The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC) is pleased to announce the election of Kellee Irwin, as Chairperson for 2011 - 2013. Ms. Irwin serves as Vice President, Personal Insurance for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. She replaces Liz Jansen who has completed her two-year term but will remain on the Board as Past-Chair.
MCC is also pleased to announce the election of Mr. Doug Houghton (Manitoba) as Vice-Chair and Jennifer Ross (Quebec) as Secretary-Treasurer. Joining Kellee, Doug and Jennifer on the MCC Board for the next two years, are new Directors Don Galloway (Alberta), Mark Gray (British Columbia), Dave Millier (Ontario) and Norm Sukkau (Manitoba).
“I am honoured to be joining a volunteer Board of Directors having the depth and breadth of riding experience, strategic thinking and leadership qualities that are needed to represent the interests of Canadian motorcyclists from coast-to-coast, noted Ms. Irwin. “Taking on this role at a time when the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada is determined to weigh-in on public policy and rider/traffic safety issues that impact the Canadian on- and off-road motorcycling community is challenging and exciting.”
“Motorcycling is a convenient, safe, modern, affordable, community- and family-oriented and increasingly eco-friendly mode of transportation, recreational activity and sport,” added MCC President Daniel Tessier. “The growth of motorcycling from coast-to-coast underscores the need for federal-provincial-territorial-municipal governments to (1) acknowledge the positive aspects of motorcycling; (2) recognize motorcycling as a modal transportation choice for hundreds of thousands of Canadians; and (3) better integrate motorcycling into our nation’s transport strategy.”
Comprised of national, provincial and territorial organizations, regional clubs, individual members and industry representatives, the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada is the premier national, grassroots advocacy organization championing motorcycling interests throughout Canada.
Biographical outlines: Board of Directors - Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada
Kellee Irwin – Chair (British Columbia): Kellee is a long time on- and off-road rider and enduro competitor, and worked in the family motorcycle retail business for many years. She served as President of the Great Pine Trail Riders, and was President of the BC Safety Council. She is also Chair of the Canadian International Motorcycling Heritage Museum Foundation, which hosts the annual Motorcycling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet. Kellee is currently Vice President, Personal Insurance, of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.
Doug Houghton – Vice Chair (Manitoba): A long-time road rider, he is the President-elect of the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups – an advocacy group committed to promoting safe and affordable motorcycling for Manitobans. He has played a key role in CMMG’s success in enhancing insurance rates, licensing and training for motorcyclists. Doug recently retired after 36 years as a land use planner and regional manager for Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs.
Jennifer Ross – Secretary-Treasurer (Quebec): A self-taught rider since 1973, Jennifer is a long-time champion of motorcycling rights and has been actively involved in the provincial and federal motorcyclist advocacy movement for the past 18 years. She has held a succession of positions with l'Association motocycliste de Granby (AMG), the Fédération motocycliste du Québec (FMQ), the Comité d’action politique motocycliste (CAPM) and the web-based Aventure Motos Estrie. Currently, she is a teacher at l’École professionnelle de St-Hyacinthe - a vocational school specializing in computer applications, business math, and supply chain and time management.
Liz Jansen – Past-Chair (Ontario): In addition to being a certified Senior Motorcycle Instructor, Liz is founder of Trillium Motorcycle Tours & Events. She is the author of the newly released book, Women, Motorcycles and the Road to Empowerment. She was a member of the Advisory Council for the American Motorcyclist Association’s 2009 International Women Riders Conference and organized Canada’s first similar event in 2010. Her articles have been published in national newspapers, magazines and ezines, and her expertise has been sought for television and radio interviews and newspaper articles.
Bob Ramsay – Director (Ontario): Bob is an avid on-road and off-road motorcyclist. He is the President and Chief Staff Officer for two national not-for-profit trade associations – the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council and the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council. Bob is the Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE), the national professional society of not-for-profit executives. Bob is also the Past President of the Board of Directors of the National Trails Coalition (NTC).
Bob Smith – Director (Alberta): Bob has been actively engaged in community, provincial and federal motorcycle and ATV associations for about 20 years. He has spent the last 15 years working in the retail motorcycle industry. Over the years, Bob has owned a wide range of on/off road motorcycles and he has travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico. Bob is also a Director of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, the ATV Quad Council of Canada, the Alberta Off Highway Vehicle Association and the Alberta Outdoors Coalition.
Claude Lacasse – Director (Quebec): Claude has been a motorcycling advocate at the community, provincial, national and international level for almost 30 years. He has held a succession of positions with l'Association motocycliste de Granby (AMG), the Fédération motocycliste du Québec (FMQ), and the Comité d’action politique motocycliste (CAPM). He served as President of the organizing committee for two FMQ conferences and was an active member of the Organizing Committee for the first International Motorcyclists Conference, which took place in Brussels in 2010. He is Plant Manager at PARABOX, which manufactures advanced cleanroom panel systems.
Daniel Boucher – Director (New Brunswick): Daniel has a passion for the non-profit sector, and is devoted to public organization and service. Over the years, he has served on a number of business and community Boards, including the Edmundston Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Association, the Fraser Paper Pollution Advisory Board and the Fraser Paper Land Management Property Board. As General Manager of the New Brunswick Off Road Motorcycles Federation, he has been active on a number of public policy issues such as trail development and stewardship and safety and training programs for off-road motorcyclists. Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada 3000 Steeles Avenue East, Suite 202 Markham ON L3R 4T9 647.920.1334 www.motorcycling.ca
Dave Millier – Director (Ontario): Dave is an avid off-road motorcycle rider and activist. He is a Board member of the Simcoe County Off Road Riders Association and the Ontario Dual Sport Club. Dave is also President of the Ontario Federation of Trail Riders. He also joined the Board of the Ontario Trails Council in June of 2010. Dave brings a wealth of business knowledge, a passion for trails and off road interests, and most recently, after his acquisition of a street bike, a love for touring and exploring. Dave is the founder and CEO of Sentry Metrics, one of Canada’s most successful Managed Security Services providers.
Don Galloway – Director (Alberta): Don is a long-time rider, activist, service representative and distributor. He has been racing for about 32 years and his recent hobby is to restore and race vintage motorcycles. Don co-founded the River Vista MX Club. In 2005, the Province of Alberta recognized him for 25 years of work with the Alberta Motorcycle Apprenticeship Board. Don is Partner and Vice President of Cycle Works Group, which oversees the operation of Cycle Works Motorsports and Cycle Works West in Edmonton and Cycle Works in Calgary.
Mark Gray – Director (British Columbia): Mark began riding a trail bike and moped at an early age, which evolved into a passion for primarily sport and dualsport bikes. He is a Director and a co-founder of DualSportBC and a Treasurer of the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club. Mark puts much emphasis on safety, trail access and stewardship, new riders and supporting Canadian retailers. He has been lead organizer of several major motorcycle events in recent years. Mark is in the finance and investment industry and currently serves as a Director with Maple Trade Finance.
Myra Abstreiter – Director (Alberta): From a modest beginning on a Suzuki 55cc in 1985, Myra has enjoyed 25+ years of riding. She’s been a road rider, ice racer and much more. Joining the Edmonton chapter of Women in the Wind she has been actively involved for over 20 years. Myra has held various executive positions in the chapter including the Canadian administrator. While holding this position she mentored the start of 10 more Canadian Chapters. She joined MCC’s Women Riders Council in 2007 and currently chairs the Council.
Nathan Naslund – Director (Ontario): Nathan was an active motorcycle road racer from 1976 through 1982 – he won a Canadian National Championship title in 1977 (unlimited amateur class). He was responsible for Suzuki Canada’s motorcycle racing program from 1993 through 2008. He owns five motorcycles and has a few restoration projects underway. Nathan served on the advisory committee board to establish a motorcycle technician pre-employment program at Fairview College in Alberta. He was also on the BC apprenticeship advisory committee for the motorcycle technician program. Nathan has been in the motorcycle industry for almost 40 years, including 26 years with Suzuki Canada. He is currently National Field Sales Manager for Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada.
Norm Sukkau – Director (Manitoba): Norm is the incoming Chair of the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council for 2012. He works for Winnipeg-based Polaris Canada, and has been an avid motorcyclist since the introduction of Victory to the Canadian marketplace about 10 years ago. He has also worked on numerous national and local issues, on behalf of the industry and the motorcycling community.
Norm Wells – Director (Ontario): Norm started riding on-road at 18 years old, and has strong off-road experience. He has ridden and toured through Canada, the United States, Europe, South Africa, and the Caribbean. A former road racer, he has extensive race track knowledge. Norm has worked for BMW Motorrad since 1987 and always in the motorcycle division – he is currently the Director of BMW Motorrad Canada.
Daniel H. Tessier – President and CEO: Daniel has a 25 year background in association management, strategic communications, advocacy, government relations and membership services coupled with a proven record of achievements. He will guide the Board’s efforts to increase membership, enhance the member benefits package, strengthen stakeholder outreach, improve our effectiveness as an advocacy organization, and raise the MCC’s profile. Most recently, Daniel served as President/CEO of the Geomatics Industry Association of Canada. He was also Vice President, Public Affairs and Traffic Safety for the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) where he was responsible for a number of high-profile traffic safety and advocacy initiatives.
Source: www.motorcycling.ca
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