2022 Election

I am excited to be running for the position of Trustee for the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. I believe that there has always been challenges facing school boards and they are only …becoming more complex as time passes. I am confident that my experience and training can help the board and will be happy to assist as a trustee. I grew up in Eastern Ontario and have called Smiths Falls my home for the last 28 years. Professionally I worked for some of the largest financial institutions in Canada for over 35 years as a commercial banking manager. I recently retired early and am devoting my time to continue assisting the greater community where I think my skill set can make a difference. I have a long history of community involvement having sat on dozens of boards, advisory committees, task forces and have been involved in many successful fundraising campaigns. Early on in my life I was a member of service clubs such as the Colombian Squires, Knights of Columbus and the Kinsmen Club. I was elected to Smiths Falls town council in 2006 and served three terms before deciding to retire from office in 2018. I served as a Library Trustee and Board Chair of the Smiths Falls Public Library from 1998-2010 and was a member of the Smiths Falls Police Board from 2010-2018. Currently I am the Vice Chair of the Rideau Community Health Services and once again a Library Trustee in Smiths Falls. I feel I excelled at providing oversight to these organizations along with strategic planning during my time and hope I can do the same with the CDSBEO. Personally together with my wife Linda we raised two children here who both attended separate schools from Kindergarten to grade 12. Linda and I were both active volunteers with each of the schools helping to enrich the experience of the students and support the staff and the curriculum. My daughter and son-in-law are both educators in Ottawa and Linda is a librarian for the Upper Canada Board at Chimo and SFDCI. I believe I understand the struggles facing educators going forward and will feel blessed if provided the opportunity to help the board navigate the challenges it will face. More

I am a proud father of three children. I’m a believer in leading by example and have been a successful business owner for 20+ years. I understand conflict management, short-term and long-term planning, …budgets and above all else the importance of transparency and clear communication. Aside from some of the matters I look forward to addressing like student achievement, accountability and continuous improvement I will be taking a ‘customer service’ approach and be a voice for all parents.

More info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Osap5XIxU More

A valedictorian graduate of St. John Catholic High School, Max has continued his education and is currently completing a commerce degree at the University of Ottawa.

As a track and field athlete …now competing at a national level, he is no stranger to competitive races and his time spent studying in Europe has given him a keen awareness of the challenges facing students and families here at home.

“The last couple of years have been difficult for students, staff, teachers and families. I’m proud to say that our catholic schools have risen to the challenge and shown what we are capable of. My understanding of the current state of our classrooms is not a distant memory of 30 years ago. Our students continue to navigate a rapidly changing environment and I am positioned perfectly to bridge the gap between our students, teachers and families and the board. I will strive to represent to the best of my abilities the questions and concerns our catholic families may have.”

Max is a community minded individual who participates at many levels. His involvement with fundraising and organizing events has been very fulfilling. He also directed and produced a short film called “Simple Math” which examines the ever increasing cost of education in Canada. “Simple Math” went on to be an official selection finalist at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival in 2020. More