Local Man receives prestigious position

Local man receives prestigious position

Ryan Quigley

Journal Pioneer

Summerside native Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Harris was named Administrative Officer of the 8 wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario after 20-years at the base.

Harris, who grew up in Summerside and attended the University of Prince Edward Island, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration, was appointed to the position on June 23 after the previous Administrative Officer left for a position with the National Defence Headquarters.

He had originally been stationed in Trenton from 1990 to 1999, then after a five years in Winnipeg, he was back again. He then was stationed in Toronto and Kingston while his wife, Beth, lived with their kids in Trenton. He is now moving back to what he considers “home”.

Harris, a Logistics Officer by trade, will now be responsible for the management of human and financial resources and Lodger units. He will also be responsible for overseeing Physical Education and Recreation, Medical Support Services, Chaplain services, Messes and Clubs, Accommodations, the Official Languages and computer training centres and Financial services for the base.

The 8 wing/CFB Trenton is home to Canada’s Air Mobility aircraft fleet and employs about 4,000 military and civilian people.

Harris, who still regularly visits Summerside, said he was excited to hear about receiving the position.

“I really couldn’t wait to tell my wife and children when I got home, which was right at Christmas time,” he said “It was very exciting to come home tell them the news I was going to be posted back to Trenton, because I had been serving in Kingston for the last three years.”

“I really feel good about coming back here,” he added.

He said he felt the position to be highly sought after.

“(This is) something I’ve been looking for in my career and wanted to move up to this position.”

Harris originally enlisted in the Canadian forces in 1988 and has served internationally and domestically. He was in Operation BOREAL in Russia and Operation AIRBRIDGE in Italy serving in Afghanistan.

Harris’ dad served in the air force as an air force technician and was located in Summerside. He said that it might have been a small inspiration.

“I lived the life but never really considered it until my university years,” he said. “Out of any job in the world, this is the one I’d want to do.”