Born in Winnipeg and Raised in St. James
Lived on Vimy Road, Hillary Crescent,
and Crestview Park Drive
Ryback grew up in St. James and lived in the area most of his life.
A long time resident of St. James-Assiniboia, Kelly Ryback is no stranger to meetings of Winnipeg City Council and the Executive Policy Committee. But he has ratcheted up his presence by announcing his intention to seek election to City Council for St. James in the upcoming civic election on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.
"St. James needs a strong voice on Council. Someone who will identify and move to correct issues and problems", Ryback said. "St. James needs an elected official who will work to re-establish priorities and deliver real value for their tax dollars. City Council needs to be improved. City services and infrastructure needs to be improved. The culture and priorities within Council and the workplace needs to change. The residents of St. James deserve better."
Ryback always maintained an interest in politics and civic affairs, being politically engaged for many years. As a private citizen he has stepped forward in the past year, challenging City Council directly on financial and resource mismanagement, low productivity and eroding essential services and infrastructure. In doing so, Ryback has also provided recommendations and solutions. He has worked diligently to address these issues by presenting to City Council and committees, through direct contact with City Councillors, and via 311 communication while leveraging Councillor support.
A recent example of his passion for our city is John Blumberg Golf Course. Ryback made presentations before the Assiniboia Community Committee, Standing Policy Committee (SPC) on Property and Development-Heritage and Downtown Development, and the Executive Policy Committee (EPC). He collaborated with the John Blumberg course operator and OURS-Winnipeg, and provided councillors with information and insight throughout the process. He encouraged his fellow citizens to reach out to their councillors. John Blumberg Golf Course is essential to St. James and he fought to save it!
Kelly Ryback has a proven track record in corporate leadership and business management, community volunteerism and charitable causes. He has strong analytical and problem-solving skills that he utilizes to build and implement practical solutions. Ryback's corporate successes and responsibilities within private enterprises, organizations and major corporations include BellMTS/MTS, Videon/Shaw and the Pan Am Games Society.
Raised in St. James, Kelly attended Crestview Elementary School, Ness Junior High, and John Taylor Collegiate ('82). He played on various sports teams at Crestview and Ness and held various positions within student council throughout the years. Kelly played on the St. James A's baseball team and St. James lacrosse. Kelly played hockey for Crestview for many years. He also coached various hockey and lacrosse teams and was an executive on the St. James-Assiniboia Minor Hockey Association. He is married, with two adult children and resides in Westwood.
Kelly graduated from Red River Community College (now RRC Polytechnic) in 1984 with a diploma in Computer Analyst/Programmer where he was also on campus radio and a volunteer on the student association.
But perhaps his greatest legacy is an enduring relationship with fans of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and CFL football. Kelly, for sixteen years, was the "personality" inside the costume that hundreds of thousands of Winnipeggers know and love as "Buzz".
In 1984, Kelly applied and successfully competed for the opportunity to portray "BUZZ", half of the new Winnipeg Blue Bomber dynamic mascot duo BUZZ and BOOMER. He took a lifeless costume and gave it character while exceeding the creators', Winnipeg Blue Bomber executives' and partners' expectations.
Buzz and Boomer became an instant hit and integral part of the entertainment and fan experience. They were much more than sign waving balls of fluff.
Kelly's "BUZZ" helped elevate the Bomber brand, presence in the community, and revenue. He appeared and performed at hundreds of community and charity events, corporate functions, and team activities over the years.
That buzz you hear in St. James, once again...is Kelly Ryback.
Buzz and Boomer became an instant hit and integral part of the entertainment and fan experience. They were much more than sign waving balls of fluff.
Kelly's "BUZZ" helped elevate the Bomber brand, presence in the community, and revenue. He appeared and performed at hundreds of community and charity events, corporate functions, and team activities over the years.
That buzz you hear in St. James, once again...is Kelly Ryback.
“I believe the city needs to refocus and reset priorities to improve infrastructure and core essential services. The taxpayers deserve better service and value. I refer to these priorities as The 7P’s."
With your support, I can deliver solutions for St. James and Winnipeg.
