Tim's Background
Education and first career
I have a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo - which explains his logical thinking processes. I also spent 16 years as a computer programmer and analyst, and took numerous MBA and accounting courses. That's why I am bilingual in English and geek.
Writing and communications
I moved to Victoria in 1981 with the British Columbia Systems Corporation. After leading a successful systems project, I became recognized for my clear documentation and standards and my ability to explain concepts. I moved into Client Services and kept writing as the group developed a marketing focus.
I joined the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and discovered my new career. The marketing job became marketing communications. In 1988, I persuaded BC Systems to create a new position of Corporate Communications and helped hire a person to fill it.
Accreditation
In 1993, I earned IABC's Accredited Business Communicator designation, which includes a portfolio review and a half-day examination.
Senior management
In 1993, the Corporate Communications job became a Director-level position, and I took it over. I developed a Communications Management Framework for the Corporation, a corporate video, annual reports, issues management, a crisis communications handbook in case of disaster, a corporate page on the World Wide Web (Internet), electronic mail and Internet standards, and many more projects.
Self-employment
In early 1996, the British Columbia government restructured BC Systems as part of a government ministry, with no need for a separate corporate communications department. That left me free to start TRH Communications. I worked for dozens of private sector clients, including one in Singapore and several in Ontario and the United States. Work included Web site creation and management, marketing writing and analysis, and more.
Back to government
In early 2005, I rejoined the British Columbia government to do communications work for what is now Workplace Technology Services, now part of the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services. That ended in 2009 with the, ahem, Workforce Restructuring initiative. I am now semi-retired.