Board and Staff
Harvey Fraser, Board Chair
Having been born and raised on a family farm south west of Dundalk (Another Ventry person) Harvey has always been interested in the rural community. He got caught in the Grey County triangle Dundalk, Durham and now 32 years in Markdale. He spent 46 years in the farm equipment industry having filled most positions from lot lizard to ownership, retiring in December 2017.
Harvey is married to Terry (Armstrong) a true Markdale girl and they enjoy travelling and gardening.
Harvey is enjoying his time serving on the Centre Grey Health Services Foundation Board. There will be several challenging issues over the next number of years but with everyone’s help all can be resolved. Bring on the new hospital.
Melinda Croft, Vice Chair
Melinda’s family has been in the area for numerous generations She grew up in Flesherton and is currently a resident of Markdale where she resides with her two children and her dog Buddy. For the past 25 years Melinda has been a Medical Laboratory Technologist in the Markdale Hospital. In addition, she is in her 9th year as President of OPSEU Local 260 and HPD Chief Steward where she represents 1200 employees of Grey BruceHealth Services.
As a former Executive Member of Markdale Minor Soccer, Melinda was instrumental in the organizations’ growth and the creation of the Chapman’s Soccer Complex.
Melinda understands that volunteer work is the backbone of strong communities and is now putting her expertise to use as a valued member of our team. We are very pleased to welcome Melinda to the Centre Grey Health Services Foundation Board as our Staff Representative
Brian Hiltz, Secretary
A local boy; Brian was born in the Centre Grey Hospital (a few years ago!) and is a graduate of GHSS. He worked with the Grey County Board of Education for 20 years, then wit
h Kimbergill. Brian now works as a carpenter/handyman. He and his wife Terry live outside Feversham. He has been a member of the Feversham & District Kinsmen Club for 33 years. Brian enjoys sports, hunting and just relaxing with his 2 married daughters and 6 grandchildren!
Brian was asked to take a position on the Board by Greg Short who was a Board member following his Father’s (Glenn) passing and says “big shoes for me to fill”! Brian is looking forward to working with the Board to help make the building of the new hospital happen! Welcome Brian!!
Stewart Halliday, Treasurer
After a 38 year business career in Toronto Stewart and his wife Patricia moved to Grey Highlands in 2000. They now live in their former summer home on Lake Eugenia. During the same year they opened Eugenia Falls Emporium . Stewart served in municipal politics for 12 years.
He was the Grey County Warden for 2018. He remains active in the community as the President of the Grey Highlands Chamber of Commerce as well as serving on many local boards and committees. He was a contributor to the initial Foundation funding round and wants to see the new hospital up and running.
Nancy Sinclair, Director
After living on the West Coast of Canada for 20 years, Nancy returned to Grey County and was eager to find a way to give back to the community she was raised in. Nancy gained unique experience out west and was employed in senior administrative and management positions at BC Place Stadium and Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club. Nancy now lives in Markdale, works part-time in the bereavement industry, and is thoroughly enjoying being on the Board of Directors of Centre Grey Health Services Foundation supporting the very hospital she was born in!
Bo Penny, Director
Bo is a Graduate Economist, with a Certified Supply Chaim Management Professional designation, and a Certified SAP professional.
Her work experience spans a variety fields across three continents from foreign trade, marketing, procurement and logistics, to IT and business consulting for various companies in healthcare, Hitech and automotive industries.
Bo expanded her passion for natural products into a thriving business when she founded Penny Lane Organics. Penny Lane was sold in 2016 when Bo decided it was time to retire.
As a mother of 3 grown children and dedicated Grandmother to 2 little girls, Bo and her husband Brian enjoys spending time with their family. In addition, Bo fills her days tending to their extensive gardens, hiking the Bruce trail and reading.
There have been numerous great causes over the years where Bo and her husband Brian have spent time volunteering with. In 2022 Bo became a valued member of the Centre Grey Health Services Foundation’s Board of Directors.
We welcome Bo to the Foundation.
Gerry Bowler, Director
Gerry is the President and owner of Bowler & Company CPA Professional Corporation, which includes a full time staff of 12 including 5 CPA’s and offers a full range of accounting and consulting services. Their main office is located in Markdale with a convenience office in Dundalk.
He, along with his wife Linda and their dog Duncan, live in the Municipality of Chatsworth. Gerry realizes that having a hospital in the area makes strong financial sense. But the real reason he is committed to healthcare is because not having a functioning local hospital available to him, his family and his community is simply not an option.
Russ Severnuk, Director
Russ was born and raised in the GTA where he began his career as a computer technician before moving into a sales role with an international firm. He then moved into the telecom industry selling voice and data network services. During his tenure in sales, Russ discovered Grey County and eventually left the city to live in his chalet. After meeting his wife Karen, Russ got his Real Estate License and they moved their real estate firm into Kimberley, a central point in the Beaver Valley. During these past 20 years or so, Russ has volunteered on the Municipal Economic & Development Committee, The Talisman Task for as well as the Amik Water system task force. Most recently Russ and Karen began a Charity Golf Tournament for the hospital which introduced him to the Foundation. Wanting to give back to Grey Highlands, Russ Happily accepted an invitation to join the Foundation Board of Directors.
Peggy Ferris, Director
Peggy was born and grew up in Grey County and was fortunate to work alongside her late husband Wayne in their Accounting firm. She lives on the farm where they raised their family of four. Peggy enjoys gardening, hiking and volunteering at our local school and hospital.
When asked to represent the Auxiliary on the Foundation Board, it seemed like the timing was just right. She is looking forward to working alongside the Board to see our new hospital completed to serve the health needs of our rural community.
"This is an exciting time for healthcare in our community." Peggy states. "A new hospital, while still working to secure our annual donation to GBHS means a great deal of work for this Foundation. I am ready to roll up my sleeves!" We welcome Peggy to the Board.
Ann Ford, Brightshores Health System CEO & President,
Brightshores Health System is a large regional health centre with six hospitals, a wellness and recovery centre, and an office of research and innovation serving the Grey Bruce region as part of an integrated rural health system.
Anne has over 30 years of executive leadership in healthcare. Her most recent role was as Executive Vice President Corporate Services and Integrated Health Systems at William Osler Health System. Ann has held a number of executive leadership positions at Osler that have included oversight for redevelopment, operations, facilities and information technology. Ann's experience in large project development and implementation working with provincial, healthcare partners and community stakeholders within both urban and rural communities will be a great asset to Brightshores Health System as we implement our strategic plan and priorities.
Darlene Lamberti, Executive Director
Having a hospital close to home was one of the main features that brought Darlene and her family to this community 22 years ago. She has always had a soft spot for the non-profit sector and has donated her time and resources to numerous organizations over the years. Her general philosophy is “it is much more rewarding to watch money change the world, than to watch it accumulate”.
In January 2017 we invited Darlene to join our team. She brings with her an abundance of energy and a head full of ideas. We welcome Darlene to the team and encourage you to stop by the Foundation office and say “hello”.
Lynn Horlor, Financial Officer & Fundraising Assist
ant
After over 30 years in vari
ous senior Finance roles with the Town of Oakville
, then followed by 3 years as CEO of the Oakville Public Library, Lynn and her husband Tom retired and moved to Thornbury in December 2018. They have always loved the area and along with their two children, have been Beaver Valley Ski Club members for 25 years.
Lynn was looking for an opportunity to utilize her financial and organizational skills and to give back to the community on a part-time basis. The opportunity to work for the Centre Grey Health Services Foundation was a perfect fit, and Lynn came on board in December 2020.
Willard VanderPloeg, Charitable Giving Advisor
Willard promotes legacy giving to Centre Grey Hospital and assists donors in planning will bequests and other special gifts in support of Centre Grey Hospital and other GBHS hospitals in Meaford, Owen Sound, Southampton, Wiarton and Lions Head.
He has more than 25 years’ experience in the charitable sector and in estate and gift planning. Willard has a BA in Business Administration from McMaster University and Redeemer College. He is a long time member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners.
If you have been thinking about making a special gift to support your Hospital, Willard is available to help you. Call him at 519.376.2121 ext. 2736 or email wvanderploeg@cghsfoundation.com
Contact info:
Willard VanderPloeg, Charitable Giving Advisor
1800 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 6M9
T: 519.
376.2121 x2736 M: 519.270.9177
E: wvanderploeg@gbhs.on.ca