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Appointee Biographies

Niagara Escarpment Commission

JAMES COLLARD

Jim Collard has lived in Niagara-on-the-Lake since 1950. He is married with two children. Jim spent thirty-two years teaching. He served the D.S.B.N. as a department head of Business Studies at both Grantham and Sir Winston Churchill Secondary. Jim was subject area chair for business studies at the D.S.B.N. He was a teacher moderator for United Nations Debating, Ski Club and Yearbook production. In 2001 he was given an Outstanding Leader Award by the D.S.B.N. Jim was elected to Town Council in 1985 and served as councillor for 30 years. As such he chaired all corporate committees and served on the Municipal Heritage and Museum boards. He has helped raise in excess of one half million dollars community needs. In 2003 as part of the Arena Project, Jim was Citizen of the Year. He was a member of the Association of Ontario Executive Board and The Small Urban Caucus. An avid golfer and fisher, Jim looks forward to continue serving his town and province.

MICHAEL CURLEY

is a Business Owner operating a Project and Construction Management Company in Grimsby, Ontario. Mr. Curley has a Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) designation. Michael’s career highlights include projects for IBM Canada, Microsoft, the Government of Ontario, local school boards, library design and construction and community centers. His financial background provides extensive training and experience with projects and cost controls and management, treasury management and financial and stakeholder reporting.

GORDON DRIEDGER

Gordon Driedger is the President of Skyline Retail Management Inc. and is accountable for all aspects of Skyline’s growing retail real estate portfolio. Gord has over 26 years of experience in Canadian and international real estate markets. Prior to joining Skyline, Gord was principal of GDREA Inc. Gord was previously Executive Vice President at First Capital Reality Inc., Gord was also Vice President Real Estate for premier retail real estate owners including Bank of Montreal, Canadian Tire, and Sobeys. Gord holds a membership and is active in many industry organizations including Corenet, ICSC, and the Canadian Institute of Planners. Gord is also an active board member of a not-for-profit seniors housing corporation. Gord Driedger received a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in the School of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo and a Masters of Corporate Real Estate from the Corenet Global organization.

RON GIBSON

Ron Gibson is a retired project manager with over 30 years experience in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. He has worked as a training consultant on business improvement methods for representatives of more than 20 members countries of the Asia Productivity Organization. He served as Project Manager and alter Director for the Regional and Single-Tier Chief Administrative Officers Group, developing performance standards for municipal services. Prior to this, he held management positions at the Region of Niagara in the Office of Strategic Planning, and in Community Planning Department (Special Projects), and in the Community Services Department (Quality Assurance and Program Evaluation). Ron has been an active volunteer in his community in social housing, mental health programs, and training and diversion programs for federal parolees and young offenders.

KEN LUCYSHYN

Ken Lucyshyn held a variety of roles at F.W. Fearmans Ltd. (later Maple Leaf Meats) before ending his 18th year there as Human Resources Manager. Since 1997, Ken has been a key player at Walker Industries. He stepped in as Vice President of Human resources, moved into the role of Vice President and General Manager of Aggregates & Construction, and is now Executive Vice president of Aggregates & Construction. Ken has lent his expertise to various associations, committees and councils for many years. He is the past Chair and currently sits on the board of The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation (TOARC). He is also a past board member of the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA) where he served as Chair in 2008. He was a member of the NEC’s Public Interest Advisory Committee (PIAC), past Chair of the OSSGA’s Sustainability Committee, a board member of the Cornerstone Standards Council, a committee member of the National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association and a member of the Human Resources Professional Association of Ontario. Most recently, Ken has become a board member of Rodman hall Art Centre in St. Catharines. Ken and his family reside in Grimsby.

DAVID HUTCHEON

David Hutcheon is an Adjunct Professor of Postgraduates Public Administration Program at Humber College, and a Broker for Real Estate Homeward. His community Involvement includes serving as a Chairperson of Capital Fund Committee for St. Olave’s Anglican Church.

DUNCAN MCKINLAY

brings a passion for environmental stewardship, sustainable land use planning and progressive rural communities, as seen through his work as a municipal councilor, county councilor and Grey County Warden. He has worked in agriculture as a Farm Manager and as a Farm Specialist in a rural mental health facility for children. Currently, he is a beef farmer at Fairview farm. Duncan believes strongly in our duty to leave our environment and our communities better than we found them. Duncan is an advocate of supporting rural communities as stewards of the Niagara Escarpment.

JENNIFER VIDA

Jennifer Lynne Vida is Director of Development for Hummel Properties Inc, and a former manager of planning for upper Canada Consultants. Her community involvement includes serving as a Government Liaison for the Niagara Home Builders Association.

GORDON KRANTZ

has been serving the Milton community continuously since 1960. Elected as a Local Councillor to Milton Town Council in 1965 and as Mayor and Head of Milton Town Council in 1980. Also, Mayor Krantz has been an essential contributor to the Region of Halton’s growth plan, by serving on the Regional Municipality of Halton Town Council since 1980, Conservation Halton Board of Directors since 1973, the Niagara Escarpment Commission for three terms and various Ad-Hoc and Standing Committees. Mayor Krantz is a founding member and strong supporter of the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance.

ALBERT WITTEVEEN

has been sitting as a volunteer on boards within the community and on committees at the Niagara Region. His list of involvement includes, Waste Management Advisory and Steering Committees, Chair of the Agriculture Policy Action Committee, Chairman of the Ontario Hop Growers Association, Chairman of the Niagara North Federation of Agriculture. Member of the Industry Advisory Committee at Niagara College.

LAURIE GOLDEN

Laurie Golden is a four term municipal councillor…one term St. Edmunds council. Three terms Mun. Northern Bruce Peninsula. Long term member National Parks Advisory…Bruce Peninsula & Fathom Five National Parks

DANE NIELSEN

Dane Nielsen is the Deputy Mayor of Grey Highlands. Owner of a small business, Dane lives on a small hobby farm with his wife and two children, as well as horses goats and chickens.

DOUGLAS MEASURES

Doug Measures has resided in Simcoe County since 1977. He has been an elected official with the Township of Clearview since 2006 and had a 36-year career in local community television.

JOHANNA CHEVALIER

Johanna Chevalier is a former Peel Council member & former Town of Caledon Council member. Johanna has served on the Greenbelt Council, Golden Horseshoe food & farming alliance (Chair), Creditvalley Conservation Authority (vice chair), Peel Community Safety and wellbeing, Peel Diversity, Equity & Anti-Black Racism (Chair) Peel Public Health (Chair). Johanna currently works as a consultant in the private sector and continues to serve the community of Halton and Peel as a volunteer for Caledon Community Services, Credit Valley Conservation Foundation, Peel Anti-Human trafficking SPT, Burlington Minor Football Assc., GHFFA and Volta Research. Johanna resides in Halton Region where she is raising four teenagers and enjoying the view of the escarpment.

LYNN KIERNAN

Councillor Lynn Kiernan was first elected in 2018 and served her first term representing the residents and businesses of Ward 1 as Area Councillor. In October 2022, Councillor Kiernan won the support of her community to continue to serve as the Ward 1 Councillor. During her first four years, Councillor Kiernan acted on significant issues for residents and business such as: being a persistent and strong advocate for much-needed safety measures for the highway 10 corridor as well she championed the development and approval of the aggregate interim control bylaw in collaboration with the Forks of the Credit Preservation Group. She has a long history of community involvement and will continue supporting grass roots, resident-led organizations. Prior to entering the political world, Councillor Kiernan enjoyed a successful career in the investment industry. Councillor Kiernan has lived in Caledon all her life and currently resides in the village of Inglewood.

GAIL LITTLE

Gail Little has been actively involved in the Dufferin County community for many years, serving as a Board of Education Trustee from 1988 to 1998 and since 2014, as a council member of the Township of Amaranth. Currently Gail is the Deputy Mayor of Amaranth, a member of Dufferin County Council and Chair of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. Throughout, Gail has always been a strong advocate for agriculture as an executive member of the Dufferin Federation of Agriculture, as an organizing member of the annual Dufferin Farm Tour and as an owner/operator of a working farm. As well, she is a partner in a business in the Heavy Construction industry.