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.

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.

Brenda Snyder has been a Haldimand County resident for most of her life and co-owner of her family farm, Snyders Sweet Corn. She has enjoyed raising seven children and a lot of sweet corn along the banks of the Grand River with her husband Tom. She has a passion for people and agriculture and seeing the local community thrive and succeed!

Darlene De Boer has recently been appointed as the Small Business Specialist at Libro Credit Union, serving the Haldimand Norfolk Region, which includes Cayuga, Caledonia, Hagersville, and Simcoe. With 12 years of experience as a Teller at Libro, Darlene is excited to connect with local business owners and support them in growing and thriving. Originally from the Niagara region, she has called Hagersville home for the past 30 years, where she raised her children and continues to reside with her husband.

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.

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.