BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors provides leadership and direction for the Chamber alongside the CEO. As a higher level, governance focused Board, the intention is for the Board’s key concerns to be vision, values and outcomes. The Board accomplishes this high-level strategic role by focusing its energy on identifying, advocating, and promoting matters affecting business through clearly stated values and principles. The Chamber, and therefore the Board, represents the best interests of the region and its members as a whole; it does not represent or vote, solely for the interests of one specific group, sector, business, or community member.
Members that are interested in joining the CWCC Board of Directors can email brock@cwchamber.ca for more information.
(click on images for bio's)
Business Name: Bensol Consulting
Janet and her family have called Centre Wellington home for 20 years. Having raised her children in Fergus, Janet views serving on the CWCC Board of Directors as a privilege and an opportunity to give back to our community.
As an Account Representative with Bensol, Janet represents the Chamber Plan to local business owners. Bensol offers employee benefit plans that allow small and medium size businesses to succeed and thrive.
Member Engagement and the Awards of Excellent are 2 areas of involvement that Janet is participating in with CWCC. We live in an amazing community and Janet is honoured to be part of it!
Business Name: Diane Cook 7Seas2See Travel
Type of Business: Independent Travel Advisor, Customized Travel Experience Designer
After 32 years of commuting, working for National Retail Travel Companies, 30 in Management, Diane made the decision that 2 years ago was the time for her to live her dream of Entrepreneurship owing her own Travel Company under the umbrella of TPI -Travel Professionals International, creating unique, authentic and immersive experiences worldwide. As a by invitation only Virtuoso Advisor, Diane specializes in Adventure/Active Travel (walking, cycling, etc), Specialty Cruising(expedition, river, small ship, luxury, etc) and Culinary (food and wine) Travel.
Diane has enjoyed building relationships and connecting within Fergus, Elora and Centre Wellington working from her home office; building her business 1 client at a time. Diane is the first and only Canadian Travel Advisor named to the Saveur Virtuoso Advisory Board and also sits on The TravelMarketPlace and TPI Advisory Boards.
Diane considers it a privilege to serve our community of small business and the Chamber of Commerce in this role.
Dr. Kira is a local chiropractor and owner of Shift: A Family Health Centre. She has 25 years of clinical experience helping people of all ages and stages, from infants to seniors. She opened “Shift” in 2013, as a one-stop health care and natural solutions practice to serve Fergus and Centre Wellington’s surrounding areas.
Dr. Kira believes that blending a caring, inclusive environment with access to a wide variety of therapy options for all age ranges to encompass physical, mental and emotional health challenges reflects her own holistic approach to healthy living. Built around these core values, Shift Family Health houses a trusted team of diverse and skilled practitioners who embrace this vision, therefore optimizing each client’s experience.
Business Name: Harrcroft Acres Ltd
Type of Business: Agricultural Business – Dairy Operation
Community Involvement/ Previous Experience:
Janet has lived in the Fergus community for over 20 years and, through Agricultural or Volunteer Board opportunities, has held positions with: The Fergus Fall Fair, Wellington County Dairy Producers, Centre Wellington Preschool, School Parent Councils, Fergus Skating Club, Centre Wellington Youth Advisory Committee, and previously named Leisure Advisory Committee (now re-named the Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee).
She loves working as an RN at the Critical Care Unit in Guelph; however, her passion is agriculture and agri-business.
Business Name: The Grand 101.1FM
Austin has lived in Centre Wellington all his life. He was born in Georgetown and raised here in Fergus.
He loves his community and is no stranger at all! Austin is an On-Air personality at The Grand at 101.1FM radio station in Fergus. He has been at the station for over 5 years now and his all supporting local businesses and organizations.
"I love Centre Wellington so much, it is such an amazing place to live, work and play!"
Business Name: Derek G. Graham Limited
Derek and Alexandra have operated Derek G. Graham Limited since 1979 having lived in Elora and now Centre Wellington since 1974.
As a professional surveyor, Derek is licensed as a cadastral (boundary) surveyor, land use planner and drainage engineer. He is a fifth generation professional surveyor having worked in both the public and private sector.
He has past community experience as president of the Elora Chamber of Commerce, president of the Fergus Elora Big Brothers, a member of Elora Council and a committee member of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors.
Alexandra, Derek’s former fiancée (47 years ago) and Derek enjoy their small farm operation and are members of the Elora Salem Horticultural Society.
Business Name: Wellington-Waterloo Community Futures Development Corporation
Jenna Morris, WWCF's Community Economic Development Coordinator, brings curiosity, enthusiasm and a Millennial point-of-view to the team. Jenna's role is to identify and facilitate development opportunities for expanding the local economy as well as to support initiatives within local municipality offices. She brings business, research, and community knowledge with her to help increase the strength of our network. Jenna holds a diploma in General Business from Conestoga College and is currently working towards her certified Economic Development Professional designation at the University of Waterloo.
Business: Schooley Mitchell
Dale grew up in Waterloo County before moving to Guelph to start a family. He eventually ended up in Fergus and considers Centre Wellington home. One of his 3 young adult children are still at home completing an apprenticeship in the trades.
As a Solopreneur, Dale has enjoyed the many benefits of being a member of the CWCC by joining one of the CPN luncheon groups, is a member of the Communication & Marketing / Engagement Committee, and the CWCC Ambassador program.
The Chamber provides an excellent forum for meeting other business owners and gaining a better understanding of the unique environment in which we live, work and play.
With over 25 years managing corporate IT, Dale followed an opportunity to work with Schooley Mitchell as an Expense Consultant, focusing his energy on helping small and medium business owners increase their profits and reduce pain points. If you think you're paying your vendors and service providers too much, give me a call, chances are very good that you are.
Jane grew up in Centre Wellington and is proud to live, work and raise her family in the community as well. She has been involved in the community through the family business, her employment with Wellington-Waterloo Community Futures and with volunteering.
Jane continues to volunteer with the Fergus Fall Fair as an Entertainment Committee member & Director, with the St. John’s United Church Belwood as a committee member & congregational chair, as the President for the Centre Wellington Toastmasters and with CWCC as an Engagement Committee member and Director.
Jane is excited to be part of the CW Chamber and looks forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!
Patrick joined RBC in March 2011 and has been in banking and lending since 1980 with an entrepreneurial background from the United States and Canada. After Bank of America he was a venture capital lender. He then helped grow a small firm into a successful vendor finance equipment leasing company. His experience is in credit, sales, marketing, business development and service. His Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration is from University of San Francisco. Patrick has also been involved with the Guelph Chamber of Commerce since 2013 and joining the Board in 2014 After being elected to the Executive Committee in 2016, he just completed being Board Chair in December 2020 and will finish sitting on the Board and Exec by holding the Past Chair title until December 2021.
Business name – RLB Chartered Accountants
I grew up in Mount Forest before moving to Guelph after completing my post-secondary. I started working with RLB in their Fergus office in 2016 and received my CPA designation in 2018. Working with RLB has given me the great opportunity to get to know many small business owners around Centre Wellington and gain a firm appreciation of how their hard work and dedication shapes this community.
At RLB I currently focus on helping small business and agribusiness owners with financial statement and tax preparation as well as tax planning, business advisory and other compliance work.
Outside of work I have many hobbies that keep me busy and can usually be found fishing, hiking or playing hockey.
Lisa Bloor Team RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc.
Lisa has been living in, and serving the community of Centre Wellington as a Realtor for the last twenty years. After completing her degree with a double major in Psychology and Political Science, Lisa decided to begin a career in Real Estate. Quickly finding this to be her passion, she worked hard to establish herself in the industry. Lisa has sat on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of CW for many years, proudly creating “Bigs in Blue” a joint initiative with the OPP. She has held many volunteer positions in the community, including weekly at the Food Bank, hosting a daily show on 101 The Grand, creating fundraising initiatives for Groves Hospital, as well being patron to many other local organizations. Lisa is a firm believer in giving back to one’s community.
Business Name: Stirling Marathon
Phil is Vice President of Stirling Marathon, a leading Canadian manufacturer of home appliances based in Elora operating under the Stirling Marathon and Epic brands. Stirling Marathon relocated their head office from Guelph to Elora in 2021 and quickly joined as a member of the CWCC.
After growing up in Guelph, Phil studied at Carleton University where he completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree and has lived in Ottawa, Australia and Toronto over the years. Phil moved back home to build Stirling Marathon with his parents, Doug & Denise Greenway and to start a family of his own.
Phil has a passion for philanthropy, supporting local businesses and getting involved in the community, having previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Guelph Wish Fund for Children Foundation.
Business Name: Refreshed & Refined Interiors
Pamela is a graduate of the Interior Design Institute and a USC Certified UltimateStager and ReDesigner, providing design services to clients since 2017. During her 22 year corporate career as a Senior Director for the Loblaw group of companies, Pamela’s success could always be traced back to her fundamental desire to provide the best experience for whomever she works and collaborates with. Pamela has always been an active volunteer in the community. Pam is currently serving as a Director on The Groves Memorial Community Hospital Foundation Board and was previously on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington, where she sat on the Executive for 6 years. Pam has been an in-school mentor to 5 amazing little ladies and is now excited to be a Big Sister to one of them.
Business Name: Grounded Getaway
Mary is a new agritourism business owner who became a CW chamber member in 2024. She was born in South Africa, grew up mainly in Oakville, studied at the University of Ottawa where she completed her Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences, followed by post secondary education in Project Management. Her career has included working in the public sector in Western Quebec, hospitality in Elora, as well as Marketing & Events in Guelph. She moved to the area in 2017 and is passionate about being involved in the community, supporting local and previously sat on the Board for BBBSCW.
Business Name: Motion Services
Katie is the co-owner of Motion Services, a family-owned Electrical, HVAC, and Fire Protection business, run with her husband, Ryan Pope. She also owns Mindful Skills, where she is a Certified Wellness Coach and Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator. Passionate about workplace wellness, Katie enjoys collaborating with leaders and teams to create safe, empowering work cultures. A proud mother of two daughters, she is dedicated to giving back through fundraising, volunteering, sponsorships, and donations.