Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach has hired its next Executive Director.

In March, Barry Dyck announced he would retire from that position at the end of 2018. Museum President Willie Peters says they have hired Gary Dyck to replace him. Peters jokes while the two men have very similar names, there is no relation. Peters says Dyck brings experience in a wide span of business and charitable work.

According to Peters, Gary Dyck grew up in Steinbach. He graduated from Steinbach Regional Secondary School, then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Briercrest College and a Master of Arts in Global Studies from Providence Seminary.

Dyck's career began with enVision Community Living and continued with the Evangelical Mennonite Conference as an overseas holistic development worker. His international knowledge increased as the Director of Language and Translation Research in Uzbekistan with Central Asia Free Exchange, and as a Mandarin and Uyghur Language Student in China at Urumqi Vocational University. Focusing his interest in sustainable agriculture, Dyck became the CEO and founder of an organic fertilizer company in China called New Earth Agro Inc. His travels included witnessing a cultural genocide in Asia.

Dyck's list of languages includes English, Uzbek, Uyghur, Mandarin, Russian and French. Peters says his experiences and skills will allow him to initiate successful connections with tourists, donors, colleagues and government officials.

Dyck and his family now live in Steinbach. He will take over at MHV in February, but Peters says he will spend time at the museum between now and then getting himself familiar with the position. And though Barry Dyck had announced he would retire at the end of 2018, Peters says he has now agreed to stay on until February to help with the transition.

"Everything fell into place very nicely and we are thrilled," notes Peters.

Barry Dyck has served at MHV since February 2009.

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