Stephenville’s Mark Felix is the Second Battalion’s new commanding officer
The 2nd Battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in Corner Brook has a new commanding officer.
Lt.-col. Mark Felix took over the role from Lt.-col. Kevin Bond during a change-of-command ceremony at Gallipoli Armoury this past weekend.
He had been deputy commanding officer of the Second Battalion since January 2015.
A town councillor in Stephenville and an economic development officer with the provincial government, he is a native of Felix Cove on the Port au Port Peninsula.
Felix is a former army cadet who rose up through the cadet ranks and eventually spent six years as commanding officer of the 2904 Cambrai Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Stephenville.
The 57-year-old never joined Canada’s Reserve Force until 2007, when he became a member of the Second Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Charlie Company in Stephenville. He became platoon commander in September 2009, a month after being one of the oldest candidates to successfully complete the infantry platoon commanders course.
After completing his military officer staff course in November 2010 and army tactical operations course in June 2012, Felix was promoted to rank of captain in October 2012.
He was awarded a Canadian Declaration Medal in February 2011 and appointed officer commanding of the Second Battalion’s C-coy in Stephenville in April 2011, a post he held until December 2014.
He was promoted to the rank of major in January 2015, before being appointed deputy commanding officer of the second battalion.
Felix, who enjoys hiking, gardening, racket sports and golf, has been married to his wife Wanda for 35 years. They have two children, a 25-yearold son named Jonathan and a 22-year-old daughter named Kayla.