Governor Ian McNeil
Regina, SK
email: gyro.regina.president@gmail.com
Biography
Growing Up in Regina, I experienced the joys of being part of the Gyro Club. My Dad (Jack McNeil) was a District 8 Governor and the president of the Regina Club. My parents actively took part in many activities; most impressive, were the friendships created on the principles of Power, Poise, and Purpose.
In 1981, I completed my Bachelor of Education degree in Regina, and then worked 2 years in Northern Saskatchewan as a Readiness-One teacher. While there I enjoyed, canoeing, snowmobiling and wilderness camping. In 1983, I returned to Regina seeking the elusive full time teaching contract in the “big city”, filling my time with temporary teaching contracts, and becoming a Real Estate agent and Investor. It was during this time I became a Gyro member and participated in many Gyro events, including writing the “Regyrona”.
In the 1990s to 2015 I returned to the Teaching profession, working in several villages in Northern Saskatchewan. During this time period I taught all grade levels from Grades 1 to Grade 12. The final two years of my work career being the Math / Literacy catalysis teacher (Instructing teachers how to teach various concepts). While working in the “North”, I became a “JP” (Justice of the Peace) and became extremely involved with Volunteer Search and Rescue (Ground – searcher- team Leader, mantracker, Master Trainer, Search Manager, and Provincial Director, plus Air Search and Rescue- Spotter, Navigator, Zone Commander, Instructor and Search coordinator).
In 2015 I retired from Teaching in La Loche and returned back to Regina becoming involved with the Regina Gyro Club once again. I took on the local Presidency during the pandemic, hosting the 100th year Gyro anniversary and is currently striving to rebuild the club. Also, I am heavily involved with Volunteerism (Sask. Roughrider Volunteer, RLT -Regina Little Theater Volunteer, SMPP- Saskatchewan Missing Persons Partnership, and local search and /rescue), I received the Lieutenant Governors Saskatchewan Protective Services Award (2021) and The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
(2023). I have also found time to help my dad.
Secretary/Treasurer, Ken Baker
Calgary, AB
email: ken.baker65@gmail.com
Biography
I was born in 1947 in Regina and spent the 1st 18 years of my life on a farm south of Regina. In 1965 I attended the Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Moose Jaw where I spent the next couple of years. Upon graduation I took a job in Calgary with the Canada Revenue Agency where I spent the 1st 10 years of my working life.
In 1968 I met Ann. We married in 1969. We have 2 children (both in Calgary) and 2 grandchildren.
In 1978 I left the Canada Revenue Agency and started my own accounting practice. For the next 28 years I met and worked with many wonderful people. One of those people introduced me to Gyro Club of Calgary in 1995. I joined almost immediately. Probably the 2nd best thing that ever happened to me (see preceding paragraph)!
Since joining Gyro, I have served in Club as Treasurer and President. I have served District as the Governor in 2011-2012 and this will be my 4th term as your District Secretary Treasurer. Needless to say I am proud to be involved with our wonderful organization.
In 1996 we went to our 1st International Convention and we were hooked. Over the past 24 years Ann and I have attended many conventions, both District and International. We are truly blessed to have met so many people from across Canada and the United States that we are proud to call our friends.
Immed. Past Governor Ted Ewanchuk
Sherwood Park, AB email: tewanchu@shaw.ca
Biography
I am a native Albertan born December 27, 1951. I spent my early years on the family farm near Andrew where I learned the values of hard work and responsibility. I left home in the fall of 1969 to attend the University of Alberta in Edmonton and enrolled in the Faculty of Science pre-med program. There I met Judi who would later become my wife, so we have been together for over 50 years although only married for 40.
Upon graduation with my BSc I immediately went to work for the ALCB full time. My primary job at the ALCB was in the Data Processing Department where I progressed from a Programmer to Systems Analyst and to Team Lead.
After 7 years I left the ALCB and went into IT consulting. I worked for some of the largest consulting firms in Canada in a variety of senior and management roles. I managed major IT projects over the years including the Manpower / Payroll System for the City of Edmonton, the Minerals and Royalty Collection System for Alberta Energy, and Physicians Claims Processing System for Alberta Health and Wellness.
The last 25 years of my career were spent at IBM Canada (and subsidiary) from which I retired in 2016 as a Senior Managing Consultant. In my private life I am married to Judi and we have one son.
He is a free spirit who has lived in Phoenix, in Thailand, in Bali and on the west coast. I enjoy golfing (poorly) and used to enjoy skiing and other sports until my arthritic knees put a stop to those. Scott Brisbin introduced me to Gyro in 2017 and I have enjoyed the camaraderie since.
District Database Administrator, Sid Slade Sherwood Park, AB email: sws.slade@gmail.com
Webmaster, Derm Jackman Castlegar, BC
email: dermj65@gmail.com