Committee Members

Denise Alford - has been a lifelong Durham Region resident. She has a strong background in the Banking industry and then went on to own and operate a successful business in Oshawa for 10 years. She currently sits on the board of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and served as its president in 2004. She is now a Real Estate sales representative.

Chris Bovie - Community Relations Officer for the Whitby Mental Health Centre. Prior to joining WMHC, he was a journalist/editor for 20 years. He is actively involved with many community organizations and projects. He lives in Courtice with his wife Lesley and two daughters Olivia and Emily.

Susanne Castanier - As Senior Business Advisor with the Business Advisory Services with the Province of Ontario, Susanne assists growth-oriented businesses from small to mid-sized providing advice on business development. While working at Ford Motor Company as a financial analyst, Susanne developed a passion for the automotive industry and relocating to Durham Region has fuelled this desire. Helping over two hundred people launch a business while working at a Community Futures Development Corporation, Susanne appreciates how a community can work together to face a changing economy.

Rhonda Keenan - As the Business Development Manager, for the City of Oshawa's Economic Development Services department, Rhonda plays a vital role in the attraction and retention of new and existing business in the community. Drawing from an extensive real estate background and as a life long resident, Rhonda will look to bring new opportunities to the City.

Harry Horricks - Currently CEO of the Oshawa Clinic and a member of the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Prior to his position with the Oshawa Clinic, Harry held senior management positions with Halminen Homes, General Printers and Deloitte, Touch Chartered Accountants. Mr. Horricks received his BA in Business Administration from Andrews University in 1973 and his CGA accreditation in 1979.

Rick Lea - A graduate of Glendon College, Rick has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry and in private practice. A 2005 nominee for the Durham Men of Distinction Awards, Rick is Vice-Chair of the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee and Executive Director of the not-for-profit Durham Region Local Training Board.

Doug Lindeblom - is the Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the Regional Municipality of Durham. Doug has over 25 years experience in the economic development, marketing and real estate fields. His sector focus in Durham is in the energy sector, and he has been actively involved in the formation and administration of the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance, where he sits as the Board Secretary.

Don Lovisa - was named president of Durham College on May 16, 2008, bringing to the position a wealth of post-secondary experience accumulated over a distinguished career in education. Mr. Lovisa joined Durham College as vice-president, Academic, and immediately provided leadership for a number of academic initiatives focused on quality assurance, academic policy development and academic restructuring. These initiatives have served to reinforce the strong Durham College foundation, positioning the college for future growth and ensuring it will continue to offer high-quality and unique educational opportunities.

Richard J.Marceau - obtained his B.Eng. from McGill University in December 1977 and began his engineering career with MONENCO Inc. in January 1978. Though engaged in a full-time engineering career, he obtained his M.Sc.A. in Electrical Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1983 through part-time studies. After a progressive career with École Polytechnique, he assumed the position of Provost of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) on January 1, 2005.

Jacquie McInnes (Alternate) - Ontario Power Generation's Director of Nuclear Public Affairs, the group responsible for public education on OPG's nuclear operations; oversight of OPG's Corporate Citizenship and community outreach programs in Durham Region and employee communications related to OPG's nuclear station work programs. Previously, Jacquie worked in media, advertising and publishing.

Pat McNeil - is Senior Vice President, Nuclear Generation Development, at Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG). His group is dedicated to the preparations for future life extension of OPG's existing nuclear facilities at Pickering B and Darlington and the initiation of licensing activities for new nuclear generation. Prior to his current appointment in OPG, Pat McNeil was Senior Vice President, Nuclear Strategy and Support and Vice President Corporate Development.

Mike Patrick - owns the Bowmanville Foundry Company Limited and is the President of the Clarington Board of Trade. Mike is a graduate of General Motors Institute and holds an MBA from the University of Toronto. A native of Oshawa, Mike brings to the table a 30 year history of ties to the auto industry and manufacturing in general.

Bob Pinkney - Branch Manager, TD Canada Trust, King & Simcoe, Oshawa Main Branch. Twenty-seven years tenure with TD including Retail, Small Business, Commercial, and Corporate banking. Married to a wonderful spouse with a family of 5 children. McMaster Alumni (Economics). Strong supporter of the Oshawa and Durham Communityin line with TD's Community Focus. Board member of the R.S. McLaughlin, Parkwood Foundation and Civic Member of the Durham Regional Police Dinner and Awards Committee.

Don Pitman - Recently retired from the utility industry after 28 years where he mostly recently was Manager of Energy Conservation and Communications. He owned businesses in retail and the service industry.Don is past President of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and continues to serve as a board member. Don currently hosts a live weekly talk show on Rogers Television (Durham). Don and his family have lived in Durham for more than 30 years.

Cindy Symons-Milroy - is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Oshawa. Cindy has a wide range of both public and private sector experience and has held senior level economic development positions for over 20 years. She holds a professional designation in Economic Development and sits on the Board of Directors of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario.

Peter Taylor - Peter is President of Peter Taylor & Associates Inc., a human resources consulting and development practice. In addition to providing customized training programs internationally, Peter provides executive coaching and facilitation services to a broad cross section of organizations. Peter has been a resident of Oshawa since 1978. Through his involvement in this initiative, he is committed to doing whatever he can to make the Durham Region an even better place to work and raise a family.