Home > Corporate > Media Centre
In Profile: Kingston
By Gina Gillespie
Each Tuesday and Thursday, Base Commander Col Larry Aitken teaches yoga at the Kingston Military Community Sports Centre.
PSP Manager Jim Campbell parks his car at the far end of the parking lot to work some physical activity into his everyday routine.
Fitness Director Dave Ogilvie incorporates squash, jogging and an aerobic workout into his fitness routine. These men believe in getting out from behind the desk and leading by example. “Out in the community. That’s where you get the problem solved, the situation corrected,” says Campbell. While most bases have a definite army, navy or air force orientation, Kingston is unique in its diversity, with air force, army and training units. Kingston’s schools cover the spectrum, from Ptes and Cpls at CFSCE, junior officers at RMC and senior officers at Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College. Flexibility is required to deal with the demands, and Kingston’s NPF staff is up to the challenge.
 Base Commander Col Larry Aitken teaching yoga |
Col Larry Aitken - Base Commander
Col Aitken believes in leading by example, and finds that people learn best by watching others, then doing it themselves. He leads a healthy, wellbalanced lifestyle, and encourages base personnel to do the same. Col Aitken has been practicing yoga for 15 years, and teaching it for 10 years. “I do yoga because I profoundly enjoy teaching it. It can give balance to our lives and help deal with stress,” he says. In addition to yoga, Col Aitkin trains for triathlons during the warm months, a passion that began with a desire to train for a duathalon alongside his daughter. He’s currently encouraging participation in the Base’s inaugural Limestone Invitational Triathlon May 29, 2005.
 Jim Campbell, PSP Manager CFB Kingston |
Jim Campbell - PSP Manager
Jim uses four words to describe his function. “Coordinate, motivate, communicate and educate. Sometimes they let me sit in my office and do things,” he says. Jim is a retired military man, having served in Germany, Egypt and the Sahara, among other postings. He began as a Cook, later becoming a Logistics Officer. He says at CFB Kingston, no two days are the same. “With such a diverse customer group it could be anything; fitness, community development, recreation, a soldier’s problem, a family problem, a child’s problem, or just a situation that has to be addressed.”
Rollie Blundell - Messes, Institutes & Budget Manager
Rollie oversees the operations of the messes at Kingston, plus the 10 lane bowling alley. His background as a Finance Clerk comes in handy as his job involves looking after budgets, and the Base Fund. “I’m in a job where I have the opportunity to visit my managers, oversee things. I get involved,” he says.
 CFB Kingston NPF HR section (from left): Amanda Hamilton, Lynn Pilon, and Melanie Gammon |
Melanie Gammon - HR Manager
Melanie worked as an HR Manager at CFPSA HQ in Ottawa for four years, and is currently seconded to Kingston for a two-year-period. This puts her in the unique position of working both sides of the coin, at headquarters, and in the field. During her years at headquarters she helped make policies, and now she can see the impact they have in the field. A typical day involves promoting HR services to base outlets, recruiting, payroll, employee relations, training and development, pension and benefits. At Kingston she oversees 20+ outlets, and spends as much time visiting the sections as possible. “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I was in the office all the time,” she says.
 NPF Accounting (from left): Val Matthews, Michele Tremblay, Anita Chand, Gary Hodgkinson, and Joanne Gizzi |
Val Matthews - NPF Accounting Supervisor
“My department is very simple and straightforward,” says Val. But it’s only her years of experience that makes this job seem simple. Looking after the finances of the messes, golf club, CANEX and Sportsplex requires a mixed bag of accounting practices.
 Mess Managers (from left): Rollie Blundell, Kim Palmer, Karen Pardy, and Phil Mather |
Mess Managers
Between CFB Kingston and its lodger units, there are six messes, including three messes just for the officers. On a daily basis the various managers deal with mounds of paperwork, meet customers, network, organize weddings, dinners and private functions, and manage and maintain their respective buildings. “The light flashes on the phone and the e-mail piles up while you’re talking to the people who walk in,” says Karen Pardy, manager of the Fort Frontenac Officer’s Mess. She, as well as all the mess managers have learned that a 40 hour work week is an urban myth. “Six days a week, that’s a given. A forty hour work week doesn’t exist.” Pardy says the end of the work day is when base personnel find time to visit the mess never knowing what challenge will pop up next. And they work together to provide the best possible service. “There’s a lot of interaction between the mess managers. A lot of shared experience,” says Phil Mather, manager of the Junior Ranks Mess. “If you don’t like people, you’re screwed,” he says.
Glen McGhie - manager of Garrison Lanes Bowling Alley.
The inter-section bowling league is one of manager Glen McGhie’s favourite programs. “The interaction between support pers and military pers pays dividends. You see the other side of people, not behind a desk. It kindles a strong friendship that carries on into the workforce,” he says. McGhie’s job is very hands on. Between the computer scoring system and the mechanical mechanisms, something is always going wrong, and McGhie fixes most problems himself. He’s also no stranger to the game, having bowled a perfect game in 1984 right there at Garrison Lanes. When all the moving parts are working fine his time is spent managing his staff, keeping game statistics and listening to his customers. He finds it gratifying to see people enjoying themselves from activities he has arranged.
 CANEX staff (from left): Lee Irwin, Colleen Bennett, Colleen MacNeil, Tina Jacklin, and Danielle Latulippe |
Danielle Latulippe - CANEX
Expressmart Manager
A typical day may find her meeting sales people, training and supervising staff, merchandising, concocting marketing strategies, handling customers, stocking shelves or working the cash register. As manager of the CANEX mall she’s also the one people call for leaking roofs, faulty air conditioning, and various other property management functions. “When you’re in a Public Service job, what makes it different is the people you’re reacting with,” she says. “I come to work everyday for the interaction with people.”
Jamie McGuire - CANEX Retail Store Manager
Just down the hall from the Express Mart, Jamie McGuire presides over the running of the CANEX retail store, as well as the CANEX outlet at RMC. Between the two outlets he oversees a staff of 28. Advertising, marketing, promotion, special events and community events comprise part of his job, along with staff training, product knowledge and keeping his customers happy. He and Danielle share knowledge and experience to ensure the CANEX outlets perform at peak capacity. “We have over 30 years combined knowledge,” says McGuire.
Dan Andrews - SISIP - Financial Planner and Office Manager
“We don’t judge anyone by the size of their wallets. What’s important is helping them achieve their goals,” says Andrews. His job includes knowledge of life insurance, creating budgets and wealth management. The diversity of units found at CFB Kingston lets him see both ends of the financial spectrum, from helping young people at the beginning of their career to helping transition people into retirement. Three-quarters of his day is spent financial planning, and one-quarter is spent in office management. SISIP is also involved in community activities and sponsorship programs.
Lisa Salley - Executive Director of KMFRC
Lisa Salley works to find resources to solve problems. “We’re there to enhance the resiliency of military families to deal with unique stressors related to the military lifestyle,” she says. Team work is essential, and the MFRC partners with PSP, social workers, padres, SISIP, and any other section working to assist military families. The programs and services offered by the centre promote community development and provide social, educational and volunteer opportunities for the military community. Programs cover a wide range of needs, from play groups and family counseling, to employment assistance and advice on starting a home-based business. “The thing I find most satisfying about my job is knowing that we make a difference, and I really believe that,” says Salley.
 Fitness and Recreation staff (from left): Joanne Morgan, Cheryl McKinnon, Dave Ogilvie, Regis Bouchard, Jean-Guy Proulx, and Kerry Simzer, Sports Coordinator |
Dave Ogilvie - Fitness Director
Overlooking a staff of 70 takes a big bite out of Dave Ogilvie’s day. While the paperwork and e-mails keep him confined to his office, he still works out regularly, incorporating squash, aerobic workouts and jogging into his fitness routine. In addition to looking after the Kingston Military Community Sports Centre, which caters to more than 10,000 people, Ogilvie is also the Regional Sports Director for Ontario. About 12 major events take place at the base each year, such as RMC Convocation, the Leisure Show, International Ballroom Dancing Championship and the CISM World Volleyball Championship. All of these events require an enormous amount of coordination and effort from our staff.
Denise Hargrove - Health Promotion Director
Denise helps people change their lifestyle. Teaching collaboratively with a fitness instructor, she facilitates workshops to promote healthy eating, staying physically active, weight control, health and wellness. The Health Promotions department also runs anger management programs, teaches suicide intervention skills and smoking cessation among others. Along with a team of health professionals including nurses, social workers, padres and the KMFRC staff, she works to promote overall health and wellbeing. “It’s very rewarding working with people keen and motivated to change. To guide them and see them achieve results, then tell others. It creates a ripple effect,” says Hargrove.
Mike Robillard - Recreation & Intermural Sports Manager for RMC
Mike Robillard sees his job divided into four main responsibilities: (a) recreation programs, which involve management of 25 clubs such as fish and game, arts, broomball, windsurfing and yachting; (b) financial; (c) ordering sports equipment; and (d) running the intramural sports program. Over 700 students at RMC are involved in intramural sports. Organizing the programs, scheduling, booking facilities and gathering equipment requires close cooperation between Mike and the 10 sports officers at RMC. “There’s never a dull moment. Each day is different,” he says. “I’ve worked with officer cadets for 14 years. These are very intelligent, energetic and keen people. It’s fun to work with them in most cases.” After spending 30 years as a Canadian Forces PERI, and eight years with CFPSA Kingston, Mike will be retiring this year.
Natacha Tremblay - Physical Education Manager at RMC
Natacha spends most of her time helping the cadets at RMC with their physical training. Twice daily she teaches PT, in addition to scheduling, budgeting, re-evaluating cadets following medical problems, attending meetings and review boards, and dealing with the inevitable paperwork. “I find ways to make them better, more efficient,” says Natacha. The Cadets are young when they begin and mature both mentally and physically over the course of their program. Flexibility is required to meet their changing needs. “We work with very skilled and talented people. We expect a lot of them, so they expect a lot of us as well,” she says.
Guy Dube - Varsity Manager at RMC
Making travel arrangements, attending meetings, shuffiing papers, finalizing claims and scheduling are some of the activities required to manage the RMC Varsity sports teams. Guy finds the best part of his job is watching the cadets grow up before his eyes, shy and young and learning the military lifestyle. “I’ve been here five years so I’ve seen their progression,” he says.
Alphonse Doyle - NPF RMC
RMC offers a unique challenge for financial managers, and Alphonse Doyle thrives on those challenges. His job combines the duties of PSP and Messes and Institutes manager. In addition to acting as treasurer of the RMC Unit Fund and overseeing the messes, his work involves donations and scholarships which go through NPF. Dealing with the students is the most satisfying part of his job. They’re young when they start out, and need guiding through the process of writing proposals to get money, developing business plans etc. “If you don’t like dealing with people, you’re in the wrong job,” says Alphonse. “They start young, and could end up overseas. I see a difference between the 1st and 4th year students. Their walk changes.”
Darren Cates - Director of Athletics for RMC
Darren Cates came on board as Director of Athletics for RMC on Jul 26, 2004. He’s still learning his way around campus and struggling with all of the acronyms. Darren oversees Physical Education, Recreation, Intramurals and the varsity program and has a total of twentysix full time employees. His day is very eclectic and involves anything from gathering tickets at the door of games, attending meetings with the Academic and Cadet Wings, and managing all.aspects of the departments budget. Before arriving at RMC, Darren worked as National Team Coordinator for Basketball Canada, and as Manager of Community Development at the University of Ottawa. He finds an enormous difference between civilian and military university sports programs. At the University of Ottawa his main purpose was to raise revenue for the athletic department. At RMC, a passion for sports and excellence takes precedence. “At a civilian university you must justify why physical activity is important. Here you don’t have to do that,” says Darren. “At RMC it is accepted that physical activity and sports are valuable and needed.
We’re held in the same regard as academics and second language training.”
Gord Walton - Manager of Golf & Country Club
Gord Walton believes in getting involved. He knows the joy of getting a hole in one in golf, something that happened to him at a tournament this year. And he understands first hand the demands a soldier faces, having served with Roto 0 in Afghanistan for CFPSA. While administration, sales and public relations occupy much of Walton’s day, he does whatever it takes to keep things running smoothly. “I help out behind the bar, help set tables. I do whatever it takes,” he says. Choosing to get away from a competitive focus and reposition themselves as a recreational club helped bring more people into the facility. Walton finds the most satisfying.aspect of his job is seeing his employees perform well. “If I’m doing my job well, the employees are performing well. I like it when people better their careers, and know I’ve had a hand in that,” he says.