While the announcement of a new CAO may have overshadowed it, the District has hired made two new hires in the last week, with Dennis Bento being hired on as Director of Community Service.
Bento is originally from Brazil, then moved to the states, where he met his now-wife, whom he followed back to Alberta, where she was originally from. “When I was in my early 20s, I moved to Florida and then to New York State,” says Bento. “When I was in the States I met my wife. We got married in the US and we decided to move to Canada.”
After a few years in Alberta, they moved to the Yukon. Indeed, to Faro, where so many residents of Tumbler Ridge dwelled before moving here, where he was the General Manager of Recreation.
Bento has a degree in business and public administration and recreation. “I have been a manager for many years so that’s where the leadership skills come in. I believe the ability to inspire employees is really important.”
Bento is an avid soccer player, as well as squash and volleyball. “I like to do other activities, biking, hiking, so a bunch of stuff,” he says.
“I had really great staff in the Yukon,” says Bento. “We accomplished a lot while I was there. I moved to Tumbler Ridge because I see a great opportunity to help the community. There’s a great team here, and I’m looking forward to making sure we help the people of the town and provide a lot of recreation programs and whatever we can do to help the town and the organizations here. I see a lot of potential here. We have a lot of outdoor things we can do; great facilities. That’s one of the reasons I chose this community. I have two kids and they’re excited to be here. I showed them the facilities we have. I think it’s a great place for people to raise families, so I’m excited to be here. too.
While the last number of Director of Community Services have come and gone, typically within a year, Bento says he is planning on being here for a long time. “My family is still in the Yukon. They’re just waiting for the school to be over for the kids. Once school is over, they’re moving here to be with me.
“My daughter is six years old and my son is eight. I think this is a great place for the kids to grow, so I plan to be here for a long time.”
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
