Friday, 19 December 2014

MLA: KELVIN GOERTZEN - STEINBACH

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of living in our great nation. We pray for Kelvin Goertzen today and ask that by Your Holy Power, the decisions and laws the he makes and has influence in making are just and fair to all Manitobans. Father, I ask You to give him wisdom to make decisions that would strengthen and prosper our province and nation. We pray that you would bless Kelvin and his family and give him the strength to endure the schedule and pressures that are before him, in the Name of Jesus Christ,  Amen.

Born and raised in Steinbach, Kelvin has deep roots in South Eastern Manitoba. Whether helping out on his grandfather's farm in the Pansy/Grunthal area or volunteering at the Mennonite Museum in Steinbach, Kelvin's parents taught him the value of hard work.

Following his graduation from the Steinbach Regional Secondary School in 1987, Kelvin enrolled in the University of Manitoba, ultimately earning his Honours degree in Commerce and a Bachelor's degree in Law. During this time he paid his way through University working evenings and weekends at what was then Penner Foods.

Early on, Kelvin realized the importance of community involvement in building a successful and compassionate province. He has served as Vice-President of Southeast Helping Hands Food Bank and of the Steinbach Arts Council and has been a Director for several other organizations. Kelvin is currently a member of the Southeast Rotary Club which raises money for worthwhile local causes. In 2007, Kelvin received the HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) medal from the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Lions Foundation in recognition of his community volunteer activities.

In addition to working in a major financial institution and with a property development company, Kelvin worked for several years as the Executive Assistant to former Steinbach MLA's Albert Driedger and Jim Penner. He also served as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship, and was the first Legislative Intern to be elected to the Manitoba Legislature.

In 2003, Kelvin became the youngest MLA ever elected in the Steinbach Constituency. In 2007, Kelvin was re-elected MLA for the Steinbach Constituency achieving 83% of the vote, the highest in the history of the riding.

Since his election to the Manitoba Legislature, he has served in several senior positions for the PC Caucus including Health Critic and Education Critic. Currently, Kelvin is the Justice Critic and House Leader for the Progressive Conservative Caucus.

In 2008, Kelvin graduated from the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) which is conducted in Madison Wisconsin for emerging leaders in the midwest part of Canada and the United States.

Kelvin enjoys writing and has published several articles including in the Asper Review of International Business and Trade Law. In 2006 he published a book on the life of former Steinbach MLA, Jim Penner, entitled "A Life Well Lived."

In 1997, Kelvin married Kim Hiebert from New Bothwell and have one son Malachi who was born September 30, 2006. They have been members of Southland Community Church in Steinbach for the past 13 years.

No comments:

Post a Comment