b'MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOREnsuring the competitiveness of Ontarios stone, sand and gravel sector will guide all my actions as I work in this sector. Governments, stakeholders, allies and others in the construction industry must understand that the aggregate sector underpins all construction in our provinceIts thanks to these public sector roles that I have becomeourselves as close neighbours. From time-to-time, relationships skilled in the art of persuading those who are outside of mybecome strained, but I can assure everyone that I will work tirelessly direct control. These opportunities have also given me a deepto ensure that we sell our story and, at the same time, listen to understanding of how the government and its leaders work andthe concerns of our neighbours and the political leadership in those the importance of codes, standards and specifications, whichascommunities. It is important for the communities to understand OSSGA members and staff well knoware very important to ourthat their homes, recreation, faith-based buildings, hospitals, roads, industry and society. highways and wastewater facilities, etc., would not (and could not) exist without aggregates.My career has also taken me into the private sector. I worked for one of the worlds largest agri-food businesses, ArcherWorker health and safety is an ongoing and critical concern Daniels Midland, based in the United States. After that, I returnedfor our industry, so I want to ensure that OSSGA is providing the to Canada and spent time in an environmental company thattraining and resources our members need to keep their employees remediated contaminated soil in the mid-2000s. That was whensaferesources such as the operations health and safety seminar I began developing a stronger appreciation and understandingthat we recently hosted. Every employee needsand deserves of industrys impact on the environment and learned how to to get home safely at the end of the day. I want to make sure work with governments to develop and implement market- our industry uses the latest and best practices and technologies to based solutions that reduced industrys environmental footprint,ensure that happens.while at the same time allowed industry to remain competitive. I carried that passion into my position as president and CEO ofIm also really excited about developing relationships and working the Cement Association of Canada, where I served for 15 years.with First Nations communities. Given that our industry extracts It also informed my subsequent role as CEO of the Ontariofrom the land, its incredibly important to better understand First Road Builders Association (ORBA), where, along with the ORBANations issues and their concerns regarding how our members Board, we realigned, refocused, and re-branded the Association toextract stone, sand and gravel. Practising reconciliation in everyday better align ORBAs objectives with government decision-makerslife is important to me, and I will bring that passion and those and influencers. values to OSSGA members. I wasnt sure about my next step after ORBA and whether orAs such, well develop a plan for members and myself to travel not I would fully retire. Thats when OSSGA and I started talkingacross the province to meet with First Nations communities, and about my joining the Association and continuing my work ongain their insights, perspectives and trust on extracting aggregates this side of the construction industry. It is an association I amfrom Mother Earth. Recently I met with Elder Whabagoon, an familiar with and one in which I could be of value, so I said yesOjibway Elder whom I am getting to know better and whose counsel and consider it a privilege and honour to work for the membersIm seeking on the importance of opening our meeting with an of OSSGA.Indigenous blessing. I started this practice last year at ORBA and look forward to continuing it at our convention. I hope I will be able Q: What are your priorities as you settle into the role? to learn from her, and Im seeking her counsel on how to build the Ensuring the competitiveness of Ontarios stone, sand andrelationships we need with Indigenous communities across Ontario. gravel sector will guide all my actions as I work in this sector.As I said, we each need to practise reconciliation on a personal level Governments, stakeholders, allies and others in the constructionbefore we can achieve success provincially and nationally.industry must understand that the aggregate sector underpins all construction in our province. One aspect of our industry that isAnother priority for me is to ensure the environment remains different from other sectors is we dont have a choice of where toa top focus for our Association. I support Canadas 2030 target of set up business; our industry establishes its sites where the rawreducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent from 2005 levels materials are. Its as simple as that.within this decade. We also need market-based tools to help the industry meet its climate change goals. Thats why Im committed Inmanycases,ouroperationsareontheoutskirtsofto these goals and helping the aggregate industry understand its communities, but communities have expanded and now we findrole in getting to net zero by 2050 and setting targets by 2030. I will WINTER 2024AVENUES 7'