Allyson Pele
Co-Chair
Allyson is the Manager of the Northwest Business Centre (NWBC), the Small Business Enterprise Centre that offers small business services across the Kenora and Rainy River Districts. She is based out of Kenora and travels around the districts to offer workshops, business counselling and works with youth who are interested in entrepreneurship. She has a business degree from Mount Royal University and is passionate about helping small businesses. She sits as a co-chair on the Northwest Training and Adjustment Board (NTAB), the Regional Economic Development Group and Chairs the Services Sector Working Group in Kenora. Allyson represents the Business Sector.
Sector: Business
Company: Northwest Business Centre
Title/Position: Manager
Community: Kenora and Rainy River Districts (based out of Kenora)
Don Eldridge Co-Chair
Don is a post-secondary coordinator with Seven Generations Education Institute with over ten years’ experience in instructing and administration. As a coordinator Don is involved in the development as well as day to day management of a variety of college and university programs that support the needs of the labour market and bring valuable educational opportunities to people in the Fort Frances and Treaty Three region. Don moved to Northwestern Ontario in 2000 and operated a small business for over 13 years. Prior to this move he was a senior level manager in the Toronto real estate sector. Don holds Bachelor degrees in Economics and Adult Education and is presently completing his Master of Education degree. He lives in Fort Frances with his wife and two children.
Sector: Education and Training
Company: Seven Generations Education Institute
Title/Position: Post-Secondary Coordinator
Community: Fort Frances
NTAB is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Marie Seymour Director
Marie is a member of the Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation in the Treaty #3 Territory and is a graduate of Carleton University with honours in Sociology and Law and is currently working towards her Human Resource Management Certification from University of Toronto. She is the Executive Director for Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong which is the employment and training agency for the Treaty #3 territory and has been in this position since 1992. She lives in Kenora with her husband and son. Marie represents the Aboriginal Sector.
Sector: Indigenous
Company: Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong
Title/Position: Executive Director
Community: Treaty 3 Communities
Mary Tait
Director
Mary Tait is the Coordinator at the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board. Mary has social work background; received her diploma from Confederation College in 1990 and continued by distance education & some on campus to get her Social Work Degree through Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, in 2010. She was hired by Tikinagan Child & Family Services in May 1990 as a Regional Worker. Mary travelled to most of the isolated/remote communities to do child protection work. She was employed on and off at TCFS from 1990 to 2008 giving her 15 years of service in Child Welfare. Mary is married to Jethro Tait and they have four children; 2 sons and 2 daughters and numerous grandchildren. Mary maintains her culture by doing native crafts and going out on the land to hunt and fish with her husband of 43 years. Annually, Mary gathers berries with her children and grandchildren, especially when the season is good and berries are plentiful. Her goal is to have a good life and help others to the best of her ability.
Sector: Indigenous
Company: Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board
Title/Position: Coordinator
Community: Sioux Lookout Area
Nicke Paddock Director
Nicke is the Executive Director for Northern Community Development Services (NCDS) in Fort Frances. Prior to this position she was the Director for Riverside Foundation for Health Care and the director of Communications for Riverside for 3.5 years. She has a passion for community and business development. Nicke represents the Education/Training Sector. She has an advertising/marketing diploma and has been the founder/owner of previous businesses in the past. She sits on Town Sunny Cove Camp committee.
Sector: Education / Training
Company: Northern Community Development Services
Title/Position: Executive Director
Community: Fort Frances
Tracy Oshie-Horton Director
Tracy is a member of Rainy River First Nations (RRFN) and currently works for the First Nation as the Training and Employment Coordinator. Tracy has worked for the First Nation for several years in different capacities ranging from manufacturing, managing the restaurant at the Historical Centre, working within the Ontario Works Program and administration. Her main focus during the last few years has been training and employment. Tracy represents the Indigenous Sector.
Sector: Indigenous
Company: Rainy River First Nations
Title/Position: Executive Assistant
Community: Rainy River First Nations – Fort Frances
Brad Beyak
Director
Brad Beyak was born in Atikokan, Ontario and has resided in Northwestern Ontario his entire life. After graduating from Atikokan High School, he attended Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Psychology), Honours Bachelor of Physical Education Degree and a Master of Science Degree. Throughout his education he has specialized in studying human behaviour, motor learning/behaviour and human factors. Once completed his education he worked with the Atikokan and District Association For Developmental Services, the March of Dimes, St. Joseph’s Care Group prior to permanently relocating to his home town of Atikokan, Ontario with his family. He is currently employed by the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation as an Employment Counsellor, managing the programs available through the Atikokan Employment Centre. Brad is a registered health professional in the province of Ontario as a Registered Kinesiologist with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario. Regardless of where he has resided, Brad has always been an active community member serving with various boards, groups and organizations. On a personal note he enjoys spending time with family and in the outdoors fishing and camping especially in the area of Quetico Provincial Park.
Sector: Employment & Training
Company: Atikokan Employment Centre
Title/Position: Employment Counselor & Manager
Community: Atikokan
Michelle Hiscox
Director
Michelle is a member of the Economic Developers Association of Canada, and is currently the Economic Development Officer for the Township of Ear Falls. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge, is a certified Life Skills Coach through Medicine Hat College, and is working toward her Economic Development Certification through the University of Waterloo. Michelle has multiple years of experience in Community Development, Employment and Business Project Management, Assessment and Action Planning, and Motivational Counseling. She is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in Community and Economic Development, and is committed to building collaborative relationships to support employers, entrepreneurs, and members of the community in reaching their goals to enhance overall quality of life. Whether it’s facilitating access to resources, developing marketing campaigns, networking to build constructive partnerships, or planning large scale events to bring businesses and the communities together – people are her passion!
Sector: Economic Development
Company: The Township of Ear Falls
Title/Position: Economic Development Officer
Community: Ear Falls
NTAB is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Gord Griffiths
Ex-Officio
Gord was born in Dryden and was raised on a beef farm in Oxdrift. He attended Oxdrift public schools and after graduating Dryden High School, attended a building technician course at Fanshawe College in London. Gord worked for the Dryden Paper Company as a bush camp Supervisor. He built and operated Griffiths Abattoir and Butcher Shop for 20 years along with running a farm and feed lot. He also did catering, tent rentals and barbequing. Gord owned and operated Cloverbelt County Store; selling groceries and operated a post office. Gord completed a small business course and received a certificate. Owned and operated Griffiths Logging and Hollyn Timber for 30 years. Gord is still operating his forestry companies. As an active community member; Gord was past chairman of Oxdrift Recreation Committee, past president of the Cattleman’s Association, past chairman of Local Citizens’ Advisory Committee. He founded the Cloverbelt Country Farmer’s Market Association in 1985 which is flourishing today. Gord was president of the Dryden Forest Management Company. Gord ran in the provincial election in 1995. He was a director on the Credit Union Board. Gord served two terms on municipal council and he is presently the Mayor of the Municipality of Machin. On a personal note, Gord played hockey and baseball. He is married and has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Gord joined the board as an ex-officio in January 2019.
Sector: Municipal Representative
Company: The Township of Machin
Title/Position: Mayor
Community: Machin
NTAB is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
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