Matt Ames
Members:
First, I must thank the nomination
committee for considering me as a
candidate for the Canada Creek
Ranch Board of Directors.
The following summarizes my
personal background -
I am a graduate from Central Michigan University with
a B.S.B.A. in Management in 1993 and a B.A.A. in
Commercial Recreation in 1994. I am presently employed
at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort as Sales Manager
for the past 23 years, with responsibility for promoting
our Resort to companies for their meetings and
conventions. This task makes me responsible for related
decisions (ex: room rates, meeting room rentals, etc.),
while keeping my employer financial interests in mind. I
have direct contact with the clients and I have to
communicate their needs to the rest of the appropriate
resort staff organization to ensure a successful event.
I have been visiting the ranch all my life as my parents
became members back in 1967 and have always enjoyed
participating in the variety seasonal activities offered by
Canada Creek Ranch. I personally became a member in
1994. The last many years I have been an active volunteer
on the ranch as I serve on the Board from 2006 – 2011,
including being President of the Board from 2008 – 2011.
I was voted back to the board for the past three years,
again serving as President for one year, Vice President
for another and currently I’m serving as Treasurer. The
years in between being on the board I have served on the
Nominating Committee for 4 years and have been a
member of the Conservation Committee. For the past 4
years I have been the co-chair of the Conservation
Committee.
To me I don’t need to think hard for a reason to come up
to the ranch as each season has something different to
offer. Winter time I enjoy snowmobiling out back. During
the Spring I spend time out back looking for elk sheds,
fishing on Trout Opening Weekend or looking for morel
mushroom. Much of my summer here are spend time with
family and friends down at the beach, sitting by a bonfire
or going outback to view our wildlife. Fall turns my
attention to deer hunting as well as helping with the
annual Elk Hunt.
I suggest that my college, professional and ranch
involvement provides many of the skills required to be a
productive director.
I appreciate your consideration.
Matt Ames
REMINDER!
You can purchase your Michigan
Hunting and Fishing Licenses
at the Ranch House!
Board of Directors Candidates
Mark Boyce
I would like to thank the nominating
committee for choosing me to run for
the BOD.
As a third-generation member, I love
CCR. My grandfather was a founding
member. My father joined in the early
1940’s and built the “Honeymooners
Inn” cabin on Hunter’s Trail. I
remember as a child going out to look for deer and elk,
then parking at the dump to watch the bears. I have many
fond memories of my childhood and youth playing
volleyball and going down the water slide at the beach;
and a lifetime of opening morning hunts with my
grandfather, brothers, uncle, nephew, and now my
children. It’s been a dream to create memories with my
wife of 30 years, Lorrie, my 4 children and 3 grandchildren;
memories like fishing Little Joe every Trout Opener and
buying our log cabin.
I graduated from Flushing High School in 1982. I studied
business at Lansing Community College and Grand
Rapids Community College. After college, I worked for
Orkin for 5 years. I then went to work as an Asset
Protection Manager for 7 years. My responsibilities
included compliance to Corporate and O.S.H.A safety
standards for a large retail store. I hired, trained,
disciplined and managed 35 people. I dissected weekly
stock loss reports to identify problem areas and build cases
to apprehend dishonest employees. On many occasions, I
was called to testify in criminal cases. I had a close working
relationship with the police and prosecutor. I then joined
the Carpenter’s Union, Local 687- Detroit, as a thirdgeneration
carpenter. I worked in a display shop for 13
years, but left the union to pursue my dream as my own
boss and full-time owner/operator of Boyce Construction
& Remodeling in Linden, MI. I have been in business for
25 years. I’m a general contractor with projects that range
from bathroom remodels to new home construction.
I’ve served on our 1500-member church board. My
responsibilities included planning monthly and yearly
functions and handling tough and delicate situations. We
were responsible for reviewing, critiquing, and approving
the $1.2 million-dollar budget.
I have volunteered at CCR with the Elk Hunt and Rock
Picking. Outside of CCR, I’ve coached football, baseball
and basketball, and am currently a Team Leader on our
church’s security team.
I believe as BOD we should have our finger on the pulse
of the membership. We should be actively listening and
communicating with them. I will do my best to make sure
that the Mission Statement, heritage, our long-standing
traditions, and keeping costs down are what guide my
decisions in the board room. I believe in transparency and
accountability. While not all board decisions will make
everyone happy, if you ever question how or why I voted a
certain way, please ask me.
I absolutely love CCR and will do whatever I can to keep
our club a place that our families will want to be a part of
for generations to come. Call me if you have any questions
at (810) 964-7214.
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