Ron has been an active Rotarian from 2014 to present in the Oshawa Rotary Club of District 7070 and prior to that from 1985 to 2000 in Districts 7010 (Rotary Club of Sudbury) and District 5550 (Rotary Clubs of Saskatoon and Winnipeg-Assiniboine). A three-time president, Sudbury (1987-1988), Saskatoon (1995-1996) and Oshawa (2017-2018), the club on each occasion achieved the Citation from the RI President.
Also active at the District level, Ron was member of the District International Service committee in District 7010 and did a project visit to Conseulo, Dominican Republic in 1988. Continuing his World Community Service work in District 5550, Ron chaired the District International Service Committee from 1996 to 2000. During that time Ron had the opportunity to do post project visits to Fancy, St. Vincent and Lima, Peru and received the Rotary International Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service in 2000. In rejoining Rotary in District 7070, Ron has completed all three levels of the Rotary Leadership Institute and is currently an Assistant District Governor and a member of the District Advisory Council heading up the Six Areas of Focus Action Committees.
Ron and Karen have been very active in their community serving as Volunteer Fitness Instructors at the Durham YMCA and participating in the annual YMCA Sweat for Good Challenge (formerly Megathon) and the Ride to Conquer Cancer ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls. You can catch Ron on Mondays at 7 pm or Thursday mornings at 7am for a 45-minute Cyclefit (spin) class and Karen on Mondays at 7:15 pm for Muscleworks Bars & Plates or Wednesday evening at 7 pm for her 45-minute Cyclefit class! Karen and Ron also enjoy golf, downhill skiing, paddle boarding and camping.
Ron has been a Financial Advisor for over 38 years and has experience in building his own financial services practice and in managing a Branch/Regional Agency and as an industry executive. Ron has completed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) Chartered Financial Consultant (CH.F.C.) and Certified Health Specialist (CHS) designations and is a member of the Centre for Advanced Underwriting (CALU) demonstrating the highest professional standards in his industry.
Ron and Karen live in Oshawa and enjoy a blended family of 4 adult children, 2 grandchildren and the family pet, a Long coat German Shepperd, Dakota. Karen is the Regional Manager for the Great West Life Disability Claims office and has also taken a very active role in Rotary participating in the many social events and co-managing the ticket sellers at the Oshawa Ribfest.