Legacy Magazine

2025 Legacy Magazine MDI Man of the Year Nominees.

Ruygrok, Gerry Nominates Bruce Farrand

My nomination is Bruce Farrand. He’s on my team, Dragonslayers. I picked him for many reasons and because I know the man well. He is a long time member of MDI, you could say a lifer. He has always been a man of integrity, a man you can count on to deliver. He supports men like no one I know, always showing up to help. He has been a scout leader for many years and still manages to be on a men’s team. We helped him and saw him in action. He inspires the kids with his teachings, games, preparedness and resourcefulness and away camps. Years ago he made a goal to buy some property complete with maple trees (he makes maple syrup.too) and ever since it has been the home of the Mury, an annual MDI event that attracts men and their sons from across the country. He usually is the event manager but this year he gave that away to another man. This year the Murry was a resounding success with lumberjack activities, a shooting range, a young boy’s program, men’s vulnerability and leadership exercises, a feast and campfire. This year was the best ever because he spent countless hours in preparation with all the teams for registration, kitchen, setup of games and tents, procurement, strike, etc. Nothing was left to chance. He is amazing because he does this every year. We are into our 20th year. Being prepared, COH tenet is what he lives by. He holds roles in leadership, on the divisional core team and at the team level. Everyone knows him and loves him. He just is a solid man of MDI. I am sure many would agree, Farrand is worthy of being accepted as MDI Man of the Year.

Speziale, Mike Nominates Johnathan Lake

I nominate Johnathan Lake from Western Front, in the continental region. Lake is a force to be reckoned with. This year he just bought a house with his partner in the small town of St. Mary’s Ontario. Where he immediately decided to start his own men’s team there. It’s just a small team for the moment but Lake is determined to make his team “By the Fire” a success. Lake has been a huge part of the LD Training team in Ontario where he has not only enrolled men to attend LD’s he has had a huge role in contributing to their continued success. Lake is also the Growth and Enrollment manager for the Continental region where his passion and commitment to MDI and men’s work can be seen in relationships he is building. His willingness to step into growth and drop his mask makes him a valuable asset to every team he is a part of.

Bastel, Andre Nominates Jonathan Lake

I wish to nominate Jonathan Lake (Team: By the Fire, Division: Western Front, Region: Continental) as my Man of the Year. I had the pleasure of recently attending The Art of Masculinity training, and saw first hand his natural leadership qualities, this is a great man. Lake is a man who has not shied away from growth. He has enthusiastically accepted many roles within MDI, including Division Chief of Staff, a trainer at Legacy Discovery, and is currently Continental Regions Growth and Enrollment Manager. On top of that, he has challenged himself to start a new team in a small, rural town in southwestern Ontario. He has chosen this in order to bring MDI to more men. He has taken this difficult path rather than joining an established team that was close by. In his personal life, he has, with great intentionality and maturity chosen to form a partnership with his girlfriend, purchasing a home with her, and playing the role of a father figure to his girlfriend’s young daughter. He is learning the arts of compromise, sacrifice, and responsibility.

Dwyer, Mark Nominates Jonathan Lake

Jonathan Lake is/was my MTP Mentor. During the summer we were on the same team – Team Matrix. Lake took me through the MTP program with patience because I can’t tell you how often he had to repeat that I am not defined by my past, I can redefine the characteristics of the protagonist in my story. Yes it might be difficult and exhausting but it is doable. It is this very idea that Lake is currently using to will his new life into existence. If you know his his story it is one of personal power. This year Lake has made major moves in his career, personal life and family life and he does so from his new home in St. Marys Ontario where he founded the MDI team, By The Fire. He operates with honesty and integrity as many of our members from teams all over Southern Ontarion can attest. Lake is also a member of MDI in good standing and volunteers as the top man for Growth and Enrollment in the Continental Region. He encourages everyone around him to redefine themselves as better and better versions of themselves; in this way he embodies the mission of MDI. As a man striving to meet his greatest potential he is very busy yet, he is alway willing to take a call from a man in need. With all this in mind, I submit Jonathan Lake as Man of the Year.

Hertzer, Mike Nominates Lavery

Lavery is instrumental to the success of those in whom he invests his time and energy. I have had the privilege of knowing him and being in masculine relationship for three and a half years. I joined MDI following a point program and have seen his dedication firsthand as the point program manager and then a man on my team. His commitment to MDI isn’t defined by his position, but by how he conducts himself among his peers and in all aspects of his life. His dedication to the work shows up in all of us. The way he delivers inspires all that we as men aspire to be. A man who shows up, holds others accountable, and inspires them to become better men. When Lavery speaks, the room settles because people know his words are real.

Sahney Rashi Nominates Ibrahim Rao

Ibrahim Rao played an integral part of our team, Alchemists on Fire, when it was alive and flourishing. He kept everyone accountable including our captain! He wasn’t afraid to say things that could offend someone in the name of MDI honour. Outside of the team meetings, he helps everyone he speaks with and asks for nothing in return. He had helped me so much over the past few years with my mental health issues.

Tager, Matt Nominates Dave Yale

Dave Yale is a man who consistently steps up, leans in, and takes full ownership of whatever role he is asked to carry. At the division level in OCB, he fully owned the role of Chief of Staff for then–DC Nathan Merlin, where he took responsibility for enrolling men into difficult, growth-oriented work. When he later stepped into the Division Coordinator role himself, Dave demonstrated uncommon resolve—holding firm to MDI-aligned decisions even in the face of strong opposition from men who favored a different direction. He chose what was right for the mission over what was easy or popular. When the region needed leadership, Dave accepted what could only be described as a battlefield promotion—completing his term early as OCB’s DC to step into the role of Pacific Region RC. In that role, he faced pressure from multiple fronts: continuing to stand steady amid ongoing organizational noise, and walking directly into a “lion’s den” when he made the hard call to break up Mud Men’s division. That decision was costly on a personal level, but Dave never wavered. He absorbed the impact, stood by the mission, and did what was required for the health of the region. At the international level, Dave’s service only deepened. When I needed support as VP of Operations, he stepped in as Chief of Staff, then moved fully into the VP role when I struggled with my health. Upon my return, Dave seamlessly shifted back into the Chief of Staff role and later answered the call again—this time stepping in as VP of Growth and Enrollment to cover for another leader battling illness. In every role, Dave led with humility, strength, and ownership. He is the embodiment of what MDI stands for: a man who serves without hesitation, leads with courage, and puts the mission above himself.

Nichols, Wes Nominates Michael Fowlkes

Goff, Robert Nominates Maerciniak

Dwyer, Mark Nominates Rob Rapiti

Rob Rapiti is a member of my team, but I see him more often than just once a week for our online meetings. We meet weekly for the Fitness Club that he started soon after I joined. As an avid fitness enthusiast and former athelete he has furnished instruction, advice and encouragement to help anyone willing to change their lives through physical activity. He has played a major roll in how I use my body today. I have made physical activity a regular part of my day (kinda like brushing my teeth.) Rapiti shares his triumphs and defeats with the team. His honesty and integrity is never in doubt because he wears his emotions on his sleeve. You can literally see what his is thinking in a given situation. He lives in adherence to the mission of MDI. He really holds himself to a higher standard and strives to bring everyone around him up to his level. Right now Rapiti is reaching for greatness in his business career as an SEO Marketing Master. His life is very busy yet he still finds time to talk with a man when the man needs help. He also volunteers to organize events for the team. His is also a member in good standing and our team Matrix S1. For your consideration I put forth Rob Rapiti for Man of the Year.

Tremblay, Ronald Nominates Eric Louie

Eric Louie embodies the Mission of MDI through and through. He is a current MDI Board member, Finance Manager for Quan Mem’s Division, participates in enrollment teams for his region, is a Point team leader for Quan, holds down a paying job, while caring for his live-in father with Dementia for several years. Oh, and one of his adult sons also lives with him. He found the time to attend the Art of Masculinity. He also participates with the Sterling Men’s Weekend Courses regularly is an excellent Course Assistant in Semester #141 this year. He has always been honest with his personal challenges and take full responsibility of any fuck ups he is associated with. He cares deeply and lives a life filled with commitments. Mr. Louie stands equally for everything MDI does and creates as well as our foundation of the Sterling Men’s and Women’s Weekends. He is a catalyst for healing the wounds of the great battles fought serving the purposes of the Sterling Institute and MDI, so the world is filled with great and honorable men in service to communities and families. With tremendous gratitude I nominate Mr. Eric Louie for Man of the year in MDI

Craven, Jeff Nominates Stan Snow

Stan Snow is our executive director. He got there by doing 30 years of very hard work on himself and with other men. You’d think at this point he’d kick back and just be a rider on the bus. But no. This may end up being one of his most productive years for MDI yet. He has enrolled an untold number of men to TAOM, some of whom have become MDI members, mentored a number of men, and is almost daily on some kind of meeting regarding MDI. His mission is clear, his vision is vivid, and his purpose is strong “to cause greatness with ruthless compassion.” I’d take a bullet for the guy for all he has done for the men and myself

Craven, Jeff Nominates Daniel Kempner

Daniel Kempner is another man that is on fire. He’s an anchor on Team Vanguard, holding men’s feet to the fire weekly. He is the editor of Legacy Magazine and a Team Leader Training Manager for the Atlas division. All this from Vietnam, 12 hours different from most of our schedules. I have never had as much appreciation for any other man other than Snow because this man cares for the men, cares about living the mission and vision, and holds men to commitments as well as any man I have known. He cares deeply about men becoming great.

Gaul, Darrell Nominates Chris Christopher

Chris Christopher is the best man I know who exemplifies the mission of MDI. His tireless efforts to lead MDI over 2025 has included; reaching out to new men by leading MDI’s Expansion Program; as well as his excellent leadership as President of MDI. He has inspired the organization by his vision of many “Dougs” being reached through individual as well as collective effort. He diligently pursues personal accountability and participation in San Diego Men’s Division service projects and generously supports men in crisis. I am pleased to nominate Chris Christopher as MDI’s Man of the Year for 2025!