Meet Your 2024 Chamber Board Candidates 

 

Meet Your 2024 Chamber Board Candidates 

Sep 9, 2024 | Candidate Listings, News

Check your inboxes!  E-ballots will be sent to the designated voting rep for each of our Member organizations on Wednesday, September 11th.  You’ll have until September 30th to make your decision and follow your voting link to cast your ballot.

Didn’t receive yours?  First, please check your junk mail.  If you don’t find your e-ballot there, please contact us at chamber@tbchamber.ca.

Meet Your Candidates

Between September 11 and 30, our Membership will vote to elect four Members for a 3 year term.  Thank you to our candidates for accepting your nominations and standing for election.  We wish you all the best of luck.

Jamie Crozier

Thunder Bay Hydraulics

I’m Jamie Crozier, Vice President of Thunder Bay Hydraulics and co-founder and VP of Business Development for Atlas Elite Autolifts. I am an entrepreneur, community leader and visionary. I was born in Southern Ontario but I have called Thunder Bay home for more than a decade, where I’m raising a family alongside my wife, Emily, and making waves in business. From industrial sales to owning multiple ventures, I am all about innovation, technology and growth. I am a big advocate for local business and I want to ensure that Thunder Bay’s business community is as strong as it can be by providing advocacy, engagement and empowerment to the Chamber’s Membership. 

I want to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors to help support and grow our community. I believe in the potential of Thunder Bay and I believe in the continued growth and development of Northern Ontario. The Chamber’s role is to advocate for, engage with and empower our local organizations and businesses. It would be an honour to continue this work with the Chamber’s Board of Directors in the best way I know how: action! 

Cody Fraser

Cheadles LLP

Cody is a lawyer at Cheadles LLP, where he works in multiple areas of law, focusing on municipal law, real estate law, and corporate law. The bulk of Cody’s practice is advising Municipalities on private-public partnerships, by-law drafting, commercial and residential real estate, tax enforcement, and matters related to the Planning Act, the Municipal Act, the Municipal Elections Act, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. He also acts for private companies and individuals on Municipal-related matters.

Cody was born and raised in Thunder Bay and is active within the community. He was elected to Thunder Bay City Council (Neebing Ward) for the 2018-2022 term and served as a councillor on many committees and boards.  In law school, Cody was selected by his peers to be the Valedictorian of the graduating class of 2019. 

Cody loves Thunder Bay and is interested in applying his experience in law and politics to advocate for a strong and resilient business community. Businesses, big and small, are the backbone of a thriving city. As a new father to twins (Anna and James), Cody has a vested interest in the long-term success of the local economy and wants to raise a family in a vibrant city that everyone can be proud of. 

Cody is excited at the prospect of advocating for business interests through effective engagement and empowerment if elected to the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Christopher Gash

O’Neill Associates

I am an associate lawyer with O’Neill Associates practicing exclusively in the areas of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. In my role I provide advice and legal options to clients that face current and anticipated claims and represent both employers and employees in civil litigation matters involving wrongful dismissal and/or constructive dismissal claims. I also represent employers in Labour arbitration, internal mediation and collective bargaining negotiations. Additionally, I assist employers with drafting employment agreements and human resource policies, and advise on regulatory/legislative compliance. Prior to joining O’Neill Associates, I worked in general litigation and have previous experience with municipal law. Before my call to the Bar in 2018, I worked for local car dealerships in sales and management for over ten years and developed strong ties with Thunder Bay’s business community which remain. I have five children and enjoy spending my time with our family and friends throughout Northern Ontario. 

As a life-long Thunder Bay resident, I am excited about the opportunity to be part of the Chamber’s efforts to advance the interests of Thunder Bay’s business community and otherwise. I believe that I would be a good fit on the Chamber’s Board of Directors because I am passionate about our community’s development and its future, and I want it to continue to grow and flourish. Additionally, I have specialized skills and legal knowledge that I feel would benefit the Chamber’s Board of Directors in having more informed dialogue and making more informed decisions for the continued development of our community and the Chamber’s goals of building stronger businesses together.

Jeff Heney

Venshore Mechanical

Venshore Mechanical is a multi-trade industrial contractor based in Thunder Bay that services a variety of industrial clients in Northwestern Ontario.   I am a CPA and serve as Venshore’s controller, overseeing the financial aspects of the company.   I was born and raised in Thunder Bay, graduated from LU in 2007 and have been working in the contracting industry since 2011 following 4+ years working in public accounting.  

I have served on various audit committees and Boards of Directors in Thunder Bay, including the Chamber of Commerce Board since 2019.   I believe that my background in accounting and career experience in the Industrial Contracting business has given me a unique perspective and skill set to serve on the Chamber Board of Directors. 

I have served on the Chamber Board since 2019 and it has been a very rewarding experience.   Working with a diverse group of Board members from all industries in Thunder Bay has allowed me to stay informed on important issues and economic trends in the community.  The Chamber has been a great advocate for Thunder Bay Business and provides its members with resources to help them navigate through any business challenges and it has been a great experience to be a part of that process.   I would be honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve the Chamber Board for another term and help the organization continue to represent and support the Thunder Bay business community.

Graham Ingham

Thunder Bay International Airports Authority

With a robust background in the aviation industry spanning decades, particularly with airlines and airports, I bring a wealth of experience to the table. My career has involved overseeing operations, managing logistics, and developing strategic partnerships within the aviation sector. This experience has honed my skills in stakeholder engagement, operational efficiency, and project management. My deep understanding of the complexities of the aviation industry equips me with unique insights into transportation and logistics that can benefit the local business community. I am eager to leverage this expertise to support the Chamber’s initiatives, enhance its outreach, and contribute to the growth and development of our local economy.

I am deeply committed to nurturing a thriving business environment and advancing local economic development. I see the Chamber as a pivotal force in connecting businesses and fostering community growth, and I am eager to contribute to its mission.  Given my background in aviation, particularly with airlines and airports, I am confident that I can bring valuable insights to the Chamber. My experience can help enhance outreach efforts and boost member engagement.  I am particularly excited about the prospect of helping the Chamber develop new initiatives that support small businesses and encourage local entrepreneurship.

Additionally, I look forward to collaborating with a diverse group of board members to address challenges and leverage opportunities for our community. I believe that through effective teamwork, we can drive meaningful change and support the growth of local businesses.

Stephanie Pesheau

TBT Engineering

I am a Certified Engineering Technologist at TBT Engineering, serving as the CAD Development Supervisor. In this role, I ensure uniformity in our drawing deliverables and provide support and tools to help our designers thrive. As a senior electrical designer, I also enjoy mentoring new designers and helping them build confidence in their skills.

Beyond my work at TBT Engineering, I hold the position of Northern Regional Director for the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) and chair the Registration and Professional Practice Committee. My two terms on the Board of Directors have given me a comprehensive understanding of Board Governance and strategic oversight. I also teach Professional Practice at Confederation College, preparing Engineering Technology students for their Professional Practice and Ethics Exam with OACETT and guiding them on their path to certification with their Professional Association.

I am excited to serve on the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, bringing a unique experience from my two terms on the OACETT Board of Directors, where we navigated governance changes and strategic decision-making. My involvement in the engineering community enriches my perspective, aligning well with the Chamber’s mission to support diverse sectors.  I am passionate about fostering collaborations within the business community. By focusing on building authentic relationships, I support the Chamber’s goal of strengthening connections between businesses, government, and the community. 

My experience in community engagement, enhanced through a course at the University of Michigan, has emphasized approaching these relationships with respect and intent, which will help our members thrive together. Having always seen Thunder Bay as a hub for growth and innovation, I’m driven to contribute to its future. I look forward to representing diverse perspectives and advocating for businesses to ensure meaningful progress.

Richard Togman

Thunder Bay Public Library

I am CEO of the Thunder Bay Public Library. I’m currently serving on the Chamber Board and also serve on the Board of the Lakehead Social Planning Council. In addition, I am a co-owner of Thunder Bay’s largest rental housing service provider, Rent Panda. Previously, I completed my PhD in Political Science and taught at Lakehead University.

I have a unique perspective to offer the Chamber Board. I represent one of the largest non-profit organizations and significant employers at the Library while at the same time I am a business owner working in the housing sector through Rent Panda. I intimately understand and feel the pains related to issues such as the skilled labour shortage,  housing affordability, the impact of taxation on local business and the challenges of  managing a large public organization that is intimately tied to our local government.

In the past I’ve worked directly with the Chamber President on advocacy with the City as well as engaging the Chamber membership to understand the issues business owners care about the most. Drawing on my PhD in Politics, I would love to continue to help the Chamber successfully navigate its relationship with government to achieve  outcomes that benefit our local businesses.

Ronald Tuy

Weilers Maloney Nelson LLP

I am a member of the Law Society of Ontario, having been licensed to practice law in 2021. I practice in the areas of corporate law, real estate law, wills and estates law. 

I have skills and experience that should be beneficial to the Chamber. I also want to make connections, as I build my home in Thunder Bay. 

latest news
Share This