niagara falls tourism board of directors

Board and Committees

Niagara canada, tpn board of directors.

The TPN Board consists of senior level representatives with the necessary authority to make decisions on behalf of their sub-region as it relates to the work of the TPN. Directors are appointed from the four (4) sub-regions, namely Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines/Niagara Benchlands (which includes Thorold, West Lincoln and Grimsby) and Niagara’s South Coast (includes Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Pelham, Wainfleet and Welland).

The Board of Directors is comprised of:

• Eight (8) Directors as appointed by Niagara Falls Tourism, two (2) of which represent the Fallsview Casino Resort and The Niagara Parks Commission
• Three (3) Directors as appointed by Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake; one of which represents the Shaw Festival Theatre Foundation Canada
• Three (3) Directors as appointed by The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines of Economic Development and Tourism Services and Niagara Benchlands, one (1) of which represents the Wine Council of Ontario.
• One (1) Director as appointed by Niagara’s South Coast Tourism Association

TPN BOARD COMMITTEES

• Executive Committee
• Finance & Audit Committee
• Sub-Regional Partners Committee

BOARD MEMBERS

Chair,  Tina Truszyk National Consumer Experience & Engagement Lead, Andrew Peller Ltd.

Vice-Chair, Noel Buckley President & General Manager, Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Secretary, Brian York Director, Economic Development and Government Relations, The City of St. Catharines

Treasurer, Jennifer Ferguson Director of Marketing Services, Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara

April Brunet Vice President Marketing and Sales, Lais Hotel Properties

Anna DiCienzo Vice President Sales, Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc.

Mory DiMaurizio Chief Operating Officer, City Cruises Canada

Jim Graham Vice President of Stakeholder Relations, Hilton Hotel & Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview

Greg Higginbotham Tourism Coordinator, City of Port Colborne

Ann Marie Nitsopoulos Owner, Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel

Lisa Serada CMM, Director of Sales, Niagara Parks Commission

Sue-Ann Staff President & Winemaker, Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery Inc.

Valerie Taylor Director of Marketing, Communications and Sales, Shaw Festival Theatre Foundation Canada

Janice Thomson President & CEO, Niagara Falls Tourism

Minerva Ward President & CEO, Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce and Tourism NOTL

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS

Executive Director, Vacant

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair – Tina Truszyk Vice-Chair – Noel Buckley Secretary – Brian York Treasurer – Jennifer Ferguson

FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEE

Chair – Jennifer Ferguson Greg Higginbotham Ann Marie Nitsopoulos Tina Truszyk Past Chair – Scott Luey

SUB-REGIONAL PARTNERS COMMITTEE

Chair – Janice Thomson Britnie Bazylewski Ron Bodner Noel Buckley Karen Doyle Greg Higginbotham Madison Vine Minerva Ward

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Contact & General Inquiries

Niagara falls tourism, 6815 stanley avenue, niagara falls ontario canada, l2g 3y9, phone number, +1 (905) 356-6061, +1 (800) 563-2557, +1 (905) 356-5567, staff listing, janice thomson, president & ceo, declan o'sullivan, director of marketing & communications, leigh roszell-hoag, director of sales, stephanie don griot, marketing manager, richard mcgeachin, manager, tour & travel trade, manager, business events, adam stiles, public relations manager, torri pupek, sales coordinator, brian ceschin, membership & sponsorship coordinator, valentina garcia, content designer, donald dellaire, warehouse & brochure distribution associate, hayden ginsberg, administrative assistant.

New report identifies issues, recommends how to boost Niagara Falls tourism - all year round

The Niagara Global Tourism Institute has released its study of tourism in Niagara Falls, and the challenges to grow it coming out of the COVID pandemic. The study’s creators and backers are also addressing the latest vision, and how it differs from past plans.

The Niagara Falls, USA tourism industry is still facing the obstacle of a restricted border with Canada, but three themes stand out in the report just released by the Niagara Global Tourism Institute : Not enough visitors are coming in the winter; visitors coming to Niagara Falls aren’t staying long enough; and there are local problems holding back growth, including poverty, crime, workforce gaps and negative attitudes by many locals.

“It's a simple and coordinated approach throughout the state that really will push for extended visitor stays,” said Roscoe Naguit, associate director of the Institute. “It creates a better economic activity for local businesses, and really a more consistent career pathway for a workforce. And let's face it, there are businesses historic and Niagara Falls that deserve a year round destination for sustainability.”

Backers of the Institute’s plan are counting on the creation of year-round attractions in order to, in turn, generate jobs which will help restore a sense of civic pride.

“These types of developments provide jobs. And when you provide jobs, you improve the entire community. Poverty is the critical piece to improving the City of Niagara Falls, if we attack that,” said Niagara Falls mayor Robert Restaino. “I've been saying this since January 2020. The key is, how do we develop projects that put people to work, so that homeownership becomes not just a dream, but a reality and starts to improve neighborhoods via their personal pride in your space?”

The plan, stakeholders also point out, avoids the “silver bullet” one-shot approach that past strategies relied upon to spark economic growth.

While discussing wintertime attractions, it was pointed out the Aquarium of Niagara is one such longtime venue. But its president and chief executive officer, Gary Siddall, says while it’s pleased to serve as an anchor, it’ can’t be the only anchor.

“We hope that in the coming years we'll see other partners join us become part of really establishing our year-round seasonality for the City of Niagara Falls,” Siddall said. “We certainly have seen the benefits from creating year round employment opportunities, full time good paying jobs that draw people in from out of country, out of state. Then they're seated into the community here and participating economically in a variety of different ways.”

Niagara-on-the-Lake  

Things to do.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Experience the effect  .

Chamber of Commerce

Board of directors, accommodation.

Kelly Exelby brings more than 10 years of industry experience in the high-end hospitality sector. Kelly commenced her career with Vintage Hotels as Senior Manager of Spa Operations in 2008, and under her leadership the spa was ranked as Number 1 Spa in North America.

Prior to commencing employment with Vintage Hotels, Kelly owned and operated “White on White” a very successful high-end boutique concept retail store in St. Catharines where she achieved many accolades including “Entrepreneur of the Year”. “White on White” was featured in House & Home and Style at the Home magazines and Kelly also made appearances on House & Home with Lynda Reeves on HGTV. Previous to that, Kelly was the Assistant General Manager of Sheraton on the Falls, a 700-room, Four-Diamond Hotel in Niagara Falls. In that role, Kelly was integral in leading the hotel’s construction and renovations from a 370-room property to a 700-room property, as well converting the hotel into a Sheraton brand.

Kelly Exelby

Gm, prince of wales, moffat inn.

David is originally from the greater Montreal and moved in town a little over 10 years ago in pursuit of his own Bed and Breakfast dreams. Owner/operator of Gatekeeper's Retreat, he is also former president of STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake, our local association of Short Term Accommodation providers. Although his experience and knowledge of the Short Term Accommodation world is extensive, his roots in customer service and tourism include previous work related experiences in wineries, special event & weddings management, food & beverage industry service / management, as well as theatrical production and set design.

Through the years, David's advocacy work for the survival and well-being of the various Short Term Accommodation models present in NOTL has been and still is instrumental in supporting this important part of our accommodation sector.

David Levesque STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake 

David levesque stay niagara-on-the-lake, agriculture, restaurants & wineries.

Liberina (Betty) Colaneri is the Promotions and Special Event Co-ordinator of her family owned and operated Colaneri Estate Winery. She has organized many events on the piazza including, Cigars Under the Stars, An Evening with Pavlo and The Haunt to name a few. Liberina loves greeting guests from all over the world, to hear their stories and share her passion for the vineyard, winery and Niagara on the Lake. She has lived on the vineyard for 37 years with her husband and two sons.

A major part of her life has been dedicated to volunteering and coordinating events for organizations including The Catholic Women’s League of Canada. As an active member for 35 years, Liberina has held many executive positions including diocesan and provincial president and is presently serving on the national board.  

Liberina has served on the Chamber for the past 2 years.

Liberina Colaneri

Colaneri estate winery.

Kim taught Secondary and Elementary school for 18 years. She moved to NOTL nine years ago to raise her four children in this community. Her family opened a restaurant (Sunset Grill) on Queen Street and are involved with many local clubs & sports teams through their children. Kim has enjoyed getting to know her fellow merchants in the Heritage District and started a merchant group to collaborate through the pandemic and beyond.

Kim Hughes-Gauld

Queen st merchant group, enterprise & community at large.

Recent 30 Under 30 award recipient within the Hospitality and Food Service industry across Canada, Madison Vine is the Channel Marketing Manager for Andrew Peller Ltd.’s Estate Wine Group, East.  Madison moved to the Niagara Region for her undergrad and fell in love with the area. She’s been working in and passionate about Niagara-on-the-Lake and everything it has to offer since. In addition to sitting on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, she also volunteers as Vice-Chair for the board of Wineries of Niagara-on-Lake. She is passionate about the tourism industry and aspires to inspire young women in business. 

Madison Vine

Andrew peller ltd., madison vine andrew peller ltd ..

Passionate about arts education, and a believer that the arts are transformational has led Rima to a career in the not-for-profit arts sector for the past fifteen years. Rima holds a Masters in Art History and Honours Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art degrees. She leads the future development of the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre both artistically and strategically in her current position as Director. Rima was recognized for her achievements and honoured with the Women in Business Cultural Arts Award in 2022, 40 Under 40 Business Achievement Award in 2021 and Spirit of Niagara Award for Community Leadership in 2019.

Rima Boles Director,  Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre

Rima Boles Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre

Heritage, Culture & Attractions 

Sarah is the Managing Director/Curator of the NOTL Museum. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations, implementing Board directed strategies and policies, grant writing as well as the management, research and exhibition of the Museum's collection. She has curated a number of exhibitions, including a few digital, on general Niagara-on-the-Lake history, the War of 1812, the First World War, artists, women's history and more. Sarah also enjoys participating on local heritage projects in the community such as the Landscape of Nations (2020 Niagara Region Biennial Award Winner) and the Voices of Freedom Park (2020 Niagara Region Biennial Award Winner and 2020 Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Conservation). 

Sarah Kaufman Managing Director/ Curator NOTL Museum

Sarah kaufman managing director/ curator notl muse um.

Valerie has been with The Shaw for 16 seasons. She has spent her entire career marketing the arts. Valerie  spent eight years with LIVENT, a Canadian commercial theatre company. She was a key player in the marketing and the selling of The Phantom of the Opera,  Joseph and the Amazing Techicolor Dreamcoat, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, ShowBoat and Sunset Blvd.

 She later founded her own company, GSI, an independent sales and marketing firm serving Toronto’s arts/culture sector. She received an Economic Impact Award from Toronto Mayor in recognition of the work achieved by GSI. Valerie also worked at the Royal Ontario Museum as the Senior Director of Sales and Marketing before joining The Shaw Festival. Valerie has presented at several conferences including the Arts Reach conference in both New York City and Toronto, the Canadian eMarketing Conference in Toronto and a panelist at the Tourism Summit.

Valerie Taylor Shaw Festival

V alerie taylor director of marketing, communications and sales at the shaw festival, professional, commercial & industrial.

Jamie Drummond brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to his role as General Manager of Niagara’s Finest Hotels brand, where he is responsible for the management and operations of seven divisions of the company, which includes four hotels and five restaurants located in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Jamie joined Lais Hotel Properties Limited (LHPL) in 2008 as the Food and Beverage Manager of Pillar and Post. He was also a part of the opening teams for the Millcroft Inn and Spa and the Parlour Inn. Jamie was appointed to the General Manager of the newly acquired Niagara’s Finest Hotel collection in 2018.

Prior to joining LHPL, Jamie held roles of Restaurant Manager, Director of Sales and Director of Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Niagara Falls.

Jamie Drummond General Manager, Niagara's Finest Hotels

Andrew Niven Director of Marketing, Konzelmann Estate Winery

Andrew niven (board chair) director of marketing, konzelmann estate winery.

Born and raised in Niagara on the Lake, Kevin Neufeld grew up on a fruit farm/vineyard and later worked in the hospitality industry for the Vintage Inns and White Oaks Resort.  After returning from living in Whistler BC, where he worked in the hospitality industry at the Delta Resort and Whistler/Blackcomb Mountain, he and his wife Jana opened BeauChapeau. Since 1997 BeauChapeau has been on a steadily improving path and today is Canada’s largest hat store and the only one in the country to now offer a full-service hat-restoration shop. 

Kevin Neufeld Beau Chapeau Hat Shop

Kevin neufeld beau chapeau hat s hop, official town council representative & past members.

Wendy is a Niagara on the Lake Town Councilor and Strategic Business Consultant. A pragmatic, experienced business leader specializing in strategic planning, marketing, brand building, needs analysis and identifying key growth drivers for small and mid-sized businesses primarily in the wine, tourism, and hospitality sectors.

As Director of Marketing for the Ontario wine industry Wendy delivered leadership and strategic direction while achieving double-digit growth in sales and tourism visitation over 7 consecutive years. At the heart of the growth was a major strategic shift in focus to consumer engagement and experience. Wendy developed and led the execution of the Council’s marketing strategy using a collaborative approach with over 80 Ontario winery members, industry associations, VQA, the LCBO and the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation.

In 2014 Wendy launched her own consulting firm and has assisted small and mid-sized businesses to unlock growth and drive revenue with sound strategic guidance and tactical programming.

Wendy is an active community volunteer serving on the Chamber of Commerce, the Library Board, the Niagara Community Foundation Niagara on the Lake Fund, Communities in Bloom, The Pumphouse and several Council related committees.

Wendy Cheropita

Town councillor .

Maria has been on a number of boards and committees over the years; Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Niagara Nursery School, Mentor on the Lord Mayors Youth Advisory Council, Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum and Niagara Jazz Festival. Maria owns and operates an organization that raises money for local charities – Anchor Niagara and was the recipient in 2021 of the GNCC – Women in Business Community Impact and Leadership Award.

Maria Mavridis Town Councillor

24 Hours In Niagara Falls: What To Do If You Only Have 1 Day In The City

When canada’s most famous author visited – and wrote about – niagara falls, chuck’s big adventure at niagara falls: 10/10 preview, this is the top tourist attraction in canada.

Niagara Falls Blog

All things Niagara Falls tourism…

50 Tourist Traps You’ll Want To Steer Clear Of

7 natural wonders of canada that are even more magical in the fall, board of directors.

• Niagara Falls Attractions
• Niagara Falls Ontario
• Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights

Lasers, 3D projections and more on tap for OPG Winter Festival of Lights

From Niagara This Week: While the 32nd annual Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights last year was regarded as a transitional year for the event, this year’s promises to build on that and establish a more modern festival. Lasers, 3D illuminations and projection lighting are the new signatures, including a new “Spirit of Niagara”…

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• Niagara Falls Accommodations
• Niagara Falls Developments
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• Niagara Falls News

New Falls hotel planned

From the Niagara Gazette: Niagara Falls could soon see another new hotel. The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Wednesday to accept an application for a 10-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement from Sunrise Lodging, LLC, a local firm that plans to build a 72-room Comfort Suites hotel on Niagara Falls Boulevard between 70th…

• Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Painter out as convention centre boss

From Niagara This Week: The Scotiabank Convention Centre is looking for a new president and general manager. Kerry Painter, president and general manager of the Stanley Avenue facility, is no longer with the Centre. The news came following a meeting of the centre’s board of directors on Wednesday morning. Sources, who did not want to…

• Niagara Falls Tourism Industry

NPC appoints new chair

From Niagara This Week: After almost five months in the interim position, Janice Thomson has been appointed the chair of the Niagara Parks Commission’s Board of Directors. While the announcement was made by Tourism and Culture Minister Michael Chan on Wednesday, the appointment was actually effective Nov. 16. Thomson, executive director of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber…

New Chair Of Niagara Parks Commission Confirmed

From a press release seen on the Government of Ontario web site: Ontario has confirmed Fay Booker as the new Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission’s Board of Directors. The appointment follows an open recruitment process and takes effect April 21, 2010. Ms. Booker has extensive experience in corporate governance, accounting and auditing. Her experience…

• Niagara Falls Casinos and Gaming

Positive local reaction to OLG shakeup

From the Niagara Falls Review: A massive shakeup at Ontario Lottery and Gaming could resolve some of Niagara’s issues with the government agency that oversees Ontario’s casinos and lotteries, Niagara sources say. A new board of directors and new management could settle Casino Niagara’s long-term future, said Dino A. DiCienzo, a vice-president of the Canadian…

Just as a river naturally flows to the sea so do Mayor Dyster and the council majority inevitably make their way toward an ever-growing city government with an increased taxpayer burden.

The latest example of this municipal mismanagement is the Mayor/council expressed interest in creating another city hall job: Tourism Director. The city’s Tourism Advisory Board (created nine years ago by then councilman Sam Fruscione) pleaded their alleged need for the position in a presentation at the October 4, council meeting.

An October 6,Gazette story by Philip Gambini, “City council discussing Falls tourism post,” reads, “The position is of importance to Touma, who said he is willing to make budgetary sacrifices to institute it.” The story quoted councilman Charles Walker, saying, “We talk about becoming more of a tourism city, we need to have somebody in-house looking at those issues…Looking at how we connect to the rest of the city, the rest of things going on in the city, to what is happening downtown.”

The story quoted tourism board member Lisa Vitello (sister in law to Dyster campaign manager Craig Touma, who is cousin to council chairman Andrew Touma), “Residents, tourism, businesses, often bring concerns to this board and those concerns need somewhere to go.” The implication seems to be that the city’s tourism needs are unmet by John Percy’s NTCC. Dyster remarked in the story, “Nobody, I think, is arguing about the need for that position.”

While the city has a deficit of  $7.6 million and while millions of dollars in casino funds were abused by Dyster to balance the 2016 budget, the mayor and council are now taking direction from the tourism board as the city hall “friends and family employment machine” gears up to create another job. All the while Dyster blames personnel costs as the root of city fiscal woes. Hypocrisy? It’s truly stunning all the way around…mayor to council to citizen advisory board.

The fact of the matter is that there currently is no “tourism director” in city hall because in 2003 a tourism promotion reorganization plan supported, at the time, by Senator Maziarz, Assemblywomen Del Monte, the city council and the county legislature closed the Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau (NFCVB) and the Niagara County Tourism Department. The closing of those two organizations put more than 20 people out of work and left in its wake, the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation (NTCC).

Two individuals, John Percy from the NFCVB and the county’s sport fishing coordinator, were absorbed by the NTCC with the county government continuing, to this day, to pay the expenses of the sport fishing program.

The creation of the NTCC was historic in that it remains as the only known example of Maziarz and DelMonte having ever worked cooperatively on anything. It also ushered in the era of the NTCC with that agency being funded annually with approximately $900,000 of bed tax and $1,000,000 from the city’s casino revenue. The NTCC agency, flush with taxpayer funds, has, over the years, set off on any number of junkets across North America to Europe to Asia.

So, while the new, well-funded NTCC has taken the lead role in local tourism promotion, the mayor and council now want to hire their own tourism director. Not content to leave (one would assume) well enough alone the high-flying (with taxpayer cash) city administration is once again dipping into the taxpayer pocket to dish out another serving of political patronage employment.

Dyster, Walker and Touma, to a man, have remarked on the need to fund such a city position. Which raises two questions: 1) why, if the NTCC is performing the miraculous deeds that the mayor has ascribed to them does the city need this job, and 2) why doesn’t the mayor/council simply advise John Percy as to the city’s exact tourism needs rather than turn the situation into a limp excuse to create a job?

Board of Directors

Meet the caa niagara board of directors.

The Board of Directors is the Club's governing body and acts on behalf of its Members to ensure effective organizational planning, support internal leadership, maintain financial viability and oversee the Club's mission and strategic priorities. The Board collaborates as a team with shared responsibilities and is committed to working closely with CAA Niagara's Management Team to achieve success in all areas of the operation.

Michael Goodale

A member of the CAA Niagara Board of Directors since 2016, Mike had a 33-year career with the Ontario Public Service, retiring as the Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services, for the Ministry of Transportation. Mike’s previous CAA Niagara experience includes Chair of the CEO Search Committee and Chair of the Human Resources & Executive Compensation Committee. In addition to CAA Niagara, Mike has gained valuable board experience through his involvement with the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, the Niagara Parks Commission and the Grimsby Benevolent Fund (GBF). Mike furthered his knowledge of corporate governance by completing the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP) and receiving ICD.D designation in June 2019. Mike is a graduate of McMaster University and currently resides in Grimsby where he volunteers with the GBF Food Bank.

Bill Kerr joined the CAA Niagara Board of Directors in 2018. Most recently, he chaired the Governance Committee and the HRECC. Prior to retiring in 2020, Bill was a partner in one of Canada's leading sales intercept companies, providing sales and marketing support for Canada's leading financial institutions and retailers. His business background includes senior positions at Canadian Tire Financial Services (CTFS). In his last role at CTFS he was General Manager of the Professional Dispatch Group delivering roadside assistance to over 1.5 million vehicles across Canada. He has a passion for coaching minor hockey and helping to grow junior golf in Niagara.

Janice Thomson

Janice joined the Board of CAA Niagara in 2015. She has been President & CEO of Niagara Falls Tourism since May 2019, following an 18-year career as Executive Director of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce & VCB. Janice served as Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission (2010-2018), Chair of the Tourism Partnership of Niagara (2014-2016), Vice Chair until 2019 and a board member for the TO2015 Pan and ParaPan Am Games Organizing Committee. In 2015, Janice was named the Niagara-on-the-Lake Citizen of the Year. Previously, Janice served nine years as Commissioner of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (two years as Chair) and had an 18-year career in senior executive positions within the import automotive industry. In 2016 Janice completed the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP) and received the ICD.D designation.

Rob DePetris

Rob was born and raised in Merritton. He has been a member of the CAA Niagara Board of Directors since 2014 and is currently the Club's representative on the National CAA board. He is a Tax Principal at WMKL LLP. He is a graduate of Brock University and the University of Toronto Law School. Rob has been involved in many local non-profit and charity boards over the years. He currently is the Treasurer of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of the Welland Tennis Club, a director on the 2022 Canada Summer Games Hosting Committee Board and is a proud member of the St. Catharines Rotary Club.

Ray joined the CAA Niagara Board of Directors in 2020, bringing with him over 19 years of IT security experience from the banking sector. Most recently, Ray was employed by Scotiabank as the Senior Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, where he was responsible for pioneering anti-fraud and information security practices that have been leveraged by the North American online banking industry. Prior to gaining private sector experience, Ray enjoyed a fulfilling 23-year career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police where he was involved in technical and commercial crime investigations.

Michael Cottenden

Michael joined the CAA Niagara Board of Directors in 2020. Michael joined the Board as a successful entrepreneur with over 30 years of management and technology experience. He was co-founder and Managing Director at T4G Limited, a technology consulting company that provided custom technology solutions in the retail, travel and hospitality, finance, and telecommunications sectors. Now retired, he continues as a member of the T4G Board of Directors. Michael holds a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University, and is a registered CPA CMA. Michael also volunteers as a member of the Town of Pelham, Finance and Audit Committee.

Matthew Leask

A member of the CAA Niagara Board of Directors since 2020, Matt is a partner at Lancaster Chown & Welch LLP in St. Catharines, where he specializes in corporate, commercial, intellectual property and real estate law. Matt is also the past-Chair of the Niagara Workforce Planning Board and is a past member of the Town of Pelham Summerfest Committee.

Kathy Uher is a seasoned Program Delivery Executive with experience in the financial services, telecommunications, energy and health care sectors. She joined the CAA Niagara Board of Directors in 2023. She began her career in Human Resources in the health care sector, and in her most recent corporate role as Vice President, she led the internal corporate IT, regulatory and strategic program delivery for TD Bank. She holds an MBA from Wilfred Laurier University and completed the ICD - Rotman Directors Education Program, obtaining the ICD.D designation. She currently serves on a private corporate Board, Chairing the HR and Compensation Committee and has previously served on the Boards of Non-Profit and Cooperative Organizations.

Dr. Kristine Clark

Dr. Kristine Clark joins CAA Board of Directors with over 25 years progressive experience in public service where she provided leadership in Human Resources and Organization Development across community service and transportation sectors. Currently as Program Coordinator and Professor of Human Resources in the School of Business & Management at Niagara College, Kristine holds a PhD in Human and Organization Development, MSc in Counselling and Human Services, and multiple certifications across the field of organizational behaviour. Kristine also served on Leadership Niagara’s Board of Directors and was Chair of the Program Advisory Committee. Born and raised in Niagara, she is a passionate life-long learner and educator who enjoys helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals.

Ken joined the CAA Niagara Board of Directors in 2023, after an executive career delivering technology and customer service operations for a variety of private and public sector organizations. A former Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Labour, Ken retired as Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for the WSIB.

Over the past ten years he has been involved in local not for profit boards and is currently the Treasurer and a member of the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority Board of Directors, the regulator mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce the province’s circular economy laws.

Ken holds a Bachelor of Mathematics (Computer Science) from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and is a registered CPA CMA. Ken also volunteers with the Town of Lincoln, Heritage Committee and is Vice-Chair of the Niagara Region Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Peter Van Hezewyk

Peter Van Hezewyk is a commerce and economics graduate from the University of Toronto and has more than 25 years experience in financial services, loyalty and telecom. Mr. Van Hezewyk has held several progressively senior roles during his career, including Senior Director of Customer Experience for Cogeco Connexions, where he led the team that received six industry Highest Customer Satisfaction in Telecom awards. During his career, Peter held a variety of marketing and management roles for Canadian Tire Financial Services, Air Miles, CIBC Cards and Carlson Marketing. In 2016, he joined the team at CAA Niagara as Director of Operations, before being appointed as President in CEO just seven months later. Since 2017, Peter has also held a seat on the Board of Directors for the Niagara Safety Village and is currently Chair of the Board.

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The Executive Team

Lais hotel properties limited, bob jackson, carlo robazza, dianna dymond, april brunet, paul macintyre, michelle miller, niagara’s finest hotels, jamie drummond.

About Our Chamber

About our chamber, advocacy. opportunity. choice..

The Chamber is a private, nonprofit, membership-supported organization dedicated to promoting a better economic climate in the Niagara Region. By consolidating resources from over a thousand businesses large and small, the Chamber becomes a powerful force for business advocacy and an efficient and inexpensive resource for individual business members.

The Niagara USA Chamber is not a government agency and thus receives ZERO public funding. A variety of programs designed to address a diversity of needs is planned and implemented by the membership itself, providing dynamic and timely solutions to business challenges.

We serve our members through business advocacy, value-added services and benefits, commerce & tourism promotion, and support for economic development – working together with our Partners & Affiliates.

Communities served in Niagara County include:

• Niagara Falls, NY
• Lockport, NY
• North Tonawanda, NY
• Youngstown, NY
• Newfane, NY
• Somerset, NY
• Lewiston, NY
• Cambria, NY
• Hartland, NY
• Royalton, NY
• Middleport, NY
• Wheatfield, NY
• Pendleton, NY

Our Mission

The Niagara USA Chamber is the recognized voice for business, advocating and communicating on behalf of the membership and promoting the Niagara region. 

A message from our president

The Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce has been the driving force for building a strong economy and vibrant business community since its inception in 1918.  Even though our name and location has changed and we merged with other organizations we have the same solid foundation that the Chamber originated.  We believe in unity, strength in numbers and a regional approach to do what is best for the communities we serve.  And we never forget where we came from but like so many of you, transition in any organization forces you to reassess, adapt to change and forge ahead.  Today, we are the largest business advocacy organization in Niagara County, (and one of the largest in the region) whose leadership spans diverse sectors, enabling the Chamber to be the go to agency to work with and for you to make this region a better place to do business.

We provide members with marketing opportunities, economic indicators, listings in the area’s only business directory, legislative bulletins, representation in local, state and federal government, and so much more. The Niagara USA Chamber sits on a number of important boards including the  Niagara County Workforce Development Board, Economic Development Alliance, Niagara Falls International Airport Stakeholders Group and others. Our office and website make thousands of referrals each year by providing potential customers and clients with information about your business.

A direct benefit of your membership is having the Chamber’s board of directors, committees, and staff working on your behalf on pro-business issues, legislative policy, tourism and economic development. The Chamber encourages all members to be involved in events or programs and to provide input on the direction and focus of our activities.

Chamber membership is a declaration of loyalty and support to the local business community. Be proud to be a Chamber member and support Chamber member businesses.   Our strength is in our membership. Our strength is you. Thank you for your continued support of the Niagara USA Chamber.

– Kory Schuler 

Executive Director Niagara USA Chamber

Our people are at the heart of what we do at the Niagara USA Chamber.

Craig Turner  Momentum, The Business Growth Agency Chairman of the Board

Russell Petrozzi Capitol Cleaners  Vice-Chairman

Rocco Surace The Bonadio Group Treasurer

Julie Berrigan Niagara County Community College  Secretary

Douglas Elia  Montante Construction  Past Chairman

Executive Leadership

Kory Schuler Executive Director Email Kory Schuler (716) 285-1702

Elena Woods  Executive Assistant Email Elena Woods (716) 285-9142

Board of Directors

Nasreen Akhtar NAZ716

Julie Berrigan Niagara County Community College 

Rosemary Blando  Durham Staffing 

Tim Boldt Calspan Corporation

Susan Brooks CHS Buffalo

Christopher Brown  Roach, Lennon & Brown 

Kevin Burgess Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center 

Lori Caso Waste Management                   

Edward Damico National Fuel

Marc Gschwend National Grid

Lori Kenjockety Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino

Rev. James J. Maher C.M. Niagara University

Kimberly Minkel Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

Gay Molnar Calamar Foundation 

Robert Morreale Niagara University

Jennifer Mundy KeyBank

Dr. William Murabito Niagara County Community College 

Lucy Muto  M&T Bank

Charles Nesbitt Jr.  Wendel 

Louis Paonessa New York Power Authority 

John Percy Jr.  Destination Niagara USA

Cheryl Phillips  Niagara Gazette

Damon Piatek  Impulse Guide

Jim Smyth Mid City Office Furniture

Annette Tomlin Bank on Buffalo

Roger Trevino  Niagara Falls Redevelopment

Heidi Urban Platter’s Chocolates

Earl Wells III E3 Communications

Elizabeth Zulawski  Leadership Niagara

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NFC Development Corp. – Board of Directors Special Meeting NFC Development Corp. – Board of Directors Special Meeting 4/13/22 at 4:30pm – 5:00pm, City Hall Council Chambers