GEOS Communications

Ian Thorleifson and his associates can provide effective and efficient communications services, including news releases, infomercials, descriptive articles, communications plans, facilitation or public meetings and presentations.

Here are a news release and an article as examples of Ian's work and style:
pdf why_only_30_months.pdf
pdf news_release.pdf

Relevant Experience

Currently: Freelance writer, livestock industry consultant and ecotour leader.

Previously: Communications Coordinator for the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association (MCPA), and for the Manitoba Elk Growers Association (MEGA).  MCPA represents over 11,000 cattle producers, and is the official voice of the cattle industry in Manitoba. MEGA similarly represents the interests of the elk farming industry in this Province.

  • Responsibilities:
    • Researching and monitoring industry issues and activities, identifying opportunities for enhancement of these industries, and communicating this information to members, stakeholders and the general public.
    • Organizing, writing and overseeing publication of Cattle Country, the newspaper supplied to all cattle producers and members of MCPA
    • Communication with and lobbying elected officials and government staff
    • Preparation and presentation of educational materials
Self – employed with my own companies:
  • As part of the process leading to establishment of Wapusk National Park of Canada near Churchill, Manitoba, my role was to ensure an effective two- way communication flow between Parks officials and the local people throughout northern Manitoba and in key major centers. To achieve this, I spent months in the communities, including all the affected First Nations, talking to people from all walks of life and with every type of interest, employment and background. My work was highly commended - at the end of my contract, the Regional Director of Parks Canada personally commented, "Ian, without your work I do not believe that this Park would be going ahead."
  • Provided the services of Executive Director for the Alberta Elk Association and the Canadian Cervid Council (CCC). These groups represent the Alberta and Canadian elk and deer farming industries at the local, Provincial, national and international levels, with a focus on animal health management and quality assurance. I represented the interests of these industries in all appropriate venues, including the Canadian Animal Health Consultative Committee meetings. Some key issues during my tenure were animal identification and inventory systems, and detection and eradication efforts aimed at tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease.
  • Compiled, published and marketed the Elk Farming Handbook - over 300 pages of detailed information, photographs and worksheets, now the official guidebook of the North American Elk Breeders Association;
  • Provided consulting services in land use planning, wildlife and livestock management;
  • Wrote and published a substantial number and diversity of magazine and newspaper articles, news releases and educational materials.