We started our company over fifteen years ago on one core belief – when our clients succeed, then so do we!
We know first hand that creating a business is one thing, but it's an entirely different thing to have one that works for you – a business generating the cash to live your dreams, a business giving you the freedom to spend time with family and doing the things you love, a business that demonstrates your success.
Cathy grew up in Brandon and once out of high school, moved to Winnipeg to go to Red River Community College where she received her diploma in the discipline of Civil Engineering Technology (CET).
While she enjoyed the work she did in Human Resources and living in Winnipeg, when she was head hunted to a Plant Manager role back in her home town, she jumped at the chance. She joined Inventronics, a manufacturer of metal cabinets for the telecommunication industry as the Plant Manager of the Brandon Plant. Within the next year she was promoted to Director of Manufacturing and assumed responsibility for both the Brandon Plant and a second one in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Over the next two years, the plants were amalgamated back to Brandon, requiring the shutting of the one plant and the retooling and upskilling of the second one.
After the three years with Inventronics, Cathy was once again approached to take on the role of General Manager of Operational Services with the City of Brandon. While municipal government was a step away from manufacturing, this role allowed her to build on the strengths she had related to operations and human resources, in an entirely different way. During her time with the City she spearheaded the development of a number of long term strategic plans and worked diligently to move a number of environmental initiatives ahead.
While with the City, during a Sunday morning conversation, her and Jeff decided to launch Siere. Over the past fifteen years, the company has morphed from a consultancy practice, to leadership coaching and finally to what it is is today, a business advisory firm. Over the past fifteen years Cathy obtained her Master Trainer Certification in Neurolinguistic Programming and Hypnosis, she has co-written two books and took
on the role of President of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and a Board Member position with the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce.
For a number of years, she was also a sessional instructor with Brandon University and taught courses in Marketing, Human Resources
and Negotiations.
Cathy really enjoys business strategy and financial modeling related to business development and growth. She works with a wide variety of businesses, including professional services, agriculture services and other specialty businesses. As a skilled facilitator, she has led a variety of groups through community meetings, strategic planning sessions and other feedback type sessions. The company’s clients often called upon for advice as it relates to both human resources and marketing, especially in today’s tight labour market.
In the winter, Cathy likes to spend her time reading a good book, or doing a puzzle. In the summer it is all about camping. Every weekend, she is off on a new adventure, checking out the various campgrounds around Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan.
And that, my friends, is the story of how Stars Hollow came to be, and why we celebrate that fateful night every year at about this time. Now, we still have a little time left in our story hour. Who wants to hear about the time I danced in a cage for Tito Puente?
Out of college, she began her career with the Boeing Company in Winnipeg in their Maintenance and Facilities Department. Over the next eleven years , she was promoted from Shop Floor Manager, to Senior Manufacturing Manager, to Director of Manufacturing and finally became the Director of Human Resources and Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs (SHEA). During her time with Boeing, she pursued her education and received both a Certificate in Management (CIM) and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA).
Jeff grew up in Brandon and out of school, worked for the City of Brandon in the Sanitation Department. Having a young family, it was unimaginable that he would be able to return to school, but imagine he did.
After three years with Inventronics, Jeff returned to the City of Brandon as the Director of Transportation and Sanitation. In this role, he led the conversion of the sanitation collection system to a single family bin system, implemented life cycle costing for capital equipment, secured an
ELS landing system for the airport through the federal government and revamped the Handi-Transit system with the forming of a Handi-Transit User Committee.
While with the City, during a Sunday morning conversation, he and Cathy decided to launch Siere. Over the past fifteen years, the company has morphed from a consultancy practice, to leadership coaching into what it is is today, a business advisory firm. Over the past fifteen years Jeff obtained his Master Trainer Certification in Neurolinguistic Programming and Hypnosis, he has co-written two books and has been a Board Member of the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM).
Jeff really enjoys working with his clients to help them build revenue in their business. He specializes in the areas of pricing, including quoting
and bidding, and in the area of effective project management. He has worked with numerous construction and heavy equipment companies, to help these business owners find the efficiencies in their pricing and operational practices allowing them to win and be more effective in the
work their do.
Jeff and his wife Kim, have five children and enjoy time at their cabin. He also enjoys getting outdoors and is passionate about both hunting and fishing. If you don’t see Jeff in the office, there is a pretty good chance you might find him in a tree stand.
While Calgary was exciting, the draw of Brandon being home, brought them back where looking for his first job as a technologist, he joined All-Fab Building Components in Sales and Design Department.
After a couple of years with All-Fab, he accepted a job at Behlen Industries as a Detailer and after a short time, then with Inventronics in their Engineering Department. While with the company he obtained his certification in Lean Manufacturing and was promoted to Manufacturing Manager, playing a key role in upskilling the plant to be able to take on new product lines associated with both General Electric and Alpha.
Jeff and Cathy have authored two books related to business. They love sharing their ideas and thoughts about how you could build your business.
This book is about the cycles of business and how if owners want to remain relevant, they need to understand how their beliefs impact the growth and success of their company.
A light read about some of the advice Jeff and Cathy wish someone had told them before they started their business.
Both books are available for purchase on Amazon – just click on their titles.
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