Vern was raised in Steinbach, in a conservative family, and as such had very little exposure to things military. After high school he worked in construction, in desktop publishing and worked as a as a REALTOR® for 17 years before instructing agents the entire time and in 2014 he began teaching full time.

His cadet adventures began in 2002 when his oldest son joined 176 Boeing of Canada RCACS. He went to the first parents meeting and was "volunteered" to help with the committee and he instantly became the president of the parents committee. One year later, he was elected as the squadron sponsoring-committee chairperson, and attended his first league AGM, where he was "volunteered" to become the provincial chair of chairs. In 2014, after 12 successful years at 176, Vern was elected to the board of directors of the Air Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba). In October of 2017 he was elected as Chair of the Manitoba Provincial Committee, and in spring of 2020 he moved to Edmonton and became the immediate Past-Chair in Manitoba. He is still heavily involved in Air Cadets in both Manitoba and Alberta.

Vern has four amazing children - two boys and two girls. His oldest son, having graduated from the cadet program with his wings, took a career in the aviation industry and is a qualifed FSS for NaVCanada. His daughters, both have careers and are working in Manitoba. Vern's youngest son recently aged out of cadets and pursued a career in the Canadian Armed Forces and is currently posted with PPCLI in Shilo. He is also the proud grandfather of two grandsons.