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Appointee Biographies

Rural Economic Development Advisory Panel (Redap)

BEV SHIPLEY

Bev Shipley is a self-employed owner of Greystead Farms, and a former member of parliament for the Government of Canada. Bev’s community involvement includes serving as a director for Briercrest College and Seminary, and as Honorary Chair for Craigholme Long Term Care Rebuild Campaign.

GEORGE CORNELL

George Cornell, is a Civil Engineer, Mr. Cornell spent his career in the oil and gas sector. He joined municipal politics as a Councillor for the Township of Tiny from 2006 to 2010. He became Mayor of the Township of Tiny in 2014 and was acclaimed in 2018 for his second term in the role. As a County Councillor from 2014 to 2018, Mr. Cornell sat as Chair of the Economic Development Sub Committee, Vice-Chair of Corporate Services, on the Grant Task Force Committee and the Governance and Striking Committees. Mr. Cornell was elected to the role of County of Simcoe Warden on December 11, 2018 by his peers and acclaimed for his second term in 2020. During his current term as Warden, he has served on the SWIFT Executive, as Chair of the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus, on the AMO Board of Directors, and as a Director on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Board.

ANNE HODGSON

Anne Hodgson is a Realtor and with her husband, Andrew, owned Century 21 Granite Realty Group Ltd. for eleven years. She also serves on the Rural Economic Development Advisory panel and enjoys volunteering in her community in several capacities including Minden Cat Angels. Anne graduated from the University of Western Ontario with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and has experience working in government on several legislative and policy initiatives.

ROSEMARIE MONTGOMERY

is an Economic Development Officer focused on delivering a number of initiatives that are designed to stimulate new investment, support business retention, and foster the expansion of existing businesses across Chatham-Kent. Rosemarie has been part of Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services for eleven years.

DENNIS VOLLMERSHAUSEN

Dennis Vollmershausen is a former President and Chief Executive Officer for Timberjack Inc. His community involvement includes formerly serving as a Board Member and Chairman for Woodstock General Hospital and Woodstock Hospital Foundation.

MOIRA CONNELL

Moira Connell is a Secretary, Treasurer, and Shareholder for Wicketthorn Farms Inc., and a former Secretary, Treasurer, and Shareholder for Wicketthorn Feed and Country Store. Moira’s community involvement includes formerly serving as a Board Member for Heartland Farm Mutual Insurance.

ROBERT MORLEY

Robert Morley, of Exeter, is a former owner and operator of a trucking business which served the agricultural community. He was a councillor of Huron County for nine years completing his time there as the Warden of Huron County in 2006. He was the chairman of the Amalgamation Committee which saw the joining of the Town of Exeter, the Township of Stephen and the Township of Usborne. Mr. Morley also worked with Lavis Contracting Co. as Asset Manager. His community involvement includes having served on the Board of Directors of the South Huron Hospital for nine years. Currently Mr. Morley is semi-retired and still working in the agriculture business.

DANIELLE SHARMAN

Danielle Collins is a Policy Analyst specializing in economic development at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) in Guelph, Ontario. Danielle sits on the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Board of Directors, is a mentor for the Ag Women’s Network, and sits on various committees for the Economic Developers’ Council of Ontario (EDCO). As a Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) with a master’s degree in Local Economic Development, Danielle strives to enhance the economic viability of rural communities and the broader agri-food sector.

JOHANNA CHEVALIER

Johanna Chevalier, a former two-term Councillor for the Town of Caledon and Region of Peel, Johanna has worked closely with residents, government representatives, non-profits, and a wide range of stakeholders to support the highest growth municipality in Ontario. Johanna drove advocacy positions on high-profile issues such as human trafficking, intimate partner/family violence, anti-Black racism, and illegal land use and goods movement. Johanna has sat on numerous additional committees and boards, including chairing the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance and serving as Vice Chair of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority.