Program facilitator Ross Thistle was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in a military family, living in places such as Trenton, Chatham, and Goose Bay. He joined the Primary Reserves at 18 and moved to the Regular Force at 20, serving as an Infantryman, Artilleryman, and Traffic Technician in the Royal Canadian Air Force. His service took him to Germany, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario, as well as to deployments in the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Alert, and other locations around the world.
After 29 years of service, Ross retired with many commendations, including Air Person of the Year and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. With a strong passion for teaching, mentoring, and the outdoors, he became a Wilderness Survival and First Aid Instructor. He now leads FACT Plus Inc., delivering wilderness survival, first aid, and CPR courses across Ontario.
Outside of work, Ross enjoys whitewater rafting, camping, beekeeping, and skiing. He is married to Lisa, his business partner, and has a son who is currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.