Blue Sky Opportunities in Altona is now under new management.

After less than a month on the job, Ryan Potter has already found rewards in his role as general manager of the non-profit organization.

“I think just making a difference and being able to help and support the people that need the support … [being] an advocate. The big thing is making a difference every day and knowing that you're able to help.”

Having lived in southern Manitoba for the past ten years, one aspect of the agency has stood out to the former resident of Dryden, Ontario.

“I think the biggest thing to me was realizing how much production and how big our woodshop is, what comes out of there and how much work is involved there and how much revenue that will bring in for the agency and help us be able to support wages.”

Potter has worked in management for 15 years, including a brief stint in his current field. He finds working with people with intellectual disabilities very rewarding. He’d be happy to build a long career in his new role, formerly held by Richard Neufeld.

“Richard has everything very organized. You can tell he's very passionate about what he was doing, and he's done a great job. The agency is in a really good place right now. I definitely feel like there are some big shoes to fill. Hopefully, I can sit here and when I retire and can say, here's what happened within my 20 years. Hopefully, we can keep it moving forward in a positive way.”

During his orientation, Potter met with Blue Sky staff and many of the local people he’ll be working with on a daily basis.

Potter has set a goal of getting a living wage for Blue Sky staff and seeing the agency grow to its maximum potential.