Appointee Biographies

GILLIAN MARTIN

Gillian Martin is the President of Ansell’s Awards & Specialties. Her community involvement includes serving as a board member/advisor/big sister / in school mentor for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of St. Thomas-Elgin.

WILFRIED (WILF) RIECKER

Wilfried Riecker is a self-employed Human Resources Consultant. He retired in 2009 as Manager of Human Resources and Corporate Secretary at Timken Canada LP. He is a former Director of the Elgin Community Futures Development Corporation, the Maple Leaf Foundation, St. Thomas Energy Inc. and a former board member of St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital and the Fanshawe College Board of Governors.

MICHELLENE BEAUCHAMP

Michellene was born in Woodstock, Ontario and attended school in the city until receiving an undergraduate degree at the then King's College at the then UWO. Having watched too much People's Court, Michellene always wanted to be a lawyer and attended Queen's University and thereafter articled first in Tillsonburg and then in Woodstock. Since following the call to the bar, Michellene has been in private practice in Woodstock, Ontario. Michellene initially practiced mostly criminal law and now divides her practice between family law and solicitor's work. Michellene has been actively involved with the Oxford Law Association for over a decade, most recently as President. Michellene has two children, aged 12 and 8, and therefore is also a dance mom and soccer mom. Michellene enjoys travelling, most recently in Greece and Egypt.

ALAN DALE

Alan Dale is a farmer and conservationist living on the family homestead in Curries, Ontario. He is a graduate of Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Alan served 16 years on municipal council and was a member of numerous committees during that time. He is a former member and Chair of both the Grand River Conservation Authority and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. He is also a former Vice-Chair of Conservation Ontario. He is currently a member and Acting Chair of the Lake Erie Region Source Water Protection Committee.

JENNIFER ALBRECHT

Jennifer is a long-term resident of her rural village and has been actively involved in all aspects of community living while she and her husband raised their family. From serving on the local parent teacher association, minor sports treasurer and coach, and community projects volunteer, Jennifer has always believed in being an active participant in her community. As her children grew up, she was able to expand her volunteerism and was proud to serve for several years with the Oxford County Critical Incident Team, to assist First Responders in dealing with traumatic events. As a municipal employee for over 30 years for the Township in which she lives, Jennifer is proud to help build a strong and vibrant community for all residents.

BETH ALLISON

Beth Allison is the principal of St. Pius X Catholic Elementary School in London, Ontario. She has been an educator for 25 years. Beth has worked in the TDSB, TCDSB and LDCSB in Ontario, as well as in private school settings in England and Italy. Beth served as a scoring supervisor, content creator and committee member for EQAO. Currently, Beth sits on the Board of Directors of the London Public Library, the London St. Leonard's Association, and the London Downs Syndrome Association. Beth holds an M. Ed from Western University and lives in London with her husband and their children.

LORI VAN OPSTAL

Lori Van Opstal is a successfully semi-retired entrepreneur, with a strong commitment to delivering value to both industry and community. Lori has built a number of successful businesses in both Canada and the U.S., and was featured 12 consecutive times on Profit Magazine’s list of Top 100 Canadian Women Business Owners. Lori has Chaired: South West Local Health Integration Network, Cambridge Shelter Corporation, Making Room Inc., Cambridge Kiwanis Village Non-Profit Housing, Economic Development Advisory Committee (Cambridge), Canada’s Technology Triangle’s Ambassador Task Force, Community Leaders Taskforce on Municipal Restructuring (Vice-Chair) and the Fleet Safety Council Conference. Lori found her work with high school budding entrepreneurs, in the Junior Achievement program in Tillsonburg, especially rewarding. Lori is a dual-citizen originally from Los Angeles. She has one child, Nice, a 27 year old licensed Diesel Mechanic at London Transit Commission. Lori’s husband, Ron Verspeeten, owns Verspeeten Cartage, and Award winning Trucking company, based in Ingersoll.

MARCEL MEYER

Marcel Meyer, of Dorchester, is a farm owner and is an insurance broker for farm accounts of Bill Blaney Insurance Brokers. Marcel’s community involvement has included serving as a county director and policy advisory member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and as a volunteer firefighter for Thames Centre Fire Service for 30 years.

ALLAN ABIAS

Allan Abias, MBA, CHE, BScPharm is a clinical research leader with 20+ years of global experience across academic, hospital, CRO, and pharmaceutical settings. He led the re-establishment of London Health Sciences Centre’s Research Institute, built clinical research capacity in Qatar, and expanded CRO operations in Southeast Asia. Allan excels in stakeholder engagement, operational strategy, and process improvement. He holds an MBA from Ivey Business School and is a Certified Health Executive. His work bridges research, innovation, and community impact, with a strong belief in empowering people and systems for sustainable change.

KAREN VECCHIO

Karen Vecchio is a former Canadian Member of Parliament who represented the riding of Elgin—Middlesex—London from 2015 to 2025. She held several key roles, including Deputy House Leader for the Official Opposition, Chair of the Standing Committee for the Status of Women, Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development and Shadow Minister for Women and Gender Equality, where she worked to advance policies supporting equality, opportunity, and well-being across Canada. Following her time in federal politics, Vecchio has continued her community leadership. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Hospice of Elgin the Central Community Health Centre and Fanshawe College Board of Governors where she contributes her governance experience to support health and wellness initiatives in her region. In addition, she works as a wedding officiant, bringing her passion for connection and service to couples on one of the most important days of their lives.

DELIA REICHE

Delia Reiche is a graduate of the Economic Development Program at the University of Waterloo and holds a Fellowship in Economic Development (Ec.D.F). She has also completed the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program, Canada’s leading certificate program for board directors, earning the prestigious ICD.D designation. This designation recognizes individuals who have demonstrated strong governance expertise and leadership competence to serve as highly qualified and effective directors. Delia currently serves as a Board Member and Quality Assurance Chair for the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Professionally, she works with the County of Brant as a Government Relations Specialist, where she supports strategic partnerships and intergovernmental initiatives.

JOHN LOHUIS

John Lohuis has over 34 years of experience in municipal/provincial governments and within the private sector. John has a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Windsor with an Honour Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo-Recreation & Business option at Wilfrid Laurier University. John is a past President of the Ontario Parks Association, previously on the Board of Directors of Parks & Recreation Ontario, was Co-Chair of the PRO Public Affairs Committee for over 10 years, and past Chair of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association parks advisory committee. Was General Manager/CEO of the Niagara Parks Commission from July 2012 to August 2016. Also was an adjunct lecturer at the University of Waterloo from May 2011 to August 2012. Prior to that period held various positions at the City of Mississauga including Acting Commissioner of Community Services and Director portfolios in Parks & Recreation, Arts & Culture, Environment & Tourism.

JOY BEVAN

Joy Bevan is a retired health care leader. Current board member of the Victorian Order of Nurses Middlesex Elgin Community Corporation. Actively involved in the community of Greater Thames Valley.