Board

Bill Imeson was a founding Board Member of Grand Erie Business Centre in 1989. He is now retired from a career in banking with the Bank of Montreal and the Business Development Bank of Canada, and is highly involved in assisting his community of Caledonia.

Gary Simpson is a Chartered Accountant in public practice in Dunnville, and a past Chair of Grand Erie Business Centre Board.

Joann Chechalk had spent much of her career in Administration at the Municipal and Provincial Governments. She is a CPA and now Consults to Municipalities and the Private Sector.  The Chechalk’s own and operate a family farm in West Lincoln. She has sat on West Lincoln Council as a Ward 2 Councillor and enjoys assisting the community through her involvement with the WL Chamber of Commerce, Niagara Peninsula Electricity Inc as a board member, WL Kiwanis and a number of community groups.

Chad Kempt is the owner of Fast Computers, an information technology company located in Hagersville. Chad is the President of the Hagersville BIA and a sought after speaker for his decades of business IT experience.  Chad is an avid cyclist, and a long time resident of Haldimand County where he continues to live with his family.

Elaine Rosewell was an Attorney at Arrell Law LLP in Caledonia from 1995 until her retirement in 2023. She assisted within the community through Legal Aid Ontario, the women’s shelter and victims’ assistance programs, with her knowledge of family law. She has worked and lived in this community for 30 years and has no plans on leaving.

Tanya Clarke was born and raised in Haldimand County. She continues to live in Haldimand with her husband and four children. She attended Carleton University in 1991 & 1992 and McMaster University from 1992-1995, majoring in Sociology. Tanya obtained her Real Estate license in 1995 and her Brokers license in 2003. 2021 marks her 25th anniversary in real estate.

Doug Miller brings over 30 years of business experience as a retired executive from Bell Canada to the GEBC. He lives with his wife Flora in Hagersville and is an avid cyclist, community volunteer and enthusiastic promoter of sustainable environmental initiatives.

Steve Ecker recently retired from Carruthers Printing in Smithville, which he owned and operated for 19 years, including publishing of the Niagara Farmers Monthly.  Prior to that he worked in dairy production analysis, urban transit planning, and airport ground transportation planning.

Roger Egger was born and raised in Dunnville and brings over 35 years of business experience. In 1987, he founded R.E Egger Truck & Machine Ltd in Dunnville. Together with his wife, they successfully grew the business to employ more than 25 people and support the agricultural community. Recently, he implemented his own succession plan, caring for the future of the company and ensuring the continuity of employment and services for the next generation.

Daniel Panetta is a current Small Business Specialist in Haldimand County with Libro Credit Union.  He brings 10+ years of banking experience and he has been involved in the community and community sports teams throughout his 30 years in Caledonia and surrounding towns.

Jake Vandendool brings over two decades of entrepreneurship and technology experience.  Most recently Jake was the Founder and CEO of Metro Loop, an independent fibre optic telecommunication services provider.  Jake’s prior experience includes IT consulting, software development, and public sector experience.