Casera for Ward 2
About Me
Curiosity. Collaboration. Humility.
I'm a husband, a father, a grandfather and someone who believes deeply in the importance of community. I've been married to my wife, Jennifer, for more than 25 years. We have three grown children and four grandchildren, and like many families, we've watched our family and our communities change and grow over the years.
I chose Historic Ward 2 in 2020 because I saw the opportunity, the character and the potential of this city. Since then, I've had the privilege of calling Barrie home and I've become increasingly convinced that this is a city worth investing in, and a community worth contributing to.
My father always told me: "Franco, in life you need to show up or hush up." His advice has always been a compass for not only how I treat myself, but others as well.
My professional career has been built around helping organizations navigate change, make better decisions and turn ideas into action.
For more than 30 years, I've worked with organizations across commercial real estate, finance, higher education, consumer brands and other public-facing organizations. I've worked alongside senior leaders, built and led teams, and helped people make sense of complex challenges, competing perspectives and opportunities for change.
At the heart of that work is something pretty simple: listen, understand, ask better questions and figure out what needs to happen next.
As the founder of ONE Unltd., I've built a different kind of creative consultancy: senior people working directly with organizations to solve problems, challenge assumptions and get things done. My work has required me to listen carefully, understand different perspectives, ask difficult questions and bring people together around a common objective. Sometimes that means finding the right answer. Sometimes it means helping people find common ground. And sometimes it means recognizing that the best idea isn't yours.
That experience has shaped how I lead. I'm curious enough to ask why. Collaborative enough to know I don't have all the answers. And humble enough to listen before deciding.
I believe those qualities matter in municipal government. The decisions made at City Hall aren't abstract. They affect our neighbourhoods, businesses, families, streets and public spaces and the people who live here every day.
Barrie is growing, and growth brings opportunity, pressure and responsibility. I believe we need thoughtful leadership that can look at the bigger picture while staying connected to the people and communities affected by those decisions.
I'm not running because I think I have all the answers. I'm running because I know how to ask better questions, bring the right people to the table, listen to different perspectives and work toward practical solutions.
I want to bring that experience, that curiosity and that commitment to Ward 2, because I believe Barrie is worth investing in. I believe we can Build Barrie Better by listening, collaborating and taking action on the issues and opportunities affecting Ward 2 and the broader city I love and call home.