Our Executive Team

Our executive team members bring their experience as workers, unionists, and managers to build positive workplace communities. They’re proud to lead a union that’s making a positive difference in so many workers’ lives.

Wayne Prins – Miner. Environmentalist. Executive Director.

Wayne was first introduced to CLAC in 2001 as an equipment operator working on the Diavik Diamond Mine project in the Northwest Territories. In 2003, after completing a bachelor of arts degree in environmental studies and business administration, he joined CLAC as a representative in the Edmonton office.

In the summer of 2004, Wayne moved to Fort McMurray to open a new CLAC office to support the union’s growing presence in Alberta’s oilsands industry. CLAC’s membership in Fort McMurray quickly grew from approximately 500 members in 2004 to nearly 9,000 members in 2008.

In the fall of 2008, Wayne joined CLAC’s executive team and was appointed Fort McMurray regional director. After serving as the union's Alberta director, he assumed the role of executive director in the spring of 2017. 

Ian DeWaard – Representative. Organizer. Ontario Director.

Ian has served CLAC members from a variety of locations and in many capacities since 2000. He began working for CLAC even before graduating university, serving as a summer intern in the Grimsby Member Centre. Upon graduating with his bachelor of arts in business, he became a representative in Grimsby. In 2004, Ian launched CLAC’s Ottawa Member Centre, and in 2009, he and Colin deRaaf, CLAC’s Ontario training director, opened the Cambridge Member Centre.

Throughout his time with CLAC, Ian has negotiated collective agreements in most sectors in which CLAC members are found. He has also coordinated CLAC’s representation of volunteer firefighters of Ontario.

Ian has worked for many years as a regional director and has served on CLAC’s executive committee. He has been very involved in CLAC’s government relations, speaking regularly to government committees regarding CLAC’s view of labour policy and needed labour legislation reform.

Dennis Perrin – Construction Worker. Counsellor. Prairies Director.

Dennis joined the CLAC team in August 2004 as an Alberta representative in the Edmonton regional office. In June 2008, he relocated to the Fort McMurray office where he represented CLAC members working in the oilsands industry.

Dennis was involved in a number of key negotiations, including as lead negotiator and was a member of the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board. He has a bachelor of science degree in environmental studies and biology. He also has a wide variety of work experience—everything from industrial construction and forestry to teaching English overseas and working as an admissions counsellor at a local university.

Dennis currently is CLAC’s Alberta and Prairies director, as well as managing the union's activities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Kevin Kohut – Problem-solver. Bookworm. BC Director.

Kevin first began serving CLAC members as a steward at an assisted living centre for two years prior to becoming a CLAC representative. Since then, he has worked for CLAC for 20 years in both the Calgary and Langley member centres.

Known for his enthusiasm for learning, his ability to build strong working relationships, and his problem-solving skills, Kevin has been an integral part of the CLAC team throughout his tenure. Kevin gained experience in many sectors, but has specialized in construction in recent years, representing CLAC members on some of the largest projects in BC, and assuming the role of construction coordinator for British Columbia in late 2013. 

Kevin joined the executive team in early 2018, when he took on the role of provincial director for British Columbia