Appointee Biographies

JASON TEAL

Jason Teal is Chair of the Lake Simcoe Science Committee, where he supports science-based decision-making to protect and enhance the health of Lake Simcoe and its watershed. He works with researchers, policymakers, and community partners to ensure strong alignment between scientific evidence and environmental stewardship. Jason is Vice President, Business Banking at Meridian Credit Union, leading a provincial team of Small Business and Commercial Banking professionals across Ontario. He brings extensive experience in strategy, risk management, and governance. He has served on the Board of Directors of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre since 2017 and held the role of Chair from 2024-2026. Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University and an MBA from McMaster University and has been actively involved in community leadership across Simcoe County.

BAHRAM GHARABAGHI

Dr. Bahram Gharabaghi is a Professor of Engineering in the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. His research has primarily been focused on watershed scale water quality models to improve the accuracy of calculations of these management tools for the protection of source waters from further degradation and to develop effective strategies for improvement of the quality of impaired water bodies in Ontario. He has more than twenty years of experience in research and development in hydrologic modelling and pollution control in Canada and internationally. Dr. Gharabaghi has co-authored over 250 peer-reviewed scientific articles. He is currently leading several research projects in partnership with various industry partners, Municipalities, Conservation Authorities, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

WILLIAM NAPIER

Mr. William Napier, is President of W. A. NAPIER CONSULTING LTD. He has worked for both the private and public sector for the past four decades. He has held executive positions in the sustainability field for a number of companies operating globally. Mr. Napier hold a Master of Science degree (Laurentian), a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Waterloo). Mr. Napier is former Chair of the Kawartha Lakes Steward Association and resides in Trent Lakes ON.