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Rick Stomphorst shared thisHeads up: ONTARIO MACHINING NETWORK event. For Machinists. Tool & Die Makers. Manufacturing Professionals. Thursday, April 16 | 4:30 – 7:30 PM Mazak North America Canada 50 Commerce Ct, Cambridge, ON An evening event about connection — not selling. Reserve Your Spot: tim.gingerich@walter-tools.com darryl@nextgenskilledtrades.co Darryl Gratrix
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Rick Stomphorst shared thisAI Is Moving Faster Than Your Workforce Plan Brian Ferguson, a connection of mine, posted this recently and I cannot shake it off. https://lnkd.in/gZbU6pnt
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Rick Stomphorst reposted thisRick Stomphorst reposted this🤝 Machinists. Toolmakers. The Next Generation. Last night we held our first-ever networking event, and it was a huge success. ✅ 18 people came out ✅ From students to 35-year veterans ✅ Real conversations, advice, and mentorship happening everywhere It was incredible seeing experienced tradespeople share stories, tips, and encouragement to help students get started in their careers. This is what the skilled trades are all about, passing it on. 💪 Big thank-you to UNITED MACHINING in Woodbridge, Ontario for hosting. We’re already planning the next one in three months and we’re looking for a different location to host….. #NextGenSkilledTrades #Machinists #Toolmakers #ManufacturingCommunity #Mentorship Check out my post every day at 8am EST. Tim Gingerich Milan Marinkovic Mike Murakami Spencer Sheldon Jackie Heeremans Joey Evola Sean Smith Nicolas Gaube Jeff Onufer
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Rick Stomphorst shared thisWhile attending the1st day of Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show - CMTS yesterday I got to hear Flavio Volpe, C.M. insights on the International automotive industry and where Canada's automotive manufacturing industry could make significant strides, "that we are actually capable and that bigger thinking is required.". e.g. Arrow EV, https://lnkd.in/gyA8afjX
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Rick Stomphorst shared thisWow. Excellent topic and panel at last night's Silicon Halton event - Growing Globally – The Power Of New Perspectives I measure every event by the amount of notes I take, and I had over a page of notes. Some of the key lessons learned: ▪️Build a solution that has a universal appeal ▪️The reach of Podcasts: Start a Podcast, which are consumed internationally and helps to grow your firm internationally ▪️Acquire international companies as it provides immediate access to new markets and low cost centers ▪️Engage with international Colleges, Universities, Accelerators, funding, trade organizations, etc. as they are very receptive to engaging with Canadian companies. ▪️Canadian companies are well regarded internationally as trustworthy (in comparison to the new significant risk factor in dealing with companies / government south of the border) ▪️The first international client you land dictates your scale ▪️“People are innovation” ▪️One small company couldn’t compete head-on with the marketing of large established firms. They instead used a maverick-like marketing approach (my words). E.g Trendy collectable t-shirts for their client’s kids. ▪️Lastly, on the topic of Canadian competitiveness, we heard concern that Canadian companies are weaker at commercializing than their US competitors, that instead of growing into a large company, founders exit and importantly sell their IP to the international company acquiring them, and that funding is much harder in Canada vs. the US. We also heard that Canada needs to be commercially viable globally.
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Rick Stomphorst shared thisNew Meetup: Growing Globally – The Power Of New Perspectives 🕓 TODAY @ 4:00 - 6:00 PM 🏢 TechPlace, Burlington, ON Join us late this afternoon: In an era defined by disruption by tariffs, Canadian companies are rethinking how they engage with the world. We've assembled a strong panel of forward-thinking leaders who are embracing fresh perspectives to unlock global growth. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gB6c7vwj #tarriffs #canada #oakville #BurlON #MiltonON #HaltonHillsON
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Rick Stomphorst shared thisNew Silicon Halton Meetup! Growing Globally – The Power Of New Perspectives 🕓 Sep 9th, 4:00 - 6:00 PM 🏢 TechPlace, Burlington, ON In an era defined by disruption and rapid change (read: Tariffs), Canadian companies are rethinking how they engage with the world. We're brought together a panel of together forward-thinking leaders who are embracing fresh perspectives to unlock global growth. From exploring untapped markets to reimagining trade relationships, our speakers will share how shifting mindsets—and not just strategies—can open new doors. Join us for an inspiring conversation on how seeing the world differently can lead to smarter, more resilient, and more inclusive global expansion. Speakers / Panel ► Dr. Maryam Emami, Ph.D., P.Eng Chief Executive Officer – AI Materia ► Barry Hillier, Brand Strategist, SaaS Founder & Agentic AI Pioneer ► Michelle Sangster, Chief Transformation Officer, Alchmey Human Capital Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gzvvMA5U Register: https://lnkd.in/gB6c7vwj
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Rick Stomphorst shared thisNew job: Regional Branch Manager - Woodstock/Stratford Imagine working for a Best Managed Canadian company in a role where you’re not micromanaged but encouraged & supported to flourish. We’re searching for a Regional Branch Manager for the Woodstock / Stratford area. Owing P&L and using your leadership, coaching and mentoring skills, you will be leading the Inside Sales, Counter Sales and Operations teams and branch marketing efforts across two branches. Emphasis is placed on organizational abilities in order to maintain a smooth running branch and great leadership qualities. Knowing the local customer base is important, as you will occasionally be visiting customers. Perks ▪️ Excellent base Salary, Car Allowance + Mileage, with Group Benefits including (e.g.) Vision care & Orthodontics ▪️ Profit sharing ▪️ Superior RRSP Matching ▪️ More... Let's get to work! Contact us: Rick@OslerHR.ca https://lnkd.in/gcekfmfK #electricalwholesale #electricity #job #woodstock #stratford
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Rick Stomphorst liked thisRick Stomphorst liked thisFrom concept to finished space. 🛠️✨ A look at some of the custom cabinetry projects we’ve built at Woodoer. designed with purpose, built with precision, and finished to last. 📐 Custom. Precise. Built for your project. #cabinetry #gta #cabinetryjoboakville #torontocabinetry #cabinetbuilding #oakville #cnc #haltoncabinetry #woodworking #halton #cabinetryassembly #ontario #construction #toronto #cabinetryjob #manufacturing #woodworkingjob #b2bmanufacturing #millwork #madeinontario #customcabinetry
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Rick Stomphorst liked thisI’m delighted to be speaking at the MoneyShow Masters Symposium in Toronto this September 24 & 25th, 2026 My workshop is called: From Confusion to Clarity: Five Simple Steps to Finding Quality Canadian Stocks Before They Move I’ll be demonstrating the practical process I use to: • Assess the direction of the broader market • Identify Sectors showing strength • Find quality Canadian companies in those Sectors • Evaluate potential entries near support • Manage position size and risk as the chart develops The goal isn’t to predict what a stock will do next. It’s to develop a clear, repeatable decision-making process—one that helps investors move beyond noise, opinions and reactive decisions. The Toronto Masters Symposium brings together a terrific group of experienced market speakers, and I’m looking forward to learning from them as well. 📍 MaRS Discovery District, Toronto 📅 September 24–25, 2026 If you’ll be attending, please come and say hello. I’d love to meet you. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/d3Www9xC #MoneyShow #CanadianInvestors #InvestorEducation #StockCharts #FinancialEducation
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Rick Stomphorst liked thisRick Stomphorst liked thisI think (hope?) we have acquired an original Avro CF-100 Canuck windscreen. A piece of 🇨🇦 history, the “Clunk” was an dual engined, all-weather fighter jet assembled in Malton, Ontario. The only Canadian-designed fighter to have entered mass production, 692 planes were built and used by the RCAF from 1951 to 1981. The Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA) was originally launched as the Automotive and Aviation Parts manufacturers Association in 1952. The frame, glass and electronics suppliers were likely members. Our archivist is looking into all this too. We are going to drill it down, just wanted to share my enthusiasm!
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Rick Stomphorst liked thisRick Stomphorst liked thisI discovered something interesting while building an AI tool using Anthropic’s SDK and the Claude API. The tool reviews a B2B ICP using my Buying Motion Framework, identifying what’s already strong and opportunities to strengthen it. (Coming soon!) But here’s what I found interesting. When I disabled thinking, the results were truer to MY framework. When I let Claude decide when to think more deeply, it tended to embellish. Interesting... And maybe useful for anyone creating customer-facing AI tools or prompts. It helped that I’ve treated building this tool as a real development project, including testing it against a variety of ICP samples. Otherwise, I might never have spotted the difference. For me, that’s part of using AI well. Making it work for me, not the other way around. Now to finish the front end. :)
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Rick Stomphorst liked thisRick Stomphorst liked thisWhen a client tells you, "Look, I don't need a half-a*** website, I want a great website," you accept the challenge. That's exactly how this project started. And you can now see if we delivered. Webber Realty Group is a small-but-mighty real estate team led by Mike and Renell Webber, based in Central Valley, California. With two decades of local expertise behind them, they wanted a site that reflected the warmth and credibility they bring to every client relationship - something that felt like them, not another cookie-cutter listings portal. We focused on two things: 1. Website Design We created an elegant yet warm design where soft, earth colours allow professional photography and video to shine. A serif font, white space, soft motion, and a navy-blue-and-gold colour scheme add elegance to the design. The result feels approachable and premium at once. 2. Content We substantially expanded the website content to improve the website performance in online searches. The new Buying, Selling, Property Management, Rentals, and Staging pages into genuine resources, and added a dedicated Central Valley community guide spotlighting the neighbourhoods the Webber team knows best. That richer, more structured content doesn't just serve visitors - it positions the site to perform in search and to surface accurately in AI-driven discovery, an increasingly important way people find local agents. The finished website tells a story of a trusted local team, with deep community roots, wrapped in a design that is not half-a*** ;-) Take a look: https://lnkd.in/gQtu3EF6 #WebDesign #WebDevelopment #RealEstateMarketing #SEO #BrandDesign #SmallBusiness
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Rick Stomphorst liked thisRick Stomphorst liked thisNew Job: Branch Manager - Mississauga Imagine a role with real autonomy and a clear path to grow — at a company that won't treat you like a number. You'll thrive here if you're comfortable making fast decisions and enjoy a job where priorities shift constantly — no two days look the same. You'll be stepping into a role that's opening because the current Branch Manager is being promoted internally. You will be leading the branch’s sales and operations teams ensuring the continued profitability of the branch while maintaining and building customer relationships. Why we’re a great company to work for ▪️ Excellent base Salary, Car Allowance, with Group Benefits including (e.g.) Vision care & Orthodontics ▪️ Profit sharing ▪️ Superior RRSP Matching ▪️ Employee Assistance Plan ▪️ Immediate virtual health access (Optional) ▪️ Global travel coverage (Out of Province/Out of Country medical) Role with a Canadian Electrical Supplies Distributor in Mississsauga. Let's get to work! Contact us: Rick@OslerHR.ca Rick Stomphorst or Lawton Osler #BranchManager #electricalwholesale #electricity #sales #job #Mississsauga #Brampton #GTA
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Rick Stomphorst liked thisRick Stomphorst liked thisI'm excited to share that I've earned my Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation! This milestone has strengthened my knowledge of payroll legislation, compliance, and best practices, and I'm looking forward to applying these skills in my career. A big thank you to everyone who supported and encouraged me throughout this journey. Here's to continuous learning and professional growth! #Payroll #PCP #ProfessionalDevelopment #ContinuousLearning #NationalPayrollInstitute
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Rick Stomphorst liked thisRick Stomphorst liked thisFor more than 36 years, HIEC has been connecting education, industry and community to help young people explore careers and prepare for the future of work. As our Executive Director, Kelly Hoey, shared: "Education cannot do this work alone. Community organizations and employers need to be strong partners, especially when it comes to career readiness and helping students understand the world of work." We're proud to work alongside educators, employers and community partners to help students feel hopeful, informed and connected to opportunity. Thank you to BurlingtonToday for spotlighting the power of collaboration in preparing our next generation for success. Read more: https://hubs.li/Q04pw7DN0 #CareerDevelopment #Education #WorkforceDevelopment #CommunityPartnerships #SkilledTrades #CareerReadiness #BurlOn
Experience & Education
Volunteer Experience
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Advisor and Career Coach
Halton Industry Education Council
- Present 17 years 11 months
Children
Advisor to launch of Men as Career Coaches program in 2009.
Volunteer at yearly Men as Career Coach event to youth in Halton Region
https://www.hiec.on.ca/what-we-do/men-as-career-coaches/
Publications
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Making Halton the Next Silicon Valley
Toronto Star
See publicationFeature article about Silicon Halton in the Toronto Star business section.
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You're better than your job search
Marc Cenedella, Matthew Rothenberg (Simon and Schuster)
See publicationI'm not the author.
I'm quoted by the author, Marc Cenedella, in his book (http://amzn.to/VUufTR)
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Haye Kesteloo
Niagara College launches defence drone programs Canada is serious about defence, and not just in speeches or budget lines. With the federal government’s 2025 Canada Strong budget putting fresh emphasis on domestic innovation, Niagara College has stepped forward with new hands-on engineering programs designed to train students to build the systems Canada increasingly depends on, as Notlocal reports. Drones, autonomous vehicles, sensor payloads, and advanced manufacturing are no longer niche topics. They are becoming foundational infrastructure. Niagara College’s newly announced Defence Systems Engineering Technology program, which runs three years, alongside a two year Defence Systems Engineering Technician option, is built around one clear idea. Photo credit: Niagara College If Canada wants a stronger domestic defence sector, it needs people who can design, assemble, test, and improve the technology locally. College leadership has been open about the motivation. Autonomous systems are spreading across defence, public safety, aerospace, environmental monitoring, and even healthcare. The demand for skilled workers is growing faster than traditional engineering pipelines can supply them. Rather than focusing on abstract theory, Niagara College is positioning these programs as applied from day one, aimed at producing graduates who can step directly into industry roles. Students start building in year one One of the most striking aspects of the program is how quickly students move from classroom to workshop. Photo credit: Niagara College In the very first term, students begin building a ground rover and a quadcopter. By term two, they are already working on a submersible remotely operated vehicle. That means exposure to aerial, terrestrial, and marine platforms within months, not years. From there, the curriculum expands into instrument payloads and flight systems. Students integrate GPS, cameras, sensors, and Lidar, learning how hardware, software, and data all intersect. They design parts using 3D modelling tools, fabricate components through 3D printing and laser cutting, and develop practical skills like soldering and system assembly. Photonics plays a central role, drawing on Niagara College’s more than 25 years of experience in optics and laser education. This matters because modern defence systems rely heavily on optical sensors, targeting systems, imaging, and secure communications. Later stages of the program introduce counter drone technologies, applied industrial research opportunities, and an industry-ready capstone project in the final year. By graduation, students are expected to have touched nearly every layer of a modern autonomous system. Defence drones are driving real demand The timing of the program lines up neatly with reality on the ground, and in the air. Drones are now critical tools for search and rescue, disaster response, wildfire detection, environmental protection, and Arctic surveillance. In a countr...
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Rachel Clark
“Banks still evaluate high growth founders as if they’re running traditional cash flow businesses. A founder building AI or advanced tech is asked for collateral & personal guarantees because their company doesn’t fit an old risk model. They’re literally building the plane while flying it, yet the bank expects personal debt to make up for its own inability to assess innovation. That’s punitive.” The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I’ve got promises to keep And miles to go before I sleep.
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