It took some time (democracy doesn't happen overnight) but administrative rights for this site have finally been passed to me from outgoing Chair Sean Lauer so allow me to take a moment and introduce myself while getting acquainted with this new tool.

My name is Michael Tedesco and I was elected Chair of this Vancouver chapter of Democrats Abroad Canada during our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and State of the Union watch party held at Lennox Pub January 25, 2011. I was relocated to Vancouver from Pittsburgh, PA in December of 2007 by my employer, Eastman Kodak Company, where I manage remote technical support for our customers in the Americas. In addition to my role with Kodak I enjoy politics, photography, hiking, sailing, craft brewing, edit a weekly feature for VancouverIsAwesome.com as well as maintaining a political blog, Comments from Left Field, founded in 2003.

I got involved in Democratic Party electoral politics during the 2004 Presidential election when I was lucky enough to volunteer as a motorcade driver for John Kerry on his frequent visits to Pittsburgh (remember his wife is Theresa Heinz-Kerry). After that campaign I joined the Young Democrats of Allegheny County and participated actively in local progressive Pittsburgh politics. 

Upon moving to Vancouver I immediately researched my political options, found Democrats Abroad and joined. I found this organization to be an incredible resource for American ex-patriots and am pleased to serve at the pleasure of our membership. 

Enough about me, it is my great pleasure to also introduce to you the rest of our 2011-20012 Executive Committee of the Vancouver chapter of Democrats Abroad Canada.

Vice Chair: Maureen Harwood

Treasurer: Joel Milgram

Policy: Kate Ellison

Community: Malana Martell

Communications: Michael Meneer

Ex Officio: Sean Lauer

General Secretary: David Handelman

I very much look forward to the coming year as we prepare for the 2012 general elections, push back on Republican overreach and generally strengthen our ranks in Vancouver.