Executive

VETERANSCANADA.ca is a Veteran Community and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada

Executive Board Members

On June 1, 2013, Veterans Canada had it's first conference call Board of Directors meeting with our newly elected or appointed Executive Board for the next two calendar years. These leaders come from many walks of life but have one thing in common; they are all veterans of their branch of service who have served Canada in a position of risk. These volunteers are passionate, dedicated and motivated to further cultivate the organisation on-line and into our communities. They will serve a two year term with the next elections to be held December of 2014.

We are pleased to announce the following members as our elected / appointed leaders for Veteran Canada

Alan Joachim Nanders, C.D. , B.A. , B.Ed. , O.C.T. grew up in Toronto completing grade 13 at Parkdale Collegiate and attended universities in Waterloo and Toronto. He also served with The Royal Regiment of Canada (Toronto) from 1960 to 1968 serving first in the ranks (Private to Corporal), and then after 3 summers of COTC while at university he rose from Officer Cadet to Lieutenant. Eventually, time demands of his chosen teaching profession forced him to take a leave from military service. Alan graduated from the University of Toronto with an honours B.A. in 1971 and with a B.Ed. degree in 1973. Alan was a full-time Elementary and Secondary teacher in Toronto for the next 25 years, and devoted spare time to professional development, family, athletics, drama, debating and travel.

In 1998 Alan Nanders and his wife Vicki moved to Kitchener, where both presently still reside. They have two adult sons who work in Toronto and Calgary. During the next few years, Alan pursued multiple careers. He was a part-

Alan Nanders C.D. - National Chairman

time teacher for the Waterloo Region School Board (1998-2001), and resumed his prior career as a Reserve Army Officer in 1996. This time Alan worked with Army Cadets, rising to Captain and became Commanding Officer of 2736 Royal Regiment of Canada Army Cadet Corps (1998-2001). Captain Alan Nanders also served as an instructor and supervisor at Canadian Forces Base Borden during the summers of 1997 to 2008. For his years of long and diligent military service, Captain Nanders was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration (C.D.) in 2005, three years before his mandatory retirement in 2008.

Before returning to half-time-time high school teaching in 2001, Alan Nanders followed a third career path as a part-time financial, taxation and pre-retirement counsellor in private practice, a field where Alan had a wide background. He had become a member of the Canadian Federation of Tax Consultants in 1984, and had taught Personal Income Tax at Toronto night schools for many years. Alan also lectured Ontario teachers on behalf of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation on topics of Financial and Pre-Retirement Planning in week-end workshops across Ontario during the years 1984 to 1997, until these workshops were curtailed due to financial restraints.

Since retiring in 2008 as a Peel District Board high school teacher (English, Mathematics and Special Education), Alan has been a part-time Instructor for Conestoga College in Waterloo (2008-2012) teaching adult students English and Mathematics. He has also worked repeatedly as Scoring Supervisor, helping to train teachers to assess EQAO’s Ontario Grade 10 Literacy Tests.

Alan Nanders makes time for volunteer work; he supports food drives, and a local shelter for women and children. From 2008 to 2010 Alan served on MACKS, the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors, and was appointed to the Waterloo Region Seniors’ Advisory Group in 2012. He is Vice-President of the Concordia Club’s Seniors’ Group and continues volunteer work with Cadets, as a Liaison Officer for the Ontario Army Cadet League.

For his wide-ranging volunteer work with youths, the elderly and with people in need, Alan Nanders was awarded the Canadian 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal on January 13th, 2013.

Donald John Leonardo, C.D., is a retired Canadian soldier, business man, veterans’ advocate and Founder / National President of the website, VeteransCanada.ca. Veterans Canada is Canada's largest on-line veterans’ community serving a membership of over 7200. When Don started the website seven years ago, the counter at the top of the first page started at zero. Members are active, released and retired members of Canada's uniformed services in defence, security, enforcement and emergency health services and are veterans of their service.

As the second child of two born to Mildred and Joseph Leonardo at the Grace Hospital in Montreal, Quebec, June 28, 1961, Don was raised in Quebec and attended school in Quebec. While a student at LaSalle High School, he became interested in girls, football and scouting.

During the 1976 Olympics held in Montreal, Don worked with the Boy Scouts of Canada as a volunteer athlete’s

Donald J. Leonardo C.D. - National President

messenger. To his surprise, he was awarded a certificate of service in recognition of his contribution. Little did he know then how much this experience would continue to influence his life.

Don is a third generation Canadian Army Veteran who enlisted in the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada January 5th, 1978. He was just sixteen years old. After serving in Germany with the Third Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, he re-badged as a mobile support equipment operator (MSE-OP). Upon completing his trades training in 1980, Don was posted to CFB Kingston, Ontario, where he was stationed until 1984.

His next post was at CFB Chilliwack – Jericho Detachment – where his duties for six years included VIP driving. Some of the dignitaries in a long list of assignments was the Royal visits of the Queen and Prince Phillip, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Princess Margaret and many other dignitaries.

While stationed in Kingston, Don spent two years as a Scout Leader of the Collins Bay 25th Disabled Scouts and Ventures. He worked with twenty-five children in wheelchairs and eventually was appointed as the Venture Advisor for nine disabled teenagers. In Vancouver, under Don’s direction the 2541 Scout Group grew from one leader and six scouts to 48 scouts and eight leaders and winning all the awards available in just one year. In addition, the year after Don transferred to Calgary, the 2541 Scouts attended the World Jamboree in Korea. Don was pleased that he was able to leave a legacy that helped the scouts make this trip; his leadership and his vision contributed and helped make it all possible.

In Calgary he continued as Cub Leader and Scoutmaster. One of Don’s most cherished memories of teamwork, aside from the joy of making a difference in the lives of youth in his charge, was a Haunted House project. The proceeds from the admission served as a fundraiser for the group. To top things off, the media came out and reported on the event. While in the military, Don served as a beaver, cub leader and scoutmaster in three provinces. His volunteer efforts did not go unnoticed; the Vancouver District Commander wrote him a commendation citing him as one of his best leaders.

At this time in his life Don was a young father with a wife and two children: a son and an infant daughter born less than two years apart. When his severely disabled son, Jamie, was chosen as a poster child for the Variety Club of British Columbia, a charity that is devoted to building a better future for children with special needs. Together he and his family raised money and participated in events including fund raisers like the Variety Club Telethon and BC Bowls for Kids.

Don’s transfer to Calgary in June of 1990 came with a promotion to Master Corporal. This time he had a new assignment and that was to serve as a Section Commander in One Service Battalion Transportation Company. Don remained in this position until 1996 and continued to find ways to volunteer and help children. He was on the organizing committee for the Truckers Run for Kids, a fund raiser for the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

In 1993 in preparation for a UN Tasking in the former Yugoslavia, Don trained with 1 Canadian Brigade Group at Camp Pendleton USA, before deploying to Canada's United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the former Yugoslavia. He returned home to Calgary September 1994.

Don retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1996 and was immediately hired to a management position in the transport industry. Four years later he hit bottom. The diagnosis that followed would change the rest of his life: Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD.

To keep busy Don started volunteering at his local church and began to get involved in feeding the homeless. He did this every week-end for the six years covering 2000 to 2006, and was given the title of Executive Chef at the Calgary Dream Centre. During this time Don had met many homeless veterans on the streets many who served with him in the military. He even offered a bed in his own home, got a job and managed to put some weight on his friend. After one pay cheque he never saw his friend again. To this point the advocacy was falling on deaf ears. His passions, however, took a shift. He felt he needed to redirect his focus from feeding the hungry to taking on a role of advocacy for veterans and providing an online support system with a view to preventing veterans from becoming homeless in the first place. Don is able to view the programs now running all across the country for homeless veterans and feel pride; he made a difference, he was successful at his mission.

Don is a member of the Royal Alberta United Services Institute (RAUSI), the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada Association and is a previous member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Since the year 2000 he has been a contributor of numerous news articles in support of veterans’ issues to such publications in the National Post, the Ottawa Citizen and the Calgary Herald. He has also written for the Front Line Defense Magazine as well as numerous press release over the years in his role as advocate.

In March of 2012 Don presented 79 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals to Canadians who are veterans and veteran supporters on behalf of the Queen and the Governor General of Canada. Veterans Canada's Nomination Committee also recommended Don as a recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work with the veteran community at large.

Over the course of the past year Don completed certification in the Entrepreneurial and Web Design programs from Mount Royal University in Calgary. He enjoys putting his new skills into practice and he looks forward to continuing to serve Veterans Canada for many more years.

Click here to read more.

Major Jean-Pierre Poirier is born September 8, 1948. He studied in electronic at the Technology Institute of Hull and at the CEGEP of Hull. He also studied in Business Administration at Laval University and University of New-Brunswick.

In 1965, he joined Le Régiment de Hull and after being promoted Captain, he joined the Regular Force with the Royal Canadian Artillery Regiment. He filled many positions within 5RALC in Valcartier, the Royal Canadian Artillery School in Gagetown and 1RCHA in Germany. After serving with 5CBG Headquarters (HQ), he is promoted major and posted as Liaison Officer with GATES (German Army) in Shilo Manitoba. In 1990, he is posted to Force Mobile Command HQ in St-Hubert, where he filled many Staff officer positions until 1996. In 1992 he is sent to the Ex-Yugoslavia War (UNPROFR 2) for one year as liaison officer with UNHCR where he open the road to Sarajevo. In

Jean-Pierre Poirier SBOStJ, C.D. - National Vice-President

1996, he posted to RIIP project in Ottawa. Following this he is transferred to CFLS as the Chief Instructor and Commandant of the school in Ottawa. In 2001, he his posted to the Army HQ for DLFR and DLPM. Major Poirier retired in 2008 after more than 42 years of service.

Major Poirier occupied many volunteer positions in the community such as Chief and Commissioner in the Boys Scout, Skate Canada for more than 28 years where he is still an official, Knights of Columbus, Royal Canadian Legion, Director in the Balloon Festival of Gatineau, National Capital Commission, Director in the organising Committee of the Quebec Games in 2010, Organising Committee of the 2001 International Franco Games in Ottawa, Director of St. John Ambulance of the Outaouais and many other organisations.

Major Poirier has two daughters Dominique and Julie et his spouse Claudette.

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Vacant - National Secretary

A Medical Technician still serving until medical release in 2013 Tom Yurkiw was born and raised in Edmonton Alberta. He is married to Monique Yurkiw and his family is blended. Between the two families we have 6 children Christopher 20, Daniel 20, Katie 18, Anna 17, Chantal 18 and Melrose 13. We adopted Melrose from Africa while I was on deployment.

Sgt Yurkiw joined the military in 1984. After completing basic training he went on to complete the TQ3 medical training at CFB Borden. During his career he has been posted to Cold lake, Germany, Halifax, Shearwater, Edmonton, and Ottawa.

Sgt Yurkiw has had a very rewarding career. He is air medevac trained as well as a navy diver. He has been deployed to Iraq, Bosnia. Africa.

Tom Yurkiw C.D. - National Service Officer (NSO)

While training to become an operating room technician he became ill which will result in a medical release from the forces. After becoming a patient and being on the other side of the fence his future goals are to advocate for veterans who struggle with the system that has not been favourable to veterans.

Sgt Yurkiw's decorations include SSM, CD, Queens Jubilee, peacekeeping, former Yugoslavia,and African ops

I was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. I have been married for 20 years to my wife Nelly, and we have two boys, Christopher and Michael. We are currently living in Barrie, Ontario.

I joined the Canadian Forces Reserve 23 (Hamilton Service Bn) in January of 1987 at the age of 17. My trade was R935 Mobile Support Equipment Operator (MSE-OP). I transferred to the regular force in May of 1990 and was posted to CFB Calgary. I served 6 years with 1st Service Battalion Transportation Company. My time in Calgary included serving in all three field platoons as well as Base Transport. I was also tasked to the Allied Mobile Force (L).

In 1992, I completed a U.N tour in the Golan Heights. In 1994, I deployed with my unit to the former Yugoslavia. In July1996, I was posted to CFB Borden Base Transport. I remained at CFB Borden until I was medically released in October 2001.

I received the Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012 for my service to the Veterans Community.

Dan Raposo C.D. - Vice-President Membership

Sylvain Bouliane C.D. - Vice-President Development

Sylvain was born in Montreal, Qc and his career in the uniform started at age 12 when he joined the sea cadet in Sorel (Qc). At age 17, he enrolled in the CF and served with the Engineers for 25 years on retirement as a MWO and 615 CM Tech. During his time of service, he served in St. Jean (Qc), Borden (On), Cold Lake (Ab), Montreal (Qc) (Longue-Pointe, St. Hubert and Farnham), Lahr (Germany), returned to Montreal and retired in Edmonton (Ab). During his time in the CF, he was deployed to CFS Alert (1976), Camp El Gala, (Egypt) with CCUNFME II (1978) and Croatia/Bosnia with UNPROFOR/IFOR (1995). He continued his uniform career when he joined the Corps of Commissionaires for 3 years working in Montreal with Revenue Canada, Canadian Space Agency,

CISIS and later the Calgary Police Service. He moved to Alberta in 2000 and joined the Calgary Catholic School District until present. He re-joined the uniform with the CF CIC (Cadet Instructor Cadre) with #335 RCSCC Calgary and achieved the position of Commanding Officer with the rank of Lieutenant (Navy) for 10 more years.

His awarded medals are: SSM (Peace), CPSM, UNEFME, UNPROFOR, NATO-FRY, QEIIDJM, CD 2nd class and the Navy League of Canada Long service Medal.

He is an active member of various veteran organizations (#285 Legion, CAVUNP, RAUSI, ANAVETS, NOAC, FSNA, CNVA, NATO, Armed Forces Pensioners’Association) and volunteers with the Calgary Military Museum and the Memory Project on speaking engagement with Calgary schools.

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Vacant - Vice-President Business Outreach / Fundraising

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Vacant - National RCMP Representative

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Hugh Muir M.O.M., C.D. - National Police Officer Representative

Vacant - National Firefighter Representative

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Vacant - National Paramedic Representative

Vacant - National Peace Officer Representative

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