CESO Volunteer Fosters Economic Development in Aboriginal communities

News release
November 19, 2008

From the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO)

Mr. Wayne Riley is a dedicated professional who has chosen to volunteer his time to help others. Like many of Canadian Executive Service Organization’s (CESO) Volunteer Advisers, the Winnipeg resident’s dedication to helping Aboriginal entrepreneurs is impressive. Mr. Riley has completed an amazing 155 CESO Aboriginal assignments in just 10 years.CESO is a not-for-profit organization that helps to build proud independent communities. The Aboriginal Services branch of CESO provides advisory services to many communities across Canada. Services are defined by and delivered at the request of individuals, businesses, communities, and organizations. CESO’s client needs are met through multiple approaches including mentoring, advising, training and workshops.

Mr. Riley’s background included working in the banking industry for over 20 years and extensive expertise and experience in financial and management consulting. He started his own consulting firm in 1995 and joined CESO’s roster in 1998 at the young age of 51.

Over the years, Mr. Riley has helped CESO clients develop business plans for a clothing design outfit, a recording studio, a boarding home, a friendship centre, an art gallery, a tire shop, and a truck operation. He has also mentored aboriginal businesses in the areas of finance, small business management, accounting and budgeting.

In one of his earliest CESO assignments, Mr. Riley traveled to Saskatoon to help develop a business plan for a fashion design operation. Two years later, he returned to Saskatoon, to work with an off-reserve Métis client helping to develop an accounting system for a fitness centre.

Some of the most memorable assignments have included volunteering with the Manto Sipi Cree Nation at God’s River, 585 air kilometers northeast of Winnipeg. The assignment focused on assisting with negotiations for the purchase of a store. While there, Mr. Riley reviewed the offer and provided the client with the tools to make an informed decision. In the end, the client did not purchase the store as it would have been a major financial hardship for the community.

Another assignment brought Mr. Riley to Dauphin, Manitoba to work with the Northwest Métis Council. The two-week assignment was financed through the RBC Métis Development Fund, Mr. Riley provided proposal and business plan training for Metis Council members.

Mr. Riley has been very active in his own community. He has been a Chairman of the membership committee of Lions International, the President of the Charleswood Men’s Slow Pitch League, and an affiliate member of Rockwood Unit 303 Army, Navy and Air Force. He has been active with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Bankers Association, as well as being a volunteer with the Junior Ladies National Fastball Team. He was selected as an umpire with the Canada Summer Games and served as a Level II Coach with the Manitoba Baseball Association.

Since 1969, CESO National Services has linked clients with professional Volunteer Advisers like Wayne on over 27,000 projects in Aboriginal communities across Canada. CESO delivers its services at the request of individuals, businesses, communities and organizations and matches the best volunteer to suit the project. Mr. Wayne Riley has been one of our best volunteers.

For more information about CESO, or how to join CESO as a Volunteer Adviser, contact info @ ceso-saco.com (no spaces) or visit www.ceso-saco.com

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For more information, contact:

Yvonne Dubois, Office Manager
CESO Manitoba and Saskatchewan Region
204-949-0177 or 1-888-949-0177

Josie Marchese
CESO Communications Manager
1-800-268-9052 ext. 253