"from helping build steel to helping build community"
John Windwick
Northlands Board Chair,
and Commissioner of Canadian Finals Rodeo
"Meet John Windwick, Northlands Board Chair and Commissioner of Canadian Finals Rodeo. John is a man who likes to wear many hats, including those of the Stetson variety. His three-decade long connection with Northlands began as a teenager when he got a job sweeping floors. While in university John worked at CFR helping build the steel, a job he calls his toughest ever. John is proud of his long history with Northlands but even more proud of Northlands longer history of community service."
Q & A
Q&A – John Windwick
How has Northlands had an impact on your life?
Early, memorably and for a long time would be the short answer. I was only 14 and one of my first jobs and first pay cheques was here at Northlands. It was the first time I was ever asked for a resume, and at that age let's just say there wasn't much to put on it. I started sweeping floors at the old sales pavilion, went on to tending bar and working on a labour crew. Working at Northlands as a young person was a phenomenal experience; it made me feel part of the community and helped put me through university. I learned what a great organization Northlands is and I wanted to stay involved somehow. When I got the chance to be a board member I jumped on it. Northlands has given me so many opportunities and I have learned so much.
How did you come to build steel?
During my summers as a labourer at Northlands I was assigned to a crew that spent days at a time building steel. Incredibly tough work, the toughest I've ever had but building steel at Canadian Finals Rodeo gave me a whole new perspective on rodeo. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that people never get a chance to see. I was lucky to be part of it even with my sore muscles.
How did your love of rodeo come about?
My family has a history in cattle that goes way back but it probably started when I started following the career of a good friend who was a bull rider. Then working behind the scenes as a young person building steel made me even more passionate about the sport. When I joined the board at Northlands I naturally gravitated towards CFR because I have always followed rodeo and have such great enthusiasm for it. I love the fact that I can now give back to something that has been such a big part of my life.
Is being on the Northlands board at all like a rodeo?
Strangely enough – it’s a lot like a rodeo. Like a rodeo, the pace at Northlands is fast and we are always having new things thrown at us that we have to handle. Once in a while you get knocked down but you always have to get back up, dust yourself off and keep going. Thankfully, except for a nasty paper cut one time, I’ve never actually been physically injured at a board meeting.
What has been your favourite rodeo memory?
There have been so many great rodeo moments for me as a behind the scenes worker, fan and volunteer. What comes to mind though is when I first took over as Commissioner of the Canadian Finals Rodeo. I had been involved as Chair for a few years when a close friend of mine, who was the Commissioner at the time, asked me if I would consider taking over. That was an amazing moment for me and I have loved every minute of being involved with the CFR. What the CFR brings to Edmonton every November is remarkable and it is such an honour for me to be part of it. I never imagined all those years ago when I was building steel that I would be where I am today. Amazing.
Best rodeo food?
I have probably tried just about everything that there is but I would have to say the awesome wings that we would have at our CFR production meetings are my all time favourite. Other people I know swear by the ribs. There's so much great food it's hard to choose just one!
What would you like people to know about Northlands?
There is so much to choose from but it would probably be about the talent, capabilities and expertise of all the people who work so hard behind the scenes. It's amazing to me that they can come in and run a major rodeo like the CFR so well and then turn around and do the same sort of fantastic work on all the other events. From running Rexall Place to parades downtown to the logistics behind big trade shows to concerts to… you name it. We have world-class people working and volunteering here at Northlands.
