Who Am I?
Who Am I?
I’m a long-time Brantford resident, business owner, volunteer, husband, and father of seven. For more than 20 years, my family has called Ward 3 home. We live in Briar Park, where we built our life, raised our children, and put down deep roots in this community.
My wife Tabatha and I had four children of our own, and in 2015 we adopted a sibling group of three sisters. We now have a family of seven kids — six girls and one son. Family is at the centre of everything I do. When you are raising seven kids, you think hard about the kind of community you are leaving behind.
Our children have attended Brier Park School and North Park Secondary. Tabatha also ran a daycare in Brier Park, which gave our family a deep connection to neighbourhood life and the everyday realities local families face.
My Work
I have run my own business in Brantford for the past 15 years. Before that, I spent years in sales, working with record labels, publishers, event planners, and businesses of all sizes. In 2008 I partnered with a business associate to open a print marketing company, and in 2011 I launched Smashing Pixels — a digital media company right here in Brantford.
Over the years, Smashing Pixels has served hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses in Brantford and beyond. We have also welcomed around 25 young interns through our doors — students from the university and co-op students from local schools helping them get real-world experience and a head start on their careers. I believe in investing in the next generation, not just talking about it.
Running a business in this city has given me a front-row seat to the challenges and opportunities facing local families, workers, and employers. It has taught me the value of hard work, listening to people, and building relationships on trust.
Building a Better Brantford — Before It Was a Campaign
Long before I decided to run for council, I was involved in building things in this community. In 1995, I produced VIBE — the first local music compilation CD for Brantford — featuring 10 local bands. We followed it with shows across Ontario, in Hamilton, Kitchener, London, and Toronto, putting Brantford’s local talent on a bigger stage.
From there I moved into bringing larger touring acts to Brantford. Between 1994 and 1997, if you were in Brantford and caught a show by the Tea Party, My Mother Earth, the Doughboys, or 13 Engines, there’s a good chance I was the one who brought them here. My goal was always simple: give local people a chance to open for the headliners and shine.
That same thinking led to Tweetstock — what we called a social media rock conference. We took the concept of a community meetup, brought in bestselling authors and top social media voices from across Canada and the US, and built a platform for local business owners and entrepreneurs to step up and share their own ideas. We ran 10 events, with our largest drawing 325 people to the Brantford Cinemas.
From there came Grandelicious — an interactive food and wine show I co-founded with local partners, bringing together wine producers, restaurants, and food makers from across the region. We hosted it for three years at the Brantford Civic Centre, drawing 3,000 people a day and welcoming TV personality chefs to the stage. It was a celebration of what Brantford had to offer.
These were not small efforts. They were community-building projects that I believed in, organized, and made happen. That is the kind of person I am, and that is the kind of councillor I will be.
Volunteering
Growing up, my mom was a strong believer in volunteering. If we weren’t working, we were volunteering — and that shaped me for life. Over the years I have served in a lot of ways: volunteering with the supper club at Sydenham United Church, packing food at the food bank with a group from our church, running gym nights for young kids, and ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas.
With my office in downtown Brantford for the past five years, we have made it a routine to collect jackets and go out to hand them out to people who need them — along with Tim Hortons gift cards and food. Our office also keeps an open door for anyone who needs a coffee, a drink, or just a moment to catch their breath.
I have also supported the Brantford Sports Council for the past 12 years, helping with their events and programs. I was humbled to receive their Volunteer of the Year Award — an honour that means a great deal to me, because Brantford has always meant a great deal to me.
Heritage & Community
I have also had the privilege of being involved with Brantford’s International Villages, especially through the Ukrainian Village. That connection goes back to my childhood and continued as my own kids grew up. I believe heritage matters. Knowing where you come from matters. Celebrating culture while building a strong Canadian community matters.
