Richard is a Niagara resident and currently works for the City of Welland as the Manager of Recreation & Culture. His main personal and professional efforts are focused on helping create and develop opportunities for sport, recreation, cultural experiences, and the arts which are widely accessible to the community. This is also the impetus for his volunteer work with local non-profit sports groups.
Prior to embarking on a career in Municipal Management, Richard was a member of the Canadian National Canoe Kayak Team and competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. In 2011 he won a gold medal in singles at the 16th Pan American Games in Mexico.
In your view, what’s the most important attribute of a leader?
A leader must be able to have the ability to envision opportunities and potentials that others are not able to see.
How do you define civic leadership?
Civic Leadership is about enhancing the wellbeing of your constituents; which could be customers, staff, or the public in general. It’s about adding value to the community and using skills and tools to help create an improved standard of wellbeing over the status quo.
Why are you personally motivated to explore civic leadership?
There are many opportunities and challenges that exist in Niagara, I’m interested to help develop initiatives that will maximize the possibilities that are available in this Region.
What, in your view, is the most significant issue/opportunity facing our community? Why?
The average Niagara resident is busy. They have many responsibilities that could include care of family, a demanding job, and challenges making ends meet. Finding time to enjoy recreation, culture, and healthy activity in and around the many pressures of life is becoming increasingly difficult. This is a universal challenge, but is very significant and requires ongoing attention at the local and regional level.