Agency Members Biographies

ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD

GOTTHEIL, MICHAEL
Michael Gottheil is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar in 1987. After working as In-House Counsel for two national trade unions, in 1991, Mr. Gottheil co-founded Engelmann, Gottheil law firm in Ottawa, where he practiced labour, employment and human rights law. He was a Professor at Algonquin College and the University of Ottawa Law School. Mr. Gottheil is a member of the Canadian Association of Visually Impaired Lawyers and, over a twelve-year period, served on the Board of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind as member, Vice-Chair and Chair at the Ottawa local and provincial levels.

STEPHENSON, RICHARD FRANKLIN
Richard Stephenson, of Toronto, is a graduate in Economics from McMaster University and obtained his LLB degree from Osgoode Law School. While practicing as a corporate and commercial lawyer, he also served for seven years as a Vice Chair of the Commercial Registration Appeal Tribunal. He was appointed to the Assessment Review Board in 1993 and served not only as an adjudicator member, but as a Duty Vice Chair of the Board. He was appointed Chair of the Assessment Review Board in 2004.

BOURASSA, MARCELLE (MARCIE)
Marcelle Bourassa holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Université de Moncton. Following her call to the Ontario Bar in 1985, Ms. Bourassa clerked for the Chief Justice of the High Court of Ontario. She was in private practice for eight years. Ms. Bourassa was appointed to the Immigration and Refugee Board in June 1994. In 2002 she was appointed Deputy Chair of the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) at the IRB. Under her leadership, the IAD was awarded the 2003 Head of Public Service Award in the Collaborative Working Relationships Category.

BUTTERWORTH, ROBERT DOUGLAS
Robert Douglas Butterworth, of Perth, practiced law in the Town of Perth from 1972 until 2002. Mr. Butterworth serves on the Board of Governors at Trent University and was Director of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators, where he remains an active volunteer. Previously, Mr. Butterworth was Councilor of the Township of North Elmsley, member and Chair of the Town of Perth Planning Board, Chair of the Committee of Adjustment for the Township of North Elmsley, and Chair of the Rideau Valley District Health Council. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from St. Patrick's College and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia.

MATHER, SUSAN F.
Susan Mather obtained her LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1981. She was an Associate Lawyer (litigation) with Dueck, Sauer, Jutzi & Noll. Ms. Mather has been a member of the Assessment Review Board since 1997 and was Chair of the former Crop Insurance Arbitration Board. She is former Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of St. Paul's College, University of Waterloo and has served as a volunteer mediator for Community Justice Initiatives.

COWAN, BERNARD
Bernard Cowan, of Richmond Hill, is a Chartered Accountant who, in addition to his public accounting background, has served in the public sector as controller, Rental Housing Division of the Ontario Housing Corporation, and extensively in the private sector as vice-president of operations and vice-president of finance for Toronto area developers, builders and property managers. He has been trained in mediation and is an inactive roster adjudicator for the Builder's Arbitration Forum of the Ontario New Home Warranty Plan. He serves the adjudicative community in the capacity of Director and Treasurer of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators.

WALKER, JANET LEA
Janet Lea Walker, of Toronto, obtained her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School. She has been a member of the Criminal Duty Counsel and Consent and Capacity Board Panels of Legal Aid Ontario. Ms Walker has considerable experience as a mediator and a negotiator in labour relations, and for the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. Her prior community work focused on Holocaust remembrance, domestic violence and children's rights.

WHITEHURST, DONALD
Donald Whitehurst is a graduate in Economics from Sir George Williams University and obtained his LLB degree from McGill University. He was the Commanding Officer (Inspector) for the RCMP in Northern Ontario. Mr. Whitehurst was also a Liaison Officer for the Department of External Affairs at the Summit of the Americas. Mr. Whitehurst was a member of the Board of Sault Ste. Marie St. John Ambulance from 1998 to 2008.

WYGER, JOSEPH MARTIN
Joseph Martin Wyger B.A., LL.B., has been a full-time adjudicator with the Assessment Review Board, since September of 2007. Prior to that he was a part-time member of the Board commencing in May of 1998. He previously carried on a law practice specializing in real estate, commercial leasing, and small business law. Other business pursuits have included custom home-building, income-property management, and land development. His community involvement has centered on participation, coaching and managing within local sports organizations.

TENNANT, BRYAN R.
Bryan R. Tennant, of Parry Sound, spent twenty-five years in the insurance industry in Toronto holding various positions including claims adjustor, marketing and sales manager, and director of hiring and training in Canada for Liberty Mutual. Mr. Tennant was also an owner and partner of a large multi-line insurance agency. In 1981, he moved to Parry Sound and became involved in recreational and commercial real estate sales. His community involvement has included serving as President of the Parry Sound Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Rotary Club. He currently serves as Director of the Parry Sound and Area Community Business and Development Corporation.

BIRNIE, IAN A.
Ian A. Birnie, born in Scotland, was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1970 and has practiced law in Waterford since 1972. He acted as Deputy Small Claims Court Judge in Norfolk County from 1976 to 1993 and is a Past President of the Waterford Lions Club, Norfolk Law Association, Waterford Chamber of Commerce and Simcoe Little Theatre.

BROWN, DOUGLAS C.
Douglas Brown, of Burlington, was appointed to the Assessment Review Board on June 20, 2000. Prior to joining the board, Mr. Brown served the City of Burlington in various capacities including City Solicitor and Corporation Counsel, and General Manager of Corporate Services. Since 2000, Mr. Brown has practiced law on a part-time basis in the City of Burlington. He attended McMaster University, Queen's Law School and Osgoode Hall. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1985.

BELANGER, MIGNONNE
Mignonne Belanger, of Timmins, was appointed to the ARB on January 11,1984. Prior to joining the Board, she trained census commissioners and quality control technicians for the areas of Gogama to Long Lac. Previously, Ms. Belanger was the Census Commissioner for the City of Timmins as well as an Enumeration Instructor and Supervisor for the District of Cochrane Assessment Office. She is bilingual and was educated in Timmins, Ontario.

CORCELLI, RICHARD J.
Richard Corcelli was a small business owner and a community activist having served on numerous boards, including the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, the Muskoka District Housing Authority, the RMS Sewun Steamship, the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce and the Muskoka Festival. Mr. Corcelli was an elected municipal councillor, Chair of Gravenhurst Developmental Services Committee, the District of Muskoka Engineering and Public Works Committee and also served as Chair, Board of Referees Employment Insurance Canada in North Bay.

LAREGINA, ANTHONY FRANK
Anthony F. LaRegina, of Woodbridge, is a Management Consultant with over twenty years of experience in assisting corporations both in Canada and the United States. Mr. LaRegina has directed large scale consulting projects for a number of Fortune 500 companies in a wide array of industries including manufacturing, aerospace, banking, telecommunications, mining, healthcare and transportation.

LIMOGES, RICHARD (RICK)
Since 2001, Rick Limoges, of Windsor, has been Senior Financial Advisor with the Berkshire Investment Group. Prior to this, Mr. Limoges was a Member of Parliament for Windsor-St. Clair and a City Councillor of the City of Windsor. His community involvement has included chairing numerous boards and committees, including the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health, Finance, Budget and Audit, International Relations and Airport and Transit Windsor. Mr. Limoges holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor.

SHARMA, MARILYN I.
From 1997 until 2004, Marilyn Sharma, of Richmond Hill, was Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Social Assistance Review Board and the Social Benefits Tribunal. Prior to this, Ms. Sharma was General Manager at the Public Appointments Secretariat, Senior Policy Advisor with the Management Board Secretariat and Coordinator of the Ministry of Transportation, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Division. She holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from York University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto.

FENUS, ANDREW
Andrew Fenus, of Ottawa, has previously been employed as a financial consultant and arbitrator with AEFenus Arbitration and AEFenus Financial, a member and Federal Arbitrator and Regulator with the Copyright Board of Canada and a member and Provincial Adjudicator with the Rent Review Hearings Board of Ontario. Mr. Fenus holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen's University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wolverhampton, U.K., a Master of Library Science from McGill University and a Master of Public Administration from Queen's University.

LAFLAMME, JACQUES
Jacques Laflamme, of Ottawa, was appointed to the ARB on August 25, 2004. Prior to joining the Board, he served in various positions including Senior Valuation Manager in the field of municipal assessment. During his career, he developed extensive experience in property valuation and assessment of all property types. Mr. Laflamme graduated from St. Lawrence College in 1970 with a diploma in Assessment Administration.

MACKAY, ANN
Ann MacKay, of Port Elgin, was appointed to the ARB on August 25, 2004. She owns and manages a fitness centre and banquet facility. She has served many years in municipal and county government as an elected representative. She has tribunal experience as a Member of the Canada Pension Plan Old Age Security and Disability Review Tribunal. She is currently involved in regional fundraising projects and sits as a Board Member of the Public Education Foundation of Grey Bruce. She graduated with a BA from McMaster University in 1978.

RADE, BERNICE M.
Bernice Rade, of Forest, was appointed to the ARB on August 25, 2004. Prior to joining the Board, she served on the Canada Pension Disability Tribunal and the Rent Review Hearing Board. She was previously a Member of the ARB from 1987 to 1989. Ms. Rade served on municipal councils for 12 years and was actively involved in the management of four family businesses. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including sitting on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce.

ROMAS, GEORGE
George Romas, of Ottawa, was appointed to the ARB on August 25, 2004. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Romas spent 15 years working within the criminal justice sector in various roles including Acting Director and Assistant Director of open custody facilities in Toronto, Sudbury and Ottawa and Chair of the Temporary Absence Committee. He is currently the Chair of Public Relations and a Board Member of the Kiwanis Club of Rideau. Mr. Romas has a master's degree in criminal justice.

GRIFFITH, JENNIFER
Jennifer Griffith, of Pickering, was appointed to the ARB on September 17, 2004. Prior to joining the Board, she worked for 10 years in the financial industry, with HSBC Securities, and The Toronto Dominion Bank, and spent 15 years in the hospitality industry with Delta Hotel & Resort. In both the financial and hospitality industry, she held key managerial positions in areas of human resources, corporate compliance, firewalls and insider affairs. Ms. Griffith has volunteered on many committees and assisted in the co-ordination of community activities including: People in Motion Trade Show, March of Dimes, Access ability Day for People with Disability, teaching high school students the economics of staying in school, Women of Distinction and Disaster Relief for Grenada. She attended Ryerson Polytechnic University and earned a certificate in human resources management.

SUTTON, WILLIAM J.B.
William (Bill) J.B. Sutton, of Copper Cliff, was appointed to the ARB on September 17, 2004. Prior to joining the Board, he worked in the insurance field for 26 years and most recently spent 10 years as a business consultant. He has sat on numerous boards and agencies and has also served on both city and regional council in Sudbury, including five years as Vice-Chairman of the region. He has a degree in geography and economics from Laurentian University, graduate courses from the University of British Columbia and a Charter Life underwriter designation.

MORIN, GILLES
Gilles Morin, of Orleans, was appointed to the ARB on September 30, 2004. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Morin had an extensive political career and was first elected to the Provincial Legislature in 1985. He served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services and to the Minister of Colleges and Universities. In 1989, Mr. Morin was appointed Minister for Senior Citizen Affairs. From 1976-1985, Mr. Morin was the Director of rural, agriculture and municipal services for the first Ombudsman of Ontario and was responsible for the establishment and management of all Ombudsman offices that now operate in Ontario. A veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Morin served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1951 to 1959.

CASTEL, ANDRÉ
André Castel, of Virgil, was appointed to the ARB on November 19, 1997. Prior to joining the Board, he worked for the Ministry of the Environment for twenty-seven years and retired as Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Corporate Management. He also served the United Nations Secretariat and the UN Conference on Trade and Development as an International Civil Servant. Mr. Castel is a bilingual Certified Management Accountant.

OLIVEIRA, M. EVANGELISTA (IVAN)
M. Evangelista (Ivan) Oliveira is a realtor and an educator by trade. He has been associated with the Brampton Real Estate Board since 1976. He has chaired many of its committees and served as the Board's president in 1987. He is a committed member of the Portuguese community and is the founder of the Portuguese Community School of Brampton where he supervised and implemented curriculum. He has taught the Portuguese language in Ontario Secondary schools and he was responsible for the supervision and evaluation of 14 different language instructors under the International Languages Program. Mr. Oliveira is also a former Commissioner with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and served as Interim Chief Commissioner from October 17 to November 27, 2005. He has served on the executives of several organizations. Mr. Oliveira is the recipient of several awards including the 2002 Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

ANDREWS, PETER
Peter Andrews is a Chartered Surveyor who obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in real estate management from the University of London, England in 1971. Prior to his appointment to the ARB in 2005, Mr. Andrews held a variety of positions within the real estate management and development industry including periods with Prudential of England (1989-1997) and Sun Life Financial (2000-2002). His community involvement includes a twenty-five year period as a member of the advisory board of Ryerson University, School of Applied Geography. Mr. Andrews has been active for the last five years with the PACT Restorative Youth Justice Program as a volunteer facilitator of victim/offender resolution conferences.

KOWARSKY (KELMAN), BARBARA
Barbara Kowarsky, of Thornhill, is a retired secondary school teacher. She was a member of the Discipline Committee of the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario and a member of the Ontario Film Review Board. She has been involved in the community with the Beth Tzedec Synagogue and the local Ratepayers and Block Parent programs.

LEVASSEUR, ROMEO L.
Romeo Levasseur is a graduate Civil Engineer (Queen's) and after a short career in engineering, entered the education field. He holds a Masters Degree in Education (Ottawa) and retired after 34 years as an educator spending several years as a high school principal. He has extensive municipal experience including 21 years as an elected city councilor and has held positions on several Boards of Directors, not only locally, but also regionally and provincially. Among the several certificates that he has earned, he holds two certificates from the Law Faculty of the University of Windsor, that is, 'Negotiations and Alternate Dispute Resolution' and " Advance Alternate Dispute Resolution'. Mr. Levasseur is bilingual.

MARQUES, ANA CRISTINA
Ana Cristina Marques is the co-owner of a development corporation. She served on a variety of municipal and federal boards including the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, and of the City of Toronto Committee of Adjustment. Ms. Marques has volunteered on many committees and has long been a community activist. She holds a degree in Women Studies from York University.

PLUMSTEAD, NICOLL C. (NIKI)
Nicoll Plumstead is currently an income tax preparer with H & R Block. She was formerly deputy-Reeve of Temagami, and Chair/Vice-Chair of the Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Library Board, Planning Board, and the provincial Temagami Comprehensive Planning Council. She was also a Board member of Au Chateau Home For The Aged (Sturgeon Falls), the Children's Aid Society and Nipissing District Social Services Boards in North Bay.

SAPONARA, FAUSTO
Fausto Saponara has a BA and BAS from York University and is a certified management accountant. Since 2003, Mr. Saponara has been working in the real estate sector as a developer and property manager. Previously, he has held a number of executive positions as Vice-President of Corporate Management Business Development with the Ontario Hospital Association, Vice-President of Business Development with the Ontario Clean Water Agency and Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer with the Ontario Development Corporation. Mr. Saponara has also served as a director on a number of corporate boards and not-for-profit organizations.

BROWNLIE, JOHN DOUGLAS
John Brownlie, of Newcastle, is currently a Partner with Blake, Cassels and Graydon Law Firm. He is a former Barrister and Solicitor for Blake, Cassels and Graydon. Mr. Brownlie volunteered for the Trinity College, University of Toronto as the college solicitor. He is a current member of the Canadian Bar Association, and a trustee of the Charleston Lake Environment Association.

TERSIGNI, JOSEPH
Joe Tersigni, of Woodbridge, is President/Broker of JDF Realty Ltd. and is a former Associate Broker for Security Real Estate. Mr. Tersigni was on the Board of Directors of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, and the Muki Baum Association. He is currently a member of the Toronto Real Estate Board, the Industrial Commercial & Investment Council, the Market Value Appraisers Association, the Ontario Real Estate Association, Grand Lodge of Canada and the Noble of the Mystic Shrine Rameses Temple of Toronto.

LAWS, JOANNE
Joanne Laws, of Kitchener, has been an adjudicator and mediator with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ombudsman for the University of Waterloo. She has served as a board member and mediator with Community Justice Initiatives and is currently a board member with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Waterloo Region.

TCHEGUS, ROBERT (BOB)
Bob Tchegus is a Partner in the Eastern Ontario law firm Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP. Mr. Tchegus has been designated by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law. He resolves real property issues, provides expert opinions and handles all types of residential, commercial, institutional and industrial land transactions, commercial leasing and financing. He is currently an elected Member of the Council of Queen's University at Kingston and the Governing Council of the Ontario Bar Association (O.B.A.) and the Canadian Bar Association. He is also a Member-at-Large on the O.B.A. Real Estate Section Executive Committee and Member of the Frontenac Law Association. In his community, Mr. Tchegus is a former President and Treasurer for the Kingston Family YMCA and is currently a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board for Kingston and Vice President of the Grenville Park Co-operative Housing Association Limited.

MINNIE, GARRY
Garreth Minnie, of Oshawa, is a former secondary school teacher with experience in collective bargaining, contract maintenance and dispute resolution. He is actively involved in the Oshawa community. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Patrick's College in Ottawa and has studied at the University of Toronto.

NALEZINSKI, LES J.
Les Nalezinski has worked for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the Regional Municipality of Niagara, the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton and the amalgamated City of Ottawa as a Manager in Real Estate Services. Mr. Nalezinski was involved in all facets of real property transactions and after 35 years of service, retired in 2005. He was a member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada and holds a professional designation with the International Right-of-Way Association and served as its Regional Chair for Eastern Canada. He is an active member of the community, a member of the Knights of Columbus and is a former member of the executive of his local Heart and Stroke Foundation.

DRIESEL, SANDRA (SANDI)
Sandra Driesel, of Toronto, was appointed to the ARB on March 16, 2000. Prior to joining the Board, she was a business consultant for a computer training school. Ms. Driesel has extensive experience in accounting, records management and computer training, and as a small business consultant for over 25 years. She served as a marketing consultant as well as manager of finance, insurance, and operations for various automobile dealerships in Toronto and Peterborough. She has also served as Executive Director of the Independent Auto Repairers Association.

BACHLY, DAVID
David Bachly, of Kettleby, was appointed to the ARB on November 26, 1970. He is a self-employed builder and has been subdividing land in the Greater Toronto Area for over 45 years. Mr. Bachly has served on many community and service boards. He was a member of the York Region Police Commission for six years.

JUSTIN, EDITH L.
Edith Justin, of Toronto, was appointed to the ARB on November 17, 1970. Prior to joining the Board, she was involved in real estate and land acquisitions. Ms. Justin has been a Member of the ARB for 35 years and has conducted all types of hearings throughout the province. She was born and educated in England.

SMITH, BARRY A.
Barry A. Smith, of Toronto, Q.C, LLB was appointed to the ARB on November 26, 1970. He maintains an active law practice in Toronto. Mr. Smith graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1962.

STILLMAN, PAUL MARTIN
Paul M. Stillman, of Brantford, was appointed to the ARB on March 26,1975. He currently lectures about business law at McMaster University at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and presides as a Deputy Judge in the Small Claims Court. Mr. Stillman is also a partner in the law firm of Wyatt, Purcell & Stillman in Brantford. He is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, holds a master of laws degree in mediation and arbitration, and a bachelor of science degree in mathematics.

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