Welcome, Thanks for Visiting

This web site provides you with information on my speaking, writing and consulting services to municipalities and community organizations. There is also detailed background information on both my career and the activities of my company, Hume Communications Inc., which I founded in 1988.

After a career focused mainly in the Canadian media and communications industry (I started as the greenest cub reporter in history for a Saskatoon radio station in 1967), I had a wonderful career in broadcasting and later in the newspaper industry.

I have also had the privilege of working for Ted Rogers in Toronto for a couple of years, was General Manager of some great radio stations, President of two broadcasting companies and in 2002, was the founding Publisher of The Londoner, which became Canada’s largest independent community newspaper.

I’ve had some wonderful experiences in my life and career, ranging from being a volunteer helping radio stations in Ukraine (I froze and starved) and Guatemala (had a fabulous time, and avoided being shot by the guerillas) to being the mentor for Canada’s first Miss Universe. It has been a fascinating journey, including 13 years as an elected official.

After retiring from London City Council at the end of 2010, I am now focused on helping other municipalities, as well as local business and community organizations. I’ve been honoured to be asked to speak at many Municipal Councils, community forums, business conferences and industry conventions, universities and colleges, and for many other government, business, health and community organizations and meetings in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

I’ve been fortunate to travel to many countries around the world and I find the study of the culture, cuisine and history of nations to be both intriguing and educational. I’ve eaten pierogies in Ukraine, goulash in Budapest, Sacher torte in Vienna, Peking Duck in Beijing, and drunk Pisco Sours on the beach in Peru, had some mysterious seafood in Costa Rica, enjoyed kim chee in Korea, great southern barbeque in a little dive in Texas, paella in Spain, and bouillabaisse at a two-star Michelin restaurant overlooking the harbour in Marseilles. I’ve ridden a Russian train on the way to Hungary, a ship in the Caribbean, ‘tuk tuks’ in Thailand, the Mag Lev train that went 431 kms/hour in Shanghai, a rollicking bus in Mexico and somehow survived driving the freeways in California. I’ve climbed the Great Wall of China, attended two Olympic Games and walked hunched-over in a North Korean tunnel under the DMZ that makes Korea the only divided country left in the world. I’ve been in every province in Canada and two of our territories. It’s been fun so far and I look forward to more adventures!

I’m currently going through the agonizing enjoyment of researching my fourth book, "Ten Trends that will change municipalities", which should be published  in 2013. If you’d like some more information on any of my books, just visit www.municipalworld.com then Bookshop.

I hope you enjoy browsing this web site. And please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time if I can be of assistance to you.

All the best,