Meet the Board Members

John is the Regional Manager Business Banking, Huron-Perth & Haldimand-Norfolk Regions at Libro Credit Union.  John has worked in the financial services industry for over 35 years.  John’s experience includes leadership, finance, relationship management, teaching, and coaching.  John serves on several Huron County boards and committees and is always eager to use his unique skillset to support local businesses and entrepreneurs in the community.

Jim is the current Mayor of Central Huron and the past Warden of Huron County. Jim continues to run a beef cow/calf farming operation and has a passion for wood lots and other natural areas.

Jamie is the Mayor of Morris-Turnberry. He and his wife Lori are sheep and beef producers in Turnberry Township.

Tina brings 24 years of experience building global networks and pathways to Canada, both for students and foreign business owners.  She is a multiple award-winning entrepreneur and educator, including a laureate of London and Area’s Business Hall of Fame.  She’s a half-marathon runner, a lover of food and wine (except cauliflower), and a self-proclaimed work in progress.  In addition to consulting domestic and newcomer entrepreneurs, Tina works with her partner Scott at Lakewood Garden Centre in St. Joseph, which they acquired in 2023.

Jason is a co-owner of the family run agri business, Vanastra Packaging and sister company Seaforth Elevators & Expediting’s Rail Service . Jason has a solid background in crop production, grain origination, sales and facility management. Vanastra Packaging specializes in, custom toll packaging, bulk handling of minerals, by products, industrial and organics. In his spare time, Jason is involved with supporting the manufacturing sector, small businesses and community improvements in Huron East.

Derek is a lifelong resident of Huron county and a first generation dairy farmer.  The father of 5 operates with his family an award winning dairy farm North of Seaforth as well as an organic dairy farm in the Ethel area. Derek feels strongly about Huron county’s agricultural history and economic potential.

Dr. Frances Westley is Professor and Director Emeritus at the Waterloo Institute on Social Innovation and Resilience at the University of Waterloo. She is a renowned scholar and consultant in the areas of social innovation, strategies for sustainable development, strategic change, visionary leadership and inter-organizational collaboration.

Dr. Westley  has served on numerous advisory boards including the Resilience Alliance Board of Science, World Conservation Union-Conservation Planning Specialist Group, the Stockholm Resilience Center, the SARAS Institute, Evergreen Canada, Engineers Without Borders and Musagetes Foundation. She has served on  editorial boards including Journal of Applied Behavioral Science and Ecology and Society. She is the recipient of awards including the Ulysses S. Seal award for innovation in conservation,the Corporate Knights Award, the World Economic Forum Thought Leader in Social Innovation Award and the Order of Canada

Frances Westley received her Ph.D. in Sociology from McGill University (1978), her M.A. Sociology from McGill University (1975), and her B.A. in English Literature from Middlebury College (1970). In 2019 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science by Stockholm University, Sweden.