Meet ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s GAMES MAKER!

Greg McEwan, Project Accountant, is one of 50 global colleagues selected to be a volunteer at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Q. What was your main motivation for becoming a Games Maker?

A. There are so many reasons why I wanted to do this. I have a passion for travel. I love sports and particularly love watching the Olympics. I love meeting new people, learning about their cultures and becoming immersed in their diversity. I think being a Games Maker will mean being in a positive environment where everyone comes together to celebrate sport and common goals. All of these things make this a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Q. How, when and where did you find out that you had been selected from hundreds of submissions to be an ArcelorMittal Games Maker? What was your reaction?

A. It was the fall of 2010 and I was sitting at my desk working when I found out I was chosen to be a Games Maker. My first reaction was disbelief. I was required to submit an essay as an application to be a Games Maker. I could not believe that my essay was selected and that I was actually going to the Olympics or Paralympics. My second reaction was pride. I was so proud to be part of something so important and have the opportunity to represent my company in such a meaningful way. Finally, I felt elated that such a unique life event had been presented to me. I could not wait to share the news with everyone I knew and certainly had difficulty concentrating on my work for the remainder of the day.

Q. How did family, friends and colleagues react to the news?

A. I am in such a positive work environment. As soon as the news came out, a group of colleagues had gathered around my desk to express their congratulations. I was touched to see that the news made them just as happy as it made me. My Parents and in-laws were extremely proud and could not wait to boast to other family and friends. My wife, on the other hand, expected no less from me.

Q. You will be representing ArcelorMittal as one of over 70,000 Games Makers at the world’s biggest sporting event, and, with the help of your communications colleagues, sharing your story as you go so that your colleagues can feel a bit closer to ArcelorMittal’s sponsorship of London 2012. How do you feel about this important responsibility?

A. I feel that this is a big responsibility that could easily be overwhelming. However, I am ready for the challenge and will be at my best. I think it’s great that ArcelorMittal is playing such an active role in this event. I am also conscious that my actions will reflect on the company, which is why I will do my best to be a good ambassador for the company.

Q. Is there anything in particular from your career at ArcelorMittal that you believe has prepared you for being a Games Maker?

A. I have been with ArcelorMittal Dofasco for 6 years now and I strongly believe that my work experience has helped to prepare me for what I expect I will experience as a Games Maker. At ArcelorMittal Dofasco, I work with a multi-generational workforce that has a wide variety of expectations from the work I deliver. As part of my everyday job, I need to manage multiple priorities to meet expectations. ArcelorMittal Dofasco also fosters a culture of teamwork and emphasizes that people (not just the work people produce) is important. Within such a culture we all pull together and work hard when required. I expect a similar culture and similar expectations in my role as a Games Maker.

Q. What are you looking forward to most?

A. I can’t narrow it down to just one thing. I am looking forward to seeing Olympic/Paralympic events live and up close, meeting and forming friendships with people from other countries, and seeing the beautiful and historic city of London.

Q. What do you hope to bring back to your colleagues and your work?

A. I hope to bring back best practices from my international ArcelorMittal colleagues as well as a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm to my colleagues and work.

Q. What do you think and how do you feel when you see the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the iconic sculpture and observation tower being built in London?

A. I feel amazed that the Company for which I work can build something so prominent and inspirational. It certainly makes me proud to be part of an organization of this scale and one that is willing to contribute so much to this important international event.