About Us

MGen (Ret’d) Paul Bury OMM CD, joined the Helmets to Hardhats team in 2019 after his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces after 33 years of dedicated service to Canada. Appointed to predominately Class A Reserve force positions, MGen (Ret’d) Bury commanded at all levels, both domestically and when operationally deployed, retiring after his four-year appointment as Chief Reserves and Employer Support within NDHQ.

As a predominantly Class A Reservist, MGen (Ret’d) Bury also held a civilian position with the Department of the Solicitor General, Government of Alberta, retiring as a senior manager in 2013. Due to the support and engagement of the Government of Alberta for the Reservists within it’s employ, MGen (Ret’d) Bury was able to effectively balance both demanding careers, receiving significant periods of military leave from his civilian employer and completing five operational deployments.

MGen (Ret’d) Bury holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Boston University and is a graduate of the Canadian Forces College, Advanced Military Studies Program.

Darryl G. Cathcart enrolled in the Canadian Army in 1991 as a private soldier, commissioned from the ranks as a senior non-commissioned member, and retired in 2017 as a senior officer. During his operational service, Darryl held command and staff positions in The Royal Canadian Regiment and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, where he deployed to Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Notable domestic appointments include serving at the Infantry School and as an instructional staff member at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College. He is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, the United States Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School, and the Joint Command and Staff Programme at the Canadian Forces College, Queen’s University. Darryl holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Western University.

In 2018, Darryl founded Release Point Education to witness the realization of academic excellence by supporting military-connected learners through the provision of specialized, relevant, and credible programming. In addition to being a consultant with Helmets to Hardhats, Release Point Education has been employed by Fanshawe, Georgian, Loyalist, the Nova Scotia Community College, and the University of Windsor to support the inclusion of underrepresented group learners. Darryl has published numerous articles surrounding military-connected students and how this heterogeneous group can have an amplifying effect on the civilian workforce.

Normand Trepanier was born in St-Tite, QC. He enlisted in the CAF in September 1975 and completed his Basic Military Training at CFB St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu. After his basic Artilleryman training, he embarked on a long and prosperous career as a NCM. During his first 15 years, he was posted to various Artillery Units and Schools in Canada and Germany.

He participated in many Unit, Brigade and NATO Exercises. Normand has participated to many domestics & Overseas operations such as Olympic Game Border security, securing Penitentiary institutions, deployed to Four overseas missions: three with the United Nation; one Nato mission and one multi-national Forces mission in Sinai, Egypt. He was promoted Chief Warrant Officer after 15 years of service and for the next 22 years he was involved in many senior positions at the Tactical, Operational and Strategic level, assisting Commanders at several levels leading the Institution. As a Formation level CWO, he assisted other Formation CPO1/CWO in the new Development Period training and education level for Institutional leadership. He later became the second Director of the Non-Commission Member Professional Development Center at the Royal Military College of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. After his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2012 he joined the DND/CAF Ombudsman to work on project like; Quality of Life of serving military members as well as military family members and Operation Stress Injury for Canadian Forces Reservist. He then joined the newly Non-for-Profit Organization Helmets to Hardhats Team in 2013.

In 2006, Governor General of Canada, her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, appointed him to the Order of Member Military Merit.

Dave Giannou was born in Glace Bay, NS but grew up in Corner Brook, NF. He enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in June 1982 through the Marine Engineering Technologist Training Program, graduating in 1985 with two diplomas; Mechanical and Marine Engineering Technologist. He served successfully as a marine engineer on ships and submarines for the next 16 years achieving his Engineering Artificer qualification.

In 2000 he was offered and accepted a commission as a Marine Systems Engineering Officer. He worked in a variety of engineering positions including a four-year term overseeing the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)’s unique Victoria class simulators and trainers. In 2010 he was promoted to Lieutenant-commander and posted to Her Majesty's Canadian Ships (HMCS) PRESERVER as the Marine Systems Engineering Officer. On completion of his tour, he was posted to Ottawa as part of the Joint Support Ship (JSS) project under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, to help restore shipyards, rebuild the marine industry and create sustainable jobs in Canada.

Dave returned to Halifax in 2013 to work in the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School as the Engineering and Technology Training Officer, overseeing the academic training of the RCN’s technical trades from apprentice to journeyman level. He worked with the staff and students through various training methods including the introduction of technology enhanced learning techniques to better prepare students for on-the-job training and advancement of their careers. His final posting was as Chief of Staff for Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) Safety and Environment, an organization that provided MARLANT with national and international policy interpretation on over 30 different safety and environmental programs. Retiring after 36+ years of service, he remained with MARLANT Safety and Environment for another 3 years in the civilian role of Chief of Staff prior to joining the Helmets to Hardhats team in May 2021. During his military career Dave was introduced to competitive marksmanship, competing in military and civilian matches. As Team Captain, supported by an outstanding tri-service team, he led the MARLANT Combat Shooting Team to the CAF Small Arms Competition in Ottawa several times over a ten-year period, successfully competing against some of the best military marksmen in the CAF.

Sable Frey is a passionate communicator who builds meaningful connections through storytelling. As Director of Communications at Helmets to Hardhats, she leads communications strategies that support Canadian Veterans transitioning into unionized skilled trades careers.

Sable has over six years of federal public service experience from Veterans Affairs Canada, where she worked in Media Relations, Strategic and Internal Communications, and the Deputy Minister’s Office. Her time at VAC fostered a strong sense of purpose and deepened her commitment to supporting Canada’s Veterans and military community. Sable holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Carleton University, with a minor in Arts Management from the Sprott School of Business

Raised on her family’s dairy farm in Durham Region, Ontario, she credits her rural roots for introducing values of resilience, accountability, collaboration, and respect. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, making stained glass art, camping, baking, and gardening. Across her career and life experience, Sable brings strong leadership, organization, and strategic planning skills. She approaches every project with creativity and a drive to deliver results that matter.

Tony Nicholas, a proud military veteran, served 14 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Growing up in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, he began his career with the 2nd Royal Newfoundland Regiment before transitioning in 2001 to the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), a prestigious armoured regiment. He honed his expertise in armoured operations, strategic warfare, and leadership. From 2007 to 2011, he was stationed at CFB Gagetown as an instructor, training new recruits. Tony also deployed to Afghanistan, where he faced intense conditions that further strengthened his resilience and commitment. Additionally, he successfully completed the Cambrian Patrol in Wales, a gruelling military exercise testing endurance and tactical skills.

After his military service, Tony transitioned to civilian life and, in 2012, joined the Helmets to Hardhats program under the Carpenters' Union, Local 1325. He then spent 13 years working in Alberta’s oil and gas industry, applying his leadership and work ethic to excel in the field.

Pat Rizzo was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. At the age of 12, he joined the Royal Canadian Army Cadets with the Canadian Grenadier Guards. After five years of dedicated participation, at the age of 17, Pat achieved the rank of Colour Sergeant. In 1985, Pat enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, completing various national and international courses and deployments, including an operation to Norway. For three summers he preformed as a member of the Ceremonial Guard. He served in different roles with the Canadian Rangers across the Arctic for over eight years.

In 2001, he moved to Ottawa to join the Directorate of Reserves - Canadian Rangers. There, he held several positions including National Coordinator for the Preventing Harassment and Abuse Program, Vice Chief of Defence Staff Harassment Advisor and Sergeant Major at Director General Reserves and Cadets Headquarters. From 2013 to 2019, Pat was the Operations Officer for the Canadian Forces Liaison Council within the Chief of Reserves and Cadets. In 2019, Pat became the Assistant to the Formation Chief Warrant Officer for the National Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group. In 2024, he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and continued as the Formation Chief Warrant Officer Coordinator and Strategic Engagement.

Throughout his service, Pat has been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Special Service Medal (SSM), King Charles III Coronation Medal, and the Canadian Decoration with second bar (CD2).

Jean Pierre Dorris was born in Greenfield Park, QC. He enlisted in the CAF in December 1987 and completed his Basic Officer Training at CFB Chilliwack in BC. Following his Air Defence Artillery training, he was assigned to Canadian Forces Europe as part of Canada’s NATO presence in West Germany. During the first half of his 35-year career, he served mainly within artillery units in position such as troop commander, battery command post operations officer, unit operations officer and adjutant. He commanded 119 Air Defence battery in 2006 and while battery commander deployed to Afghanistan as the Air Space Coordination centre commander.

For the second half of his career, Jean Pierre was assigned to strategic level position that saw him employed for four 4 years with the United States Army in El Paso Texas where he deployed to Quatar in support of Operations Enduring Freedom. Upon return to Canada, he was employed within the Canadian Army Headquarters in Ottawa, 5th Canadian Division Headquarters in Halifax and finally with 37 Canadian Brigade Headquarters.

Upon retirement in 2022, he worked for 18 months as an Archery technician at Bass Pro Shop and transferred to the Canadian Army Reserve where he is currently the deputy commanding officer of the North Shore New Brunswick Regiment. Prior to starting with Helmets to Hardhats, he was working as the New Brunswick Field Services Representative with Circular Materials coordinating recycling program in New Brunswick. Jean Pierre Dorris is married and has two daughters; he enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting and fly fishing and travelling with his family.

Kyla McInnis brings a diverse background to her role as Outreach Advisor for Helmets to Hardhats, where she is tasked with making connections for under-represented individuals to discover an exciting second career in the unionized construction trades. With a career spanning education, healthcare, administration, and military service, Kyla understands first-hand the many decisions and tasks encountered with a career change and is excited to help ease that transition for our Canadian Armed Forces community.

Kyla was born and raised in rural Nova Scotia where her formative years were spent training for leadership roles with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, learning and teaching every summer at various Canadian Forces Bases across the country. In 1994, Kyla was one of three women to join the West Nova Scotia Regiment Army Reserves, successfully completed basic infantry training and served with the unit for five years. The values taught through these experiences – self reliance, adaptability, and discipline – have been the foundation for Kyla’s career.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University, Kyla worked in labour and delivery in Toronto before moving back to Nova Scotia to raise her family. When she’s not working or volunteering at her local schools, Kyla can be found enjoying the great outdoors, contributing to community initiatives and continuously learning, taking every opportunity to grow and support those around her. Now, as part of Helmets to Hardhats, Kyla is passionate about bridging the gap between military service and the skilled trades. She is a firm believer that the skills developed in the forces—dedication, teamwork, and a strong work ethic—are the same qualities that make great tradespeople.