Board of Directors

Brianne manages The House of Flags in Grand Bend, which is still owned by her parents. Prior to joining the family business, she worked for almost 10 years at Aunt Gussie’s Restaurant. Born and raised in Grand Bend, Brianne states she will always call it her home.

Brianne has served on the board of directors for The Grand Bend & Area Chamber of Commerce for four years. During the first two years she served as secretary, during the last two years as President and now looks forward to the role of Past-President in 2012 while hopefully focusing her energy on the golf tournament.

“I have enjoyed my time on the board, and have formed great business relationships with so many people. I come away knowing this was a great experience for me.”

• 2011 – President
• 2010 – President
• 2009 – Secretary
• 2008 – Secretary

Glen Baillie operates Baillie’s Picture Framing, a full service commercial framing operation. Glen started framing while studying for his economics degree at the University of Western Ontario and has not stopped since. In operation since 1988, the business moved to Grand Bend in 2004. In addition to his wife, Janette, he has two full time employees working all year.

Glen and Janette have four children, one still at home. He is active in the Lions club of Ailsa Craig and still plays men’s softball. He cheers for Toronto hockey and baseball teams, as it builds character.

Glen is founder of the annual Grand Bend & Area Studio Tour (“Arts & Eats”), was instrumental in getting Grand Bend’s first Sidewalk Sale segment of our annual Thanksgiving Market event up and running, and also initiated discussion with Lambton Shores Council relative to garnering financial support for tourism services performed by the Chamber.

2011 – Served as Secretary

Mark Lewis works for Bayshore Broadcasting handling marketing and media sales.

Moving to the Grand Bend area in 2011, Mark brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our Chamber from his years of service with the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce where he was Past President (2008), President (2007) and Executive Board Member (2004-2008).

Mark is known for his great sense of humour and life-long passion for radio and music.

Currently an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities, Nancy brings with her over 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Nancy has completed the “Elder Planning Counselor” (EPC) designation which enables her to provide a higher standard of service with a deeper understanding of senior issues. Nancy has demonstrated proficiency in all relevant programs about seniors’ issues, including aging, health issues, financial planning considerations, long-term care, as well as end-of-life issues. Nancy enjoys working in the Grand Bend area and for over 15 years has supported various fund raisers.

2011- Director

Patrick, along with his wife LeeAnn, loves living and raising their family in Grand Bend. They own and operate Aunt Gussie’s Country Dinning & Delectables. Originally from Waterloo Patrick, LeeAnn (of Grand Bend) and their three children Mallory, Eddie and Ethan moved to Grand Bend 8 years ago. Their family has long ties to the business community as LeeAnn is the fourth generation to do business here in Grand Bend.

Patrick has spent the past twenty years in the hospitality industry and joined the chamber to take part in assisting in the further development of the Grand Bend business community.

2011 – Director

Neil is the publisher of our local Lakeshore Advance weekly newspaper.

More to come…

Steven is Executive Director of Drayton Entertainment, which operates six professional live theatres across the province of Ontario, including Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend.  Major responsibilities include overseeing marketing, fundraising, communications, event planning, grant writing, and new program coordination.  Most recently, Steven managed fundraising for the $4 million renovation to the Huron Country Playhouse.  Steven also serves on the Board of Directors for Regional Tourism Organization Zone 4, covering Waterloo, Wellington, Perth and Huron.

Joan Karstens, along with her husband Peter, own and operate Brentwood on the Beach Bed & Breakfast, which has been in operation for more than 20 years and in 2011 achieved FOBBA’s 4-Star rating. In addition to the bed and breakfast, they also own and operate two lake-front, luxury cottages – Bayview Cottage and Upper Beach Cottage.

Joan grew up in Exeter and is a well-recognized contributor to a number of tourism-related organizations, including the Huron Tourism Association and the St. Joseph Historical Society, the latter group playing a key role in helping to bring Paul Ciufo’s most recent theatrical success Narcisse to life.

Joan’s contribution to the Board includes the building of partnerships with key tourist organizations, identifying and finding individuals and businesses that help further the Chamber’s tourist activities and an extensive memory and knowledge-base of Huron County, with special focus on tourist-related businesses throughout a geographic stretch from Bayfield south to the Pinery Provincial Park and inland to Exeter.

• 2011 – Director
• 2010 – Director

Mike Burgess is co-owner of Foodies of Grand Bend with his wife of 38 years Christine. Foodies of Grand Bend has been in operation on Main Street West for 3 years. Mike and Chris’s two daughters live in London.

Before setting up the specialty food and kitchenware store in Grand Bend, Mike worked for 25 years in the IT Department of TD/Canada Trust and 6 years in auto sales for Huron Motor Products and Toyota in Exeter.

Mike is a graduate of Fanshawe College’s Computer Science program.
Mike’s two-year contribution to the Board has focused mainly on event planning and marketing, being instrumental in the Fall Escape Campaign, Christmas Comes Early in Grand Bend and the Grand Bend Arts & Eats event.

• 2011 – Vice President
• 2010 – Secretary

Canadian artist, local gallery owner and Paint Ontario art show founder, host and organizer – Barry Richman joined the Board of Directors for a repeat performance this time last year. Barry served on the Board a number of years ago and was a welcome return member to the 2011 Board.

Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Barry’s art gallery and studio have been located in Grand Bend for many years. Apart from a formal fine arts education and background, which now contribute to his reputation as one of Lambton County’s foremost representation artists, Barry also had a career in advertising. His experience as an artist, advertising executive, gallery business owner and founder of the highly successful annual Paint Ontario Juried Art Show contribute a much-needed perspective and knowledgebase to the Chamber’s promotional activities.

2011 – Director

Bramwell Steele joined the Board at our last Annual General Meeting held November 2010. He owns/operates BJ’s Diner and Accommodation on Main Street, Grand Bend.

2011 – Director

Susan Mills first arrived in Grand Bend as a teenage tourist and in the succeeding 30 years visited Grand Bend & Area annually on vacation. In 2008, Susan made her escape from the Greater Toronto Area to Grand Bend permanently by starting her own business and joining the Chamber as a member. In November 2010, Susan became the new General Manager of the Chamber.

Susan graduated from Toronto’s Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts in 1983 and from York University in 1990 (Honours B.A. in Mass Communications & English). Her marketing and communications career includes stints at The Canadian Red Cross Society, Allstate Insurance and York University. In 1996, Susan helped pave the Internet superhighway with her contribution towards Allstate Canada’s first website. In the succeeding 10 years, she played a key role in the ongoing branding, marketing and innovation of Allstate online (Canada’s first fully e-commerce insurance website).