Staff

Stanley Bear (MBA)

Stanley Bear, a member of Peguis First Nations, has a MBA from Queen’s University. Mr. Bear has over two decades of experience in First Nations Business Development and has unparalleled expertise in business analysis, cost benefit analysis, organizational analysis, strategic planning, project management and in program and project evaluations.

Mr. Bear has over fifteen years of experience with the Federal Government, managing programs at the senior level for First Nations Economic Development within Industry Canada. When he left the public service in 1998, he was the Associate Regional Director of First Nations Business Canada for the Western Region.

One of Mr. Bear’s major contracts is with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs where he has plays a lead role in developing private sector partnerships for First Nations economic development. At the AMC, Mr. Bear is also involved in First Nations Human Resource Development policy and programming, negotiating federal government contracts and First Nations sub-agreements, policy analysis and recommendations across a broad range of economic and business development initiatives.

Mr. Bear currently serves on the Board for Community Ownership Solutions Inc (COS), an independent not-for-profit development corporation based in Winnipeg which aims to provide an enterprise-based approach to creating quality jobs for Manitobans.

Lorne Cochrane

Lorne Cochrane is the former Executive Director for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. In March 2001, Mr. Cochrane joined the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs as their Director of Special Projects and was given the responsibility to manage the following key files in the organization: Framework Agreement Initiative, Manitoba Association of Native Firefighters, Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre and Human Resource Development program.

Prior to joining the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Mr. Cochrane was the Associate Regional Director General and Regional Director General for Indian & Northern Affairs Canada, Manitoba Region. Mr. Cochrane has extensive experience and knowledge of First Nations programs and services, federal and provincial government legislation and policies and directives.

As a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation, where he served as both Chief and Councilor, Mr. Cochrane has committed his career to the advancement of First Nations issues both at the grassroots and regional levels. Mr. Cochrane believes the enhancement of the lives of First Nations people in Manitoba and communities is absolutely integral to the best interests of all Manitobans.

George Merasty (C.A.)

George Merasty is a member of the Flying Dust First Nations. Mr. Merasty joined the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 1998 as the Director of Finance, where he was responsible for the planning, organizing, directing and controlling of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Financial and Administrative systems and processes. In addition, he served as a member of the Senior Management Team and as a resource and technical advisor to the Personnel and Finance Chiefs Committee. He represented the Manitoba First Nations on National Committees such as the First Nations Advisory Committee to Canada Revenue Agency as well as the National Audit Policy Committee for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. He is currently the Director of Finance of the Manitoba First Nations Education Centre.

Mr. Merasty started working for Deloitte and Touche Chartered Accountants in 1995 and began articling toward his Chartered Accountant Designation. He became a Chartered Accountant in November 2000 and is now one the few First Nations people who is a Chartered Accountant in Canada.