Meet the team

We are momentum-builders fuelled by social connection. All staff are primarily homegrown, helped create our community and have a strong drive to share it for years.
a woman in a red tank top

GEORGE SAVARD

Owner / Head Coach

Certifications: CrossFit Level 2; CrossFit Olympic Lifting; CrossFit Running & Endurance; CrossFit Kids; CrossFit Striking; CrossFit Gymnastics; Level 1 Boxing (CABA); trained in mobility and movement mechanics through "The Movement Fix", advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission.



Important stuff: Olympic Lifting specialty;  Head coach of FirePower's International Competitive CrossFit team. Co-founder of Canadian Firefighter Appreciation Day charity event supporting Canadian Fallen FireFighters Foundation.  



Stuff you might not know: He’s a giant at 6'8". Former offensive lineman with Ottawa Roughriders CFL team. George also won a bronze medal in boxing at the World Police & Fire Games in Barcelona, 2003.  

He is a 25 year veteran with Toronto Fire Services, and lives in Milton with Andrea & their 17 year old twins and has a not-so-secret love of 80's love ballads

ANDREA SAVARD

Owner / GM / Coach

Certifications: CrossFit Level 1;  CrossFit Running & Endurance; CrossFit Kids; CrossFit Striking; CrossFit Nutrition, Level 2 Boxing (CABA) ; trained in mobility and movement mechanics through 'The Movement Fix' and various CrossFit courses.

Important stuff: Andrea leads the FirePower team in all areas including strategic planning and partnerships. She is also a certified small business mentor with Two Brain Business, a Dale Carnegie Business and Leadership Coach, and public speaker. Co-founder of Canadian Firefighter Appreciation Day charity event supporting Canadian Fallen FireFighters Foundation;

Stuff you might not know:  Nominated for RBC Canadian Entrepreneur Award; Multi-year Milton Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year" winners. She is a former corporate marketing executive and consultant to Waterloo Police Service using six-sigma methodologies.  She was a competitive boxer, reaching national level with Team Ontario; a track & field decathlete; international equestrian rider/coach, and avid fox-hunter and is a mom of 17-year old twins

TONYA LINK

Chief Operations Officer / CrossFit Coach

Certifications: CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Kids, CrossFit Weightlifting, trained in mobility/movement through "The Movement Fix", and advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission.

Important stuff: Tonya heads up the FirePower Operations after transitioning from the corporate world. Her experience is extensive and she is leading the operations, facility management, administrative team and supporting sales & marketing. She also coaches CrossFit as well as CrossFit Foundations and specialty programs.

Stuff you might not know: Tonya has been a FirePower athlete for over a decade. She has spent years developing her Olympic lifting and CrossFit skills under Coach Geo and the rest of the team. She lives in Milton with her CrossFitting husband Roland and their 2 children Jakob and Erika who are also FirePower athletes.

CARMEN NASH

Client Success Manager

Certifications: None that allow me to coach, Stop the Bleed Level 1, Reiki certificate

Important Stuff: Mother of 2 - Victoria is in NZ and Aaron loves living at home, Retired 30Sep20 after 35 year career with the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) Assist with various fundraising organizations Fundraising Committee Member with Townsend Smith Foundation to build a hospice in North Halton. Love being the FP greeter!

Stuff you might not know: Received Firearm certification in Feb16 for work, Recognized as an Absolutely Fabulous Woman over 40 in Mar17. It was Jack who suggested FP in 2014 given how well Aaron’s baseball off season training went, Love to scrapbook, travel and the Blue Jays

ANNIE GORDON

Assistant Head Coach

Certifications: Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR) Practitioner. CrossFit Level 2, CrossFit Kids, trained in mobility/movement through "The Movement Fix", advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission

Important stuff: Annie leads coaching development and training for all FP coaching staff and interns. She is also a member of the FP Management Team and Director of Personal Training.

She is a former member of FP’s international competitive team for 5+ years.  

Stuff you might not know: Annie holds an MBA in International Economics and Finance. She is a former national level equestrian rider living on her family farm in rural Milton/Burlington with her partner Mitch and their son Duke.

SHANE LLOYD

CrossFit Coach / Specialty Programs

Certifications: CrossFit Level 3, CrossFit Kids, CrossFit Weightlifting, advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission.

Important stuff:  Shane coaches CrossFit, CrossFit Foundations, Personal Training. Shane specializes in Olympic Lifting, leads FirePower Barbell Club and is FP's OCR expert. He's run adventure races & 1/2 marathons and is a member of RCFP's competitive team.

Stuff you might not know: Shane is a former rugby, baseball & soccer player. He met his wife when he was 2 days old, and she's been his training partner for over 12 years. He is also a closet nerd & gamer and an auto-cad designer. He designed the entire layout for the current FirePower facility. Shane lives in Milton with his wife Julia and their 2 children.

JORDAN PLOURDE

CrossFit Coach / Marketing Coordinator / Personal Trainer / Youth Fitness & Development Coach

Certifications: CrossFit Level 1, Two-Brain Coaching – First Degree Coach Certificate, CrossFit - Spot The Flaw, CrossFit - Scaling, CanFitPro Personal Training Specialist, Human Kinetics: Powerlifting Certificate, Human Kinetics: Functional Training Anatomy Certificate, Human Kinetics: Prenatal & Postpartum Exercise Design Certificate, Human Kinetics: Foam Rolling Certificate

Important Stuff: Jordan began his fitness journey like most at a regular gym with a focus in hypertrophy training. With years of experience and self-education he decided to take the next steps in becoming a certified Personal Trainer with a focus in functional strength and mobility.

Stuff You Might Not Know: An undergraduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with a BA and a Post Graduate Certificate from George Brown College in Sport & Event Marketing. He also owns and operates a DJ business under the moniker "J-Kutti", performing multiple nights a week in Waterloo. He is an avid snowboarder, street-mountain biker and a big fan of the Raptors. Pro-level clementine peeler.

RYAN DEVRIES

CrossFit Coach / 911 Fitness Specialist

Certifications: Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR) Practitioner. CrossFit Level 1; trained in mobility and movement mechanics through "The Movement Fix", advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission,

Important stuff:  Ryan coaches group classes, private training and specialty programs. In addition, his expertise in mobility and core strength development is second to none.

Stuff you might not know: Ryan is a full time Fire Fighter with Hamilton Fire. An avid outdoorsman and rider, Ryan has been riding since age 10 and holds his Equestrian Canada Rider Level 4.  He has a BBA in International Business and previously has worked in Retail and Corporate in the banking industry.

JOYCE FINDLAY

Boxing Coach / Membership Manager

Certifications: Level 3 Boxing Official (Referee), Level 3 Boxing Coach (CABA), CrossFit Level 1, advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission.  Joyce has also completed a program of study in American Sign Language (ASL) at Seneca College.

Important stuff: 2008 Provincial champion & National bronze medalist in Boxing. She has completed a half marathon, the Tough Mudder and a try-a tri.

Joyce coaches boxing classes, private trainings, and is a member of FirePower's Administrative team.

Stuff you might not know: A graduate of York University with a BSc in Kinesiology and Health Sciences who worked as a personal trainer before switching to Disability Insurance. She has many secret talents including making balloon animals and sewing.

BRIAN KAY

CrossFit Coach / Striking Coach / Strength Specialist

Certifications: CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Olympic Lifting, CrossFit Striking, CrossFit Defence, advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission.

Important stuff: Brian, an original member of the FP coaching staff since 2008, is FirePower’s strength training guru. He leads the Strength Training specialty program and teaches various classes and personal training. He also is an expert on fitness and aging, as well as maintaining health through injury.

Brian has run both Toronto 1/2 and full marathon but his true love is trail running. He is also trained in Muay Thai and is a nutrition guru.



Stuff you might not know: Brian is a retired Staff Sergeant with Toronto Police Service (30 years). He is former Junior middleweight Mr. Nova Scotia @ 17yrs old!  Now, over 50 years old, Brian is the fittest and strongest version of himself, and mentors others to maintain a lifelong love of health, fitness and nutrition.

DEANA GHESQUIERE

CrossFit Coach

Certifications: NCCP Level One Figure Skating, Power Skating Coach, CrossFit L1, CrossFit Gymnastics L1, CrossFit Weightlifting-Burgenger Strength L1, Attendee at Ben Burgeron's Fall Camp, Honors Bachelors of Science in Nursing and Diploma in Dental Hygiene.


Important Stuff: Deana’s sport and fitness journey started when she was very young and has been a constant since.  At 2 she started figure skating which became her dominant sport growing up while participating in many other competitive sports. After having children, she started long distance running. Deana completed the Toronto Marathon in 2011. She has been CrossFitting the past 9 years. Deana has worked with Annie Gordon who helped her qualify for both the Atlas Sanctional and CanWest in 2020.

Things you May not Know: With figure skating as her base, she competed around the world winning many medals in Canada and internationally.  This was predominantly in the Synchronized Skating area. She competed until the birth of her first son in 1999 at the age of 29.  She lives in Georgetown with her husband Mike and has two boys Blake and Garret. CrossFit is her passion as well as travel.


TAMMY VALLIERE

CrossFit Coach

Certifications: CrossFit L1

Important Stuff: Joined FirePower in October 2008 . At 4’ 11” she was given the nickname “Mighty Mouse”. Completed Around The Bay 30k 3 times. Works as Registered Pharmacy Technician in Inpatient Pharmacy Department at Oakville Hospital.

Things you may not know: Married to Jason (who you will see BBQing during special events like FFAD and the Open), mom to 3 kids and a min pin. During downtime she loves to read or crochet.

SEANNA SWAYNE

CrossFit Coach

Certifications: Level 1 CrossFit, CrossFit Gymnastics, advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission, CrossFit Aerobic Capacity.

Important stuff:
Seanna officially joined the FirePower team in 2019. She coaches classes, and personal training. She also competes on behalf of FirePower at events such as BeachWOD, Wodapalooza, and the CanEast Games.

Stuff you might not know:
Seanna played rugby at the University of Guelph, and coached the women's rugby team at Ohio State University in '04-'05. She is a certified veterinarian and owns a successful mobile small animal surgery practice. She is also a former competitive downhill ski racer!

AMY O'CONNOR

CrossFit Coach, Nutrition Coach

Certifications: Crossfit Level 1, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Nutrition Coaching Certification

Important Stuff: Amy has been a dedicated member of Firepower since 2016, and decided to use that experience, not to mention her love of Crossfit to transition into a coaching role. Olympic lifting is her favourite component of the sport, but the community Andrea and George have built is what kept her firmly planted at Firepower.

Stuff you might not know: Amy works full-time as a warehouse manager for the staging department within The Amy Flowers Real Estate Team. Crossfit's methodology has proven to be incredibly useful in this career path, as she uses functional fitness every single day to do her job most efficiently.

CHRIS JONES

CrossFit Coach

Certifications: Level 1 CrossFit, CrossFit Kids Certification, Level 1 Rugby Referee, Level 2 World Rugby Coaching


Important Stuff: Chris is a full time high school teacher in Milton, grew up in Milton, lived in Milton and loves Milton! He spends any time that he isn’t teaching, coaching rugby or CrossFit. He has started a CrossFit box at the high school that he works at and loves seeing athletes develop their skill in any area. He is also the head coach of the McMaster Womens’ Rugby team.


Stuff you might not know: He first asked his wife out in gr 6, and together they have 5 incredible children, 1 daughter in law and a dog. They now live in Fergus and can see the club rugby pitch from their front porch! While Chris is the head coach of the McMaster Women’s rugby team, he remains a proud Guelph Gryphon, having played rugby there… and maybe even done some school!  

BRIAN KOEKEBAKKER

CrossFit Coach

Certifications: CrossFit L2, CrossFit Kids

Important Stuff: Joined FirePower in 2013 and quickly earned his way to the coaching team with an emphasis in gymnastics. Brian is experienced in coaching all levels of athletes from youth to Foundations to older athletes and competitive athletes. He is also a former competitive CrossFit athlete for Team FirePower.

Things you may not know: Nickname is "Junior", he is a former competitive basketball and rugby athlete and coach before finding CrossFit as his true passion. He is a member of the Waterloo Regional Police Service and a father to 2 beautiful daughters with his partner Kylie. Dig through some of our older social media posts - you may just find him as our Elf on a Shelf from years gone by!

DAN ALBERGARIA

CrossFit Coach / 911 Fitness Specialist

Certifications: CrossFit Level 2, CrossFit Kids, 3m coaching certified, advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission.

Important stuff: Dan has been a member of FirePower's Coaching Team since 2008 shortly after the gym began. He has a specialty in helping people seeking a career in police or fire preparing for the fitness testing. Dan's in-depth knowledge, experience and patience with athletes in rehab or significant deconditioned-state helps them make a successful return to fitness.


Stuff you might not know:  Dan is a full time Toronto Firefighter with over 20 years of service. He's a former competitive amateur tennis player and coach, ran the Toronto Marathon and ran a shelter for homeless youth in Rexdale. He lives in Milton with his 2 boys.

JENNIFER YOUNG

CrossFit Coach / 911 Fitness Specialist

Certifications: CrossFit Level 2, Pendlay Level 1 Weightlifting Seminar, NCCP Level 1 - Figure Skating, advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission.

Important stuff: Nickname is “Turtle”- a self-imposed name based on how slow she was in workouts when she first started. She is now a top level athlete and former member of RCFP's Regional CF Games Competitive team.

Jen coaches various classes, personal training, and current lead of “Barbell Betty’s” women’s only lifting program.

Stuff you might not know: Jenny was born and raised in Sioux Lookout, ON. She is a full time Vaughan Firefighter and former competitive figure skater/coach and owner/shower of Quarter horses.

JUSTIN DARBYSON-BILLINGHAM

Boxing & CrossFit Striking Coach

Certifications: CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Striking, CrossFit Defense, CrossFit Kettlebell, Level 1 Wrestling, Level 1 Boxing, Certified Level 1 KettleCamp Coach, advanced DB training through Dumbbell Mission.

Important stuff: Justin holds a Provincial Title/National silver medalist in wrestling, and is a former MMA competitor. He is currently active in kettlebell competitions, pursuing a national ranking.

He coaches Boxing, & CrossFit Striking, and is available for private sessions in defensive training or fitness training.

Stuff you might not know: 2010 champion of World Team Trials and Hungarian World Open for Grappling. He is a cartoon artist working on broadcast productions such as Arthur, The Magic School Bus, and more. He lives in Milton with his wife Aislinn (also a boxing coach) and their daughter Penny.

JERRY FRAELIC

Youth Fitness & Development Coach

Certifications: Level 2 CrossFit Coach, CrossFit Kids certification.

Important Stuff: Coach Jerry is a full time high school teacher for 20 years specializing in physical education. He is CrossFit athlete for the past 10+ years and part of the FirePower Youth coaching team for the past 8 years. He brings a strong knowledge of technical coaching, a passion for hard work and an engaging connection with young athletes.

Stuff you might not Know: Jerry enjoys playing hockey, ultimate frisbee and golf. He holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education.


COURTNEY PLEWES

Youth Fitness Coach / Strength & Conditioning Specialist

Certifications: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, NCCP Level 1 - Sprint Canoe Kayak, OCSRA - Certified Entry Level Competitive Coach

Important Stuff: Courtney started coaching at 13yrs old at the Mississauga Canoe Club & hasn’t stopped since. Courtney uses data driven & fitness testing to create individualized programming that will help athletes achieve excellence in sport and compete successfully at any level of competition. She has been fortunate to work with some incredible athletes in her career; many whom have gone on to compete at some of the highest levels of sport.

Things You May Not Know: Courtney was a National level Sprint Canoe/Kayaker, who had aspirations of competing at the Olympics. She competed in the Canada Games, made the Canadian Jr. National Team & won multiple Provincial and National titles, including setting multiple National records, one of which still stands today! Now as a retired athlete she enjoys the challenge of trekking & climbing mountains around the world - her highest summit to date 5426m!

CHRISTINA PROSS

Yoga Instructor & CrossFit Youth Fitness Coach

Certifications: Yoga Network - 200hr Yoga Teacher Certification, CrossFit Kids

Important stuff: Christina is our Yoga instructor and the newest addition to our CrossFit Youth Coaching team. She was a competitive gymnast, then a diver becoming one of Canada’s top 10 female divers on the 10m tower. Additionally, she coached both gymnastics and diving for six years before attaining her Chemical Engineering degree.

Stuff you might not know: With her foundation in diving, Christina went on to do show diving and stunt work for Six Flags Great Adventure (NJ) and Warner Brothers Movie World in Germany. She lives in Milton with her husband and three kids.

MATT MUNRO

Clinic Director, Physiomed Milton

Certifications:  BSc, Kinesology

Important stuff:
Matt is the Clinic Director of Physiomed Milton, located at the FirePower Campus. He works with all levels of clients from beginner to elite focusing on ensuring prehab and rehab clients find their way back to active exercise again. Clients work with Matt and his team on injury prevention, muscle activation and strength development, proper movement patterns, mobility and more. The clinic also offers physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment.

Book your complimentary assessment today!

Stuff you might not know:
"Mobility Matt" is a former member of the FirePower's International Competitive CrossFit Team. He lives in Waterloo with his wife Nicky and their 2 kids.

ROSIE & REMY

Greeters

Certifications: Smart Dogs K9 Training Obedience

Important stuff:
Please note if you do not care for dogs, we will secure them in an office while you are here. Simply ask a coach or front desk assistant for help!

Stuff you might not know:
Rosie (the size of a cat) licks kettlebells and your shins. Remy announces her arrival every day with a barking tour of the gym until everyone knows she is in the house.

People doing the post-wod sprawl or floor-level mobility people may get a visit with a scratch request.