Appointee Biographies

LAURIE MARCIL

Laurie Marcil was appointed to the role of Executive Director of Nature & Outdoor Tourism Ontario in 2014. Beginning in 1991 as the bookkeeper, she soon took on additional responsibilities as Marketing Coordinator, Office Manager and Membership Services Manager. Laurie’s community involvement includes serving as a member of the Liquid Fuels Advisory Council of the Technical Standards & Safety Authority, and as a member of the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations as well as a Ferris Lions Club member in North Bay.

DAVID SINCLAIR

In 2019 David Sinclair retired as President and CEO of Kenora Hydro subsequent to the successful merger with Thunder Bay Hydro. During his tenure at Kenora Hydro he was responsible for the overall operation of the utility including strategic planning, policy development, rate setting, negotiations, and financial planning. Mr. Sinclair has chaired the boards of several energy sector bodies. As Chair of the Municipal Electric Association, he led the structural change to become the Electricity Distributors Association. During this period, he also chaired the Municipal Electric Association Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (MEARIE), which provides insurance solutions to Ontario’s local distribution companies (LDCs). Mr. Sinclair is a director of the Independent Electricity System Operator and serves as Chair of the Audit Committee. The IESO manages Ontario’s power system to ensure reliability through the balancing of electricity supply and demand on a real time basis. Mr. Sinclair holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

FRED SLADE

FRED SLADE is currently an owner/operator of a public accounting office. His community involvement includes serving as board member, President and treasurer for several charities and organizations including the Rotary Club of Sudbury, The Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Pregnancy Care Centre and Infant Food Bank and the Health Sciences North Finance Committee. He attended the University of Waterloo and has his CPA designation from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.

BILL SPINNEY

William Donald Spinney is a retired General Manager for a local non-profit Community Futures Office. He is the former Chair of the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario (DICO) and the Ontario Association of Community Futures. His community involvement includes serving as a Director and Past President of the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce and is currently a director and Treasurer for the Parry Sound Golf & Country Club.

KIMBERLY BALLANCE

Kimberly Ballance is the Clerk Treasurer Administrator for The Corporation of the Township of Ear Falls, and the Owner/President of Dutchie’s General Store Inc. Her community involvement includes serving as Video Sub-Committee member for the Ontario Municipal Administrators Association.

TONIA BLENKARN

Tonia Blenkarn is the Co-Owner of Flat Rick Holdings Inc., Desmasdon's Boat Works, Desmasdon’s Construction & Beacon Marine. Her community involvement includes serving as a Youth Leader for The Meeting House Parry Sound.

MICHAEL FOX

Michael Fox is a facilitator who has worked with Aboriginal communities. In his previous employment, he assisted northern Ontario First Nations with economic development initiatives within the main natural resource development sectors of Ontario. He has facilitated joint ventures between First Nations and industry. Mr. Fox obtained a post-secondary education in business and a degree in political science. He is a board member of the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business.

BERNIE KAMPHOF

Bernie Kamphof has been an active member of the local farming community for over twenty-five years. He has served on many boards and committees including the Thunder Bay District Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Thunder Bay Cooperative Farm Supplies, Thunder Bay Dairy Producers, and the Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture. He is currently a member of the Lakehead Source Water Protection Committee and is the Vice Chair of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Association. In addition to his agricultural involvement Bernie has been a Councilor for the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge since 2010. He has also been a member of the Thunder Bay District Board of Health, is a member of the Thunder Bay District Municipal League Board and currently is the Chair of the Lakehead Rural Planning Board.

DON MITCHELL

Donald Mitchell is a former Vice president for Algoma Insurance Limited, and a former sales manager for Downtown Insurance and Realty Limited. His community involvement includes serving as Vice-President and President of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

LUCY BELANGER

Lucy Belanger is an active and key member of Management team with Equipment World Inc since 1988. She currently holds position as Comptroller & Operations Manager, overseeing all corporate financial and operational matters. She is active within the community past and present, volunteering with many charities including, Canadian Cancer Society Thunder Bay, Heart & Stroke Foundation Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, Shelter House Committee for fundraiser events, and the Thunder Bay Separate School Parent Advisory Committee. Lucy has held positions as Treasurer for Youth Employment Services as well as the Thunder Bay Business Woman's Network. She currently sits on the Board with NOHFC.

SUE PRODANIUK

Susan Prodaniuk is President of Sue Prodaniuk Advertising/PR Consultant Inc., and a former Executive Director of Communications, Fundraising and Strategic Enrolment Management for the Confederation College. Her community involvement includes as an Executive Member for Ambassadors NW, City of Thunder Bay, Flood Advisory Committee, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Board Member, and Big Thunder National Ski Training Centre.

E. JAMES T. HOOK, Q.C.

E James T. Hook was raised in the tourist business, where my parents owned and operated a large fly-in American Plan Tourist Resort. Following my graduation and call to the Ontario Bar I was engaged in the practice of law for 44 years in the District of Kenora, until my retirement in 2016. Initially I had an extensive criminal defence practice prior to being retained on a part time basis as an Assistant Part Time Crown Attorney. My legal practice gradually evolved into one involving representing clients in civil matters such as residential and commercial real estate, financing, estate planning, and corporate and commercial matters, including numerous tourist resorts. I retain a keen interest in business matters generally and the tourist industry in particular in Northern Ontario. I also served from 1996 to 2003 on the Board of NOHFC, and chaired a Committee charged with considering proposals across Northern Ontario for destination attractions.

PETER CHIRICO

Peter Chirico has been elected as Mayor of the City of North Bay in the 2022 Municipal election.

THERESA NELSON

Theresa Nelson, of Nipigon, is Manager of Indigenous Relations with CN Rail. She is also a former Chief of Animbiigoo zaagi’igan anishinaabek. Her community involvement has included serving as a board member of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

KAREN BITTNER

Karen Bittner, of Blind River, is Director of Facilities and Community Services, Economic Development with The Corporation of The Town of Blind River. She previously provided homebased childcare and served as General Manager of GoodLife Fitness.

KARI RICHER

Mrs. Richer, a native of Timmins, Ontario, has dedicated her life to the vibrant community she calls home. As the proprietor of Porcupine Hardware in Timmins, Kari has seamlessly blended her passion for entrepreneurship with a commitment to providing quality retail services throughout the region. With a rich and diverse career, Kari has not only demonstrated her business acumen but has also become a pillar of support for various community organizations. Her longstanding commitment to volunteerism is evident through her involvement with esteemed institutions such as the Timmins Chamber of Commerce, Spruce Hill Lodge, Timmins and District Humane Society, and the Timmins Downtown Business Association. Kari extends her volunteering during her travels to aid underprivileged individuals.

DIANE SUSKI

Diane Suski is a retired licensed general insurance broker, having spent over 40 years in the financial services industry including as a partner and owner of an insurance brokerage. Diane has worked for many years as an active member of the community and volunteered for many organizations. The past several years has been focused on areas of industry across Northern Ontario. She resides with her husband in the Municipality of the French River, enjoying the benefits of rural living.