b"Q & AWITHJOHN ENNS,NEW WCA CHAIR ANDPRINCIPAL OF ENNS AGENCIES INC.BUILD MANITOBA sits down with WCAs Chair to find out how he went from grooming the slopes as a snow cat operator in Whistler to working in Manitobas ICI construction industry and what he hopes to accomplish during his two-year term.Build Manitoba:Tell us a bit about your background. restoration and building envelope-related products. Our focus John Enns:I grew up in Fort Garry and our family farmedis helping owners to installers make the right decisions and to in the La Salle area. I had the best of both worlds, as I got toconstantly search for new and innovative products to bring to experience both a rural and an urban way of life. My dad andthe Manitoba market. my uncle were the original Enns Brothers, operating a JohnBM:If you werent working in the construction industry, Deere dealership in Oak Bluff. When I was young, they wentwhat would you be doing?their separate ways; my uncle continued with John Deere, andJE:Event coordination or ski hill operations.we went farming. As a kid I spent a lot of time with my dad and brothers, riding around in farm equipment or botheringBM:What is the best advice that you could give to a young the guys in the shop. Growing up as a farmers son is a bigperson entering construction?part of who I am today. JE:Always operate with integrity.BM:What was one of your most memorable first jobs? BM:What is one thing that you want to do as WCA Chair?JE:After high school, I moved to Whistler, B.C., for whatJE:My predecessors, Ron, and the WCA staff continue to do was supposed to be a year off. Much to my parents chagrin,such a great job. I want to leave the WCA in a better position it turned into 10 years working as a snow cat operator forthan when I started. Two years from now, Ellowyn Nadeau will Blackcomb Mountain. Following my time out west, I movedbe taking over as the first female chair in the 116-year history back to Winnipeg and graduated from University of Manitobaof the WCA and I want her to inherit the same situation that I with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in environmental sciencehad coming in as chair.at the tender age of 30.BM:What influenced you to work in the constructionBM:When youre not working, what are you busy with?industry? JE:My wife Marnie and I enjoy travelling and being with our JE:A friend of the family was looking to fill a Businessdogs. Since starting my own business, my version of going for Development Manager position at Vector Construction Ltd. Ia snowmobile or dirt bike ride is putting either one in the back had banged nails growing up but had no formal experience inof the truck and taking it for a ride.ICI construction. He joked one day that I should apply for theBM:Do you have a motto?position as he was struggling to find the right person. The restJE:The Golden Rule: Do unto othersis history. As the Manitoba Business Development Manager for the last 15 years, I was responsible for relationshipBM:Who is your mentor?building, estimating and some project management. I enjoyed constant growth during this time. The Vector family gave meJE:I believe you take away a little from everyone you meet. the opportunity to enter and grow in the construction industryMy parents and siblings have been a major influence in my as well as grow personally.life. I am the youngest of five, so I had to have a very strong argument if I was going to be heard. Don Whitmore has BM:Tell us a bit about your newest venture. always been someone I try to emulate.JE:Enns Agencies Inc. (EAI) is an independent sales agencyBM:Whats your favorite Manitoba attraction?that markets and sells manufacturers' products to wholesale and retail customers. EAIs territory is primarily withinJE:Whiteshell Provincial Park. Winter or summer, I loveManitoba and focuses on marketing and selling concretethat place.8 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca"