I've lived in the Niagara Region all of my life. When I was small, I lived in Ridgeway but moved to Welland where I spent my teen-age years.
I graduated from Notre Dame and went on get a BASc in mechanical engineering from the University of Ottawa in 1987. After graduation, I worked at the following businesses:
- WP London & Associates (Niagara Falls)
- London-Monenco (St Catharines)
- Gryphon International (St Catharines)
- QUNO / Abitibi (Thorold)
- Thermal Ceramics (Burlington)
- Vesuvius (Buffalo, NY)
- Raso Enterprises (Stevensville)
I got married in 1993 and have twins now attending university. My son is studying environmental science at Carleton University and my daughter is studying nursing a Queen's University. My beautiful wife is an employee of the Niagara Health System, which means that the NHS is a very personal interest for me.
I have always had an interest in all things mechanical and especially cars. From my summer job at General Motors in St Catharines (Engine Plant & Foundry), I was able to save up and buy my first car (1965 Plymouth Barracuda), which I still have today. After finishing school, I joined the Antique & Classic Car Club of Canada and was one of Rainbow Region's founding members in 1988. After settling down in Stevensville in 1993, I eventually joined the Rods & Relics Car Club in 2007 and subsequently because its car show chairman in 2008. Since 2012, I now also run the classic car show at the Fort Erie Friendship Festival.
My interest in alternative fuels started in university with a 3rd-year Internal Combustion Engine course. My prof was a fuels researcher for the National Research Council and I admired the work he did. After university, I converted one of my first cars to propane (a 1978 New Yorker) and eventually became a dealer for Technocarb Equipment. While watching the news back in 2007, I learned about anhydrous ammonia as an alternative fuel (November 6, 2006) and eventually became the chief scientist for Hydrofuel Inc. My latest project with Hydrofuel Inc is the design of a prototype diesel-NH3 fuel system for heavy duty vehicles. Hydrofuel has partnered with UOIT to commercialize its ammonia technology.