Board of Directors (Bios provided below)
Advisors to the Board
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Advisor Town of Ajax |
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Advisor City of Pickering |
President
Jason M. Cameron: Jason has worked for BMO Bank of Montreal since 1995 fulfilling a variety of roles. Currently, he is a Senior Commercial Account Manager, with an expertise in Commercial Financing. He has an extensive internal network of BMO partners including retail and wealth management to assist with all relationship banking needs. Previously, he worked as a financial controller for a local window manufacturing company. He is continually involved in various community organizations and as a lifetime resident with continued involvement in the business community, Jason understands the importance of doing business within the Durham Region.
Chair
John G. Smith is the president of WordSmith Media Inc. – a national marketing and communication service providing “words that work” for clients as diverse as trade associations, insurance companies, distributors and publishers. With a deep passion for his community, John has served as president of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade (2009) and chairman of the United Way of Ajax-Pickering-Uxbridge’s annual fundraising campaign (2008), while volunteering his time for a host of other initiatives. He is the recipient of a number of awards including the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade’s Business Excellence Award (2008), and three “Top Five” honours through the national Kenneth R. Wilson Awards for business journalism (1999, 2000, 2005). His byline regularly appears in magazines across North America and his first book, Big Rigs, was distributed worldwide.
1st Vice-President
Donna McFarlane: Donna McFarlane is a proven leader and innovator with 23 years of communications experience in the post-secondary education and energy sectors. She is currently vice-president of the Communications, Marketing and External Relations department at Durham College where she is responsible for all communications activities. Prior to her position at Durham College, she was vice-president of Communications and Marketing for the joint Durham College and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Communications and Marketing department. Prior to joining Durham Region’s post-secondary landscape, Ms. McFarlane was director of Public Affairs at Ontario Power Generation, representing OPG on various industry committees at the national and international levels and responsible for building community acceptance and confidence. She holds an advanced graduate diploma in Management from Athabasca University, a Bachelor of Education and an honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Secretary
Janis Amzallag: Janis is a co-founder, principal partner and Vice-President of Business Development of Conext Inc. where she is responsible for the strategic direction of all seminars, workshops and other custom events and programs. As a business manager and administrator in the aviation and pharmaceutical industries, and an independent business productivity consultant, Janis has worked closely with many large and small businesses to enhance productivity and increase bottom line performance through efficiency improvements and general organization of business processes. Her coach-like approach and ability to create sustained change within organizations has contributed to personal and team success. She is an accomplished professional speaker who has delivered numerous seminars on organization and productivity.
Treasurer
Rob Rock: Rob has spent 15 years in the financial industry where he has taken on progressive roles that included supervising an operations team, project management, corporate training, business development, and relationship management. A year and a half ago, he shifted into the technology industry in a business development role. Rob is an active participant in both the membership committee and the government relations committee. He has volunteered his time in the government relations survey subcommittee and is a Board of Trade ambassador at networking events. Rob sits on the Board of Directors for Community Living Ajax, Pickering and Whitby and heads the fundraising committee for that organization. Recently, he outlined a yearlong fundraising strategy for them. Rob’s interests include fundraising, public speaking and event coordination. He is an assistant coach in both Ajax Minor Hockey and in the Pickering Dolphins football summer league. Also, he has helped coach soccer and refereed for a wheelchair hockey league.
Diana Hills-Milligan: Diana was born and educated in Guyana. She continued her business and public relation studies in Canada, where she worked for the Ministry of Education and Honeywell Information Systems. Before immigrating to Canada in 1972, she worked for a publishing company in London, England. Currently, she is the Manager of the Executive Office and Public Affairs for Veridian Corporation, reporting to the President & CEO. She’s been involved with the Board for many years where she’s organized special events including the Business Excellence Awards and the annual Golf Tournament. Diana also served as President in 2008 and Chair in 2009. Diana is an active volunteer in the community, working with the Rouge Valley Hospital Foundation, Big Brothers and Sisters of Ajax and Pickering, and is the chairperson for the City of Pickering Mayor’s Gala which is now in its 6th year.
Dave Johnson: For the past six years Dave Johnson has served as a director of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade. During consecutive three-year terms, he has held positions as the chairman of the membership committee, chairman of the Environment Task Force, and as a longtime member of the government relations committee. He also sits as the Board of Trade’s representative on the Environmental Stewardship Pickering committee. As the owner of Northstar Promotions - now celebrating its 10th year in business - Dave is proud to be one of the hundreds of small business owners who account for the vast majority of the Board of Trade’s membership. As a long time resident of Pickering his other commitments to the community include being president of a local not for profit association, member of the local historical society and the Durham West Arts Centre.
Craig Oldman: Craig represents Siemens complete portfolio of products and services to the energy market in Canada. Craig’s primary responsibility is to generate, establish and develop long-term partnerships between local organizations and Siemens Canada, with focus on power generation, transmission and distribution, and business services. His career began in information technology, and he’s held senior roles at Xerox Canada and Dell Computer Corporation. He also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Queen’s University. As a long-term resident of Pickering, Craig manages his business with an intimate knowledge of local issues. He has also taken a leadership role in numerous professional and personal organizations, including being a director with the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade.
Lisa Patel: Lisa Patel is best known as a local financial and real estate entrepreneur with more than 8 years experience. In addition, Lisa is host of A Greener Durham on Rogers TV which promotes environmentally friendly lifestyles. She is a published author with Common Sense Mentors, is a public speaker promoting women in entrepreneurship and has been named Top 30 Under 30 in Canada. Lisa, who also does freelance acting/modeling, was recently featured in a production concerning “women against violence”. The recipient of two Ontario Service Awards, Lisa is a committed volunteer and community activist. Her current community involvement includes: Co-Chair, Ajax Homeweek Waterfront Festival; Member, Ajax Accessibility Committee; Member, Durham Region Land Division Committee; Host, Eco-Green for Dave Johnson; Big Sister, Ajax-Pickering Big Sisters; Volunteer, Ajax Santa Claus Parade; and Public Relations Representative, Ajax Boxing Club.
Peter Spratt: As vice president, ROCG Hobb & Company Consulting Inc., Peter works extensively with both private and public sector clients to create high-performing organizations. He has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies (BES) from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from York University. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants, the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario, and the ADR Institute of Ontario. Peter also teaches in the Faculty of Business, Continuing Education Division of Durham College. He finds that living and working in Durham Region has enabled him to have time for family and to be an active participant in his community. Peter is a Director of the Durham Children’s Aid Society, a member of the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise, and also volunteers for the United Way in its Community Development Services.
Don Terry: Don lives in Ajax with his family and also enjoys a rewarding relationship with his Little Brother. He works in Pickering with Ontario Power Generation as Manager of Public Affairs for Pickering Nuclear. He is committed to community building and has served his communities in many capacities. Don was the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade's 2008 president and has just completed a year as the Board's Chair in 2009. He has also served as chair of the United Way of Ajax-Pickering-Uxbridge Campaign, chair of the Ajax Recreation Committee, the Ajax Sportsplex Committee, Ajax Home Week Committee, Durham Cancer Centre Foundation, and as president of the Clarington Board of Trade. He is currently Chair of the School Community Council for Lincoln Avenue Public School, Honourary Chair of Bowl for Kids' Sake for Big Brothers & Sisters, and a committee member for Durham Region's Go Green Team, the Mayors' Charity Classic, and the Pickering Mayor's Gala. He also enjoys coaching minor sports.
Kevin Tower: A Pickering resident for 14 years and second-generation insurance broker, Kevin entered the insurance brokerage business under his father’s leadership in 1984. As president of Cornell Insurance Brokers Ltd. he enjoys helping his business clients regarding their commercial property and automobile, liability, bonding, directors and officers, and professional liability insurance needs. He holds a Fellowship designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada, the industry’s highest educational achievement and a diploma in Risk Management from the Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc. Kevin also serves as a citizen member on Pickering’s Waterfront Committee reporting to Council on matters involving the development of the waterfront trails system and parklands. He is also a volunteer member of the Board’s Government Relations Committee.
Joan Wideman: Joan is the vice-president of Corporate Services for The Lenbrook Group of Companies. She has been actively involved with the Board since 1985, and has held various roles as director, second vice-president, first vice-president and two terms as president. From 1994 to 1998, Joan was chair of the Government Relations Committee and also sat on other Durham Region Boards of Trade/Chambers of Commerce. After a four-year sabbatical, Joan returned in 2002 to participate in the re-development of the Board, initially as chair of the Government Relations committee and, more recently, as president in 2004 and 2005, and chair in 2006. Joan continues to sit as a director on the Board and Chair of the Government Relations committee.
Bill Zolis has been in the Group Benefit business for 24 years, the last six of which have been with The Callery Group here in Durham Region. His role is to take care of clients’ Employee Group Benefit needs and through the organization he serves many local clients. The Callery Group is a past winner of the Board’s Business Excellence Award and is an active supporter, through sponsorship, of Board events throughout the year. The Callery Group has been a member of the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade since 2004. Bill currently serves as a member of the government relations committee and joined the Board of Directors more than a year ago. An active member of the Board, Bill attends as many events as his time allows. He said he believes it is important to network with fellow members and share and learn from each other. He lives in Ajax with his wife Carole, teen daughters, Samantha and Jacqueline.
Advisors to the Board
Lynn Winterstein: Lynn has worked for the Town, then City of Pickering for over 15 years. Her background is in administration and business and she’s currently the Manager, Marketing & Business Development within the Office of Sustainability. Lynn is responsible for managing the City’s economic development program, corporate marketing, the City’s website, business events and acts as the City’s film industry liaison. She is a member of the Board of Trade’s Marketing & Communications Committee and has acted as the City advisor for the past four years. In her spare time, she enjoys progressive rock/jazz, traveling, yoga and golf.Lisa Hausz: holds an MBA in Marketing and Strategy and brings over ten years of segmentation marketing and business development to the Town. Lisa is responsible for the Town's Economic Development & Tourism Strategy development, business retention and expansion efforts including the Town's Corporate Calling Program, business attraction marketing, business outreach through the Ajax Business Network and Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade, and management of the Town's Real Estate portfolio.
