2009 Citizen of the Year - Ray Gerow

Prince George’s newest of the Citizen of the Year said he was hit by strange, unrecognizable sensations when he heard his name called out for the distinction. Gerow was a finalist along with chef Ron Christian of CNC’s culinary arts program; Bruce Sutherland, president of WolfTek Industries; Renee Trepanier, executive director of the Cercle des Canadiens Francais de Prince George; and Gerda Blok-Wilson, artistic director of the Bel Canto Choirs.

Gerow said it was an odd sensation to hear his list of accomplishments in an encapsulating statement. He said it made it seem like all of that stuff was recent, or going on now—all the volunteering for sports initiatives, aboriginal development projects, business and community causes he has taken on over the years. It was a life’s work that came together alongside some recent volunteerism to make up that description, he said, and the other finalists had a similar body of work in their areas. 2009 Citizen of the Year - Ray Gerow

“It catches you off guard when you hear it all in one lump,” he said. “You do these things out of personal interest, passion—a challenge I wanted to take on. Sometimes I wonder why I make myself so busy, but it’s never a chore, it’s for fun and so I can be involved in my community, and the other finalists would probably say the same thing. So would a bunch of people who didn’t get nominated by do a lot for the community.”

Gerow is originally from Burns Lake, and has been active our city’s business community ever since moving to Prince George. He is currently the CEO of the Aboriginal Business and Community Development Centre, sits in the board of the Nechako- Kitamaat Development Fund Society, and is deeply committed to getting the proposed School District 57 Aboriginal choice school off the ground by September.

Family time, health, relaxation, work, and volunteering are all aspects of a balanced life he said, adding that he and his wife Veronica’s six kids in their blended families are his consistent joy. “To have the whole family together was the most important part of it, and for them to be there to see it was a wonderful bonus.”

—courtesy of The Prince George Citizen.