Appointee Biographies

LAIRD VAN DAMME

Laird is a Registered Professional Forester and consultant residing in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Over his 40-year professional career and as a business owner, he worked with teams to distribute Nordic reforestation equipment across North America, introduced in-bush chipping to Chile and developed airborne remote sensing services. His consulting work included preparation of forest management plans, forest inventories, environmental assessments, audits and evaluations for clients across Canada. Recently, he contributed to the Nova Scotia Forest Practices Review and worked on NS government implementation teams. He is serving the Ontario government as Chairman of the Board for the Nawiinginokiima Forest Management Corporation, is President of Palisades Investments Inc., Director of Strategy at Silvacom, and Adjunct Professor at Lakehead University.

JESSE GAUDETTE

Jesse Gaudette is a proud member of Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg and avid land user. He attended Sault College from 2013-2015 where he studied Natural Environment Technician. Over the summer seasons while attending Sault College, he was employed through Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg's summer student program, and placed in the Lands and Resources department for 3 consecutive summers. After his education, he sought employment in the Forestry Industry and was hired on with Jackfish River Mananagement, based out of Hornepayne, ON. Subsequent to Jackfish, he was hired on with Maygwayyawk Forestry Services (MFS), based out of White River, ON., where he was a forestry technician. Since 2017, he has been employed by Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg as the Lands and Resources manager.

JOANNE MICHANO

JoAnne Michano is a Band Manager for Biigtigong Nishnaabeg. Her community involvement includes serving as Band Manager and Chief Executive Officer for the Biigtigong Nishnaabeg.

GRANT GOODWIN

Grant Goodwin is a former Economic Development Manager and Director of Parks Culture and Recreation for Township of Manitouwadge. His community involvement includes serving as committee member for the Manitouwadge Committee Ducks Unlimited.