Ian Forbes

Though he knew very few people in this area, about the only hesitation that Ian experienced when moving to Wisconsin from Brunswick, Maine a few years back had to do with skiing. Wisconsin seemed to be rather flat, and the ski hills that the State offers do not constitute any appreciable landmass for someone who is accustomed to ski down a mountain. Nevertheless, fate and career brought him to the Midwest and eventually to Council 10243. In his time in this area he has even learned to cheer for the Packers.

It was at a breakfast some time ago that a fairly new member of the Council, Ken Delcore, tried out his recruiting skills and managed to get both Ian and Pete Birdsall to check out the Knights. Ian was somewhat familiar with the Knights, as a lot of guys out East were members. It was the right move for him--he is a man who likes to do things and was quite involved in his Church before he moved out here. He believes in the importance of giving something back, and the activities of the Council appeared to be just what he was looking for. He especially appreciates the opportunity to involve family in some of the things that the Knights are about. Ian does not see himself as much of a politician, preferring instead to be involved in the actual hands-on activities of the Knights. It also provides his children the opportunity to see faith in action.

Originally from upstate New York, Ian spent fourteen years in the Navy and was involved in the nuclear power program. His expertise in the area enabled him to work at power plants in Maine. Yet, an opportunity at Point Beach back in July of 1997 was something that seemed right for him and his family, so they made their way to Green Bay and the 'flatlands' of the Midwest. At Point Beach he works in Operations Training, spending his days being sure that other operators can handle any emergency which may arise. He also has the added responsibility of licensing plant operators. He works a swing shift and realizes that he can spend too much time on the job occasionally; ten-hour days are not uncommon.

His family is a priority for him and he tries to leave adequate time to just be with his wife Maria and their children. In addition to skiing, he enjoys working with youth soccer: he contributes time as a team manager for the Green Bay Lightning and coaches in the SAY program. He is also getting some experience in 'day-trading' of stocks, and jokes that his two pass-times are both the "S" words--soccer and stocks. In his time with the Knights he has taken part in some of the brat sales and the booyah projects. He is currently coordinating the Salvation Army Bell Ringing project for the Council and is learning a little about his newly acquired role as Community Director for the Council. Maria and Ian have been married for about fifteen years now and St. Bernard Parish employs her as Development Director. They have two children, Andrew and Deirdre. Both Ian and his wife are involved in the RENEW 2000 program in separate groups, though they occasionally attend one another's meetings. He also has some involvement in the Religious Education program. We regret Wisconsin's lack of mountains, but we are grateful that Ian, Maria and their family are a part of our Council.