ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Chris
WHERE I COME FROM
I was acclaimed Provincial Executive Councillor in December 2017. I became a nurse in 2012 after graduating from Douglas College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychiatric Nursing. During my nursing school years and upon graduation I worked at hospitals across the lower mainland, including Royal Columbian Hospital, Ridge Meadows Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital. I have also worked at the Cottonwood, Connolly and Cypress Lodges at Riverview, and Chilliwack's Cedar Ridge Lodge, providing acute care to patients with psychiatric and substance use disorders.
Born and raised in Romania, I immigrated to Canada with my wife and son in 2001 and ran my own successful transportation business. I was drawn to nursing after witnessing the care my father received following a major stroke, and I decided that helping people when they are at their most vulnerable would be a more rewarding career.
I also hold an Associate Degree in Computer Science (Applications Programmer) from Oakton Community College in Skokie, Illinois.
A THRIVING CAREER
Holding the position of Executive Councillor for Pensions and Seniors require a specific set of skills which are not necessarily achieved during traditional nursing education. There are some key aspects of the position which require the following:
Financial/Investment Literacy,
Benefits and Pension Plans Literacy,
Public Trustee Education,
Governance and Leadership,
In the last 30 months I have been immersing myself in various education streams related to my portfolio at BCNU in order to serve our members better. Some of my accomplishments include:
Queens Certificate in Governance and Leadership Excellence form Queen’s University Industrial Relations Centre
Certificate of Achievement in Advanced Trust Management Standards (ATMS) from International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Certificate of Investment Literacy-Strategy& Programs from BC Investment Management Corporation (BCI)
Retirement Plans Associate—RPA Designation Dahlhousie University
The Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) designation is an ideal credential for those who work with pension plans or government-sponsored plans or who are involved with the management of plan assets.
Equality Meets Opportunity
My short term goals on personal development include:
Enrolled in the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® (CEBS) program which is the most respected designation in the benefits industry. The Group Benefits Associate (GBA) and the Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) form the core of the CEBS curriculum.
The CEBS designation is a credential that is recognized for the depth and relevance of critical knowledge achieved. I will earn my CEBS Designation with an estimated graduation of December 2020.
The Master of Trust Management Standards (MTMS) is a new educational program for trustees that builds upon the key knowledge areas in FTMS and ATMS, a next step that challenges trustees to take a leadership role in their funds and update their skill sets.I am planning to complete the MTMS program as soon as the program will be restarted and I estimate that before the end of 2020 I will have graduated.
My first term in the office can be characterized as massive learning and getting "up to speed" in pensions expertise. I arrived at a point where I can utilize all knowledge gained and be most effective in my role.
If re-elected I will continue to work on finalizing the Nurses Pension Plan project in all various aspects such as actuarial analysis, plan design, Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures, Joint Trust Agreement and all pieces of federal and provincial legislation needed. My goal is to help deliver a pension plan that will be superior to what BC Nurses currently have in place and I am confident that with will, dedication and hard work I will be able to do it as an integral part of the Pensions Department Team at BCNU.