SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO — Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) announced today its board of directors has reappointed Gary McNamara (above), warden of Essex County, as SWIFT board chair for another one-year term, effective April 29, 2022.
His reappointment follows SWIFT’s 2022 annual general meeting.
SWIFT also announced the departure of the board’s non-governmental directors MaryLynn West-Moynes, Brent Royce, Denise Stonefish, John Innes and Peter Crockett.
In addition, Bruce County warden Mitch Twolan has stepped down from his role on SWIFT’s board of directors after serving since 2016.
“The Board wishes Mr. Twolan all the best in his future endeavours and would like to welcome Luke Charbonneau, Member of Bruce County Council and Mayor of Saugeen Shores, who has been appointed to fill the vacancy effective immediately,” reads a SWIFT press release.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank our departing directors for their dedicated service,” said McNamara, in the release. “Their collective leadership and expertise over the years has helped shape the direction of SWIFT and the success of the program has been a true testament to their tireless contributions and has been instrumental in helping the initiative achieve its goals and objectives of a more connected Southwestern Ontario.”
As a result of these changes, SWIFT’s board will be comprised of 18 elected governmental directors, including:
- Gary McNamara (warden, Essex County) – chair
- David Mayberry (councillor, Oxford County) – vice chair (newly appointed)
- Robert Foster (councillor, Niagara Region) – treasurer (newly appointed)
- Selwyn (Buck) Hicks (warden, Grey County) – secretary (newly appointed)
- Allan Thompson (mayor, Town of Caledon)
- Chris Gerrits (councillor, Dufferin County)
- David Miller (councillor, Brant County)
- George Bridge (councillor, Wellington County)
- George Cornell (warden, Simcoe County)
- Jamie McGrail (councillor, Chatham-Kent)
- Joanne Vanderheyden (councillor, Middlesex County)
- Kevin Marriott (warden, Lambton County)
- Luke Charbonneau (councillor, Bruce County)
- Roger Watt (councillor, Huron County)
- Sue Foxton (councillor, Region of Waterloo)
- Todd Kasenberg (councillor, Perth County)
- Tom Marks (councillor, Elgin County)
- Tom Masschaele (councillor, Norfolk County)
Photo borrowed from SWIFT’s website.
