Southwest Ontario
Tourism Corporation

Dave Barnier grew up in Ridgetown and is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a degree in Economics. For the last 25 years he and his family have owned/operated Erieau Marina Ltd., in Erieau on beautiful Lake Erie. Dave is Past President of the Ontario Marina Operators Association, Past Chair of Discover Boating Canada and currently on the Advisory board of the Ontario Marina Operators Association. He currently lives in Chatham and in his spare time enjoys flying and boating with his family.

Lori Da Silva is a versatile and effective team leader with over 25 years in the hospitality industry. Lori is currently the General Manager and CEO of the London Convention Centre Corp. and previously held the position of General Manager of Spencer Leadership Centre, owned by the Richard Ivey School of Business. Previously, Lori was Director of Sales and Marketing for the Delta London Armouries Hotel. Lori is a graduate of Ryerson University in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Administration, has a Professional Certificate in Leadership from UWO Continuing Education, and completed the Hospitality Manager’s Development Program at the University of Guelph. Lori currently serves on the Boards of Tourism London, YMCA of Western Ontario, Rotary Club of London and is an active member of SKAL International.

Joe Drummond has more than 40 years experience in the hospitality industry. He has held various management and executive positions including Executive Vice President of Hotel Operations for Royal Host. In addition to his responsibilities with Royal Host he maintained his position as General Manager for the Hilton London Ontario. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau and is the President of Tourism London.

Wendie Dupuis is Managing Partner of Lakewood Trailer Estates, Inc., and a member of both Camping in Ontario and the West Elgin Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her current position with the Elgin County Official Plan Public Focus Group, she has served in the past as General Manager of Trinity Place and Chair/Member, SEAC – Thames Valley School Board.

Tim FitzGerald, of Simcoe, is a Certified Management Accountant, principal of Sailgate Inc. and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Laurentian University. As a career Controller, Mr. FitzGerald engages in business planning, financing and ERP control. He was VP of DDM Plastics Inc. and held divisional positions with Magna/Ford/Diebold ventures across SW Ontario and Michigan. Tim has a long history of volunteer leadership – past Treasurer of the Lighthouse Festival Theatre, President of a condominium association, CMA – Chair of Halton Subcommittee / Member Mid-Western District Committee and Commodore of the Port Dover Yacht Club. Mr. FitzGerald is currently active on the Norfolk Tourism and Economic Development Advisory Board, Administrator of the Revitalize Norfolk Forum and Port Dover Waterfront Preservation Assoc. Tim is an avid mariner, has cruised five Great Lakes and continues participation in premiere sailing events such as The Lake Interclub Cruise, Port Huron Mackinaw Race and the Lake Ontario 300.

With over 30 years of business and community services he has honed his knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity that makes him an individual who can move ideas and projects forward.His community work, leadership, teamwork experience & initiatives have included the Canada South Festival Network & the Canada South Blues Society. Event management includes; Bluesfest International, Red Bull 2008, Windsor Superbowl XL, Windsor Busker Festival 1995, OLG Concert Series & the Pan Am Jr. Games Windsor.

Karen Matthews is the General Manager of the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show, Ontario’s largest rural fair. Karen’s past experience includes National Manager of Kinsmen & Kinette Clubs of Canada, Marketing & Ticket Sales Coordinator for the Juno Awards (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences), and Festival Manager for Festival of Friends, Canada’s largest outdoor free arts and music festival. She is past Chair of the Norfolk County Tourism & Economic Development Advisory Board and a member of Norfolk County’s Culinary Tourism Committee.

Grace McGartland is Chair of The Arts & Cookery Bank located in West Elgin, a regional cultural destination that offers a snapshot of rural Ontario through food and photos. For 25 years, she was president of Thunderbolt Thinking Inc. Grace currently sits on the County of Elgin Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee (CEEDTAC), Savour Elgin Advisory Committee and West Elgin’s Community Improvement Taskforce. She just completed her role as chair of the Elgin County’s IPM tent committee.

Doug Puddicombe was born in Stratford, attended Stratford Teachers’ College and began his teaching career in Scarborough, Ont. He and his wife Gail moved to Woodstock in 1969. In 1970, Doug became an Elementary School Principal at the Oxford County Board of Education. He served in this capacity in seven elementary schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Waterloo Lutheran University and a Master of Education from Brock University. He has had extensive Board involvement at the local and regional level. He is presently Chair of the Retired Teachers of Ontario District 37 Travel Committee. He has organized and led travel groups on 6 continents.

Ken Whiteford retired as Chief Administrative Officer for the County of Oxford in 2008. He is involved in a variety of community activities including membership on the Woodstock Hospital Board, the Oxford Community Foundation, the Oxford Small Business Support Centre Board and President of the Ingersoll District Nature Club.