Chapman applied for the position after being urged to do so by board member Cathy Jelsing of Rugby. He had once lived there and so was familiar to her, and since he was studying horticulture, it seemed like a possible fit.
“I thought about it for a couple of days, and I was not sure it was the right direction. But if someone suggests it, it doesn’t hurt to apply. The mission is so unique. It sits on an international border, the board is split between two countries. The notion of the communities working together seemed like a great thing.”
Chapman is originally from Fairfax County, Virginia, right outside of the Washington, DC area. Although he did have an interest in horticulture in his growing up years, he decided to move into journalism, saying he had family in the field and he always liked writing. After graduating from James Madison University in Virginia in 2010, he got a job on the sports beat with the Minot Daily News. This was his introduction to our area of the continent.
“I had never heard of Minot,” he admitted, “It was a good way to see this part of the country.”
When he was in the Magic City, he took his first trip to the Peace Garden.
He lived in Rugby and then moved on to positions in Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming. He started thinking horticulture in 2015, and since he was already in the University of Wyoming stomping grounds, he started studying there. He has not finished his degree yet, saying his focus will be on the Garden.
Chapman feels his background in communications, as well as being one of 14 kids, will help him in his new job.
“I’ve always been talkative and I come from a big family. Being in journalism is useful for this because you are always talking to people. The communication side is really important. There will be a lot of fundraising and you meet a lot of people – government, corporations, private citizens. I feel confident meeting people and in the Peace Garden I think it’s very important.”
He has already been to Boissevain, where he saw the murals and was impressed with the town. He said the surrounding communities like Boissevain are vital for the Garden’s success. One idea that has been in the strategic plan is to have special days for the towns around the Garden where they can bring out citizens and business people to show how they appreciate their support.
“We need to try and reach out,” Chapman explained, “to keep building those relationships.”
He added he is looking forward to meeting the mayors and Chambers of Commerce in the different towns in the weeks ahead.
Although they are not yet into their full operational phase, Chapman has already been impressed by the Conservatory, with its massive collection of cacti and succulents. He said this unique display adds to what makes the Garden special.
As his first summer season gets going, the new CEO said he would be spending a lot of time observing the operation. He feels it is prudent to watch how things work first before making too many moves.
There are some ideas already on the block. One is to continue to work toward replacing the missed Peace Tower. There is a model they are working on, but they need to get money in place before anything can be built, so that is one priority. Also, Chapman said they want to look at infrastructure needs in the Garden as a whole.
He would like to see some work on the Peace Garden centennial. Although the hundred-year anniversary is a decade and a half away, he feels they should get started on the planning soon, to make sure it is marked as well as possible.
In the meantime, they need to continue to get the word out about what a special attraction the Garden is. Even in the local communities people forget – Chapman compared it to the Smithsonian Institute where he comes from – they take it for granted. They also need to promote it across Canada and the US, and the entire world. He shares the vision of many of his predecessors in that he sees the attraction as a place that could promote international peace.
He and his fiancé Mariel Procter are in the process of moving everything in, and he is meeting the people he needs to in order to get going. He said he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received so far from board and staff and is looking forward to the long haul at the International Peace Garden.
“There are certain jobs when you are applying,” Chapman explained, “when you start thinking further down the road. This sticks out. I feel this is a long term deal.”
“Hopefully, this is a full career. This is a dream job.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff