Meet Steve
Steve has over 35 years of experience working in municipal government. He holds an international Project Management Professional designation (PMP), is a Certified Municipal Officer (CMO) and has a Diploma in Municipal Management (Dipl.M.M.)
Steve is King’s Regional representative on York Region Council, Chair of York Region Transportation Services, Vice Chair of YorkNet and Vice Chair of Infrastructure of Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). He is a member of York Housing Inc., the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Holland Marsh Drainage System Joint Municipal Service Board (HMDSJMSB), York Telecom Network (YTN), and is an Honourary Chair of King Township Foodbank (KTFB), Arts Society King (ASK), as well as an Honourary Governor of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
Steve has a profound interest in Parks and Recreation. All funds raised from the Mayor’s Annual Golf Tournament stay within King Township for the betterment of Parks, Recreation and Culture initiatives. He is the former Treasurer of Parks and Recreation Ontario, a non-profit advocacy organization for recreation in Ontario; and former Treasurer of PROSeeds, a charitable organization related to health education.
Memberships include York Region Police Services, Ontario Heritage Trust, Parks and Recreation Ontario, Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, King Chamber of Commerce, ASK (Arts Society King), King Township Historical Society, King Township Library Board Member, Project Management Institute and Association of Municipal Managers, and Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario.
Steve and his wife Barbara have five children (Stephanie, Ashley, Emma, David and Joseph along with their spouses and one grandchild) who are all very active in the community. Barbara is a professional Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) who volunteers as the Co-chair and Treasurer of the Carrying Place Property Owners Association and is the former Treasurer of the King City Youth Soccer Club as well as the former Chair and Treasurer of Kettleby Public School. Their children attended King City Secondary School.
A Strong History
Steve started his involvement in King Township as the municipal councillor for Ward 1 in King Township from 2000 – 2006 (2 terms). Steve’s record of dedication and commitment is unsurpassed. He attends every Council and Committee meeting and has never had a conflict of interest and works tirelessly on a variety of community committees and organizations. Steve has always focused on our community.
He volunteered as the Chair of the King Blooms Committee (2009 National Communities in Bloom winners), sat on the Parks Advisory Committee of Council and on the King City Trails Committee. He has served as the Vice Chair of King Township Library Board; and was a committee member of King City Arena and Kingfest. Steve coached soccer with the King City Youth Soccer Club and was a trainer with the Schomberg Minor Hockey Association. His award-winning soup can be sampled at the annual Holland Marsh Soupfest that Steve enjoys participating in each year.
Career Highlights & Accomplishments
King Township Mayor and York Region Council Member
Steve was first elected as Mayor in 2010 and was acclaimed in three consecutive terms — 2014, 2018 and 2022 as Mayor. As of October 2022, he will be serving his fourth term in office. Steve is extremely proud of the many accomplishments Council has achieved with his leadership. A few examples include:
- The Township of King new Municipal Centre
- The adoption of an updated King Official Plan (OP), and Zoning By-laws
- The creation of a capital reserve strategy for King’s long-term financial stability
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Seneca College for the construction of a new King Township Recreation Complex
- A significant investment in the infrastructure (roads, bridges, broadband, sewer and water)
- The construction of national award-winning parks
- Green initiatives
- The construction of the King City Library and Senior Centre
- Ran the only volunteer-led COVID-19 vaccination clinic in York Region
King Township Councillor – Ward 1
In 2000 and again in 2003, Steve was proud to be elected Councillor in Ward 1 with resounding victories. During his 6 years on Council Steve listened to his constituents and actively tried to ensure that the needs of his Ward were recognized and respected by the rest of Council. He was viewed as the most “economy-minded member of this or previous council” (King Township Sentinel – Editorial July 27, 2005). In addition, he worked with many Committees and Boards within the Township, including the King City Youth Soccer Association where he helped to bring a new soccer field on stream at the King Bible Church.
Executive Diploma in Municipal Management (Dipl. MM)
The Dipl. MM program offered by the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) is a highly regarded and comprehensive program designed specifically for Ontario’s municipal leaders. Graduates of the program are informed leaders with a comprehensive understanding of the complex and interrelated components of municipal management.
The Municipal Management Diploma program curriculum was developed in partnership with the University of Western Ontario and Seneca College’s Centre for Financial Services and has been designed to focus on the three basic aspects of municipal management;
- Organizational Performance
- Human Resources
- Fiscal Control of Budgets
The course of study, usually done in conjunction with a busy career, takes 2 to 3 years to complete.
As an Honours graduate, Steve acquired an in depth knowledge of today’s best practices in municipal governance bringing a high level of expertise to King Township.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP® credential recognizes demonstrated knowledge and skill in leading and directing project teams and in delivering project results within the constraints of schedule, budget and resources. To receive this designation, you must have a minimum of 8 years combined education and experience in project management. Steve has held this designation since 2003.
Steve’s strong project management skills have been honed with the extensive course work involved to receive his PMP designation. He knows the importance of delivering a project on time and on budget; he has years of experience leading a variety of municipal projects. Indeed, many of his projects are larger than King Township’s annual budget.
Schulich School of Business Masters Certificate in Project Management
The Schulich Masters Certificate is one of most respected project management certificate programs in North America, graduating over 1,000 participants per year from all parts of the US and Canada.
It is founded upon the Project Management Institute’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), which has become the industry standard worldwide within the project management community, Schulich’s Masters Certificate in Project Management program provides the knowledge and tools needed to consistently deliver projects on time, on budget, within scope – and beyond expectations.
Scrum Master Certified (SMC)
Scrum Master guides, facilitates, and teaches Scrum practices to everyone involved in the project; clears impediments for the team; and, ensures that Scrum processes are being followed.
Cornell University Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and Inclusion Cornell University Certificate Program examines strategies for implementing ethical standard; recognize unconscious bias and how it affects the way that people perceive and react to others; and understand the dimensions of diversity that matter most in organizations and why
First Nations University 4 Seasons of Reconciliation
4 Seasons of Reconciliation Certificate studies the history and culture of Indigenous communities in Canada, the history of residential schools, and treaties around the country.
Certified Municipal Officer (CMO)
The CMO designation demonstrates that you are a true professional in the municipal field. The CMO is the only accreditation specific to the profession of municipal management and administration that is based primarily on proving high level competence and experience. CMO’s must demonstrate proficiency in the critical areas of: municipal knowledge, management, leadership, communications and human resources.
Parks and Recreation Ontario
This not-for-profit organization is made up of Parks and Rec professionals from across Ontario. It is focused on improving the community services provided in all municipalities and in sharing best practices across the province.
Steve has been a member of this organization for many years. He served on its executive board for 5 years and as its Treasurer for 4 of those years.
Steve’s project management expertise is well respected by PRO. He regularly presents Project Management Methodology seminars at the PRO Annual Educational Forum.
Municipal Service
Steve has spent over 35 years in ever-increasing roles of responsibility in the municipal government. He started his career with the City of Mississauga and was quickly recruited away by Brampton because of his strong management skills.