a contractor. I started my career in Toronto working for Ryerson University designing, building and project managing for them. In Nunavut I worked for the GNU where I managed large and small construction projects all over Baffin Island. I moved to Inuvik and managed large construction projects in the Beaufort Delta Region, while I was in Inuvik at night I taught AutoCAD at Aurora College. I completed freelance design and building work in Toronto and also in Inuvik, NT while I had my day job. I moved to Whitehorse to work as a general contractor I managed construction for a few years before being promoted to Regional Manager and then Vice President of Operations for Canada and Alaska, I moved on to work for Stantec, then back to public industry at YG. I am usually the Director of Infrastructure for Community Services but currently I am on a one-year temporary assignment as the Executive Director of Major Construction for Highways and Public Works.
Education:
My undergrad is in interior design and I have 3 post-grads – Facility Management, Project Management and a Masters in Business Administration. I have also taken various additional training program for example Human System Dynamics which is about adaptive change management and innovation. I also continue to take electives at Athabasca University through the MBA program (although I have graduated) I recently received one of the highest marks my professor has awarded for an elective on Innovation.
Volunteer work:
I am the chair of the audit review committee for North Safety Network Yukon – a subcommittee of their board, I am also a member of The Northern Advisory Council which creates standards for the Standards Council of Canada for construction in the Canadian arctic. I also foster parent and build and maintain mountain bike trails.
Interest in board work
I would like to chair the Marketing Committee and sit on the (co)space Committee or Finance Committee in that order of preference. I have always been good at thinking in innovative ways and problem solving business solutions that add value. I have been moonlighting working on a few different business ideas, there is always something on the go. I managed a group of volunteers in Ontario when I worked for the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, motivating and working with volunteers is different than any other work force, a main driver is the idea of contributing to part of a bigger picture. Being part of and understanding the sharing economy a little more is important to me, I am creative and practical and believe the board would benefit from my involvement.
Glenn Piwowar
Candidate for Vice-President
As an engineer, I enjoy tinkering – both making and fixing things and I get a real kick out of helping host the monthly Repair Cafe and YuKonstruct. I have been on the Board of YuKonstruct for almost 2 years. (I was Treasurer of Yukon Art Society for over 15 years, and I am currently Treasurer of Canadian Craft Federation.)
Interest in board work
Even though I not have formal accounting credentials (beyond an MBA degree), because of my experience I believe I can contribute to the Finance Committee if a more qualified candidate is not available. Also, I feel I can help with the activities of the Marketing Committee (eg fundraising applications).
Christopher O’Brien
Candidate for Treasurer
I am currently employed with NorthwesTel as a Product Manager where I am primarily responsible for new product development and the management of existing carrier products. My secondary responsibilities include economic studies and development of data analytics software. I have a strong background in technology commercialization as I have worked in this field for 20 years. I also have experience as a management consultant where I developed business and financial plans for organizations, and aided not-for-profits in board governance. I am currently the Treasurer of the Whistle Bend Community Association (term ends this month). I have also volunteered with other organizations: Certified Management Consultants of Canada – Director; East Coast Trail Association – Director; Rotary Club of St. John’s East – Member.
I am a recent member of Yukonstruct and I will be using the facility as I build a backyard shed, as well as some other smaller projects such as planter beds, a picnic table, bird houses, and perhaps some indoor furniture. I look forward to going beyond the wood-shop and possibly contributing to the Hackerspace and the Electronics resource area.
Note that I am selecting Treasurer below however I am willing and interested in contributing in other active capacities.
Interest in board work
Finance Committee (as Treasurer), and 1-2 of of Governance Committee, Marketing Committee, or (co)space Committee.
Graeme Tennant
Candidate for Secretary
I work at the Whitehorse Public Library, various volunteer work here in Whitehorse (YHMA board, Aikido Yukon Board, helped organize Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life and Wishmaker Walk)
Interest in board work
(co)space Committee, Marketing Committee
Barrett W Horne
Candidate for Director
What to say? I am recently retired from YG, where I worked as an internal Organizational Development consultant. I have been doing OD work for about 40 years, mostly working with small NGOs in various parts of the world. I have been involved with YuKonstruct since facilitating part of the very first meeting in Waterfront Station. Recently I have served as a contractor to help develop (co)Space programming. My interest in YuKonstruct is rooted in my conviction that the future of a healthy (socially, economically, environmentally) Yukon is very much connected to encouraging, supporting and enabling the creative and entrepreneurial energies of Yukoners from the grassroots up. YuKonstruct seems to me a critical player in bringing that about.
Interest in board work
Areas of interest would include (co)space committee, governance, and marketing, in that order. I would be willing to do whatever was seen to be most helpful.
Christopher (Chris) Lloyd
Candidate for Director
Active YuKonstruct volunteer and CORE member since 2014. Site mod, instructor and actively involved in minor site maintenance. Heavily involved in group builds and YuKonstruct community projects. Education in architectural technology. Experience in planning and project management. Currently stay at home dad and part time bartender.
Interest in board work
Primarily Makerspace Committee, also interested in Finance and Governance
Darcy M. Tkachuk
Candidate for Director
I am barrister and solicitor. From the time I was admitted to the bar in 1993 until 2000, I had a general practice, focused largely on litigation and criminal law. Then in 2000 I began serving as the General Counsel for Northwestel, where my practice shifted to business and corporate law matters. As you might imagine, that included a lot of contract law and loss prevention as well. In 2005 I left Northwestel and returned to school to get my Executive MBA at the Ivey School of Business. Although I had intended to move further toward business matters, my career evolved again toward adjudication and administrative law as I began serving on a number of administrative boards and tribunals (Association of Professional Engineers, Yukon Human Rights Panel of Administrators, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Yukon Review Board, and most recently the Yukon Capability & Consent Board). I have chaired, adjudicated or heard over 500 hearings on these five quasi-judicial tribunals.
Interest in board work
Support to the Board and Members as required.
Greg Storey
Candidate for Director
I am presently working as a Superintendent of Area 1 at Yukon Education.
I worked as a trades and technology teacher in Pond Inlet, and as a principal in Hay River NWT was able to create a working partnership with the Housing Corporation and local trades people which resulted in our high school students building low cost housing for Housing and learning skills in construction, electrical trades and plumbing. We also created a partnership with NTCL and expanded our metalwork and welding programs by rebuilding their anchors every year. As a result of this our student numbers in Trades and Apprenticeship increased and this success created the conditions for a 3,000,000.00 Tech Wing to be added to our school. In the Yukon I have written the Departments 5-year trade plan and am interested in working with Yukonstruct to create partnerships with schools, trades people and the Department.
Interest in board work
I would be interested in whatever position the board could see me making a contribution. Given that I have a fairly specific purpose to work with the board I would also be happy to simply be invited to regular meetings and assist with coordination with Education.
I would be most interested in being involved on the Makerspace and/or (co) space Committee. I think we have not managed to knit all the necessary partnerships together to make Trades a viable choice for more Yukon students. I also believe there is a complete overlap of Makerspace and the new curriculum. I would love to contribute to this. My father was a farmer and taught me many technical skills. Many students are today divorced from the world of building and making things. We need to mend this gap.
Jenna Marie Bourgeois
Candidate for Director
I was a volunteer at (co)space last year and have been a regular tenant.
Interest in board work
(co)space Committee and Marketing Committee
John Glynn-Morris
Candidate for Director
I am a Whitehorse-based public engagement specialist with a background in land-use planning, recreation, and community development. I work with clients to plan and implemented public / stakeholder engagement strategies and provide strategic planning and facilitation services to not-for profit organisations. I was one of the founding-members of YuKonstruct and (co)space and served as the first President and led the development of the organisation’s first strategic plan during the spring of 2016. I stepped off the board in June 2016 and over the last year have remained an active member of (co)space. I am keen to rejoin the Board to support the organization again as we chart our exciting future!
Interest in board work
I am interested in the governance and (co)space committees. I would also be keen to support a planning / feasibility exercise that considers future space(s).
Ksenia Gasper
Candidate for Director
Right now I’m the Thursday evening site moderator at Makerspace and occasional blog-post writer, but I’ve also co-taught Laser Cutter 101, organized workshops, promoted a Makerspace event on air, and been involved in a number of different maker projects, like the Winterval lanterns. I am employed as a senior policy analyst with Yukon government.
Interest in board work
I am interested in contributing by bringing strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills to the Board and by co-Chairing and/or sitting on one or several Committees, especially the Governance, Makerspace and Marketing Committees. I do not have a solid background in Finance, but would be interested in learning and perhaps contributing where statistical data or analysis could be beneficial.
Martin Lehner
Candidate for Director
Owner of Tangerine Technology, Yukon College instructor, working in the technology field in the Yukon for over a decade. Background in marketing.
Current member of:
YITIS (TechYukon) – Board of Directors Executive – Vice President (2016 to present)
Learning Disabilities Association of Yukon – Board of Directors Executive – Treasurer (2016 to present)
Past member of:
YITIS (TechYukon) – Board of Directors (2014 to 2016)
Learning Disabilities Association of Yukon – Board of Directors (2011 to 2016)
Teegatha ‘Oh Zheh – Board of Directors Executive – Treasurer (2014 to 2015)
Teegatha ‘Oh Zheh – Board of Directors (2013 to 2014)
Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors Executive – Vice Chair (2015 to 2015)
Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors Executive – Treasurer (2014 to 2015)
Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors (2011 to 2014)
Yukon Council on disABILITY – Board of Directors (2011 to 2013)
Interest in board work
Interest in the Governance Committee, Finance Committee, (co)space Committee and Marketing Committee. Top interest would be the (co)space Committee.
Mary Ellen Read
Candidate for Director
I am self-employed, running a small local architectural practice, Northern Front Studio, since 2010. I have been an active board member of Yukonstruct Makerspace Society for the past year, and have been assisting with the feasibility study for a facility for the long term sustainability of the organization. I have also been a member of Yukonstruct since 2015
Interest in board work
In the past year I have participated in decisions related to hiring the Executive Director, funding applications, and contractor staff positions. I am also still very interested in working towards a facility for the society, and the possible connections bringing the two operations closer. I would be very interested in any committee that is action oriented, and is focused on treating the society more as a business enterprise, and become less defendant on grants and funding to operate. I am also very interested in working with more members in committees, and have less board separation from the societies membership.
Paul Christman
Candidate for Director
Newly employed with the Yukon Government Energy Mines and Resources Branch as Chief Mine Engineer. Previously employed in the private mining industry on fly in fly out projects in Yukon and Nunavut. Mining Engineer by trade. Successfully designed and manufactured new and unique custom mining equipment for underground hard rock applications that is now in use. Volunteer work with the CIM Whitehorse Branch and other Yukon mining initiatives. Recently became a member of Yukonstruct and wish to contribute beyond volunteer work as I believe it is an excellent organization and resource for the community. Now based in Whitehorse full time and able to commit time and energy to community organizations like Yukonstruct.
Interest in board work
Governance Committee and Makerspace Committee
Robert (Bob) Sharp
Candidate for Director
Retired educator, now operating a small business
Interest in board work
Extending the partnerships between Yukonstruct and education