Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce Directors 2013-14

Janet Harrop
President

Lynne Bard
1st Vice President

Joal Suraci
2nd Vice President

Secretary Treasurer

Michael Weinstein
Past President

Aileen Hawkins
Director

Peter Mohr
Director

Allan Teal
Director

Terry Godreau
Director

Vic Folliott
Director

Stacey Aarssen
Director

Janet Harrop

Janet Harrop 2012

Business Name: Harrcroft Acres Ltd

Type of Business: Agricultural Business – Dairy Operation

Community Involvement/ Previous Experience:
Janet has lived in the Fergus community for over 20 years and, through Agricultural or Volunteer Board opportunities, has held positions with: The Fergus Fall Fair, Wellington County Dairy Producers, Centre Wellington Preschool, School Parent Councils, Fergus Skating Club, Centre Wellington Youth Advisory Committee, and previously named Leisure Advisory Committee (now re-named the Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee).

She loves working as an RN at the Critical Care Unit in Guelph; however, her passion is agriculture and agri-business.

Lynne Bard

Business Name: Beyond Rewards Inc.

Type of Business: Human Resources, Recruitment and Risk Management Consulting - EMS Planning, Pandemic, Health, Wellness & Safety and Business Continuity.

Lynne Bard, President of Beyond Rewards Inc has over 25 years experience working in Safety, Human Resource and Training; taking the lead role in Safety and Human Resources for her clients. Lynne provides HR Expertise for ECO HR Blog, developed and delivered many safety and hr training programs online and face-to face through Beyond Rewards and as a Professor at Conestoga College. Lynne’s expertise has won several awards of excellence in the field and continues to lend experience and credibility to organizations with best practice solutions and processes that lend to the success of her clients businesses.

Joal Suraci

Business Name: RLB LLP

Michael Weinstein

Michael Weinstein is the owner of The Weinstein Group, a company specializing in the production of special events and audiovisual design and consulting. As a licensed pyro-technician, he is certified to ignite fireworks, both indoors and out! He moved to Centre Wellington 7 years ago with his wife, Betty, and their daughters, Janet and Melanie.

Michael has been active with the Chamber of Commerce for several years, being elected as a Director and held the position of First Vice-President and in 2009 elected as President. He chairs the Awards of Excellence Committee and has been active with the Events and Affairs Committee in the past. He enjoys public speaking and often acts as MC for the Chamber's Networking Breakfast, Business After Hours and Ribbon Cutting ceremonies.

Aileen Hawkins

Franchisee: M&M Meat Shops, Fergus.
1985-1997 Owner of Birdland Music, Fergus and a Member of Board of Managers of BIA and Chair of Promotions Committee during that time.

Active member of the Centre Wellington community with fund raising events through M&M Meat Shops.

Married to Ken for 50 years with three married daughters and seven grandchildren. Resident of Centre Wellington for 20+ years. Attends and is involved in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Fergus. Enjoys theatre, music, reading and travel. Member of Board of Directors for the CWCC since 2005.

Peter Mohr

Peter Mohr 2012

Business Name: Shoetopia Footwear Outlet

Peter and his family have made Centre Wellington their home since buying Shoetopia Footwear in Fergus in 2010. His background carries over a span of 20 years of business ownership. Peter is a graduate of the Executive MBA program at Ottawa University, works with Sunbelt Business Brokers helping people buy and sell businesses and has worked as a business consultant. He has experience starting businesses from scratch right through to selling them for a profit.

Having been on various franchise advisory councils and boards as well as owning independent and franchised businesses has allowed Peter the opportunity to experience a variety of different business experiences that will aid him with his duties at the Chamber.

Allan Teal

Business Name: AL-DO-IT

Allan Teal is the Owner and Senior Project Manager for AL-Do-IT General Contracting, providing services to both residential and commercial clients from Handyman services to larger projects such as decks, fences, kitchens, bathrooms and other household/commercial renovations. Allan is also Vice President of Beyond Rewards in partnership with his wife, Lynne Bard. Coming from an extensive background of over 25 years in Manufacturing, Transportation and Construction, Allan brings a wealth of knowledge to his clients and to his volunteer positions within the community.

Allan is married with four children, the youngest of which still lives at home and three grandchildren.

Terry Godreau

President of the company PlanetCPU, Terry is the master of juggling, spinning and sending this business into orbit. Terry had two choices: teacher’s college or entrepreneurship. Obviously, Terry choose the right direction and he’s been moving forward ever since. Driven by a natural ability to make connections, to source out good people and a genuine interest in positive marketing, he’s the charming host with the most potential to make things happen.

Terry knows that customer service is vital to the success of PlanetCPU, and since he plans to see this business thrive, he keeps his focus on earning loyal customers, loyal staff and a commitment to staying current with the technology. Terry knows customer service isn’t something you say, it’s something you do - every time, all the time.

Terry’s motivation is as real as his outlook on life and it’s grounded in a philosophy that of surrounding yourself with good people and making a long list of goals, even if they seem out of reach, makes all things possible.

Vic Folliott

Stacey Aarssen

Business Name: Sentry Group

Stacey began her career as a financial advisor in 2005. After spending 25 years in a family business she wanted to become more active in helping people with their finances through education and plan development.

Stacey started the travel insurance arm “Better Travel Insurance” to her business four years ago through speaking to many clients of their concerns of coverage and the cost associated with the plans. She realized there is a great need for education in the world of travel insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and the reason she speaks at many different venues educating them on the importance of understanding the details of the policies.

Stacey is a partner with Sentry Group with offices located in Guelph, Waterloo and London and their first priority is to protect wealth through guaranteed investments with less risk to stock market volatility. Her philosophy is to protect and invest in guaranteed and alternative investments with higher returns.

She is a mother of three daughters 24, 21, 17 and married to her best friend and partner in business John for 26 years.