Tanya Bedard 

In her current capacity as Director, Ontario with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, Tanya is responsible for the implementation of CYBF’s business start up financing and mentorship program throughout the province. Ms. Bédard is responsible for overseeing three staff members and thirty eight vital community partners. In fiscal 2010 alone, she worked closely with her associates to start 156 new businesses. Tanya has been told numerous times that her passion for her job is certainly reflected when speaking to others about the CYBF program. Tanya believes in the organization’s vision and demonstrates leadership and accountability in everything she does.
             

Jordan Bennett

Jordan was born and raised in North Bay area and has worked with KPMG in their North Bay office as a Chartered Accountant for the past six years. He attended St. Joseph`s Scollard Hall, as well as Canadore College and Nipissing University where he obtained a diploma and degree in business administration. Jordan was a founding member of the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals committee and, over the past few years, has been actively involved in developing this membership program and encouraging the next generation of business leaders to get involved in their community.

Ralph Celentano

A Chamber member since 1997, Ralph has served on the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce board as Vice President, Director and Chair of Membership Services and looks forward to returning to the Board.  His leadership skills and ideas have brought revenue and value added services to the Chamber.  A life long resident of North Bay, Ralph has developed a community of giving philosophy in his volunteer life through service clubs and civic minded initiatives, developing programs and facilities for the betterment of youth in our community. For the past 12 years, Ralph has worked as a consultant in the not-for-profit sector and has recently expanded into providing bookkeeping services.

Gisele Cousineau

Gisele Cousineau attained her Certified General Accountant designation in 1985. Since 1986, she has devoted her work time to Yes! Employment Services, the last 7 years as CEO. Gisele has been a Chamber director for the past two years and she is an active member of the Finance/ Administration Committee, Membership Committee and the Small Business Week Committee. Gisele is the Northern Representative on the board of directors for the provincial organisation First Work: Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres and she is Vice Chair of the Management Circle of True Self Debwewendizwin Employment and Training.

John Crescenzi

North Bay is a great city to live and do business in...I moved here back in 2007 with my family to continue my hospitality career as General Manager at Holiday Inn Express. Since then, I’ve been a member of the Chamber board (since 2008) and currently am also involved with the Labour Market Group, CYBF, Rotary Club of North Bay, HOST, and a variety of other local volunteer groups. I am now the General Manager of Best Western and Comfort Inn on Lakeshore Drive and enjoy welcoming visitors to our community who are here for both business and pleasure. As a member of the Chamber board, I will continue to listen to the needs and challenges of the Business community and work to bring solutions forward that will allow business to continue to thrive.

Don Curry

Don Curry is the founder and executive director of the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre, a settlement agency for newcomers to North Bay. It expanded to Timmins in June of 2011. It won a Northern Ontario Business Award this year and was named Not-for-profit of the year in 2010 by the Chamber. He was the founding chair of the North Bay General Hospital Foundation in 2000 and served on the hospital's board of directors from 2007 to 2011. He has lived in North Bay since 1978 and has an M.A degree in education.

Paul Daigle

Paul Daigle is a proud family man and has been an active member of the North Bay Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years. In 2008 and 2009 the North Bay Chamber of Commerce awarded him the Mary Ellen Horner Award as volunteer of the year. Paul is currently employed at the RBC Royal Bank where he is a Senior Business Account Manager. During the span of his career he has been involved with many boards (Chair of the Extra Mile Committee, President of the Nipissing Kiwanis Club, and President of the Canadore College Alumni Association) and will apply his knowledge and experience to help benefit the Chamber of Commerce. Paul is passionate for his community and will work hard as a Director of the North Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Lisa Drinkwalter

Lisa oversees a dedicated team of people responsible for the university website, social media, communications, media relations and publications/advertising. As a strong advocate for the university, she works to promote the institution using the latest technology available. Nipissing was an early adopter of social media channels and, as a member of the Ontario Universities' Public Affairs Council, she is able to lend her expertise on their Social Media committee. Her agency background includes stints with King West Communications in Toronto and launching her own firm in the metro city working for clients such as The Bay, Toronto Life, and Canadian Business.
 
Lisa is looking forward to having the opportunity to work with the business community and with other Chamber members.

Brad Gavan

Anna Iati

Anna Iati is a graduate of Canadore College majoring in Business Administration Marketing, which enabled her to launch her business career and secure a position within General Motors of Canada in Oshawa as an Operation Co-ordinator for six years. After realizing that North Bay (her hometown) was where she wanted to be, she moved back where she had the opportunity to launch her career in Economic Development. She has a passion to deliver excellent customer service, and helping people achieve their goals. Through her Small Business Advisor role within The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc. she was able to do just that. Currently Anna is employed with Union Gas.  She has recently been awarded Top 40 under Forty, and received the Young Professional of the Year Awarded for 2010.

Jacques (Jake) Lacourse

Since graduating from Canadore College with a three-year Hotel, Resort and Administration diploma in 2000, I have held various positions within the hospitality industry. I am currently the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Clarion Resort Pinewood Park and am a member of the several of the Chamber’s committees. I am a proud member of the Rotary Club of North Bay, Nipissing Lodge of Freemasons, the Rorab Shriner Club, a member of the Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.’s Board of Directors and a member of the Canadore College Alumni Board Executive. I am also a volunteer for the Nipissing Ride for Dad which raises money for prostate cancer research. I enjoy spending time with my wife Michelle as well as my daughter Abbey (6 years old) and son Jacob (3 years old). Watching them play, learn and grow is why I have passion to give back to my home town and the special place we call home.

Joe Laplante

I have been a resident of North Bay for most of my life, I’m married with two children both attending Nipissing University. I began working full time in my father and his partner’s business, Trans Canada Store Supplies, as a shipper and receiver. I soon moved into sales travelling throughout northern Ontario. In 1999, I purchased the business from my father and his partner becoming the sole owner. After my first year as owner we received the small business of the year award from BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada). In 2001 we expanded into the restaurant supply business which resulted in a name change to Trans Canada Store and Restaurant Supplies. In 2005 we relocated to our current location on Fisher Street. This high profile location was ideal for our next expansion in the retail market, launching the Ultimate Kitchen. We have been a member of the RED (Restaurant Equipment Distributors of Canada) buying group since our expansion into restaurant supplies. I am in my third two-year term as a member of the board of directors for this group. In this role I sit on the Product Advisory Committee and participate in marketing and advertising decisions. I would be honoured to be part of the 2011/2012 Board of Directors for the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce. I will work diligently in this role to help achieve the goals of the board.           

Chris Minor

I have been an employee at Union Gas for the past 15 years and look forward to continuing my involvement in our business community. I have been working with the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce for the past 5 years and have been a Director for the last 3 years. I have worked on the following committees: Government Affairs, Economic Development, Special Events and Strategic Planning. I have also participated in Membership Drives and numerous special Events and look forward to contributing more in the coming years.

Andre O'Bonsawin

As a business owner in North Bay for over 5 years, I know the importance of having a voice for our local businesses. I also know that you have to support our community and work together to make it stronger. Since opening Sofa Communications Inc., a marketing firm, I work closely with clients to better understand their businesses and develop strategies that will help them succeed. I am a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of North Bay-Nipissing and sit on the board of directors for the past two years a Chair of Public Relations. I am a recent winner of the Top 40 under Forty with Northern Ontario Business. In 2005-2008, I served on the board of directors for the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce and volunteered with several committees helping the Chamber to be the voice of business. I also help with the kids and the youth in our community as a Youth Justice Facilitator and a coach for minor sports.

Susan Peters

I moved from Lindsay to North Bay in 1998 and as proud mother of three, I have been involved in many community clubs and activities since, including: Sacred Heart Breakfast Program, Hockey manager, Bib Sisters, Scouts, Sports team sponsor, St. Peters’ Finance Committee, North Bay & Area Toastmasters, North Bay Chamber of Commerce and PEP Place. In 2006, I opened what has become a successful bookkeeping business, and have recently acquired Gravelle’s Meats. I am always ready to lend a hand to help where needed, and I have a special interest in helping children and others in our community that are not as fortunate as my family. If elected to the Chamber Board of Directors, I will continue to help where needed, promote the Chamber, and advocate for other businesses.

Peter Rooney

After graduating from Algonquin College & Lakehead University, Peter returned to North Bay and is currently Vice-President of Kennedy Insurance Brokers, a local firm founded in 1912. Being a small business owner, he understands business challenges and appreciates the role of the Chamber. Peter has had the privilege of serving three terms on the Chamber Board and is currently the Chair of the Tourism & Environment Committee. Peter also serves on the Boards of the Near North Crime Stoppers, Laurentian Ski Hill, Almaguin Nipissing Travel Association, Insurance Institute of Ontario – Cambrian Chapter and is a member of the French River Provincial Park Joint Management Committee.

Kyle Selle
          

Owner of Sellebration Productions, Co-Owner One Stop Weddings, Co-Owner One Stop Construction, Co-Owner One Stop Solutions Online Marketing. Awarded one of the top 40 under Forty in 2010. Strong supporter of the Chamber of Commerce. I am a 2 time Canadore Graduate and a Queen’s University graduate. Award winning CCTA (Canadian Cable Television Awards) producer for the Seams Canadian Series broadcasted on Cogeco. I help the Chamber out wherever I can to enhance quality at events with my technological background.

Denise Sherritt

Manager, The Business Centre Nipissing- Parry Sound Inc. Born and raised in Cobalt. Moved to the area in 1989  with husband and 2 daughters. Experience: - 18 years administrative support (board of education and government) - 6 years project management (Service Ontario and Bay Builders) - 3 years small business counselling (NECO) - 2 years economic development (Ministry of Northern Development & Mines) Community involvement has included: Youth entrepreneur mentor, Vice-President Bonfield Agricultural Society, Millenium Scholarship Trust Fund review panel, Friends of the Bonfield Public Library