Walkerton Clean Water Centre Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer: Brian Bates
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is excited to announce that Brian Bates will be returning to Walkerton to lead the team as CEO effective February 22, 2022.
Brian is passionate about the water industry, with proven leadership abilities and strong business acumen. He has worked in the industry for more than 20 years, including his time serving as Manager of Training and Development at WCWC from 2019 until 2020.
Most recently, he worked as Senior Director, Product Management, at Evoqua Water Technologies where he provided municipal and industrial clients with a wide range of solutions.
Brian has also been involved in postsecondary education in Ontario. He served as Director, Product Development and Institutional Research at Fleming College where he was responsible for all new program development and transformed the college’s processes to increase new program offerings, enrollment and student engagement.
Brian earned a B.Sc. degree in Environmental Resource Sciences from Trent University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
“I would like to congratulate Brian Bates on taking on this pivotal role and thank retiring CEO Carl Kuhnke for his leadership and tireless work over the years to safeguard Ontario’s drinking water,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “I have enjoyed working closely with Carl. Under his leadership, the Walkerton Clean Water Centre has grown its training and education programs and expanded collaborations with Indigenous peoples. We are incredibly grateful for his service. Ontario continues to make tremendous progress on clean water, and I look forward to working with incoming CEO Bates to ensure that everyone in the province has access to safe water to drink.”
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Welcomes Adam Siefert as Manager of Finance and Administration
WCWC is pleased to announce that Adam Siefert has joined the team as Manager of Finance and Administration.
Adam brings experience from both the public and private sectors. He was previously Operations Manager at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Slots at Hanover Raceway where he was responsible for operation management and business continuity. Most recently, Adam was Controller at Wightman Telecom where he oversaw auditing, budgeting, accounts payable and receivable, shipping and receiving, procurement and maintenance of numerous buildings.
Adam graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor of Sport Management degree. He also earned an Accounting diploma from McMaster University’s Centre for Continuing Education and is working towards his Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA) designation.
WCWC looks forward to welcoming Adam and the knowledge and experience he will bring.
WCWC would also like to extend best wishes to Greg Hayes who will be retiring at the end of the year. Greg dedicated more than 15 years of service to WCWC and was an integral part of the WCWC team. His invaluable contributions as the Manager of Finance and Administration will be missed.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreAnn Mulvale and Mitch Twolan Join The Walkerton Clean Water Centre Board of Directors
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ann Mulvale and Mitch Twolan to the board of directors.
Ann Mulvale, WCWC Board of Directors
Ms. Mulvale has served her community in a variety of volunteer, elected and leadership capacities. Previously, she served as Mayor of the Town of Oakville, Councillor of Halton Region and President of the Association Municipalities of Ontario. Ms. Mulvale has also served on the boards of directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System and as an Executive Director of Oakville United Way.
Ms. Mulvale has a history of engagement with Inter-Faith Gatherings for Women, fundraising for numerous not-for-profits locally and internationally.
Ms. Mulvale is a part owner of Soleil Salon & Spa, located in Oakville, Ontario, which focuses on assisting those on a journey with cancer.
Mr. Twolan is currently the Mayor of Huron-Kinloss. He began his political career as a Councillor for the Township of Huron-Kinloss before being elected as Deputy Mayor in 2004 and Mayor from 2004 to present. He was elected Warden of Bruce County in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and
Mitch Twolan, WCWC Board of Directors
2020.
Mr. Twolan serves on a number of boards of directors: Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative; Grey Bruce Health Unit; Saugeen, Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula Source Water Protection Committee; Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT); and Westario Power.
Mr. Twolan is the owner of Lake Range Realty Ltd. in Point Clark, Ontario.
WCWC looks forward to the knowledge and experience Ms. Mulvale and Mr. Twolan will contribute to the board of directors.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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Two New Directors Appointed to the Board of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Boucher and Kimberly Mitchell to the board of directors.
Mr. Boucher was employed for 20 years in the facilities services industry managing in the areas of health and safety, risk management and human resources. He was the Director of Human Resources in a multinational company before resigning to become an entrepreneur.
Mr. Boucher has developed or co-developed many corporate and industry specific policies, procedures and training programs, including in the areas of infection control, health and safety and management training.
Previously, Mr. Boucher was Chair of the IAPA Offices and Related Services Industry Group. He is a Qualified Arbitrator and a Human Resources consultant.
Mr. Boucher now owns and operates a private healthcare services company in the GTA. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McGill University and a Masters in Business Administration from McMaster University DeGroot School of Business.
Ms. Mitchell works in the nuclear utility sector and is an advocate for energy availability and sustainability. She brings a breadth of experience in mechanical design, risk analysis, and industrial cybersecurity.
As an advocate for First Nations, Ms. Mitchell brings her experience in Indigenous engagement and passion for environmental sustainability to the board of directors.
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Ms. Mitchell is a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering. Ms. Mitchell resides in Bruce County.
WCWC looks forward to welcoming Mr. Boucher and Ms. Mitchell as the newest members of the board of directors.
Alan Boucher, WCWC Board Member
Kimberly Mitchell, WCWC Board Member
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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Noel Kerin Joins The Walkerton Clean Water Centre Board of Directors
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Noel Kerin to the board of directors.
Dr. Kerin grew up in a farming family in the Burren, County Clare, Ireland. He is a graduate in medicine and biochemistry from the National University of Ireland and McGill University (Occupational Health Sciences). He holds a fellowship designation from the Canadian Board of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Noel is also a member of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the Canadian Occupational and Environment Medical Association of Canada.
Dr. Kerin practices medicine in the fields of occupational and environmental medicine. In this field he has worked with many of the toxic agents that affect water systems. He is the lead physician studying occupational diseases at General Electric (GE) and Ventra Plastics, Peterborough, Ontario since 2004. The GE investigation is the largest worker toxicology study conducted in Canada.
His work in organizing national conferences in occupational and environmental medicine has allowed him to work with international experts in the fields of occupational and environmental health. Dr. Kerin has firsthand knowledge of the results of industrial pollution of water in such places as Peterborough, where there was major pollution of the water basin of the Little Lake/Otonabee River system. These experiences have encouraged him to want to work further for our clean water.
Dr. Kerin and his family’s work in the community has involved being a spokesperson for the Lung Association in the “second-hand tobacco exposure in children” debate and an organizer of the Breath of Hope Relay fundraising. He has been a member of and Chair of the Board of the Asthma Society of Canada.
WCWC looks forward to welcoming Dr. Kerin as the newest member of the board of directors.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Exceeds Expectations
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to release its 2019–20 annual report, available online at wcwc.ca/en/about/governance-documents/.
The annual report highlights WCWC’s work to enhance programs to provide education, training and information to water system owners, operators and operating authorities, and the public, across Ontario. WCWC’s CEO, Carl Kuhnke, noted “in the fiscal year the Centre had over 450 course offerings around the province, dealt with over 4,000 online Drinking Water Resource Library queries, and exceeded 6,000 views of its technical YouTube site. Over 100 First Nations drinking water operators have now been certified to Ontario’s rigid standards. It was, once again, a highly successful year, in spite of the pandemic.”
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreScott Carter Joins The Walkerton Clean Water Centre Board Of Directors
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Carter to the board of directors.
Mr. Carter is the Director of Transit Operations for MVT Canada (Barrie Transit) which is a privately held bus and train system serving municipalities throughout North America.
Previously, he was a Senior Engineering Technologist for numerous entities, including the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA). During his time at OCWA, he also held positions as the Water Treatment and Transmission Manager (South Peel) and later the Capital Projects Delivery Program Manager (Corporate).
Mr. Carter is a Certified Technologist with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists and holds certification in Project Management and Centre for Maintenance Optimization and Reliability Engineering (C-MORE) from the University of Toronto.
WCWC looks forward to welcoming Mr. Carter as the newest member of the board of directors.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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Mike Smith Appointed As Chair Of The Walkerton Clean Water Centre Board Of Directors
WCWC is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Smith as the Chair of the board of directors.
Mr. Smith was formerly employed at Bruce Nuclear Power Development. He spent 23 years in Operations at the Bruce Heavy Water Plant and 16 years as a Senior Chemical Operator. After that position, Mr. Smith spent 10 years on site in the Nuclear Safety Training department developing and delivering safety training to plant personnel.
Mr. Smith served as an elected municipal official for 27 years. He served as Mayor of Saugeen Shores 12 years and Bruce County Warden in 2010 and 2011.
Mr. Smith is involved in the community and has served on a number of boards and committees, including the Bruce Community Development Corporation Board, Grey Bruce Public Health Unit (Chair), Saugeen Shores Police Services Board (Chair), and Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority.
WCWC looks forward to welcoming Mr. Smith and the knowledge and experience he will bring to the board of directors.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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