Congratulations to Sgt. Mark McGugan from the London Police Service for being voted into the role of Regional Coordinator (Canada) for the International LETR Executive Council succeeding (Ret) Deputy Chief Rick Lucy from the Abbotsford Police Service who held the position for 8 years.
Mark has been an active volunteer with the LETR in Ontario for over 33 years holding virtually every position from Service Rep to Zone Coordinator to Operations Committee Member and finally the Provincial Director from 2017-2020. Mark is a stalwart volunteer, with a propensity for sport and most certainly a passion for Special Olympics.
Mark describes himself as “an ideas guy, always looking for ways to have fun, while raising funds for Special Olympics.” Under Mark's leadership, the London Police Service was amongst the first agencies to create a “team” approach, getting various officers to take a leadership role for the many and varied events and activities that LETR hosts for Special Olympics. This simple but cooperative act brought about better fundraising, less burnout and even greater officer engagement; a simple yet prolific example of leadership which has become a standard practice that others have followed.
When running for the Regional Coordinator position Mark emphasized the major crimes motto of “getting organized and staying organized” and how that mindset will benefit the LETR across the country. “I am a team player that believes everyone should be heard. It is important to listen to the experienced members of the Torch Run who have been there for a number of years, but to also listen to the first year torch runners who have new ideas and perspectives. Both have to be supported and nurtured to allow the movement of the Torch Run and Special Olympics to grow and prosper.”
Congratulations to Ontario’s very own Mark McGugan as we proudly congratulate him and know he will represent us well on the International LETR Council!
