Board of Directors

Carole-1Our community economic development program is managed by a community representative Board of Directors.

Board Members:

  • Provide governance for the organization, represent it in the community and ultimately accept legal responsibility for it.
  • Act on behalf and represent the views of the CFDC’s constituents – the citizens of the community.
  • Have the principal responsibility for the carrying out of the organization’s mission and strategic objectives.
  • Accomplish their functions through attendance at regular meetings plus participation on committees and sub-committees.
  • Charged with four phases of organizational development planning, organization, operations, and audit/evaluation.

Current Board Members

BARB FISHER

Barb continues her career as a community leader and innovator. As a past elected Municipal Councillor, Barb served on many Council and community committees to help her town grow and prosper. As a past Member of Provincial Parliament, she participated on provincial legislative committees to bring efficiency and effectiveness to government programs and services; including being the Parliamentary Assistant for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Over the years Barb has been an active volunteer with numerous local, regional and provincial organizations, some of which have included the Chamber of Commerce, Conservation Authority, Canadian Council for the Status of Women, National Women’s Hockey League and Friends of the Kincardine Hospital. In addition to Barb’s community expertise, she was a successful Business Development Manager for a national recruiting firm, as well as the owner of her own consulting business. In 2012 Barb returned as General Manager of the Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation, a not for profit corporation that provides economic and business development support to help generate economic activity and jobs in the region. Barbara Fisher, MPP

CHRISTOPHER JOHNSTON

Chris Johnston is a Certified Human Resources Professional and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the University of Phoenix as well as a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Georgian College. Chris is currently the Senior Manager of Human Resources for TRW Canada Ltd., a manufacturer of automotive safety components in Midland, ON. Prior to this role he was Human Resources Manager and County Coordinator with Arvin Meritor in Chatham and Milton, ON and Manager of Strategic Initiatives with Arvin Meritor, in Troy, MI USA. Chris is Past Chair of the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation and Chair of the South Central Community Development Corporation. TRW Canada Ltd – Occupant Safety Systems

HERMAN VAN DEN BERG

Dr. Herman van den Berg is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Business Administration at the Orillia campus of Lakehead University. He is a director and president of the Orillia and Area Community Development Corporation and serves on the corporation’s executive and investment committees. He is also director and president of the strategic and financial consulting services firm, Procerity Inc. He currently does not have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership of securities in Future Health Services. Prior to beginning his academic career, Dr. van den Berg served in successively more senior managerial positions at an electrical utility, a financial institution, and an environmental services firm. He has management experience in the areas of corporate analysis, capital investment evaluation, project structuring, business plan preparation, and financial forecasting. He has also held public office as a trustee on two separate school boards. Dr. van den Berg holds an Honours B.B.A. with an Economics Option, an MBA in Finance, and a Ph.D. in Strategic Management. Lakehead University- Dr. Herman van den Berg, Procerity Inc.

ROSE AUSTIN

Rose Austin is the General Manager of the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation, a Community Futures Corporation. She has been with the corporation for 20+ years. Rose has an extensive background in the hospitality, marketing and educational sectors. She is an active member of her community volunteering on many different committees. Rose and her children are fourth and fifth generation Walkertonians. She is extremely proud of her rural roots and believes in grass root initiatives and cooperative regionalism.Saugeen Economic Development Corporation

GEOFF HOGAN

Geoff Hogan has extensive experience in using technology to transform business operations during his career as a private sector consultant and a public servant.   Since 1999 Geoff has also worked to facilitate expansion of broadband in Grey County and South West Ontario.  Formerly the president of the Ontario chapter of the Municipal Information Systems Association he has been a leader facilitating collaboration between municipal IT departments.Geoff is currently the Executive Director of Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT).  SWIFT’s mandate is to connect every farm, business and home in southwest Ontario with fibre optics.  Geoff has extensive not for profit board experience including acting as current chair of the Centre for Business, the Community Futures in Collingwood Ontario.Geoff resides in rural Grey County near Thornbury with his wife, 2 daughters and Golden Retriever Alfie.

Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc.

SUSAN FIELDING

Coming soon.

PAUL NICHOL

Coming soon.